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FFK, Akintola, Buna, Shafi’i, others to dissect genocide, injustice in Gaza
Muslim Awareness International (MAI) has perfected plan to mark this year’s Aqsa Day with the introduction of a football tournament in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.
The tournament which is the first of its kind will feature football teams from eight different Muslim student and religious organisations across the country.
In a statement, Director of MAI, Abdulwaheed Atoyebi, explained the rationale for introducing the solidarity match to this year’s Aqsa Day, saying, it was to involve students of higher institutions and professionals in the Palestinian advocacy through sports.
He noted that the soccer game would make them feel the pain and sympathise with their brothers in Palestine in their struggle against Israel’s illegal occupation and violence. “This is one of the unique features of this year’s Aqsa Day; it has not been done before. This is the first time that we will be having something of such. We’ll stage a solidarity match with the participation of eight leading and prominent Muslim organisations in Nigeria. “We are getting students and the professionals involved. Most youth today, particularly young men, are sports lovers and even in the just concluded Paris Olympics, the few Palestinians who participated also showcased their God-gifted skills and talents. They used the occasion to express their plight and call on the world to end the 10-month genocide going on in Palestine.
“So, we want to get the students in higher institutions and Muslim professionals involved through sports so that they can at least feel the pain and sympathise with our brothers in Palestine. For humanity’s sake, that is the essence of the Solidarity match.
He also urged Nigerian government and people of good conscience to sever ties with Israel until it respects all international laws and accepts the roadmap in Palestine.
According to Aqsa Day 2024 Chairman, Planning Committee, Dada Yakeen, revealed that the Aqsa Day events will commence on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with a solidarity match for Palestine and climax on Monday, September 16, with a public lecture to be delivered by former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode.
He added that the solidarity match will feature male football teams from eight higher institutions and religious bodies across Nigeria. “Soccer fans and supporters of the Palestinian cause will be treated to a thrilling game as The Muslim Congress (TMC) clashes with Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, (MSSN); YABATECH MSSN against UNILAG MSSN and At-taw’iyyah Madrasah students versus TYM on Saturday, August 17 at the popular Evans Square playing ground Ebute-Metta area of Lagos at 10:00 am.
“The spectacular leather game meant to demonstrate the power of sports in bridging divides will resume on 24 August, as Muslim Lawyers’ Association, MULAN, faces Muslim Teachers’ Association, MUTAN; while Muslim Media Practitioners clashes with another Muslim body at the same venue, same time.
“The Aqsa Day events will be concluded on Monday, September 16 (Mawlidun Nabiyy Public Holiday) with a public lecture and panel discussion at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with the theme: ‘Free Palestine: Aluta Continua Victoria e certa’.”
He noted that the former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode will be speaking on the topic ‘Injustice to Palestinians and genocide in Gaza: a threat to democracy and freedom in the world’. “Human rights activists and religious leaders such as Comrade Buna from Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA); Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof Lakin Akintola and Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic of Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, will be speaking on different topics respectively, ‘Is UN (Security Council) for us or against us (Palestine as a case study)’ and ‘Our roles in ensuring complete freedom of the state of Palestine.’
English (US) ·