Traitors Contestant Faraaz Noor Opens Up About Faith and Friendship on BBC Show
Faraaz Noor, the 22-year-old Middlesbrough contestant from BBC's hit reality series The Traitors, has shared intimate details about how he maintained his Muslim faith during the intense four-week competition filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland. Despite missing out on the substantial £95,750 prize fund, Noor has revealed that his experience was enriched by spiritual connections and unexpected kindness from fellow contestants.
Finding Solace Through Daily Prayer in the Castle
During a recent interview, Noor explained how the practice of namaz – the Muslim daily prayer performed at five specific times throughout the day – provided crucial moments of peace amidst the psychological pressure of the game. "Being able to pray was really nice," he reflected. "Your mind's going a million miles an hour and then you've got that five or ten minutes to yourself, just praying to God. It really puts everything into perspective."
The production team received particular praise from Noor for their accommodation of religious practices. "The team were perfect – they always let us know when it was time for namaz," he noted, highlighting how the show's crew ensured contestants could observe their faith commitments despite the demanding filming schedule.
The Prayer Partnership That Ended Too Soon
Noor developed a special bond with fellow contestant Maz, a former police officer, as they regularly prayed together during their time in the castle. This spiritual partnership was tragically cut short when Maz was "murdered" in the game's dramatic cage elimination, removed from the competition by the trio of Traitors.
"When Maz was murdered, Fiona came up to me and said: 'I know Maz was your prayer buddy. If you ever need to meditate, we can do it together,'" Noor recalled. He described this gesture from fellow contestant Fiona as "really sweet," demonstrating how genuine human connections formed despite the game's deceptive nature.
Cultural Expression and Pilgrimage Aspirations
Noor also discussed the cultural significance of his wardrobe choices during the show's final episode, where contestants traditionally dress in formal attire for the dramatic fire pit showdown. He wore a shalwar kameez that held special personal meaning. "My mum got it for me for Eid, and I thought: 'This is mint – I'm going to take it with me.' I thought if I make the final, I'll wear it then," he explained.
During the competition, Noor had shared with fellow contestants that if he won the prize money, he would use it to complete the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with his family. "Completing that pilgrimage in Saudi, going to Mecca. If I was to win the money, I'd love to be able to treat the family and all of us go as one," he told them, describing Hajj as "one of the pillars of Islam."
This revelation has since sparked a remarkable response from fashion entrepreneur Umar Kamani, co-founder of Pretty Little Thing, who publicly offered to fund Noor and his family's pilgrimage. In a social media post viewed hundreds of thousands of times, Kamani wrote: "I would love to send Faraaz from Traitors and his family to Hajj."
The Lasting Impact Beyond the Game
Noor's experience on The Traitors illustrates how reality television can create unexpected spaces for cultural and religious expression. His story highlights how contestants navigate personal faith within the artificial environment of competitive reality programming, and how genuine human connections can transcend the game's manufactured conflicts.
The 22-year-old's openness about his Muslim faith and pilgrimage aspirations has resonated with viewers, creating conversations about representation and religious accommodation in mainstream television. His account of Fiona's supportive gesture following Maz's elimination particularly underscores how moments of authentic kindness can emerge even within the most strategically competitive environments.
