Graffiti gets a makeover in streets of Qatar

After decades of suppressing unauthorized graffiti protest, Qatari authorities commissioned dozens of public murals around the World Cup.
Qatar mural
Children play football in front of a mural dedicated to Brazilian football player Ronaldo ahead of the FIFA World Cup on Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. - Alex Pantling/Getty Images
AP Muhammed Afsal
AP Muhammed Afsal

DOHA — Street art is getting new-found official support in Qatar, where the World Cup just ended. 

Gulf nations have generally discouraged graffiti, if not banned it outright. For example, in 2017, Qatar's Ministry of Municipality and Environment tweeted, "Writing on walls is prohibited and against our moral and traditional values."

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