ABDUL-RAUF STANDS BY DECISION.

Byline: Associated Press 

The NBA on Wednesday found itself at the center of a controversy encompassing basketball, religion and freedom of speech as Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf held firm in his refusal to stand for the national anthem.

The NBA has suspended the Denver Nuggets guard indefinitely without pay - a move that is costing Abdul-Rauf $31,707 per game.

Abdul-Rauf says his religious principles were more important than his job. He feels "The Star-Spangled Banner" is a symbol of tyranny and oppression, and contends the Koran forbids nationalistic ritualism.

Islamic experts and the league's most prominent Muslim player disagreed, saying the Koran does not address the issue specifically.

Although he refused to waver from his decision, Abdul-Rauf said Wednesday he meant no disrespect to the flag.

"My intentions were not in any way to be disrespectful to those who regard the national anthem as a sacred ceremony," he said in a statement read by his agent, Shareef Nasir in Denver. "I am an African-American, a citizen of this country, and one who respects freedom of speech and freedom of expression."

Abdul-Rauf, who converted to Islam in 1991 and changed his name from Chris Jackson in 1993, was suspended Tuesday. The Nuggets' next game is Friday night in Chicago.

"The ball's in his court. This is not a religious issue, it's a simple procedural rule," league spokesman Brian McIntyre said.

The players' union will support any efforts Abdul-Rauf might want to make to challenge the NBA's disciplinary action, including filing a grievance, if the issue cannot be resolved, said Ron Klempner, the union's assistant general counsel.

The dispute was unprecedented for a professional sports league.