Rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams has drawn parallels between Ukrainian ‘freedom fighters’ and Muslims who ‘fight for the innocent.’
Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009, tweeted his support for the Ukrainian resistance fighters and said the public should treat Muslims the same when they help innocents in conflict zones.
Ukraine is encouraging foreign fighters to join its resistance against the Russians, while the UK’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she supported Britons who go and fight for Ukraine. The conflict has seen many people point out the double standards at play when it comes to how this war is being covered and discussed versus others.
“So the freedom fighters that will go to support Ukrainian soldiers won’t be called terrorists they will be called heroes,” tweeted Williams.
“Rightly so, we should always support what is right. Just remember this when Muslims around the [world] go and fight for the innocent/voiceless humans also.”
In another tweet, Williams reminds those that make out the war in Ukraine to be unique, that conflicts happen in other parts of the world – and innocent lives are lost there too.
“… please remember what’s happening right now in Ukraine has been happening in places in the Middle East/Africa & Asia for awhile now,” he said.
Australian boxer Billy Dib responded to Williams’ tweet with: “May Allah reward you Sonny for raising awesomeness.”
Last week, Russia begun its large-scale military assault on Ukraine and so far around 2000 civilians have died in the conflict.
Williams — who played both rugby codes before taking up a boxing career — has been vocal about issues close to Muslims.
Earlier, the 36-year-old tweeted about the assault on a 15-year-old Palestinian girl by Israeli forces: “Imagine the outrage if this girl was from a western country,” he pointed out, alluding to the sympathy shown towards victims of the war in Ukraine versus victims of conflicts in other parts of the world.
A few weeks ago, Williams took to social media again to raise awareness about the plight of hijabi Muslim women.
