Football, Faith, and Family: A Night for Muj
Emdad Rahman
Played in loving memory of Syed Mujibul Hussain, this was no ordinary evening of football. Mile End Stadium became a stage of remembrance, celebration, and unity as players, friends, and families came together to honour the life of a man who meant so much to the community.
Muj, as he was affectionately known, was more than just a familiar face. He was the heartbeat of gatherings, the calm presence in times of difficulty, and a beloved individual who never stopped believing in the good of people. His kindness and humility shaped those around him, and on this night, football became the perfect language to express gratitude for his life and legacy.
The evening opened with a spirited contest: PYO FC vs Dakshin Surma FC. From the first whistle, the crowd could feel the energy. Every tackle, every sprint, every cheer echoed a deeper meaning, and it wasn’t just about goals, but about honouring someone whose love for togetherness was so evident.
Later, MM Charity Group took on Dakshin Surma, and the match carried the same heartbeat of purpose. The MM Charity Group football team is a movement of friends who believe football can be more than just ninety minutes. Their mission is to raise awareness and funds for causes that change lives, and they’ve turned their passion for the game into a platform for hope.
Charity runs through this community like oxygen, and football gives it breath. The sport has always been more than a pastime here and it is a vehicle for humanity, for faith, and for shared ideals. When the whistle blows, barriers of background, class, and creed dissolve. What’s left is pure connection: players striving together, fans cheering in unison, all carrying the same torch of belief that life is bigger than the game itself.
For the local football family, giving is not just about money raised, but about showing love in action. It’s about stepping forward when others are in need. It’s about honouring those we’ve lost, like Muj, by continuing the values they embodied; compassion, resilience, and unity.
Charity and football belong together because both are built on sacrifice, teamwork, and the pursuit of something greater than oneself.
Supported by Hunter & Bloomfield, BEAP, Brit Bangla Media, Desi Lounge, M1 Accident Management, Metrocith Lettings, and PCO Car Hire, the evening reminded everyone why community spirit is the strongest force of all. Sponsors, volunteers, players, and fans worked hand in hand, not for personal gain, but to make a difference.
The grief of loss was heavy, but it was met with an even stronger current of togetherness. Dakshin Surma Sports Association UK, under the guidance of Forid Ahmed, carried the night with dignity and pride. In every huddle and handshake, in every smile and tear, there was proof that football is not just a game, it’s family.
Ahmed summed up the night; Forid Ahmed (Dakshin Surma Sports Association UK):
“Tonight we didn’t just play football but celebrated a life, we stood together as one community, and we showed that the power of love and charity can carry us through even the deepest loss.“
On nights like this, the scoreboard fades into the background. What remains is the memory of a man who inspired kindness, and the community who turned their love for him into action.
Football lit up Mile End Stadium, but what shone brightest was the legacy of Syed Mujibul Hussain: a reminder that through faith, friendship, and the power of good, we can all be part of something far greater than ourselves.
