Azeez Al-Shaair’s anti-genocide note: Muslims tackle NFL fine with charity
Al Jazeera
Houston Texans’ linebacker faces $11,593 penalty for displaying nose tape message that says, ‘Stop the Genocide’.
Palestinian rights advocates are raising charitable donations in the name of American football player Azeez Al-Shaair, who was fined by the National Football League for displaying an anti-genocide message on his nose tape.
Nimrah Riaz, founder of Siraat Strategies, a sports consulting firm focused on Muslims, said people in the community wanted to turn the $11,593 penalty against the Houston Texans’ linebacker into something positive.
Al-Shaair wore nose tape captioned “Stop the Genocide” during a pre-game TV interview last week, without specifically referring to a particular conflict. But the message was widely understood to be about the atrocities in Gaza and Sudan.
“If Azeez was going to use his platform to stand up for humanity, and there was going to be a financial consequence, instead of that moment ending in punishment, the community chose to redirect it, so we can all collectively raise funds towards Palestine and Sudan for those who actually need it,” Riaz told Al Jazeera.
Former NFL player Husain Abdullah donated $11,593 to the charity Human Development Fund (HDF) in response to the fine. A separate, ongoing fundraiser by Riaz on the platform Launchgood also aims to donate the same amount to HDF.
State media outlet Press TV says one woman was killed from shrapnel as a result of a US-Israeli airstrike.
Qatari official denies political motives for decision to halt LNG production following Iranian strikes.
Israel targets centre of Lebanese capital in escalation of military campaign that has killed nearly 700 people.
The newly appointed supreme leader delivers a defiant speech, pledging that Iran will keep fighting.
Missile alert alarms sound in Jerusalem as the Israeli military says it launches another round of ‘wide-scale’ strikes.
The attack appears to be another Israeli attempted assassination, outside areas traditionally targeted.
Qatar’s envoy to UN condemns Iranian drone, missile strikes across the Gulf as ‘clear violation of international law’.
UN humanitarian chief says mass displacement accelerating as Lebanon’s shelters are already overcrowded, lack resources.
The strike in a densely populated area appears to be another attempted assassination, with no information yet on target.
Lawmakers say the White House has not clearly explained why the US entered the conflict, or how long it may last.
The global rights group says erosion of health, safety in Gaza ‘a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls’.
Two Israeli air attacks hit Lebanon’s southern city of Tyre amid media reports Tel Aviv wants to expand buffer zone.
Expanding regional conflict shifts global attention as Gaza faces border closures, inflation and ‘ceasefire’ violations.