Al Ahly’s Zizo urges people to ‘build for the afterlife’ after Egypt earthquake

Ahmed Sayed Zizo has urged people to reflect on their lives and faith after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Egypt early on Monday.

The Al Ahly and Egypt forward shared an emotional message on Instagram following the tremor, saying the brief moment of fear had put worldly concerns into perspective and reminded people that their ultimate refuge was with God.

“Seconds of fear were enough to make the world, with everything in it, seem smaller in people’s eyes, and to remind everyone that, in the end, there is no refuge except with God,” Zizo wrote.

The earthquake occurred at about 03:00 local time, according to a statement from Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. It was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre 38km north of Suez.

Zizo continued his message by encouraging people to pursue their ambitions while remembering their spiritual responsibilities.

“Life is too short for us to live it in conflict, injustice and anger, and too short for the world to distract us from the day to which we are all heading,” he said.

He added: “Work, strive and dream, but do not forget, while building your worldly life, to build for your afterlife. Do not postpone repentance or any good you are able to do, or any right you are able to restore.”

The 29-year-old also suggested that frightening events could serve as an opportunity for personal reflection rather than simply causing alarm.

“Perhaps God sends us moments like these not only so that we are afraid, but so that we wake up, reassess ourselves and understand that having a second chance is itself a blessing,” Zizo wrote.

He ended the post with a prayer for protection, forgiveness and a good final outcome.

“May God protect us through His mercy, forgive us, grant us a good ending, and do not take us except while You are pleased with us,” he said.

The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics said the earthquake struck before dawn on Monday. Its reported magnitude was 5.6 on the Richter scale, while the institute placed the centre of the tremor north of Suez.

Zizo’s message came as people across Egypt reacted to the earthquake and its sudden impact. Rather than focusing on the sporting aspect of his public profile, the Al Ahly player used the aftermath of the tremor to call for a reassessment of priorities, urging people to balance work, ambition and dreams with charity, repentance and responsibility towards others.

The forward is an established member of both Al Ahly and the Egypt national team.