“
I tried something sweet and I would like to share it with you
”.
This is the phrase written on the sticker of a package that, walking around Doha, can be received as a gift from a child in traditional Qatari clothes, accompanied by his mother.
She is also dressed in her usual black dress.
Same scene at the stadium exit of one of the World Cup matches.
These are sweets or dates.
“Discover our identity”, it says on the sticker.
And then there is a QR Code.
Scanning it leads to the website of the Government of Qatar's Ministry of Donations and Islamic Affairs.
In particular, to a page that proposes the text "understanding Islam" in 6 different languages.
So obviously not a gift, attention for the fans.
But another piece of propaganda by the Qatari government, and in some ways also proselytism in favor of Islam.
Which, it should be remembered, is one of the duties of every Muslim.
And, like all self-respecting propaganda, it goes through the channels that are most likely to lower the interlocutor's defenses: therefore, the choice to have this gift delivered by a child, accompanied by his mother.
No male presence.
To show the good, more welcoming face of this country.
Rainews
Qatar's "sweet" propaganda at the World Cup
The booklet "understanding Islam" consists of 132 pages, divided into 18 chapters.
With all the basic information.
Then – probably not by chance – specific chapters are dedicated to the more delicate issues concerning
the disputes over the assignment of the World Cup to Qatar
.
First a clarification: Qatar is a Sunni Islamic state, or the current that adapts its practice only to the acts of Mohammed and his teachings (the sunna).
The Shiites, on the other hand, consider the religious leaders (the ayatollahs) representatives of God on Earth.
The best known Shiite country is Iran.
In the chapter "
Women in Islam
", the pamphlet specifies that "
they are equal to men in both rights and duties
".
However, he does not say that the institution of the male guardian
is still foreseen in Qatar
: that is, women need the consent of the man for many fundamental issues, such as marriage, travel abroad and access to part of family assistance .
Instead, the booklet stresses that in the West “
many rights have only recently been recognized for women
”.
“
Furthermore, due to an erroneous culture in some societies outside the Muslim world, the birth of a daughter is still seen as a burden
”.
Obviously it does not specify which ones and in which parts of the world.
But he adds: "
The killing of newborn girls is still common through abortion, and this explains the difference in the number of women and men in those communities
."
Then the booklet enters the theme of respect for “
human rights and ethnic minorities
”, claiming that the first declaration of human rights resides in the teachings of Mohammed.
First of all, it should be clarified that no international observer has established a link between the Islamic religion and human rights violations.
The responsibility for these lies solely with the Qatari regime and the laws in force in the country.
In the brochure produced by the Qatari government, however, no reference is made to human rights violations perpetrated against
migrant workers
.
An issue that Doha tends to cover up.
And no word on the
discrimination against homosexuals
: in this country, it should be remembered, homosexuality is still a crime.
Probably under international pressure, Qatar is playing the card of presenting the country's "sweet" face.
But in doing so it once again removes the most burning issues contained in the complaints of reports by non-governmental organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.