Rafiq to join March of the Living

Former cricketer Azeem Rafiq is set to join this year’s March of the Living alongside seven Holocaust survivors, as part of his bid to learn more about anti-Jewish racism.

Rafiq, a one-time professional player for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, hit the headlines in September 2020 after making a number of accusations of racism, bullying and harassment at the club. His claims were found to be true. and eventually led to the resignations of both the chairman and chief executive of the club.

But, a year later, it emerged that Rafiq himself had made antisemitic comments on Facebook when he was 19. He made an unreserved apology saying that he was “ashamed” and “a different person today”.

Now he has agreed to join survivors and members of world Jewish communities in their annual visit to Poland, declaring that he wants to improve his knowledge about the Holocaust and attempt to better understand what happened and why its commemoration is so important.

Rafiq said: “I am passionate about understanding all I can about the Holocaust… how it came about, what actually happened and very importantly, to hear the testimonies of the remaining survivors.

“It is everyone’s duty to learn about our past so that we have the knowledge and power to stop such atrocities happening again.”

Scott Saunders, founder of March of the Living UK said: “We are delighted that Azeem Rafiq will be joining us.”