Today I watched the most thrilling match of the FIFA 2022 games in Qatar as Argentina and France battled for the world championship. We were in sustained suspense for over two hours until the last goal in the penalty kick off. There are no words to describe the excellence in execution as each team tried to keep and move the ball to score goals. Every player was a beautiful, courageous and strong human being in action with singular tenacious focus. And both teams demonstrated teamwork at its highest, rapidly shapeshifting in super-fast coordinated action to respond to each other….it was a delightful scene.
After having rooted for the Morocco team, I had switched to rooting for the Argentina Team and was thrilled when Messi, the magnetic star of soccer, and his team won first place. I quickly sent a congratulatory note to an Argentinian colleague at the International Academy of Professional Dialogue, who I know only virtually – it is amazing how relationships can develop over Zoom! Of course, Mbappe is an incredible player as well, and it was a bit hard to see him be on Team No. 2.
What made this particular event more special for Arabs and Muslims was the fact that it was hosted in an Arab country, Qatar. Qatar did an outstanding job of preparing for and hosting these games. The noise in Western media about human rights notwithstanding, they outshone any past hosts of these games. Beyond the games, they showed the world a glimpse of Arab and Muslim culture that media rarely shows- the value of family: when Moroccan player brought his mother onto the field, it was truly touching; the hospitality and hosting strangers with grace and generosity; the spirituality as was evident by Muslim players bowing their heads to Allah, our Creator, and praying with their hands up at critical moments of play. Despite Hollywood films and media bias, the Arab world succeeded in sharing the beauty of its culture through, of all things, a world games event. Who would have known? And as I always remind myself, Arab culture existed before Islam, and its beauty is as evident in Arab Christians or Jews or any other faith they hold.
The sweetest and most touching aspect of FIFA World Cup was the visible unanimous support for the Palestinians’ human rights as was visible in every game. Palestinian flags were everywhere as if to show the world that we do not care about the fake politics – we care about the people that are being oppressed and dispossessed. Bravo for standing up for truth and justice! And bravo Qatar for creating a global platform that spotlighted the hidden. May truth, justice and peace prevail in the Middle East to undo the damage of empires of the past.
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