World Cup kicks off with Qatar ruler’s call to put aside divisions

On a recent Sunday world’s biggest, event football world cup has been opened by Qatar’s rulers with a passion to leave all other things like differences and be like a true host nation even to face negative comments over its treatment of foreign workers and LGBT rights. The nation of Muslims in the Gulf area is maintaining its history to host the tournament without any hindrances and reject all accusations. 

“People of all races, nationalities, beliefs, and orientations will gather here in Qatar and around screens across the continents to share in the exciting moments,” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani told the crowd in a tent-shaped stadium. In addition to that “How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time,” the emir said in the ceremony, during which he kissed the hand of his father who abdicated in 2013.

Tamim visited the Al Bayt stadium with FIFA president and other Arab leaders of the region for the opening of the show in presence of un-counted audiences. A show unfolded on the pitch, featuring camels, American actor Morgan Freeman, Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi. Fireworks lit the sky. There are a number of important guests who also joined the opening ceremony (Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey, and Algeria, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General).

SOFT POWER

This time world cup event is the most expensive tournament in the history of world sports, showing the face of Qatar’s soft power and strong economy, although a 3-1/2 year boycott by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain ended in 2021.  There were signs of other thaws as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, whose countries’ ties have been strained, shook hands in Qatar.

First time in the history of Qatar direct flights from many countries like Tel Aviv to Doha has been arrived in Qatar international airports without any previous flight contract and all because of FIFA. This time Qatar hopes that event will open new doors of peace and make communication among countries stronger especially foil all the hindrances in the way of a better future in GULF Muslim countries.

In addition to that, this event will also help to remove all the issues in between Muslims countries and they will start working together for a better future for their people and all Muslims around the globe, Denmark’s and Germany’s team captains will wear One Love armbands. Organizers say all are welcome while warning against public affection.

Fan festival chaos

This time Qatar is ready to host a large number of football fans from around the world and open their doors of hotels for their accommodation. Already large numbers of fans are in Doha but more will consider visiting this week, Nevertheless, chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside a fan festival an hour before kick-off after organizers allowed too many supporters to flood the precinct.

At the same time, it is the biggest challenge for Qatar to control the audience and provide them best entertainment and security, as per an official statement from the Qatar Government 1.2 million fans are expected to visit the city – more than a third of Qatar’s population, which itself is made up mostly of foreign workers who vastly outnumber Qatari citizens.

For Daniel Oordt from the Netherlands, however, there was a feeling of “constant pressure” not to say or do the wrong thing, adding, “it’s not a fun atmosphere to have at a World Cup”. “Of course I didn’t buy a ticket. They’re expensive and I should use that money for other things – like sending it back home to my family,” Ghanaian national Kasim, a security guard who has worked in Qatar for four years, told Reuters.

Alcohol is banned at stadiums but is available at the FIFA Fan Festival and other venues. Argentina fan Julio Cesar said he expected a great atmosphere, saying “we’ll drink before the match”.