Yousef Al Idbari, a fan from Morocco, said, “I have come to an Islamic country to attend Friday prayers…that’s what makes me happy in this competition.”
Like all other worshippers, Al Idbari took off his shoes and entered the mosque’s main prayer hall.
Islam featured in the opening ceremony in the first week of the tournament, with recitations of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, and English translations of the sayings and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad posted around Doha.
‘This World Cup is for me’
Although Muslims attending games in Qatar can enjoy a better fan experience than before, it is unclear whether this World Cup will change things for them in the long run.
“Early indications are that there is a mix between criticism of Qatar and genuine hostility towards Muslims,” said Imran Awan, professor of criminology at Birmingham City University. public opinion.