NFL Star Azeez Al-Shaair Pays Tribute to Slain Palestinian Sisters Despite Fines and Threats

Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair continued his tribute to Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, wearing the names of sisters Lana and Bana Ahmad on his eye black during a game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The 12-year-old Lana and her eight-year-old sister Bana lost their lives alongside their family in an Israeli air attack earlier this month. Prior to kickoff, Al-Shaair shared posts about the siblings on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of the black tape bearing their names and his black shoes featuring stitched flags of Palestine and Sudan.

As a Black American Muslim player, Al-Shaair has frequently spoken out regarding the situation in Palestine. On September 13, he displayed the name of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old killed in Gaza after Israeli soldiers fired upon her family's car on January 29, 2024. Consequently, the NFL fined him $11,491 for violating the league's code of conduct regarding player equipment. Basketball player Kyrie Irving later offered to cover the fine, which Al-Shaair acknowledged.

Addressing reporters regarding the financial penalty, Al-Shaair stated, "It’s bigger to me; what’s a life worth? Is a life worth $11,000? No, I think it’s priceless."

In a subsequent match against the Cincinnati Bengals, Al-Shaair wore an eye black displaying the name of Wafa Akila, an eight-year-old killed with her father in an attack in western Gaza. He also faced a fine last season for writing "Stop The Genocide" on his nose tape.

Reports indicated that after wearing Rajab's name, Al-Shaair was told to remove the eye black or risk ejection from the game. US Democratic politician Isaiah Martin criticized the NFL's stance, stating on X, "This harms no one by letting him do this. I think it’s absurd they were fining him... Removal from the game is INSANE. This shouldn’t stand!"

The conflict in Gaza has severely disrupted education, leaving 90 percent of schools damaged or destroyed, while the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that at least 21,500 children have been killed since October 7, 2023.