Doha, December 17 (QNA) – The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has succeeded in bringing together people of all walks of life, and in introducing fans from different countries to a new aspect of the Arabic culture.
Qatar World Cup has proven that successes of nations are not based on vast areas nor large populations; rather achieved by continuous hard work, withstand and perseverance, and the determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges.
Perhaps one of the most important features of Qatar World Cup is the welcome showed by the policemen and the various security agencies, and those working in the field of guidance, whether on public roads, or in metro stations, airports, and in all event sites, as well as the keenness on lending a helping hand and providing comfort, security and safety for all fans.
Within the framework of the continuous international acclaim for the wonderful organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, political figures and journalists from many international media outlets praised the amazing organization, which was not a coincidence, rather the result of continuous work and great effort over 12 years.
In this context, former Argentine President Mauricio Macri expressed his amazement at the development of the State of Qatar in recent decades, saying: “Qatar is proceeding in an exceptional development. The modernization movement is very strong …they are achieving development, and everything is being measured, evaluated and trained.”
In an interview with Argentine radio station, Cadena Rosario, Macri praised the infrastructure that Qatar has established during the last 40 years, especially during the pre-World Cup period, such as Lusail and the West Bay, which gives a glimmer of hope for others to achieve what Qatar has achieved.
He described the European campaigns against Qatar as unfair, stressing that there is already a process of development in all this region which has a different culture. “It is possible to live here in complete freedom, and there is complete openness. There were no problems even with the presence of this large number fans in one place,” he stressed.
Noel Le Graet, President of the French Football Federation, said that the players of all teams played their matches in wonderful conditions and on magical stadiums, praising the amazing organization of the World Cup. He added that close distance between the stadiums gave the players great satisfaction.
Croissandeau, a French journalist on the French BFM channel, said that calls to boycott the World Cup in Qatar had failed completely, noting that the number of viewers of the World Cup in France reached more than 20 million.
He noted that Qatar now enjoys a good reputation, after it organized the wonderful and exceptional World Cup, and the only image that will remain in the minds for a long time and in history is that Qatar organized the World Cup in an unprecedented and successful way.
Alejandro Garcia, Dean of Del Rosario University in Colombia, considered that organizing the World Cup in Qatar allowed the whole world to know its impressive natural resources, architecture and technological innovation, in addition to the kindness of the Qatar people.
In an article published by the Colombian newspaper Samana under the title “Lessons of the World Cup Qatar 2022”, Garcia reviewed the accusations directed at Qatar ahead of the World Cup. He said that these accusations gave a wonderful opportunity for the State of Qatar, not only to respond to them, but also to advance an agenda that sets an example on how showing respect for each other’s culture is the true wealth of a country.
Regarding the stereotyped image drawn by the Western media about the Arab world, Mike Shalhoub, the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen TV delegate to Doha, said that Qatar World Cup contributed to changing the bad stereotype that the Western media drew about the Arab world.
Shalhoub noted that the decision to ban alcohol inside and around the stadiums was one of the points that sparked great controversy at the start of the tournament, however the views of the fans and the media changed over the days of the tournament, and they began to consider that this decision made this World Cup safer and more fun, given that there are no clashes between fans, either inside or outside the stadiums.
He added that Qatar World Cup contributed to introducing the Palestinian cause through the intense presence of the Palestinian flag among the masses, which made European correspondents more sympathize with this issue, thus Qatar World Cup succeeded in changing the stereotypical image of the East and Arabs among Europeans.
Under the title “The Hidden in Qatar World Cup,” Mohammad Ahmed Salama wrote in the Omani newspaper, Al-Ru’ya, that far from the material profit, the State of Qatar has succeeded in a very important thing that some Arab political and economic groups have failed to achieve. Through this World Cup, Qatar was able to bring together people of all walks of life, unify feelings, and reflect the possibility of peaceful coexistence among all countries. It was also able to show the true face of Islam, Muslims, and the peace-loving Arab tendency.
The State of Qatar impressed us with a completely advanced organization. It even surpasses the level of this great event at times. Countries that are considering hosting next editions of the World Cup are now facing a difficult challenge after Qatar, he added.
Meshaal Al Saeed from Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anbaa praised Qatar’s success in hosting the World Cup, and the unprecedented and unique organization and huge preparations, saying that everything that Qatar has done is a source of pride for all Arabs.
He said that Qatar did not single itself out for this success, rather made it for all Arabs as a whole.
Al Saeed noted that Qatar has overcome all difficulties and the attempts of those who doubted its ability to accommodate and host this important sporting event.
A report by TRT Arabic-Turkish TV highlighted Souq Waqif as a destination for World Cup fans as it provides activities that they can try to get to know several different cultures gathered in one place.
The report noted the great diversity offered by Souq Waqif to the fans, allowing them to experience popular dishes from different cuisines, and offering a cultural and heritage tour between several countries, all of which gathered in one market. Souq Waqif has become the unofficial focal point of the World Cup.
The report said that the fans consider Souq Waqif to be the beating heart of Qatar throughout the days of the World Cup, as it differs from the rest of the modern city with its distinctive structure that resembles the old Istanbul markets.
A BBC report said that the World Cup introduced many fans from different countries to a new aspect of the Arabic culture. The traditional Gulf dress, Arabic words and local food are things that spread among foreign fans during their visit to Qatar to attend the World Cup matches.
The report added that many fans gather in Souq Waqif to wear traditional Qatari clothes. Henna drawing spread among women, some of whom said that their experience in Qatar was wonderful, noting the impressive culture and the hospitality of people.
The report said that a number of fans, especially women, came to Qatar with some fears about the situation there, given the image that some media outlets convey, but they soon found that the reality was very different. (QNA)