By Abbas Souleyman
GOMBAK, 24 November 2022: One of the most awaited events, the World Cup 2022, began on 20th November 2022 in Qatar amidst an enthusiastic atmosphere, with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
A young Qatari, Ghanim Al-Muftah, an official FIFA World Cup ambassador, recited verses from Surat Al-Hujurat: “O people, we created you from male and female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other.”
The verse called on for rapprochement between people and overcoming differences of any kind. It was also viewed as a calm response to the recent strong attack against Qatar which has been portrayed as a hostile country to some western ideas.
Further, the opening ceremony sent a message that everyone is equal and that customs and cultures must be respected.
Qatar raised the slogan “Everyone is welcome”, and no one will be discriminated against. Despite the slogan, Qatar will not change its laws related to homosexuality, calling on visitors to respect what affects religion, customs, and traditions.
There was great pressure and criticism from the Western world on Qatar about its refusal to support homosexuals, but Qatar’s principles and values won by insisting not to support homosexuality during the world championship competitions.
“When we welcome foreigners to France, we often want them to abide by our rules and respect our culture,” said Lloris, the France goalkeeper. I will do the same when I go to Qatar. I can agree or disagree with their ideas, but I have to show respect,” he added.
The Swiss President of the International Football Association (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, strongly criticised European countries describing the moral lessons that they are trying to market in the name of human rights as hypocrisy.
Indeed, football fans must support Qatar in this World Cup by all means, especially since the current tournament is the first version of the World Cup to be held in an Arab Muslim country.
Qatar hosted the World Cup from 20th November to 18th December this year in eight stadiums equipped at the highest level.***