Doha, Qatar: The ‘Stand with Palestine’ fundraising event is set to draw a crowd at the Education City Stadium this evening, featuring a football match with participation from various stars.
Organized by students from Qatar Academy Doha, an institution affiliated with the Qatar Foundation, the initiative aims to unite the local community in solidarity with the people of Palestine, who have faced severe Israeli aggression in Gaza.
The highlight of the initiative is a football showdown featuring both local and international players, media figures, influencers, and students from Qatar Academy Doha and the Palestinian School. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Palestine, and a halftime draw for prizes will be held for spectators.
Pre-match activities include musical performances by artists Nasser Al-Kubaisi, Dana Al Meer, Nesma Emad, and Hala Al Emadi, presenting the songs ‘Palestine Arabiye’ and ‘Mawtini’ (My Homeland), along with a drone show.
Tickets for the event sold out well in advance, demonstrating the local community's eagerness to support the affected people of Palestine. Donations will also be collected in collaboration with Qatar Charity through a link displayed on stadium screens, with the total amount announced during the event.
Over 100 students from Qatar Academy Doha are volunteering under the supervision of school teachers, with training provided by the Asian Football Confederation. The Education Stadium gates will open at 4 pm, and the event will kick off at 6 pm, featuring a 30-minute football match played in two halves starting at 7 pm.
Notable former and current football players and media personalities participating in the event include Ferjani Sassi, Younes Ahmed, Meshal Abdullah, Younis Mahmoud, Javi Martinez, Meshal Mubarak, Fabio Cesar, Ahmed Hassan, Belal Mohamed, Badr Benoun, Naser Kamel, Essam El Hadary, Mohamed Saadon Al Kuwari, Nasser Al Shamrani, Alfonso Alves, Sofiane Boufal, Abdelatif Bahdari, and Ibrahim Al Ghanim.