MANCHESTER: Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has expressed solidarity with Palestinians after a pro-Israel group shared his photo taken with its members in Manchester, United Kingdom, in a social media post, adding that he stopped to offer support for its calls for the release of Israeli captives from Gaza.
“Imagine strolling down a street in Manchester, United Kingdom and so-called fans approach you for a selfie,” Shahid Afridi said on social media platform X. “You oblige, and moments later, they upload it as some form of Zionist endorsement.” “Unbelievable,” Afridi said. “Please don’t believe everything that is uploaded.”
Afridi said it was “truly heartbreaking” to see how Palestinian people were targeted by Israel in the Gaza Strip. “Thus, any image or association shared by in Manchester does not show my support for any situation where human lives are at stake,” former Pakistani cricketer said. Shahid Afridi noted that he took photos with fans everywhere, saying that this situation was no different.
“I pray for peace, I pray for an end to this war, I pray for freedom,” he added. Afridi’s photo was shared by a group called North West Friends of Israel, featuring him with two of its top officials during a demonstration, where people holding placards can be seen in the background.
One of the group’s officials is also seen holding pro-Israel pamphlets in the frame, which demand the release of captives. Shahid Afridi later criticized the group, saying he thought it was “just a selfie” with his fans.
“I do not endorse your Tweet,” he said. “As a Muslim I pray for peace worldwide. Please delete this social media post as it’s not accurate!”
Many people expressed mix reaction over the image of Shahid Afrid as some strongly criticized him. Prominent author Fatima Bhutto called for Afridi to comment on the matter and following his explanation stated, “He commented and said he had no idea who they were. I guess they [the FOI] were keen to look like there were more than five people at their event”.
However, many social media users said that people should accept the explanation of Shahid Afridi after the matter.
