Moatasem Zakaria, a player for Al-Mansoura Workers, died in an accident during Iftar (the meal breaking the Ramadan fast)
A state of deep sadness and shock prevailed in the sports and popular circles in the Dakahlia Governorate and throughout Egypt, following the announcement of the death of the young player Moatasem Zakaria , a football player in the Mansoura Workers Club (born in 2011), in a tragic traffic accident that occurred shortly before the Maghrib prayer, turning the scene of charitable work into a final farewell that shook everyone’s hearts.
Details of the tragic accident
According to local reports and eyewitnesses, the accident occurred on a highway in the Dakahlia Governorate. The deceased player was participating with a group of volunteers in a cherished Ramadan tradition: distributing dates, juices, and light iftar meals to travelers and drivers who were caught by the time of breaking their fast on the road. While performing this noble act, he was struck by a speeding car, resulting in his death at the scene from his severe injuries.
The context of volunteer work and road hazards
This incident highlights a deeply rooted social phenomenon in Egyptian society during the holy month of Ramadan, where young people and athletes compete to feed those fasting on the streets, seeking divine reward. Despite the nobility of this intention, the period just minutes before sunset is known as the "dangerous rush hour," during which some drivers accelerate recklessly to reach their destinations before Iftar, endangering the lives of volunteers and pedestrians. This tragic event befell the young athlete who paid with his life for his act of kindness.
Official mourning and widespread sporting solidarity
Mansoura Workers Club issued an official statement on its social media page, mourning the loss of their beloved player, Moatasem, and emphasizing that he was a model of commitment and good character both on and off the field. The social media pages of sports clubs across the Delta and Egypt became virtual mourning tents, with hundreds expressing their condolences to the player's family and praying that God would consider him a martyr, as he died while performing a charitable act.
The Football Association mourns the deceased
On an official level, the Egyptian Football Association was quick to offer its condolences. The board of directors, the executive director, and all staff members of the association expressed their deepest sorrow and grief over the loss of the young player. Engineer Hani Abu Rida (as reported in the news) and the board members extended their sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased and his club, praying to God Almighty to grant him His mercy and inspire his family with patience and solace.
The impact of departure and a warning message
The passing of Moatasem Zakaria at the tender age of 14 leaves a deep wound in the hearts of his colleagues and coaches, and raises pressing questions about the need to ensure the safety of volunteers on highways and to exercise extreme caution in the moments leading up to Iftar (the breaking of the fast). Moatasem's name will forever remain in the memory of the people of Mansoura as a symbol of generosity and sacrifice, and a testament to the fact that good deeds endure even after the one who performs them is gone.
