* Former Arsenal star says speaking out on China’s Muslims led to isolation at the club
Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil has revealed that his outspoken comments on the alleged mistreatment of Uighur Muslims in China contributed to his fallout with the Premier League club, claiming he was sidelined after making his views public.
Özil, who publicly raised concerns about human rights violations in north-west Xinjiang in a late 2019 social media post, said he knew the consequences before speaking out but chose to proceed regardless.
At the time, Arsenal distanced themselves from his comments, issuing a statement on Chinese social media platform Weibo stressing that the club does not involve itself in politics. The statement emphasised that Özil’s remarks represented his personal opinion.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Özil alleged that his position within the team changed significantly after the post, claiming he was excluded from first-team activities and left to train separately until his eventual departure from the club.
He later joined Turkish side Fenerbahce in January 2021 following a mutual termination of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking at a leadership summit in Malaysia in April 2026, the former German international opened up about the aftermath of his comments.
“I heard about Uighur Turks and then I made my research. I knew if I posted something like this, I would get into trouble, but I didn’t care,” Özil said at the Leadership in the Age of Confusion Summit.
He added that while he understood the difficulties it created within the dressing room, he felt compelled to act.
“They closed the doors on me. They didn’t let me play anymore. It was a difficult time because I was enjoying my football and then it was taken away,” he said.
From controversy to recognition
Despite the controversy surrounding his statements and subsequent exit from Arsenal, Özil later received recognition for his humanitarian stance.
He was named Global Muslim Celebrity of the Year 2020 by Muslim News Nigeria under its MNAwards, an annual awards initiative celebrating Muslim achievers in Nigeria and globally.
The award organisers said Özil was honoured for using his platform to speak on human rights issues affecting Muslim minorities, particularly his advocacy on the plight of Uighur Muslims in China.
Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria and initiator of MNAwards, Rasheed Abubakar, said Özil’s recognition was based not only on his sporting achievements but also on his philanthropy and public advocacy.
According to him, Özil stood out for “speaking up on behalf of oppressed communities” and consistently using his global influence to draw attention to humanitarian issues.
He also highlighted Özil’s charitable activities, including initiatives supporting underprivileged children and medical assistance programmes, describing him as a figure who combined sporting excellence with social responsibility.
Abubakar noted that Özil’s actions, though controversial in some quarters, reflected courage in addressing sensitive global issues.
Legacy beyond football
The award organisers added that Özil’s time at Arsenal helped project a positive image of Muslim identity in global football, noting his public displays of faith and charitable engagements.
Now retired from elite European football, Özil’s legacy continues to generate debate, with supporters praising his activism and critics questioning the intersection of sport and politics.
Designed to recognise Muslim personalities who have excelled in their fields and made positive contributions to society globally, the winners of the 2025 edition of the award will be celebrated in Lagos on Sunday, June 14, 2026, during the newspaper’s 7th anniversary lecture.
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Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
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