German TV Host Sparks Controversy with Comparison of Moroccan Soccer Celebrations to ISIS Gestures

In a report, a television presenter from the popular German channel Welt reproaches Moroccan players Zakaria Abouklal, Abdelhamid Sabiri and Ilias Chair for celebrating their victory over Portugal (1-0) by posing with a Moroccan flag and raising their index finger, a "salute" similar to that used by members of the Islamic State. However, this is a sign that Muslims have been making for decades as a reminder of the celebration of the oneness of God and an affirmation of faith. Shortly afterwards, the Moroccan-German player Abdelhamid Sabiri posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the Palestinian flag draped around his shoulder, raising his index finger, accompanied by a one-word caption: "Freedom".

The report has provoked reactions from Internet users who have accused the German media of inciting hatred against the Atlas Lions and Muslims in Germany, where Islamophobic crimes have exploded in recent years. "I am fascinated every day by the way German racism manifests itself with its (Welt) coverage of the World Cup," tweeted Germany-based journalist Hebh Jamal. In the eyes of German journalist Tarek Baé, the Welt report is another attempt by the German media to demonize the winning Muslim team. "All over the world, people raise their index finger to celebrate. But only with Muslims should it be terror. What do you call the fact of choosing a group of people to demonize?," Baé tweeted.

The German newspapers have also condemned the use of the Palestinian flag during the World Cup. According to Die Tageszeitung, one of Germany’s most important daily newspapers, waving the Palestinian flag during the World Cup is a form of "orchestrated hostility towards Israel".