WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL
American Muslim Zul-Qarnain Nantambu, who gained attention by unfurling Palestinian and Sudanese flags during the Super Bowl halftime show’s live broadcast last Sunday, said it was act was in solidarity with persecuted Muslims.
Speaking exclusively to Anadolu, Nantambu said he joined the performers at the game and revealed Sudanese and Palestinian flags with “Gaza” inscribed on them during the widely watched halftime show, seen by more than 127 million people in the US.
The performance, which traditionally features a renowned artist, starred Pulitzer Prize-winning American rapper Kendrick Lamar.
While US President Donald Trump was in the stadium, Nantambu emerged from among the dancers, waving the flags he concealed in his costume
Initially, many assumed it was part of the show, but the 41-year-old continued displaying the flags until security removed him from the field, with the moment repeatedly aired during the broadcast.
Spectators captured the scene on their mobile phones, and the footage quickly spread on social media as the game’s second half commenced.
‘I know I'm here for something bigger’
Nantambu, who was part of the stage crew for the performance, said rehearsals began two weeks before the event, with sessions lasting between five and eight hours daily.
“In the third rehearsal, I was like, I know I'm here for something bigger than just me jumping around with Kendrick Lamar,” he said, explaining that he decided to use the opportunity to bring attention to the “oppression and massacre in Gaza.”
Initially considering writing “Free Gaza” under his eyes and standing in front of the camera, Nantambu said he changed his approach after noticing the use of flags during the choreography. He decided to hold up the Sudanese and Palestinian peoples flags, whom he described as “our Muslim brothers and sisters who are suffering from great atrocities and great oppression.”
“It was very important to display these flags in front of the president, the other influencers, millionaires, billionaires, and people all over the world when they wouldn't want that,” he said, describing it as “God's grace” that he was able to carry out his protest despite strict security measures from the Secret Service, CIA and FBI.
Nantambu’s Gaza call to Trump
Pointing out that former US President Joe Biden “gave the green light to the destruction in Gaza” by providing Israel with funds and weapons, Nantambu referred to Trump’s past comments on displacing Gazans.
“I pray that God changes his heart and his mind to have empathy for these humans who are suffering because I don't want the wrath of God to come upon America,” he said.
Nantambu, an American who cares deeply for his country, said he does not want the US, which was built by his African ancestors, to experience divine retribution.
“As we see already in this early year, all of the different calamities that’s happening on our land -- from fires in California, the plane crashes, the terrorist attacks, to people blowing up cars, shootings, all this type of stuff. There's a great fit on this land, and I don't want that to increase,” he said.
Born Christian, converted to Islam
Istanbul and the Turkish people hold a special significance for Nantambu.
Engaged in the clothing business, he traveled to Istanbul years ago to connect with manufacturers of products he trades in Türkiye.
He discovered Islam while searching for suppliers.
“I was born and brought up in New Orleans. Yes, I wasn't born Muslim, but I was seeking guidance as a young man,” he said, adding that he was deeply moved by the sight of a congregation praying at the Blue Mosque during Ramadan and chose to embrace Islam.
“I have a great love for Turkey and the Turkish people because they were so helpful, so generous, so loving, so kind, so compassionate. They took a brother from New Orleans who didn't know nothing in and showed me around the country and helped change my life,” he said, noting that he was touched by how Turkish people treated him without discrimination.
Lifetime NFL ban for Super Bowl protest
Nantambu was removed from the field by security after waving the flags in support of the Gaza Strip.
The NFL has banned him from attending games for life. A devoted New Orleans Saints fan, he hopes the decision will be overturned in four or five years.
Emphasizing that he stands by his actions, he said, “I was seeking the favor and the duas of my Muslim brothers and sisters who are empathetic to the sufferings of those in Palestine and in Sudan. The duas of the oppression are priceless, not worth any NFL ticket, not worth any Super Bowl ticket, not worth any amount of gold, diamonds or cash because inshallah, those duas will help me get to paradise.”
