Goram Ajoyev, a Tajik player, was the first Muslim to ever play for Beitar Jerusalem. During the hardship season of the 1989–90, his religion went unnoticed by most fans. Ajoyev was well liked by Beitar fans due to his all-out efforts during 13 games of the season's second half. Ajoyev's single goal in the last game, a 3–2 Beitar win over Maccabi Netanya, helped the club secure a berth the following season in Liga Leumit, the top league in Israel at the time.