Qatar World Cup ambassador says homosexuality is 'haram'
Qatar’s human rights record is under scrutiny in the lead-up to the World Cup, particularly regarding the treatment of LGBTQ people and laborers.
Qatar’s public relations issues ahead of the 2022 World Cup continued today when comments made by a Qatari official on homosexuality surfaced.
What happened: The German news outlet ZDF broadcast an interview with Qatar’s World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman today. Salman, a former player for Qatar’s national team, referred to homosexuality as “damage of the mind” and “haram” — an Arabic-language term that refers to prohibited acts in Islam — during the interview.
Homosexual acts have traditionally been forbidden in Islamic law, though a small number of clergy have become more accepting of LGBTQ people in recent years. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Qatar, as it is in many other Muslim-majority countries.
Why it matters: Qatar has received a large amount of international criticism in the lead-up to the World Cup, which begins Nov. 20. Qatar will be the first country in the Middle East and the Muslim world to host the soccer (association football) tournament. Since being awarded the hosting rights in 2011, Qatar has been scrutinized over the treatment of foreign workers, repression of LGBTQ people and more.
