Athletes, including Muslim and Arab Sports Stars, from all across the world have spoken out about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Both supporters of Israel's right to self-defence and those who stand in sympathy with the Palestinians have spoken up. There have been instances of disagreement between players due to their differing perspectives.
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The Israel-Hamas War | Credit: nytimes.com[/caption]
The Background to the Summit
The
Israel-Hamas war has stoked protests across the US at various college campuses in the Northeast, with pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Brooklyn College and Columbia University. In the UK, the FA, Premier League, and Football League were accused of “double standards” in 2019 for not holding tributes for 50 people killed in New Zealand's mosque attacks, despite doing so after November 2015’s Paris attacks.
Muslim and Arab Sports Stars Summit
On Monday, October 9, 2023, a group of Muslim and Arab sports stars gathered at a virtual summit in an effort to find common ground and a peaceful settlement.
The legendary Egyptian footballer Mohamed Aboutrika, widely considered one of the best African players of all time, spearheaded the summit's planning,
MSN reports.
The summit was attended by around 30 athletes from various sports, such as football, including Premier League stars, cricket, and rugby.
Some Muslim and Arab players made it clear in this week’s meeting, held on Monday, that they would walk off the pitch ahead of upcoming fixtures for their club sides if respect is not shown for Palestinians lost in the conflict.
The players were concerned that the FA, Premier League, and Football League were not showing respect for the Palestinian people who are also suffering. The players were not against a minute’s silence for the victims of war, but they have a voice and won’t be silent on this.
Muslim and Arab stars were also warned in the meeting to limit their social media use - or steer clear of it completely - to avoid a backlash.
Some of the notable participants were:
- Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool and Egypt star is often regarded as one of the sport's most recognizable and influential figures. He has donated millions of dollars to humanitarian help in Gaza and has made no secret of his sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
- Sonny Bill Williams: The rugby legend for New Zealand and the Toronto Wolfpack can play almost every position. Since his 2009 conversion to Islam, he has been vocal about the values of his new religion and his commitment to social justice.
- Rashid Khan: One of cricket's top spin bowlers, Rashid Khan, is a standout for both Afghanistan and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Mesut Ozil: The Arsenal and Germany star is one of the sport's most inventive and accomplished midfielders. He is of Turkish descent and has openly advocated on behalf of China's Muslim minority.
Pakistani Prime Minister and former cricket star Imran Khan, who is well-known for his diplomatic talents and efforts to foster regional peace and dialogue, served as the summit's moderator.
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Pakistani Prime Minister and former cricket star Imran Khan. | Credit: newspakistan,pk[/caption]
The summit's stated purpose was to "discuss the root causes of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the role of sports in promoting peace and tolerance, and possible ways to show solidarity and support for all those who have lost loved ones or suffered as a result of the violence."
Per
Mirror, according to Aboutrika, the participants agreed on several points, such as:
- Condemning all forms of violence and terrorism from both sides
- Calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace agreement
- Urging the international community to intervene and protect the civilians
- Supporting the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in dignity and security
- Respecting the diversity of opinions and beliefs among sports stars
- Encouraging sports stars to use their platforms to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian aid
- Seeking ways to honor the victims of the conflict through fitting tributes or gestures
Aboutrika also said that the participants hoped that their summit would inspire other sports stars and fans to join them in their quest for peace and justice. He said that sports can be a powerful tool to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and create positive change.
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