DOHA, Qatar – In a stark contrast to the global backlash faced by football players and fans expressing solidarity with Palestine, thousands gathered at Qatar’s Education City Stadium to demonstrate their unwavering support and raise funds for those affected by Israel’s conflict in Gaza.
Against the backdrop of a windy Friday evening, fans adorned in Palestinian colors and brandishing the national flag congregated at the former Qatar World Cup 2022 venue on the outskirts of Doha.
The Stand with Palestine charity match, organized by the Qatar Foundation, emerged from an initiative by a group of students aiming to generate funds through ticket sales and raise awareness about the dire situation in Gaza, where over 7,000 children and nearly 19,000 people have lost their lives since October 7 due to Israeli bombardment.
Karim Abbas, one of the Palestinian students coordinating the event, emphasized that the match was dedicated “for the children of Palestine.”
Visibly moved, Abbas expressed the difficulty of witnessing the events in Gaza and stressed the importance of standing against oppression.
Participating teams included students from two Qatar-based schools and international football stars such as former Spanish World Cup winner Javi Martinez, Morocco’s Soufiane Boufal, and several members of the Qatar national team. One team represented Qatar, while the other represented Palestine.
Despite the presence of renowned players, the 40,000-capacity stadium’s focus remained on waving the Palestinian flag and vocalizing support for the people of Gaza. Fans expressed their commitment to remind Gaza that they are not forgotten, with one supporter stating, “In 2023, there’s no place for genocide.”
Before the match, football stars engaged with fans, providing autographs and taking photos. The crowd, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, erupted into song and dance when the popular Palestinian anthem “Dammi Falasteeni” played, evoking strong emotions among Palestinians and their supporters.
Abdel Wahab al-Masri, a Palestinian resident in Doha, expressed joy at the widespread support for Palestine, noting the positive impact it could have on the resilience of those in Gaza. The crowd’s united expression of solidarity, he believed, would strengthen the Palestinians’ resolve against the occupation.
Emotions ran high for everyone present, transcending nationalities. Chique Leo from the Philippines saw the event as an opportunity to demonstrate to world leaders that Palestinians are not alone.
She passionately condemned the world’s indifference to the ongoing crisis, calling it an “unprecedented war” that dehumanizes the Palestinian people.
As the match kicked off, the crowd continued its enthusiastic support, with chants of “Palestine!” echoing throughout. The charged atmosphere contributed to a successful fundraising effort, with organizers announcing that 20 million Qatari riyals ($5.5 million) had been raised by the match’s conclusion.
The spirited on-field competition culminated in a 4-3 victory for Palestine in a penalty shoot-out. Yet, the unity displayed by players from both sides, joining together to wave the Palestinian flag, underscored the match’s broader message of solidarity and support.
