By Waseem Zaffar MBE
Copyright birminghammail
A report commissioned by the United Nations has found that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine. This finding confirms what many in our communities have believed for a long time, and the ongoing conflict is causing significant pain. As attention turns to Villa Park for an important European game, our communities in Birmingham are hurting. Read more: Hundreds join vigil against racism after rape In a city defined by its love of football, Aston Villa is more than just a club; it’s a pillar of the community, woven into the fabric of Birmingham. It’s a unifying force that brings people together, bridging divides and forging bonds. I’ve always seen this firsthand, both on the football pitch and as a club cricketer, where sport has a unique power to overcome differences. Aston Villa is part of my DNA. As a proud Brummie, an Englishman, and a Muslim of Pakistani and Kashmiri heritage, my multiple identities have always found a home in the stands of Villa Park. This mighty club was founded in Lozells, my neighbourhood, and my connection to it runs deep. Villa is a huge part of our life and family, a tradition I share with my ten-year-old son, Mikaeel, who even has his own Villa podcast. We are both season ticket holders. But this week, we have made a difficult and deeply personal decision: we will not be at Villa Park for the visit of Maccabi Tel Aviv. Our choice stems from a place of conscience. We simply cannot sit and watch a football team from a state whose government is perpetrating what we and many others view as a humanitarian crisis, with the killing of thousands of innocent children and civilians in Palestine. The starvation, torture and killing of the people of Palestine carried out by the Israeli government and military have crossed many red lines for a very long time. I believe that the international community, including sports governing bodies like UEFA, should have suspended clubs like this as a sanction. Football is a global game, and its institutions have a moral responsibility to act when such atrocities are being committed. I know some will disagree with our position and suggest we are politicising a football match. But when war crimes are being committed and tens of thousands have been killed over the years, this goes beyond politics. This is a decision born of our conscious. I cannot in good faith be sat in a stadium watching a team play football from a state whose government has contributed to such brutal actions. This is not about identity or religion; it is about opposing the policies of a government that is responsible for mass suffering. And I sincerely hope that all those attending, from every background and perspective, are able to do so safely, without fear or hate. My love for Aston Villa remains absolute, and my hope for this club is always that they win. But my hope for the world is that we see an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the killings. I hope for a future where a two-state solution is realised, and the people of Palestine can prosper in their own land, free from the constant fear of indiscriminate attacks that have become all too common.
