For it to project an image of modernity, it must address the traditional inequality of women
Like the rest of the Gulf states, Qatar is an authoritarian state headed by an emir, who distributes posts to the country’s most influential and wealthy families. Again, “Sharia” or Islamic law prohibits women from marrying, studying abroad on a government scholarship, or accessing certain public jobs without the consent of their male guardian. Once you’re married, you can’t refuse to have sex unless it’s for a “legitimate” reason. And she has no custody of her children, even if her husband dies or they divorce.
However, Emir Tamim has introduced a series of reforms, including to distance himself from his much stricter neighbors like Saudi Arabia. No women participated in the first election of the members of a National Advisory Council in October 2021. But since the Emir has the right to appoint one third of the Council (15 of the 45 members), he decided to select two.
For some election to be held and a woman to be elected is progress. The Qatari elites who run the country have studied abroad, especially in Britain, and have imported certain values that are essential to the West. They are often more open-minded and tolerant than civil society, much of which still adheres to Wahhabism, a very rigid Sunni variant of the Muslim religion.
As part of a strategy to position itself internationally, diversify the economy, forge alliances and draw the world’s gaze to this small country, Qatar has been sponsoring major sporting events for several years now. It is what is called “soft power”, a soft power based on the seductive impact generated by certain events that can exude glamour, sophistication or success. Qatar wants us to admire its prosperity, but also to realize that modernity has undermined some of its most antiquated anchor points.
To make this opening visible – or this simulation, depending on how you look at it – Qatar has included a woman in the World Cup organizing committee. Fatima Ali Al Nuami is the event’s communications director. She says she is proud that her team is a reflection of what is called “gender parity” in the West. Contrary to what is happening in Iran, women can play football in Qatar and it is expected that the influx of women into the stadiums will cause this difference with other neighboring countries.
If you want to give an image of openness and tolerance, it’s time to get on the bandwagon of women’s football. Although done partly for propaganda purposes, the inclusion of women in sport has its impact. The schools form teams of girls who compete in a school competition. A growing number of women are being encouraged to play football and are becoming a spearhead of modernizing change. Despite the more conservative sector of Qatari society, some players model a new femininity. Shaima Abdulla, the goalkeeper of the Qatar national team, is a university student and works in ‘Generation Amazing’, a cultural transformation program through football.
Part of the responsibility for women’s empowerment rests with Sheikha Moza, the emir’s mother, who chairs the Qatar Foundation. He runs Doha Education City, where American and British universities merge with a Qatari College of Islamic Studies. Women’s teams of all ages train there. Although parties and unions are banned, Qatar wants the world to know that they are at the forefront of science, culture and sports, and that it is based on certain contemporary criteria.
Women’s football is a reflection of the new wind coming to Qatar and a transformative factor at the same time. It is part of a marketing strategy, but it also implies a change that is reflected in the new generations. After the World Cup, it will be necessary to see if it remains just a facade or if football really contributes to the creation of a universal language that forces us to share certain basic values. From there let everyone experience his culture, his traditions and his religion. But equality is non-negotiable. It doesn’t matter how much gas and oil you have.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
