Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, November 20 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers devoted most of their attention in their editorials issued Sunday to the dream that came true and the promise that became a reality of the opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Qatar, where Qatar will present to the world, over the course of a month, a pleasure of competition between the teams, and the enthusiasm of billions of fans around the world, to follow an exceptional tournament with all organizational, security and entertainment standards. The newspapers unanimously agreed that since the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced that Qatar won the World Cup in 2010, millions of Qataris and Arabs waited for that event, and since that historical moment, the pace of work, giant projects and achievements throughout the country has not stopped through out the country. The newspapers noted that Qatar has faced, for more than ten years, a torrent of accusations, slanders and lies without any justification other than its pursuit of victory for the Arab nation and the region. Since the inception of this tournament, the Arab peoples have remained in the spectators' seats, but today they have become at the heart of the event, making glory and history. Under the title "Welcome to the Arab World Cup " Al-Sharq newspaper said in an article by the editor-in-chief that the international teams participating in the Qatar World Cup 2022 flocked. The Italian referee, Daniele Orsato, who was chosen to lead the historic opening match of the World Cup between host Qatar and Ecuador, will blow the kick off whistle, so that the excitement would continue in which the 32 strongest teams in the world participate. The newspaper said that Qatar hosted the World Cup to assure the world that the region is rich in its heritage and has its civilization and capabilities to manufacture the event, and that it is able to receive these large gatherings of the masses and provide their needs and full services. Al-Sharq pointed out that Qatar did not care about the fabrications and campaigns of misinformation and distortion. Here are the masses of the world arriving in Doha, and they found nothing but exceptional preparation and genuine Arab hospitality. They also found the workers as they preceded everyone else to participate in the festivals and the international sporting atmosphere, expressing their belonging to the countries they love, and everyone exchanged the same friendliness and love. Al-Sharq stated that the projects that Qatar has accomplished were not only aimed at the World Cup, as they are part of Qatar National Vision 2030, and the planned infrastructure projects coincided with this event, to benefit visitors to Qatar from all the peoples of the world before the people of Qatar, citizens and residents. The newspaper pointed out that the slogan raised in all the streets and spacious squares of Qatar is, "Welcome to your country, and you are among your people." Many of the masses, who have heard all the lies, will certainly be amazed at this fine sportsmanship and this high appreciation for the human being and his dignity. Yes, Qatar welcomes everyone without conditions, but at the same time it expects everyone to respect its culture, laws and traditions of its hospitable people. The newspaper added that Qatar's hosting of the World Cup broke the rules of the football game in its old form, which always made the Arab peoples a guest in this major international tournament, so that the Arab peoples today become at the heart of the event and in the event industry, and they became a host after they were just guests and visitors whose participation does not exceed the initial stages of the competition for the cup. The newspaper concluded its editorial by congratulating all the people of Qatar, all visitors to Qatar, all the fans, everyone who contributed to this great achievement, and congratulating Qatar for its overwhelming victory in the hosting, hospitality and organization match, wishing Al Annabi success in all his matches. For its part, and under the title "Refuting Lies" Al-Watan newspaper said in its editorial that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament will start this evening, at Al-Bayt Stadium, after an opening ceremony that we and the whole world is looking forward to it, followed by the first match of the national team against Ecuador. The newspaper pointed out that on the eve of the start of the World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino put the points on the letters, considering that Qatar will organize the best version of the World Cup in history. The newspaper noted the FIFA president's response to the smear campaigns that targeted Qatar, which he described as a model of tolerance and teamwork. He also criticized the slogans issued by some, describing them as hypocrisy, affirming at the same time that the conditions of workers in the State of Qatar are better than those of migrants in Europe. Al-Watan indicated that many international institutions have recognized that the standards of workers' rights in the State of Qatar are similar to the standards of workers' rights in Europe, and in a meaningful sign, he demanded the Europeans to apologize to the people before giving lessons, pointing out that many European institutions operate in Qatar and reap financial profits. The newspaper concluded its editorial by saying, what Infantino said was completely frank, and its importance lies in the fact that it was issued by the FIFA President, who lived closely with Qatar's preparations, workers' conditions, and the nature of Qatari society, which is characterized by a great deal of tolerance. It is an eloquent response to all those who targeted Qatar, either for purely racist reasons, or for other paid reasons. Whatever the case, what the FIFA President said is the most important, because it is an objective testimony that refuted all the lies and false allegations against Qatar. In turn, Al-Arab newspaper said, in its editorial which came under the title "The Launch", that the Arab dream finally turns into reality. For 12 years, Qatar has been like a beehive, racing against time to organize an exceptional World Cup, as promised to the world. Qatar has turned the Arab dream into reality, since from the first moment it has clearly affirmed that it will be the Arab World Cup, not just Qatar. The newspaper pointed out that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, will be among a number of Their Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses and Excellencies, Heads of State and heads of delegations of brotherly and friendly countries today in the opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium, which will be held under the patronage His Highness. The newspaper added that today our beloved country is reaping the fruits of years' effort, while the campaign of "distorting the facts" sponsored by Western media or some organizations carrying human rights banners continues in full swing, Qatar was moving forward in enhancing the security, safety and rights of migrant workers, by implementing a wide range of reforms, which contributed to strengthening labor laws and increasing protection for migrant workers. It included, among others, fixing a minimum wage, strengthening labor protection measures, establishing labor committees, and other services and practical measures. Al- Arab newspaper affirmed that Qatar has kept its doors open to everyone who wants to know the truth, whether it is related to the achievements that will leave a positive and sustainable impact in the field of human rights, or practical steps taken by the state to protect workers' rights and meet their needs. The newspaper concluded its editorial by saying that Qatar has withstood the media machine that refuses to submit to the logic of truth, supported by the testimonies of the relevant international organizations, which contributed to responding to these allegations and refuting them from the ground up, adding that the FIFA President went yesterday so far as to stress the need for Europe to present its apology to the people, before giving lessons, especially since the conditions of workers in the State of Qatar are better than the conditions of migrants in Europe. For its part, the English newspaper / The Peninsula / mentioned in its editorial under the title " Wait is over" that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is set to get underway at the 60,000-seater Al Bayt Stadium today, marking the country’s success after 12 years of hard work and determination. The newspaper noted that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will inaugurate the opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in the presence of a number of Their Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses and Excellencies, Heads of State and heads of delegations of brotherly and friendly countries. The Peninsula said that it’s a day of joy and celebration not just in Qatar, but for fans all across the region as Qatar stages the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world. It said that all arrangements in terms of security protocols, accommodation, transport and medical guidance are in place, pointing out that several team officials and players have praised World Cup facilities after their experience of training over the last week. The peninsula added that more than 90 entertainment activities across the country on the sidelines of the World Cup will make the country an unrivalled entertainment destination during the global fiesta. The Peninsula concluded by referring to what was confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Qatar 2022 will be the most compact World Cup edition in modern history, and it will be the best ever. In turn, Al-Raya newspaper said on Sunday under the title "It Happened" that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will kick off at a historic moment that we have waited for 12 years, in which work, giant projects, and achievements throughout the country, east and west did not stop for that moment. The newspaper added in an article to the editor-in-chief said that we will tell our children, grandchildren, and future generations how the road to that defining moment in our contemporary history was strewn with thorns, conspiracies, and paid campaigns delusional to abort the dream of the World Cup Qatar and the Arabs, adding that we will tell them how our full confidence was as much as our full loyalty to our wise leadership to overcome all difficulties and face all challenges with courage and dignity, to fulfill the promise made by Qatar to the world by organizing an exceptional tournament for the first time on an Arab Muslim land. Al-Raya said that Qatar sought to invest the largest sporting event in terms of the flow of sports enthusiasts and billions of followers around the world, to leave a positive impact and a sustainable cultural legacy, by introducing the world's masses to the Qatari, Gulf, Arab, and Islamic cultures and traditions. Furthermore, the World Cup organization was truly a national project around which all the people of the country gathered, to be a pillar of the advancement of all sectors of the state, so that Qatar turns into a workshop, with a conscious vision, with a steady pace, studied, flexible and ambitious plans. The paper highlighted the national enthusiasm that exploded everywhere to launch the journey of preparation for the World Cup on Dec. 2, 2010, the date of Qatar's winning to host the tournament, aiming to reach the highest international standards, whether in terms of construction, infrastructure, World Cup stadiums, security and safety, health services, transportation, organization, tourist and entertainment destinations, and accommodation for fans to provide a distinctive and smooth experience for all football fans and teams participating in the tournament. Al-Raya pointed to the continuation of the campaigns of distortion and fabrications, and racist statements that did not stop lies over the past years, or even days ago. The paper indicated that its strongest weapons in that battle were the achievements on the ground, not falling into the low level of those suspicious media and political campaigns, having a solid diplomatic language with present numbers and evidence, and a professional media performance, refuting the false accusations. Al-Raya concluded the editor-in-chief's article by saying that the promise of launching the historic World Cup has been fulfilled with pride, honor, and national enthusiasm amidst the national celebrations of Qatar's National Day in the march of achievements that would not have happened without the vision, follow-up, and directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. For its part, the English-language newspaper Qatar Tribune affirmed in its editorial titled "Football’s Arabian Delight" that one of the greatest sporting spectacles on the planet, the FIFA World Cup, kicks off at the magnificent Al Bayt Stadium Sunday in Doha, stressing that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is historic in many ways. For one of the smallest nations to be hosting the world’s most watched sporting event is no mean achievement, and for the first time the football extravaganza it is being held on Arab soil, a moment of immense pride for all in the region and an extraordinary symbol of unity and brotherhood, the paper added. Qatar Tribune highlighted that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has notched up many firsts since winning the bid in December 2010. Traditionally held in the summer, this time the World Cup is taking place in winter. It is perhaps the only host nation to create all the modern, in class infrastructure from the stadiums to hotels to roads to the metro from scratch. Under the visionary leadership of HH the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has made possible everything that is needed for the event to be in place well before time, underlining that all stops have been pulled to make the thousands of visiting football fans from all over the world feel at home, the newspaper said. The newspaper said that the World Cup is not just about football. Beyond the sport, Qatar is using the event to showcase to the world the unique Qatari and Arab culture, history, language, music, art and cuisine. It will also introduce to fans from far and wide the stellar economic development in the country, its peace-loving and friendly people, its tourist spots, et al. When football fans go home to their respective countries, Qatar would have made sure they carry wonderful memories of not only the football that was played but also of the country, and the Arab world, the newspaper added. Qatar Tribune concluded by emphasizing that sport is not only about winning and losing. It is about bringing nations from around the world together and fostering peace, and that is the message that FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is seeking to deliver to the world. (QNA)