In response to comments on social media by Arsenal football player Mesut Özil criticising the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China, Harun Khan, MCB Secretary General, said:
“There is no doubt that the Uighur people are facing ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Chinese Government, purely because of their Muslim faith. Subject to horrific conditions in concentration camps, the Uighurs are left voiceless and unable to highlight their plight to the world. Özil’s use of his profile to raise the issue is hugely commendable, but the decision by Arsenal to distance themselves from standing up for human rights is regrettable.”