In the digital world of Instagram, the powerful realm of Qatar was recently portrayed as a dazzling sphere of festivities. Amid the towering skyscrapers of Doha, glimpses of haute couture, star-studded gatherings, and vibrant dance floor escapades were overwhelmingly captured.
Among the revelers was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The greeting that echoed from Dutch model Marpessa Hennink, “As-salaam ’alykum Doha!” reinforced the cultural clash glaringly visible on the global platform.
This exuberant display was followed by a digital uproar as many Qataris rushed to express their discontent, voicing concerns about an anticipated degeneration of their deep-rooted cultural and religious values, an issue that has come to the forefront, with the countdown to the forthcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in progress. The online dispute highlighted the ongoing tensions, a firm Islamic state, famous for regulating alcohol consumption, banning substances, and curtailing free speech.
Qatar’s significantly conservative stance may invite potential conflicts as it gears up to receive what could be unruly crowds for the World Cup, the first tournament of its kind in the Middle East. Customary Islamic laws turning public intoxication, extra-marital sex, and homosexuality into offenses, may challenge the liberal viewpoint of many international visitors.
More About Qatar
A small and once humble pearl fishing port located in the Persian Gulf, has undergone a rapid transformation following its natural gas discovery in the ’90s. This wealth allowed for an international influx that changed the social dynamic immensely. Skyscrapers, deluxe hotels, and vast shopping centers sprouted from its sands, creating an ultramodern metropolis. Sponsored by Qatar’s rulers, this swiftness of change catalyzed a movement to invest in global finance, technology, football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, and luxury real estate in London.
However, amidst the influx of western influence, there has been a parallel internal pressure for them to adhere to its Islamic origins and Bedouin roots. The ruling family, stemming from Wahhabism, a notably stringent form of Sunni Islam, has had to balance the interests and sensitivities of its conservative populace alongside its emergent status as a global powerhouse.
The impending World Cup not only places Qatar under the global spotlight but also compels it to loosen its alcohol regulations, provide entertaining opportunities for fans, and adhere to FIFA’s policies of tolerance and inclusion. It’s a significant culture shift for a country where public expressions of joy or anger can be punishable offenses.
Expectations for the World Cup to transform host countries into global mega-parties clash with their quietude and absence of a nocturnal lifestyle. Contentious questions have begun to surface regarding the handling of potential unruly and inebriated crowds, given the stringent Qatari laws regarding public decorum, sensitive cultural outlook on LGBTQ+ rights, and limited access to alcohol.
While they gears up to accommodate global visitors’ varied cultural norms, there is an underlying worry among tradition, concerning the extent to which their society can adjust and compromise. Embrace of the worldly crowds implies a flexibility in overlooking offenses such as public intoxication during the World Cup period. Whether this accommodation will lead to lasting societal changes remains to be seen as the world comes knocking on Qatar’s door.
