‘Every human life matters’: Hassan Ali speaks out after criticism over condemnation of Reasi attack

Cricketer Hassan Ali has said he tries to “support peace” as best he can after criticism of his post in support of the victims of a suspected terror attack on a bus in Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

Ali shared to his Instagram story on Tuesday an AI-generated image calling attention to the attack on pilgrims heading to the Mata Vaishno Devi Hindu temple. At least nine people were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims plunged into a deep gorge near Reasi after a suspected attack in the held territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

The AI-generated image, that was also shared by multiple Indian celebrities, depicted a temple on fire, with the words “All eyes on Vaishno Devi attack” on a sign in the centre of the image. The line is similar to the phrase “all eyes on Rafah”, which has been used to call attention to Israeli attacks on Palestinian people in Rafah.

At the time when Ali shared the image, it had been shared 2.9 million times.

On Wednesday night, Ali shared a second story to his Instagram account in which he said, “Terrorism/violence are a serious issue, be it against any race of religion, hence I had shared this”.

The bowler said he tries to “support peace wherever and however [he] can” and clarified that he has always “condemned the attacks in Gaza and will continue to do so wherever innocent lives are being attacked”.

Though Ali drew praise in India for sharing the image, he faced some criticism online from users who noted that Indian cricket players had not posted in support of Palestine.

“Every human life matters. May Allah bless the people who lost their lives in Gwadar with the highest ranks in Jannah,” he wrote.