The Block Australia 2022’s Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman “Oz” Abu Malik want to make a difference in the young Muslim community.

In fact, the best mates from Western Sydney were observing Ramadan during the first few weeks of their reno and were even shown on-screen praying, in a first for the series.

During that period — which is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar — Omar, 30, and Oz, 30 were not able to consume any food or drink after sunrise and could only break their fast at sunset.

The Block Australia 2022’s Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman “Oz” want to make a difference in the young Muslim community. Source: Nine.

The Blockheads are the first Muslim team ever to join the show, something Omar has called a “blessing”.

“It was such a blessing,” Omar told 9Now in an interview before the series aired. “It’s going to be huge for us to showcase who we actually are. That’s a big step in itself.”

“What people don’t understand is that Australia is a massive country with so many different races, [and] so many different ethnicities.”

Omar was born in Afghanistan and moved to New Zealand as a refugee when he was three, while Oz was born here in Australia.

“We are Muslim, and I am Lebanese, but I am Australian Lebanese,” Oz told 9Now. “I’m a proud Australian, and I want to show what two Muslim Aussies can do.”

omar and oz the block 2022
The Blockheads are the first Muslim team ever to join the show, which Omar called a “blessing”. Source: Nine

Who Is Omar Slaimankhel from The Block Australia 2022?

Omar represented Afghanistan’s national rugby league team and was a professional NRL player with the New Zealand Warriors.

He then moved to Japan and made the switch to rugby union, where he now has his sights set on the Rugby Sevens, heading overseas soon to play for Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old grew up in Auckland and now lives in Sydney with his wife Maz and their two sons, Quais, four and Yusha, one.

“My wife is very supportive of me going on The Block,” he said. “She is a very strong woman, very independent as well.”

Who Is Oz Abu Malik from The Block Australia 2022?

Oz is a superfan of The Block, having watched the show for years.

He is married to wife Jasmine and is the father of three boys, Malik (seven), Zayd (five) and Humza (one).

According to his official bio, Oz is a very “religious man”.

“Yes, we pray five times a day, but we feed the poor and we are good to others,” he said. “We respect our neighbours regardless of what nationality or country they are from.”

Oz The Block 2022
Oz is married to his wife Jasmine and is the father of three boys, Malik (seven), Zayd (five) (both pictured) and Humza (one). Source: Instagram @__ozman__

Who Are Omar and Oz as a Team on The Block Australia 2022?

Omar and Oz — who are friends with NRL player Sonny Bill Williams — met in 2011 through a mutual friend.

“When Oz asked me if I wanted to do The Block with him I jumped at it straight away,” Omar said. “I couldn’t think of a better person to be on the show with.”

So Dramatic! Daily podcast

And these two guys look like they will be a SERIOUS threat from the outset.

“People will think we are just two boys from Western Sydney who have no taste, but I’m telling you that we are the wow factor The Block is looking for!” Oz said.

Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! Daily podcast with Megan Pustetto below!

Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here! Get the tea first! 

Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.