Being gay is 'damage in the mind', Qatar World Cup ambassador says
- Thread starter Areesh
- Start date
AZMwi
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2021
- Messages
- 1,281
- Reaction score
- -4
- Country
- Location
Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman said being gay is "haram".
An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as "damage in the mind".
Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman told a German public broadcaster being gay is "haram", or forbidden in Arabic.
In excerpts of the television interview shown on ZDF's news programme Heute Journal, Mr Salman said he has a problem with children seeing gay people.
Mr Salman went on to say homosexuality "is spiritual harm".
"During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let's talk about gays," Mr Salman said in English, which was simultaneously dubbed into German in the TV segment.
"The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules," he added.
When asked why it was haram, Mr Salman said: "I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind."
Interview cut short
The interview was immediately cut short by a press officer of the World Cup organising committee after Mr Salman described being gay as "damage in the mind", ZDF reported.
Around 1.2 million international visitors are expected in Qatar for the month-long tournament, which has been criticised ever since the gas-rich emirate was selected as host by Fifa in December 2010.
There have been concerns about the conservative country's treatment of homosexuals living in the country as well as LGBTQ tourists attending the World Cup.
World Cup organisers did not immediately respond to Sky News' request for comment.
Labour's shadow sports minister Jeff Smith said the onus was now on the World Cup organisers to condemn the comments.
"They need to say this person doesn't represent us, doesn't represent the ethos and the manner in which the World Cup is meant to be run, and say LGBT people, along with all other people, are welcome," he told BBC Radio 4's World at One.
Robbie de Santos from LGBT group Stonewall said he was surprised but not shocked by the views.
"It is shocking to hear such comments in the run up to what should be an absolutely joyous, inclusive, global celebration. Such a divisive comment is just really, really hard to hear," he said.
"I think that the tournament is going to happen, people are going to watch it, but it is going to be really uneasy for so many people to watch a tournament which has just been mired in so much controversy."
Calls for boycott
There have been calls for people to boycott the World Cup due to Qatar's stance on gay rights.
Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he and his Labour colleagues will not attend.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was accused of being "shockingly tone-deaf" last month after he urged LGBT football fans to be "respectful" of Qatar if they visit the country for the World Cup.
The Gulf state's foreign minister told Sky News those criticising the tournament are "arrogant".
"Preaching from a distance is not a solution," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani.
"Calling to boycott the World Cup, or those who are not coming to the World Cup, it's their decision at the end of the day, but why deprive the people and the public from attending and enjoying the World Cup."
LGBT Qataris arrested and abused, rights group claims
It comes after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report claimed security forces in Qatar have been arbitrarily arresting and abusing LGBT Qataris recently.
HRW said it had interviewed six LGBT Qataris, including four transgender women, one bisexual woman and one gay man, who reported being detained between 2019 and 2022.
They said they had been detained without charge in an underground prison in Doha and subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including kicking and punching.
One individual said they were held for two months in solitary confinement.
Being gay is 'damage in the mind', Qatar World Cup ambassador says
Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman said being gay is "haram".news.sky.com
Being gay is 'damage in the a**', Qatar World Cup ambassador says.
There you go i corrected it.
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
LOL the Western countries have pledged that they won't promote Qatar as a country during the world cup.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
How Qatar hacked the World Cup
Critics who threatened to expose wrongdoing by Qatar were targeting as part of huge hacking operation
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
Maula Jatt
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2021
- Messages
- 10,697
- Reaction score
- 19
- Country
- Location
I wish one day we get to host a WC and Olympics and pull boss moves(my personal take on this specific instance aside which is not in line with most in the forum)- there's potential of being a great powerhouse but bad people in charge just to keep that potential caged 
Last edited:
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
Look at this. The Frenchies are drawing again.
www.aljazeera.com
‘Racism’: Qataris decry French cartoon of national football team
Caricature published by Le Canard enchainé in its October issue which focuses on Qatar and its role as World Cup host.
Beny Karachun
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- May 30, 2016
- Messages
- 6,521
- Reaction score
- -37
- Country
- Location
He is correct
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
Nigga, since when did you become anti-LGBTQ?
LOL The corrupt Sepp Blatter wakes up.
Qatar hosting the World Cup a 'mistake', says Blatter
FIFA's former president Sepp Blatter says picking Qatar as host of World Cup is a "bad choice" that he was responsible for.
www.abc.net.au
Splurgenxs
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Messages
- 2,512
- Reaction score
- 0
- Country
- Location
when illiterates congregate.
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says she will not be watching the men's 2022 World Cup because it is in Qatar.
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.
"It's tough. As an England team we all have strong values," said 23-year-old Wubben-Moy, a member of the victorious England Women's squad at Euro 2022 .
"A lot of those values aren't reflected in the way that we see it in Qatar."
The World Cup starts on 20 November and runs until 18 December.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar because it is considered immoral under Islamic Sharia law with punishments ranging from fines to the death sentence.
The host country's World Cup organisers have stated "everyone is welcome" to visit the country to watch the football matches and claimed no one will be discriminated against.
However, Qatar 2022 chief executive, Nasser al Khater, has said the government would not change its laws on homosexuality, requesting visitors "respect our culture".
England captain Harry Kane, along with the captains of nine other teams from Europe, will wear 'One Love' armbands to protest against Qatar's anti-homosexuality laws.
"I think it's a tough conversation to have and there's a lot of dialogue around it," added Wubben-Moy.
"I personally will be supporting the men's team, but I won't be watching. I think it's hard to talk about. But at the end of the day, we're one team here at England and we know that they have an opportunity to play at a World Cup.
"It's hard to look beyond that really."
Fifa recently wrote to competing nations asking them to "now focus on the football" instead of the competition's controversial build-up.
The Fifa letter was criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales, while 10 European football associations - including those of England and Wales - said "human rights are universal and apply everywhere".
However, Conmebol, the South American football confederation, says it is "time to leave controversies behind".
Wubben-Moy said: "Sport is a very strong vehicle for change.
"To underestimate that would be naive, I think. I've seen a lot of the players have strong viewpoints and I salute them and I wish them the best in looking to express that throughout this World Cup.
"It's a World Cup and, for a lot of these players, they might not ever play in a World Cup again, so I can't comment on them choosing to go because many people would take that same choice as well.
"But I think sport is very strong for change and in any way possible that they can use this opportunity to help bring about change, I think that's important."
Baroness Sue Campbell, the Football Association's director of women's football, said she has "massive respect" for players speaking out.
"We don't put a moratorium on what you have to say. I respect their views. They're not saying it to be controversial, they're saying it because it matters to them. I think that's important," she added.
"For me personally, I am a member of the FA and we don't pick where the World Cup is - Fifa do that. All we can do is, through our players, demonstrate our values.
"Is it an ideal situation? Probably not, but it's where we are and we now need to get behind Gareth [Southgate] and the team.
"Progress has been made in Qatar, but there's an awful lot more to do. I think it's a difficult one for us or any country to sit in judgement on another. We have our own issues."
Hey nigga. Whose side are you on? You gonna do a Ukraine here and remain neutral?
Just look at all the controversy.
metro.co.uk
www.dailystar.co.uk
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.
"It's tough. As an England team we all have strong values," said 23-year-old Wubben-Moy, a member of the victorious England Women's squad at Euro 2022 .
"A lot of those values aren't reflected in the way that we see it in Qatar."
The World Cup starts on 20 November and runs until 18 December.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar because it is considered immoral under Islamic Sharia law with punishments ranging from fines to the death sentence.
The host country's World Cup organisers have stated "everyone is welcome" to visit the country to watch the football matches and claimed no one will be discriminated against.
However, Qatar 2022 chief executive, Nasser al Khater, has said the government would not change its laws on homosexuality, requesting visitors "respect our culture".
England captain Harry Kane, along with the captains of nine other teams from Europe, will wear 'One Love' armbands to protest against Qatar's anti-homosexuality laws.
"I think it's a tough conversation to have and there's a lot of dialogue around it," added Wubben-Moy.
"I personally will be supporting the men's team, but I won't be watching. I think it's hard to talk about. But at the end of the day, we're one team here at England and we know that they have an opportunity to play at a World Cup.
"It's hard to look beyond that really."
Fifa recently wrote to competing nations asking them to "now focus on the football" instead of the competition's controversial build-up.
The Fifa letter was criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales, while 10 European football associations - including those of England and Wales - said "human rights are universal and apply everywhere".
However, Conmebol, the South American football confederation, says it is "time to leave controversies behind".
Wubben-Moy said: "Sport is a very strong vehicle for change.
"To underestimate that would be naive, I think. I've seen a lot of the players have strong viewpoints and I salute them and I wish them the best in looking to express that throughout this World Cup.
"It's a World Cup and, for a lot of these players, they might not ever play in a World Cup again, so I can't comment on them choosing to go because many people would take that same choice as well.
"But I think sport is very strong for change and in any way possible that they can use this opportunity to help bring about change, I think that's important."
Baroness Sue Campbell, the Football Association's director of women's football, said she has "massive respect" for players speaking out.
"We don't put a moratorium on what you have to say. I respect their views. They're not saying it to be controversial, they're saying it because it matters to them. I think that's important," she added.
"For me personally, I am a member of the FA and we don't pick where the World Cup is - Fifa do that. All we can do is, through our players, demonstrate our values.
"Is it an ideal situation? Probably not, but it's where we are and we now need to get behind Gareth [Southgate] and the team.
"Progress has been made in Qatar, but there's an awful lot more to do. I think it's a difficult one for us or any country to sit in judgement on another. We have our own issues."
World Cup 2022: Lotte Wubben-Moy 'won't be watching' tournament with Qatar hosting
England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says she will not be watching the men's 2022 World Cup because of Qatar's stance on same-sex relationships.
www.bbc.com
Hey nigga. Whose side are you on? You gonna do a Ukraine here and remain neutral?
Just look at all the controversy.
Gay MP says 'Qatar World Cup is not safe for people like me'
Labour MP Luke Pollard said that as a 'massive gay' it was not safe for him to travel to Qatar.
metro.co.uk
Gay football fans set to be offered 'safe houses' in Qatar during World Cup
Gay football fans heading to Qatar, where it is illegal to be homosexual, are set to be offered safe houses after a World Cup ambassador described homosexuality as "damage in the mind"
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
LMAO
inews.co.uk
www.opindia.com
A very different tone from the South Americans.
Conmebol backs Fifa’s call to focus on soccer ahead of Qatar World Cup
South America’s governing body calls for ‘disagreements and fights to take a back seat’ amid concerns from European associations.
www.sportspromedia.com
Fans in Qatar will have to pay £240 (and £80 a beer) to watch the World Cup in hotel bars
Champions Sports Bar in Doha's Marriott Hotel is charging fans 1,000 riyals to watch the semi-final and final, which includes a three-drink voucher for bottles of Budweiser or Corona or a glass of house wine
inews.co.uk
'Arrogant and racist': Qatar foreign minister lashes out at European nations objecting to his country hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022
Qatar Foreign Minister has responded to call of boycott of the upcoming event in the Arab country by calling the opposing voices "arrogant" and "racist". | OpIndia News
www.opindia.com
A very different tone from the South Americans.
Conmebol backs Fifa’s call to focus on soccer ahead of Qatar World Cup
South America’s governing body calls for ‘disagreements and fights to take a back seat’ amid concerns from European associations.
Conmebol backs Fifa’s call to focus on soccer ahead of Qatar World Cup - SportsPro
South America’s governing body calls for ‘disagreements and fights to take a back seat’ amid concerns from European associations.
www.sportspromedia.com
Last edited:
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
Drunk fans will be sent to special zones to sober up, says Qatar World Cup boss
Turning the World Cup into a "platform of political statements" is wrong for football, Nasser Alkhater told Sky News. "This is a sporting tournament that people want to come [to] and enjoy."
Qatar World Cup: Paris to scrap showing matches on big screens amid concerns over rights
Paris will not broadcast World Cup matches on giant screens in public fan zones amid concerns over rights violations of migrant workers and the environmental impact of the tournament in Qatar.
www.france24.com
Catalystic
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- May 17, 2022
- Messages
- 1,969
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
- Location
Brits hav nothing better to do than to watch football…..they’ll all be watching it on tv
They best worry about winter/heating/gas
I’m glad Qatar showing some balls….awesome
They best worry about winter/heating/gas
I’m glad Qatar showing some balls….awesome
Dalit
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2012
- Messages
- 23,669
- Reaction score
- -12
- Country
- Location
It has been a complete witch hunt against Qatar since the last few months. Normally people are excited when the world cup nears the kick off. This time around it is one massive propaganda campaign by a certain quarter to boycott the world cup in Qatar.
What is even more hilarious, right wingers who usually promote hate against migrants and refugees are now concerned about workers treatment in Qatar.
Another fun fact, people that are crying about LGBTQ rights in European countries have some of the most homophobic football fans in the world. It is funny how these people are angry at Qatar for being homophobic.
Last edited:
Catalystic
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- May 17, 2022
- Messages
- 1,969
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
- Location
I just think these westerners are pissed at Qatar not bending to their political correctness and tantrums
All religions forbid homosexuality but these ‘christians’ don’t wanna follow theirs. Yet they quick to celebrate thanksgiving and xmas
All religions forbid homosexuality but these ‘christians’ don’t wanna follow theirs. Yet they quick to celebrate thanksgiving and xmas
