Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 04 (QNA) - In their editorials on Sunday, Qatari newspapers shed light on various topics related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The newspaper said that Doha has become the focus of the world's attention and a destination for many officials from all countries of the world, noting that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani meets every day a president or an official from many brotherly and friendly countries, and discusses with them cooperation relations and ways to strengthen and develop them, as well as issues of common interest. The papers highlighted the historical records achieved by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which will remain linked to the name of Qatar, which proved that the Arabs are capable of achievement and welcome everyone who exchanges love and peace with them on the basis of mutual respect. The newspapers also shed light on the attention paid by the State of Qatar to persons with disabilities, as the State spares no effort to integrate the issues of these persons and their needs in all its policies and programmes, out of its belief in the importance of protecting human rights in general and the rights of persons with disabilities in particular. Al-Sharq newspaper underlined that HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's meeting with HE President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow, currently visiting the State of Qatar to attend a part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches, affirms that the World Cup is an opportunity to strengthen relations, partnerships, bilateral cooperation and friendship ties between countries in a way that achieves the interests of all peoples. The paper pointed out that the State of Qatar's impressive organization of this exceptional and unique edition of the World Cup is an example to follow in the future, after it excelled at all levels, compared to the previous tournaments, and added to the Gulf and the entire Middle East region an unprecedented achievement that will remain a source of pride for the Arab and Islamic peoples for a long time. The daily stressed that Qatar's hosting of the global event contributed greatly to efforts to bring nations and peoples closer together, enhance human solidarity, change ideas and stereotypes that Western media have always tried to attach to the region, and highlight the region's heritage and values that support peace, cooperation and love. Al-Sharq concluded its editorial by saying that Qatar today is the capital of global sports, diplomacy, mediation and peace, and a hub for coexistence and spreading the culture of tolerance and peace among all peoples of the world. Meanwhile, Al-Raya newspaper said that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 makes history, as the FIFA announced in a report on Saturday a cumulative stadium attendance of 2.45 million spectators. That equals an average of 96% occupancy and is higher than the corresponding 2.17 million figure for the 2018 edition in Russia. The highest attendance in the history of the FIFA World Cup since the 1994 final was seen at Lusail Stadium, where 88,966 fans witnessed the Argentina v. Mexico match. According to the FIFA, for the first time ever, teams from all continents have advanced to the round of 16. Likewise, three teams from the AFC (Australia, Japan and Korea Republic) have reached the knockout stages – a competition record for the Asian confederation, the paper said, adding that equally remarkably, for the second time, two African teams (Senegal and Morocco) have reached the knockout stages – the last occasion being in 2014. The paper pointed out that World Cup Qatar witnessed the first female referees, consisting of Stephanie Frappart, Neuza Back, and Karen Diaz. Against Ghana, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another incredible milestone by becoming the first player to score at five editions of the tournament. The paper also underlined FIFA's praise for the close distances and its effectiveness in serving the guests of the World Cup, as fans are able to combine the enjoyment of matches with many recreational activities, while the Doha Metro and the Lusail Tram Network were able during the first 12 days to notch up 8.38 million trips, with a daily average of 707,032 passengers. Hamad International Airport and Doha also accommodated the flow of fans easily and smoothly on nearly two million Haya tickets. Hamad and Doha international airports are also comfortably accommodating the influx of fans and teams – so far, 2 million Hayyas (Fan IDs) applications have been received, the paper added. In conclusion, Al-Raya said that in spite of the unprecedented condensed footprint, with 24 teams staying within a 10km radius of each other, players and officials, according to FIFA, have smoothly transferred 3,321 times in and around Doha, stressing that this is a confirmation of the correctness of Qatar's vision in confronting all the propaganda campaigns that spread lies and misleading information to frighten the world from holding the World Cup in close spaces, while Qatar saw this challenge as an important opportunity for the fans' enjoyment, which was confirmed by the wonderful atmosphere of the tournament in the first World Cup on an Arab land. In its editorial, Al-Arab daily newspaper confirmed, under the title "Women's Testimony... and the Safety at World Cup", that the State of Qatar is a country of safety and security, according to the testimony of many fans of the teams participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, who confirmed that life is safe in a country that respects and values women. The paper said that these and other testimonies reflect to the world the falsehood and fabrications broadcasted by western campaigns against Qatar under the guise of human rights, which, in fact, was nothing but promoting the rights of groups outside human nature, adding that the Qatari woman and everyone who lives in Qatar, whether citizens or residents have rights that are protected and without exception. Al-Arab appreciated the security men in Qatar for their great role during the World Cup and their elegant way of dealing with all the masses, and for their clarifying the rules and laws gently without underestimating or exaggerating any violation, dealing with them wisely and rationally taking into account different cultures, nationalities and languages, as their main goal is to maintain the safety of everyone. Before the start of the World Cup, Qatar maintains its lead in the list of the safest, most secure and crime-free countries at the Arab and international levels, among the 135 countries included in the classification of the worldwide database (NUMBEO) for the year 2021, for the third year in a row and for the fourth time in its history, Al-Arab added. Al-Arab concluded its editorial by saying that Qatar did not occupy its position on the list of the safest countries out of the blue, as there are tremendous efforts made by the institutions concerned with maintaining security and safety, foremost of which is the Ministry of Interior, which has contributed to making people feel safe and secure. Under the title "A Pioneering Role", Al-Watan newspaper said in its editorial that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities is at the forefront of the priorities of the State of Qatar, as the State spares no effort to integrate the issues of these people and their needs into all its policies and programmes, and is constantly working to monitor and follow up on their implementation. Supporting this group is an integral part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, out of its belief in the importance of protecting human rights in general and the rights of persons with disabilities in particular. The newspaper said that the State of Qatar was at the forefront of the countries that ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signing its provisions in 2008, adding that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has established a unique and unprecedented feature for people with disabilities within the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as it is the most suitable version for fans with disabilities in the history of the World Cup. The paper indicated that the committee established the Empowerment Forum in 2016, which is a platform that brings together people with disabilities and their representative institutions across Qatar, which played an important role in planning to ensure the design and construction of sports facilities and infrastructure that suit all the needs of people with disabilities throughout the country. In conclusion, Al-Watan concluded by saying that Qatar has gone further by creating rooms dedicated to resting people with autism, or those who suffer from sensory processing disorders, in several stadiums, all of which are unprecedented measures, so that Qatar becomes an example in this regard. The Peninsula newspaper said that despite toxic media campaigns, baseless allegations, rumor mongering and conspiracies hatched in more than one place to thwart Qatar’s efforts to host the World Cup, the tournament is being held in a festive atmosphere. In an editorial titled 'Delivering the Best', the newspaper noted that last Friday (December 2) coincided with the 12th anniversary of the announcement that the State of Qatar won the bid to host the most prominent global football event, adding that Qatar rose up to the expectations, promises and challenges to host one of the most important events in the history of Qatari, Gulf and Arab sports. It pointed out that the anniversary of Qatar winning the right to host the World Cup also coincides with the end of group stage matches and the announcement made by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of launching a new Hayya Card option which will allow non-ticketed fans to enter the country and attend the FIFA World Cup starting from the day after the conclusion of the group stage. Thus, Qatar offers another chance for more fans to visit Qatar and experience the special atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup, the newspaper explained. The Peninsula concluded its editorial by saying that after observing the entire environment and cultural context where the matches are taking place, the exceptional presentation started getting praise from regional and global levels including hundreds of thousands of fans, heads of state and top officials from different countries. Meanwhile, the Gulf Times said that as FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 entered the Round of 16, the great sporting spectacle has set new benchmarks for future hosts. In an editorial titled 'FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sets New Benchmark For Future Hosts', the newspaper said that Qatar’s investment in state-of-the-art sport stadiums and advanced facilities has ensured that players and fans have world class experience during the World Cup, adding that the compact nature of the tournament in Qatar means everything is close by. It explained that while fans immerse themselves in the action, players are able to totally focus on football as there is no requirement for travel between matches, adding that all eight stadiums are within one hour’s drive of central Doha, meaning fans and players will always be in the thick of the action. The Gulf Times concluded its editorial by pointing out that for decades hosting the World Cup was a distant dream, but now it has become a reality, stressing that Qatar’s hard work has come to fruition and the country is now hosting an outstanding edition of the FIFA World Cup – one that will leave an important legacy for our country, the Middle East and globally. (QNA)