The WC is truly global enterprise, and can be a most effective weapon against the forces of Islamist darkness like Al Qaeda.
The Arab society embraces football and the Qatar World Cup would force it rise to the challenge — a challenge that includes not merely effective organization, but a transformation of traditional ways into cosmopolitan ones.
Qatar will play host to tens of thousands of fans from around the world — men and women who will expect to sit together, women who will expect total equality and the right to dress as they please, fans who will want — and not expect to be denied — a drink. Fans who will have no truck with religious police, modesty police, or killjoys of any kind. And if Israel qualifies, Qatar will not be able to deny it the right to play, for the first time, on Arab soil. Think of that.
All this could be electrifying and transformative—the 2022 World Cup could, without exaggeration, bring about a cultural revolution.
The WC is truly global enterprise, and can be a most effective weapon against the forces of Islamist darkness like Al Qaeda.
The Arab society embraces football and the Qatar World Cup would force it rise to the challenge — a challenge that includes not merely effective organization, but a transformation of traditional ways into cosmopolitan ones.
Qatar will play host to tens of thousands of fans from around the world — men and women who will expect to sit together, women who will expect total equality and the right to dress as they please, fans who will want — and not expect to be denied — a drink. Fans who will have no truck with religious police, modesty police, or killjoys of any kind. And if Israel qualifies, Qatar will not be able to deny it the right to play, for the first time, on Arab soil. Think of that.
All this could be electrifying and transformative—the 2022 World Cup could, without exaggeration, bring about a cultural revolution.