Despite the heat of the 15th General Election that has just ended, I believe many of us will not miss the opportunity to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup that is taking place in Qatar.
Surely there are many who have their favorite teams in the World Cup this time such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, Holland and others and do not miss the opportunity to watch the live broadcast on television even though it is shown late at night.
We have also witnessed the rise of teams from Asia such as Saudi Arabia and Japan who have surprised by defeating the favorites Argentina and Germany.
South Korea also almost pulled off a surprise but could only draw against Uruguay.
Yesterday one of the main teams, Brazil defeated Serbia 2-0 with an impressive attacking style with both goals scored by Tottenham Hotspurs striker Richarlison and I believe Brazil can go far this time.
The average person who comes to Qatar to watch the FIFA World Cup is amazed by all the infrastructure developed and everything spent.
It can be said that Qatar managed to organize it in style and received support from other Arab countries.
Despite all these successes, the FIFA World Cup this time was also entangled with controversy which became a hot topic until there was a protest against Qatar as the host and FIFA as the organizer of the tournament which somewhat marred the FIFA World Cup this time.
Controversy broke out due to some enforced rules such as not allowing team captains to wear armbands with the LGBTQ “OneLove” logo, not being allowed to wave the flag and wearing shirts and the like that display the “Pride Flag” or “Rainbow Flag” (LGBTQ flag pattern) including not allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages in stadiums.
Because of that, Qatar received great criticism from football fans, especially from Western countries.
Various bad accusations have been thrown and a movement has started to boycott Qatar due to the enforcement of the law.
LGBTQ organizations from around the world have strongly criticized FIFA and Qatar.
Some captains of the competing countries’ football teams criticized the action of not allowing the wearing of the “OneLove” armband and some insisted on wearing it and criticized Qatar for practicing discrimination against LGBTQ people.
All the players of the German team before the start of the match against Japan in a photo session covered their mouths as a sign of protest against the ban on wearing “OneLove” armbands.
Football fans from the LGBTQ group who visited Qatar to watch the FIFA World Cup this time severely criticized the actions of FIFA and Qatar and some even ignored the ban by continuing to wear shirts, hats and waving the “Pride Flag” until they were arrested by Qatari security.
Therefore it is appropriate that football fans around the world who follow the FIFA World Cup respect Qatar, its laws and constitution because Qatar is an independent and sovereign Islamic country.
This is because criticizing Qatar is considered interfering in Qatar’s internal affairs and for us Muslims when we criticize Qatar on the same issue it means that we are disrespecting the law of Allah SWT as written in the Al Quran which clearly prohibits same-sex relationships or destructive LGBTQ activities human morals as Allah SWT says in Surah al A’raf verse 80-84.
وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُمْ بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْعَالَمِينَ
إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِنْ دُونِ النِّسَاءِ ۚ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُسْرِفُونَ
وَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا أَخْرِجُوهُمْ مِنْ قَرْيَتِكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ
فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ
وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَطَرًا ۖ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
- And (We also sent) Luth (to his people). (Remember) when he said to them: “Why did you do the deed of faahishyah, which no one (in this world) had done before you?”
- Indeed you come to men to release your lust (to them), not to women, in fact you are a people who transgress the limits.
- The answer of his people was nothing but saying: “Drive them (Luth and his followers) out of this city of yours; indeed they are those who pretend to purify themselves”.
- Then We saved him and his followers except his wife; he is among those who are left behind (destroyed).
- And We sent down on them rain (stones); then observe how the end of those sinners.
However, the criticism of Qatar on the controversial issue is very unfair and unfair, especially from football fans and Western countries.
If Muslim people and countries criticize the act of banning the wearing of hijab like in France they are accused of interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
If Muslim people and countries act to criticize the caricature of the Prophet SAW that is used as a satire in the West, they are accused of not knowing the laws of freedom practiced in Western countries.
Therefore, it is necessary to be fair towards Qatar in all the criticism and ridicule that is thrown.
Do not take advantage of Qatar for bad purposes such as taking advantage and pressuring for geopolitical interests.
When visiting other people’s countries, respect the laws, customs and culture and do not want to criticize and hit the wrong direction.
Well done to Qatar for upholding and elevating Islamic Sharia to its rightful place.
Soccer is the most popular sport around the world.
As expressed by many parties, football is capable of uniting the human race of multiple religions, races, races and ideologies but at the same time, there is a need for mutual respect and tolerance.
Respect Qatar and its laws, and also respect Islam and its followers.
May Qatar succeed in becoming the best organizer of the FIFA World Cup and continue to prosper, prosper and be blessed by Allah SWT.
Prosperous Malaysia.
YB Dr. Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi.
Chairman of International Affairs and External Relations of Central PAS.
Batu Buruk Assemblyman.