In response to ongoing criticism from western media, about 35 Jordanian lawmakers have urged a number of international organizations to support Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
The group of lawmakers asked that a statement supporting Qatar be released by the European Parliament, the Arab Parliament, the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Adopted by MP Khalil Attia, the memorandum saluted the “brothers in Qatar” and said “we always and forever stand by their side in solidarity with their authentic people under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim, may God protect and safeguard him.”
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The signatories inked their name on a letter congratulating Qatar’s hosting of the biggest sporting tournament, in which it spotlighted efforts in organising such an event “in a way that evokes pride”.
“The brothers in Qatar warm our hearts as we hear, read and follow on a daily basis the indicators of success in hosting this major activity, praying to God Almighty to accommodate the brothers in organisation and duty after they have efficiently brought happiness to the hearts of hundreds of millions of people,” the memorandum read.
“In my name and in the name of those I represent in the Jordanian House of Representatives and the Arab Parliament, I affirm that all of us stand with the Qatari brothers in organising the World Cup, which is being held for the first time in the Arab region.”
The letter also said Qatar 2022 has played a major role in helping mitigate the region’s link to conflict and instead paint a “creative humanitarian portrait” that is recognised by everyone regionally and globally.
It also shed light on the score of criticism Qatar has been receiving since winning the bid to host the World Cup 2022 back in 2010, especially by western media. Such criticism has prompted many, including top officials in the Gulf state, to point to Islamophobia and racism.
“This is an apt occasion to emphasise our total rejection of all arrogant agendas that attempt to ‘marginalise’ the Qatari achievement, cast doubt on the capabilities, and highlight negative criticisms which we know are nothing but a distressed expression of ‘hateful racist’ political agendas that will fail in front of Qatar’s competency”.
The MPs slammed the ongoing campaigns against the Gulf country, highlighting Qatar’s success in being award the 2022 FIFA World Cup Host status over several other major countries.
As the tournament edges closer, Qatari officials have taken a more head on approach to call out criticism, highlighting apparent angles taken by western media that has widely disregarded progress made on the ground.
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as well as other top Qatari officials have repeatedly slammed the “racism” behind the campaigns, especially since they have continued to emerge despite Qatar addressing concerns and launching major reforms.
Last month, the amir described the campaigns as “ferocious” and “malicious” and questioned intentions behind the criticism.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sheikh Mohammed also cited racism.
Speaking to Le Monde, the Qatari diplomat said he came across recent commentary that accused Qatar of not being “intellectually and culturally ready” to host the World Cup.
“Is such racism acceptable in Europe in the 21st century? Football belongs to everyone. It is not reserved for a club of elites. Four hundred and fifty million Arabs are delighted that the World Cup is finally being held in their region,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
More recently, the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar 2022 Nasser Al-Khater said on Monday that the campaign against Qatar and its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is linked to Europe’s refusal to see a country outside its region take on the tournament.
“European countries feel they have monopoly over the World Cup. Europe has hosted 11 tournaments out of 22 tournaments, of course it refuses that a country like Qatar or an Arab Muslim country hosts a tournament like the World Cup,” Al-Khater told Al Jazeera Arabic in a televised interview.
Qatar-Jordan ties
Jordan is amongst many of the countries to provide Qatar with security support during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The potential security cooperation between the two countries would further reflect growing bilateral ties.
Qatar Chamber Chairman Sheikh Khalifa Al Thani in September revealed trade between Doha and Amman exceeded $171 million in 2021.
During the first quarter of this year, Qatar and Jordan’s bilateral trade witnessed a 32% increase, reaching $41 million after it was $31 million over the same period last year.
Goods imported from Jordan include fruits and vegetables, frozen foods, livestock, medical supplies including medicine, marble, and phosphate amongst many others.
From Qatar, Jordan imports kerosene, liquefied gas, fertilizers, cement, pipes, polyethylene, basic polymers, and aluminum.
Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar vowed to create 10,000 jobs for Jordanians on his first visit to Jordan since 2014 in 2020. Additionally, he had promised to contribute $30 million to the military pension fund in Amman.
