Muslim Fans in Qatar urged to express their “love for Muhammad”

Muslim Fans in Qatar have been urged to honor the Prophet Muhammad during Morocco’s semi-final match against France at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, according to activists.

Mahmoud Al Hasanat, a Palestinian influencer, tweeted: “I expect to hear from the Moroccan supporters at the France vs. Morocco match prayers upon the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, while they shake the stands.”

أتمنى أن أسمع من الجماهير المغربية في مباراة فرنسا والمغرب الصلاة على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهي تهز المدرجات

— محمود الحسنات (@abohamzahasanat) December 12, 2022

Al Hasanat also called attention to the fact that French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the game in a now-deleted tweet, noting that Macron had made comments about the Prophet that Muslims all across the globe considered objectionable.

Al Hasanat’s calls were repeated by other influencers as well, including novelist Boutaina Azzabi Ezzaouia, who posted the influencer’s tweet on Instagram.

Anti-Arab and Islamophobic views, which have taken the form of attempts to shut down mosques and outlaw hijabs in France, have long drawn criticism from the international community.

Macron has also supported cartoons in the past that featured disrespectful depictions of the Prophet.

On Wednesday, Morocco will play France in a pivotal semifinal match. The world’s favorite team, Morocco, is looking to pull off another shock and make history by making it to the final, while the defending champions, France, will try to get to the final for the second time in a row.

Many have supported the move, with some hoping for the instance to occur in a bid to “show Macron the muslim community he insults”.