“It is damage in the mind” – Qatar FIFA World Cup ambassador makes SHOCKING comments on Homosexuality
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Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
In less than two weeks, Qatar will host the World Cup, and a representative for the country told German television station ZDF that homosexuality “damage in the mind.” Former Qatari international Khalid Salman addressed the subject of homosexuality, which is prohibited in the traditional Muslim nation, in an interview shot in Doha and to be aired later on Tuesday.
Some football players have voiced worries over the rights of supporters travelling to the tournament, particularly LGBT+ people and women, whom rights groups claim are subjected to discrimination under Qatari law. More than a million tourists are anticipated in the nation for the World Cup.
“They have to accept our rules here,” Salman said, in an excerpt of the interview. “(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?,” he said. When asked why it was haram, Salman said: “I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.”
Qatar ambassador’s interview was called off after his controversial FIFA World Cup comments
The accompanying official promptly ended the interview after that. When approached by Reuters, the World Cup organisers in Qatar declined to comment. FIFA, the governing body of world football, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. All visitors to Qatar for the World Cup are welcome, according to the organisers.
Although Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, the small country has recently come under significant criticism for how it treats foreign workers and its stringent social restrictions. The event, which runs from November 20 to December 18, has been called out by teams and officials due to the nation’s human rights record.
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Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)