Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 has educated the world about cultures, traditions, and beliefs of Islam

From the very start, the opening ceremony for the World Cup 2022 was a sea of beautiful, positive symbolism. With the World Cup standing as an opportunity for unifying everyone across the Earth in peace, this ceremony proffered a modern, global show that sent an important message from Arabs to the entire world. It extended an invitation to unify everyone and seal the gaps between race, gender, ethnicity and social background. The performance “To Know One Another” included the well-known actor Morgan Freeman conversing with Qatar's Ghanem Al Muftah, a representative of perseverance, while each of them stood on an illuminated bridge and conveyed various points of view and opinions. They start a discussion about misconceptions that result in the application of double standards and quick judgments, ending with the Qur'anic Ayah “O mankind, certainly We have formed you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another”. A visual display that represents tolerance, compassion and coexistence then connects the two bridges. The Hala song, which signals welcome and brings the show to a close, has all the performers coming together in a symbolic shape that celebrates equality.
So far, Qatar has done an excellent job in creating a safe and enjoyable environment in which people with cultures from all over the world get a chance to interact and learn about one another, and also to make this World Cup a platform to educate and correct misconceptions surrounding traditions in Islam to foreigners. With this being the first World Cup in the Middle East, people get much more exposure to Arab culture, and Qatar has campaigned to show people the reality of their beliefs and customs. This is seen in quotes - implying respect and good naturedness - from the beloved Prophet Muhammad showcased around the pearl; “
“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
This verse from the Holy Quran, the holy book of Islam, has been circling the media in frequent discussions about Islam and its morals. It talks about God (Allah) and human diversity.
Regardless of what religion you follow, this verse means a lot: it means that Islamic values include inclusivity, hospitality, and most importantly, kindness and respect. Qatar, a devout Muslim state, is hosting a historic FIFA World cup , the first World Cup hosted in a Middle Eastern and the first in a Muslim state. Western critics, media and guests have focused heavily on negativity but sporting history is being made in this Arab Muslim country for the first time, and that calls for respect.
This culture is new to many fans visiting, and most are thoroughly it as possibly a once in a lifetime experience.Football is seemingly one of the most culturally vast sports; it allows fans from highly contrasting cultures to interact, connect and understand the world of tradition around them. The FIFA World Cup is an amazing opportunity for fans from all around to gather in one country and learn about its culture along with the cultures of all participating countries, and that is exactly what is going on in Qatar.
“Guard yourself from Hellfire, even with half a date to charity. If one cannot find it, then with a kind word.”This Hadith (quote from the last prophet, Prophet Muhammad PBUH) is among many scattered across The Pearl in Doha. It is a direct display of the vitality of kindness and charity in Islam, and Qatar has done an extraordinary job to proudly represent and encourage this message.
As a personal display of the importance of kindness and hospitality in Islam and Qatar, Qatari families gathered on the streets outside of homes near stadiums, offering traditional food to fans returning from the matches. This food was more than just a gift, it was a way of welcoming people of all cultures to enjoy Qatar. It also gave people a chance to experience by themselves all the negative propaganda they heard about this country.
In the adorned and embellished streets of Doha, Muslim women are giving women from all around an opportunity to learn about the importance of modesty in Islam by allowing them to try on the hijab (a traditional scarf Muslim women wear for modesty). Many have found themselves with a new perspective of Islam, some even accept it as their religion, others are curious and want to learn more about these values of decency.
Islam is much more than simply the belief of one God and Muhammad (PBUH) as his messenger. It revolves around learning the difference between right and wrong and the importance of high character via the holy book Quran, the prophets and the companions. In our last prophet’s farewell sermon, he taught his companions and the generations that came after him lessons that many are still struggling to learn today.
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly."
And also, "Oh People! it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.”
These basic keys to justice, peace and rights of women from 1400 years ago have provided the basis for people to stand up to these causes, fight to uphold them and sacrificed their lives for these basic tenets of Islam.
Muslims respect all humans as fellow children of Adam and Hawwa (Adam and Eve), regardless of whether we support their beliefs or not, simply because this is the way of the prophets before us, the prophets’ companions, and this is the way the Quran and Hadiths have showed us to live. For us in Qatar, equality, respect and kindness are some of our most important values, which happen to be the values taught to us by Islam.