Doha – “My body is here but my soul is in Gaza. I carry a lump of sadness within me, and I feel powerless,” said Palestinian Ahmad Matar, describing his life away from his homeland and the suffering of his compatriots who grew up abroad, far from their country and unable to return.
Matar, 36, was raised in Qatar, living his youth and life there so far. However, he feels deeply saddened and oppressed because he can’t fulfill his dream to return to his homeland, Palestine. He awaits the day he can go back home.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Matar expressed his frustration at being unable to visit Palestine and reiterated his commitment when the Palestinian national team arrives in Doha. He feels compelled to answer the call, to visit and support them. However, his joy for the team and his support is incomplete and will only be fulfilled by aiding the people of Gaza and putting an end to their suffering.
Palestinian youth could not restrain their hearts from supporting their national football team in their first Asian Cup match against Iran in Group C. Clad in Palestinian kufiyahs and carrying their national flag, they came to the Education City Stadium, reversing their boycott of the championship because of the dire situation in the Gaza Strip.
Supporting the Cause
Matar initially planned to boycott the Asian championship, disheartened by his country’s participation amidst the aggression against the Gaza Strip. However, upon reflection, he concluded that participating would better support the Palestinian cause. He considered it crucial to attend and back the team and the cause, especially since the tournament attracts global viewership, and the Palestinians, who cherish life, have the right to joy and support their cause simultaneously.
Having the Palestinian team in the Asian tournament also shines a more intense spotlight on the Palestinian issue, giving it significant momentum and affirming that the Palestinian people are not just numbers or merely a people of wars.
The loss of three of his maternal cousins and the arrest of a paternal cousin reflected sorrow on Matar’s face. This notwithstanding, it did not wane his faith or his support for his country’s cause and his empathy for his relatives and brethren in the Gaza Strip enduring tragic circumstances. He wishes for the aggression to end soonest.
Cheers and Support
Another Palestinian, Yasser Khalifa, along with his family, attended the match to cheer on their national team, raise the Palestinian flag, and chant for their country at every possible event, be it a sports event or otherwise.
Khalifa told Al Jazeera Net that his attendance to support “Al-Fida’i” (The Redeemer) serves as backing for the Gaza Strip amidst the brutal aggression and the Palestinian cause, which Palestinians have supported since 1948.
Since moving to Doha four years ago, he continually tries to attend different events to support the Palestinian cause and elevate his country’s name on the global stage and map.
His son Hamza, only six years old, joined his father to support Palestine and understands the cause deeply, boycotting all companies that support the war on the Gaza Strip. While his brother Walid echoes their father’s sentiment on the importance of backing the team and raising the Palestinian flag during the Asian championship, as it is an event watched worldwide, Zenah emphasizes her support for the Gaza Strip and her sorrow for the children who were killed unjustly.
And with support for the Palestinian team, the cause, and condemnation of the aggression on Gaza, the crowd agreed whether they were Palestinian, Iranian, or even Arabic spectators from Doha who came to support Palestine outside the stadium, with flags and supportive slogans, or inside chanting in support of Palestine.
Iranian Support
Mehdi Zahedi, an Iranian fan, attended the match to support his country’s team, holding both the Iranian and Palestinian flags, demonstrating his strong solidarity with the Palestinian cause and his stern rejection of the aggression against the Gaza Strip.
Zahedi expressed that the entire Iranian population feels great sympathy for the Palestinian people and supports the Palestinian cause, which is a concern for the whole Islamic world.
He added: “In Iran, we hope that the Palestinian people will obtain their rights and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which claims hundreds of lives daily, will come to an end.”
Meanwhile, Egyptian attendee Ahmed Yahya – who came with his two young children – strongly believes that supporting the Palestinian team is a way to stand with the cause and empathize with the people of Gaza who suffer daily massacres and extermination by the Israeli occupation.
Yahya emphasizes that the Palestinian cause is an Arab cause.
A Clear Message
Mohammed Dib, a young Palestinian, believes that waving his country’s flag and supporting the team against Iran is the least he can offer to the Palestinian cause “and our people in the Gaza Strip living in dire conditions.”
Dib, 24, told Al Jazeera Net, “Our presence and support for our team will show the entire world that Palestinians are everywhere, defending their cause, and will never forget it.”
The match between Palestine and Iran ended with a striking display of public support for the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip. The sporting feast concluded with Iran’s victory (4-1) in the first match of the teams in Group C of the continental tournament hosted in Qatar, ongoing until February 10.
