Ronaldo joins Arab stars to show support for Morocco

The devastation of the earthquake in Morocco is still unfolding and the death toll is expected to rise further still. Reuters

Arab pop stars and artists are taking to social media to express support for those affected by the devastating earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday.

More than 2,000 people have died in the deadly quake that has wiped out entire villages in rural areas. As the full impact of the disaster unfolds and the death toll is expected to rise further still, Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj, who lives between Marrakesh and London, posted on social media of his heartbreak.

“I’m so sad for Morocco and the people that have died in this terrible earthquake, Allah yrahmoum (May God have mercy upon her / his soul),” he posted on Instagram.

Along with images showing fallen masonry, cars smashed under rubble, and people clambering over piles of debris in his “beloved city of Marrakesh,” Hajjaj asked people to keep those affected in their thoughts. “Please pray for Morocco as it’s most needed throughout this difficult time,” he wrote.

The Moroccan singer Samira Said also expressed her shock, posting a cartoon of first responders aiding the injured. Underneath, she wrote, “The images are sad, the sights are horrifying … My condolences to the victims of the disaster. O Lord, heal all the injured.”

Lebanese pop star Elissa, meanwhile, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write of her distress at footage from Morocco.

Underneath a drawing of the Moroccan flag made from crumbling houses, she wrote: “Very painful scenes from Morocco after the devastating earthquake. May God have mercy on the victims, heal the wounded, and give patience to the hearts of Moroccans and whatever calamity befalls them.”

Elissa, far right, has expressed her concern for those caught in the Moroccan earthquake. Photo: Riyadh Season

Palestinian singer Mohamed Assaf wrote: “May God have mercy on the victims of the earthquake in Morocco. May God help everyone who was harmed and injured. May God give patience to the hearts of their families.”

Lebanese singer Myriam Fares also took to X to write: “The harshness of the scenes makes the heart break. May God have mercy on all the victims and help the survivors.”

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has also shown his solidarity with the Moroccan people.

The Al Nassr player's Pestana CR7 hotel chain operates a branch in Marrakesh.

He posted an image of the Moroccan flag with the words: “My deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives in the earthquake in Morocco. Sending love and prayers to all in Morocco in this very difficult time.”

People react during the funeral of two victims of the deadly earthquake, in Moulay Brahim, Morocco. Reuters

Earthquake devastation in Douar El Darb village in Weguen municipality of El Haouz district. Photo: Ghaya Ben Mbarek / The National

A man cries as he sits on the rubble of a house in the village of Tiksit, south of Adassil, two days after a devastating 6. 8-magnitude earthquake struck the country. Moroccans on September 10 mourned the victims of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people as rescue teams raced to find survivors trapped under the rubble of flattened villages. AFP

A man distributes bread to locals, in Moulay Brahim, south of Marrakesh, Morocco, following a powerful earthquake. The earthquake has affected more than 300,000 people in Marrakesh and its outskirts, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. Morocco's King Mohammed VI declared a three-day national mourning for the victims of the earthquake. EPA

Villagers inspect the rubble of collapsed houses in Tafeghaghte, 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, as rescue teams raced to find survivors. AFP

Women cry as they mourn victims of the earthquake in Moulay Brahim in the province of Al Haouz, Morocco. AP Photo

A man walks amongst the rubble of collapsed buildings following yesterday's earthquake, in Moulay Brahim, Morocco. Getty Images

Volunteers watch as a digger moves rubble of collapsed houses in Tafeghaghte, 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Marrakesh. AFP

A man rides a bicycle past an earthquake-damaged building in the old quarters of Marrakesh. AFP

Rescue workers dig through rubble after an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte, southwest of the city of Marrakesh. AFP

A woman carries belongings out of a damaged building in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Morocco. Reuters

A man stands next to damaged buildings and debris, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Morocco. Reuters

Foreign visitors to Morocco are evacuated from Marrakesh on a special Aegean Airlines flight following a powerful earthquake. Reuters

People work to clear debris in the historic city of Marrakesh after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Morocco. Reuters

An injured man lies on the ground as he and his wife prepare to spend a second night in the open air in the village of Tansghart, Morocco. Reuters

The Eiffel Tower's lights are turned off in Paris as a tribute to the victims of the Morocco earthquake. Getty Images

A damaged room in the village of Tansghart after a powerful earthquake in Morocco. Reuters

Hundreds of people sleep outside on Jeema El Fna square in Marrakesh after a deadly earthquake hit Morocco. EPA

A person is rescued from under rubble and taken into an ambulance in Moulay Brahim village after an earthquake in Morocco that killed more than 2,000 people. Reuters

A Moroccan man stands near his home in Al Haouz province, which was damaged during the quake. Reuters

People sleep inside the Marrakesh airport waiting for a flight after the earthquake. EPA

People sit in a tent on Mohammed VI Avenue in Marrakesh. EPA

Many homes in Marrakesh were badly damaged during the magnitude 6.8 earthquake. EPA

A car lies damaged under fallen rubble from a nearby building in Marrakesh. Getty Images

Moroccan Royal Armed Forces search through the rubble of houses after an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte, south-west of the city of Marrakesh. AFP

A man rescues a donkey trapped under rubble after an earthquake in the mountain village of Tafeghaghte, south-west of the city of Marrakesh. AFP

Rescue workers search for survivors in a collapsed house in Moulay Brahim, Al Haouz province, after an earthquake on Friday. AFP

The earthquake that hit central Morocco killed more than 2,000 people and injured more than 2,000 others, according to a provisional report from the country's Interior Ministry. EPA

The earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.8 according to the USGS, damaged buildings from villages and towns in the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh. EPA

People donate blood following a powerful earthquake in the historic city of Marrakesh. Reuters

A man drives past a damaged wall of the historic Medina of Marrakesh. AP Photo

People work next to damage in Marrakesh. Reuters

A woman reacts standing in front of her house damaged by an earthquake in the old city in Marrakesh. AFP

A man walks with his belongings through the rubble in an alleyway in the earthquake-damaged old city in Marrakesh. AFP

A damaged vehicle is pictured in the historic city of Marrakesh, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco on Friday. Reuters

A view shows damage at an old mosque in the historic city of Marrakesh. Reuters

A view shows damage in Marrakesh. Reuters

Residents take shelter outside at a square following an earthquake in Marrakesh on Friday. AFP

More than 2,000 people were killed after a powerful earthquake rattled Morocco on Friday night, with Marrakesh residents reporting "unbearable" screams after the 6.8-magnitude quake. AFP

Debris in the aftermath of an earthquake in Marrakesh. Reuters

Employees of Morocco's National Institute of Geophysics in Rabat monitor earthquake developments on a screen. EPA

Debris and wreckage in the streets of Marrakesh. Reuters

Earthquake damage in Morocco. Reuters

In Casablanca, residents gather after Friday's earthquake. Reuters

Damage to a building in Marrakesh in the aftermath of the earthquake. Reuters