The world’s most cherished event of the FIFA world cup started in the gulf state of Qatar. Qatar is the first Muslim state who is hosting a mega event of world sport. In 2010 a deal was finalized under the auspices of the FIFA governing body which provided the right of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup to the oil-rich state of Qatar. At that time tiny gulf state had a very weak sports infrastructure and even a low profile in football history. But it was awarded the right to host one of the world’s largest sports tournaments. Since that Qatar has spent $220 billion on building stadiums and improving sports infrastructure. It is the largest amount in the history of the FIFA world cup a country is going to spend on hosting the tournament.
On 20 November the first match of FIFA 2022 was played between the teams of Qatar and Ecuador. Since then Qatar is facing media scrutiny for the exploitation of migrant workers from south Asia and Africa who suffered the grim law of the gulf state which is known as the Kafala system- a system under which No objection certificate is mandatory for a worker to change job on the eve of an employer. Human rights organizations and activists claim that hundreds of workers have lost their lives during the construction work of the stadiums. While many are still unpaid. But, Qatar has denied all accusations of abuse and exploitation of workers. The minister of foreign affairs and deputy PM Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani admits that they faced challenges regarding workers and laborers. But they tried to sort out all the problems of workers on a priority, their country also abolished the Kafala System in August 2020 and introduced new laws to ease the tensions of the working class in Qatar. He further said that criticism of Qatar is based on dual standards and racism. While he called “publicity stunt” who are using signs and recording protests for the rights of the laboring class before football matches.
Despite the denial of allegations by the deputy PM of Qatar, articles are being written and talk shows are being held to blame Qatar. It seems some individuals are oozing out their frustration against Qatar amid the prohibition of alcohol and the strictness of Qatar laws on spectators and football fans.
If we examine the relationship of the west with Qatar they are ideal. They have had very long and closed relations since the times of the cold war when they used those middle eastern states as their cold war chess pieces and they called those states oil suppliers. There is much evidence that creates doubts about the intentions of European states, those states who are criticizing Qatar for the violations of the rights of the working class. The same states are buying gas and oil from Qatar, and at that time, they ignore the rights of the working class. Qatar is estimated to be the tenth-largest landlord in Britain. Along with this Qatar is the biggest weapons consumption market for the west. Those facts revealed the dual standard of the west.
Qatar is not just under increasing scrutiny by world media regarding the rights of the working class. It is being lambasted on sexual discrimination, freedom of the press, labor standards, and denial of rights to LGBT+. Here truth is that still today many eastern European countries are against homosexuality. So all those allegations acknowledge that in reality, Qatar is under unfair criticism with multiple layers of hypocrisy. It may possible that those allegations have some grounds, but the timing to denounce a country that is staging a football showpiece event is not fair. That shows the malicious agenda of some factions to blame the middle eastern soft power.
It reveals the mala fide drive against Qatar wrapped in racism and non-white sentiments. White supremacy is more relevant in this case because It seems that the west is not prepared to give value to other cultures and civilizations. That is the reason Qatar strictly imposed rules and regulations on foreign visitors during this football tournament.
Qatar also must acknowledge the gaps in its labor system. This world cup provides an opportunity for Qatar to strengthen worker rights.
The movement against Qatar was so forceful that many world leaders including the Pakistani prime Minister spoke in the favor of the efforts of Qatar to conduct the tournament with the message of unity and love. While FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condoned Qatar and condemn the dual and fabricated allegations of the western countries. Other football federations including AFC and CF also brushed off criticism over world cup host Qatar’s human rights record.
Sports must be the source to unite the divided world instead of creating hatred. All nations must respect the rules, culture, and principles of other nations. This is the best way to make our planet peaceful and loving.
