Qatar Takes Advantage Of Its Title As Host Of The 2022 World Cup to Preaching

Qatar is a country located in the Middle East with a Muslim majority. Qatar is also the first Islamic country to be appointed as the host of an international football competition. As the host of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar does not waste the opportunity to carry out da'wah to introduce Islam to foreign tourists.

Qatar has spent a lot of money preparing for the 2022 world cup. But not just for football, but also for da'wah. Da'wah is not only done in mosques or schools, but da'wah can be done anywhere and anytime. Qatar has shown this, by preaching through international football matches. How did Qatar do it? Check out the following reviews.

1. Imposing Islamic religious rules

During the 2022 World Cup matches, the government of Qatar imposed a religious ban on Islam which football spectators or visitors from other countries are not allowed to do. Some rules that are not allowed are free sex, LGBT, drinking parties, and not making out in public places.

Even though many parties criticized and cornered Qatar, the Qatari government remained firm in implementing these rules. Qatar's interior minister, Abdullah Al Nasari, stressed that they would not convert just for the 28-day event.

Outside the scope of religion, these prohibited activities do have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. An example of drinking while watching a football match has the potential to trigger emotions for the drinker. The big impact would be to start a fire of chaos in the stadium.

2. Introduction to the teachings of Islam

The Qatari government is also trying to introduce Islam to foreign visitors or tourists. Qatar has distributed murals and posters containing hadiths or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW about mercy, alms and good deeds.

Apart from the murals, there are also QR codes posted in every hotel room. The QR code contains the teachings of the Islamic religion in various languages. Hotel visitors can access the QR code if they want to know the profile of the Islamic religion.

Qatar's state endowment ministry also opened an Islamic religious exhibition packaged in various languages.

Not enough with that, the government of Qatar through the Qatar Quest Center prepared a team of 2,000 people to carry out da'wah and was tasked with answering visitors' questions about Islam. Qatar Quest Center allocates 10 traveling cars and 10 special tents for da'wah facilities.

Qatar even brought in preachers and lecture experts from India, namely Dr. Zakir Naik. He was brought in to deliver preaching and religious lectures to introduce Islam, as a form of Qatar's program to host the 2022 world cup.

3. Introducing Islamic culture

Because the majority of Qatar's population is Muslim, it indirectly introduces Islamic culture to visitors. For example, the hijab is used to cover the genitals for women and clothing that is Islamic in nature, such as the robe. In addition, visitors also have the opportunity to visit Islamic buildings such as mosques or visit the Museum of Islamic Art.

4. The stadium has an Islamic nuance

Qatar placed a microphone in the stadium for the call to prayer by electing a muezzin with a melodious voice. Apart from reminding Muslims of their obligation to pray, the sound of the call to prayer has the potential to entice non-Muslim visitors so they don't miss the majesty and beauty that the call to prayer echoes. In addition to microphones, the Qatar stadium is also equipped with a place for ablution and prayer for Muslims to fulfill their obligations.

Qatar deserves a thumbs up. Even though they were appointed as the host of the international competition, they did not forget to preach and introduce Islam to the world. Qatar does not abandon its religious teachings just for the sake of profit, instead they are increasingly spreading da'wah through this golden opportunity. Hopefully with the 2022 world cup taking place in Qatar, Islam will become more widely known and show its existence in all corners of the world.