A senior commander overseeing event safety informed The Related Press that rainbow flags could possibly be taken off followers on the World Cup in Qatar to guard them from assault for selling homosexual rights.
Main Common Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Ansari insisted that LGBT {couples} will likely be welcomed and accepted in Qatar from November 21 to December 21. 18 A masterpiece of FIFA regardless of the continued criminalization of same-sex relations within the conservative Gulf state.
However Al-Ansari opposes the general public promotion of LGBT freedoms as symbolized by the rainbow flag that FIFA and World Cup organizers beforehand mentioned could be welcome in Qatar’s eight stadiums.
“if [a fan] I raised the rainbow flag and took it from him, not as a result of I actually, actually, needed to take it, to essentially insult him, however to guard him,” Ansari informed the AP. As a result of if it wasn’t me, another person round may assault [him] … I cannot vouch for the conduct of the entire folks. And I’ll say to him: ‘Please, there may be actually no want to lift this flag at this level. “
Al-Ansari is the director of the Division of Worldwide Cooperation and head of the Nationwide Counter-Terrorism Committee on the Ministry of Inside, the place he mentioned planning for the World Cup for an hour with the Related Press.
Need to present your opinion about [LGBTQ+] He mentioned, “Present it in a neighborhood the place it will likely be accepted. We perceive that this man obtained the ticket, he comes right here to observe the sport, to not fake, he’s a politician [act] or one thing on his thoughts.
“Watch the match. That is good. However do not actually are available and insult the entire neighborhood due to this.”
“Everybody will see that everybody is welcome right here in Qatar, even when we speak about LGBT folks,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino mentioned this week in Doha.
Al-Ansari mentioned he isn’t telling LBGTQ+ followers to avoid Qatar or warning them of going through prosecution.
“Guide the room collectively,” he mentioned, “and sleep collectively – that is one thing we do not care about.” “We’re right here to run the event. Let’s not go overboard, the odd private issues that may occur between these folks… That is really the idea.
“Right here we can not change the legal guidelines. You can not change the faith for the 28 days of the World Cup.”
When it was prompt that followers and visiting groups may ignore the feedback, Ansari mentioned he didn’t contemplate himself discriminatory.
“I am taking a danger…a minority view in opposition to the bulk,” he mentioned. “We have now to be near the issue earlier than it erupts uncontrolled… If somebody assaults you, then I have to intervene and it will likely be too late.”
“Rainbow flags and T-shirts will likely be welcome on the stadium – that is a given. They perceive very effectively that that is our place,” FIFA CSR and Schooling Officer Joyce Prepare dinner informed The Related Press in 2020.
As World Cup CEO Nasser Al-Khater mentioned, “We are going to respect” FIFA’s tips on permitting rainbow flags.
