The tensions that surround around Qatar’s culture and the normative claims frequently make rounds in debates in the western media. Critical to local cultural commitments, the political judgments of western media outlets call for pursuing policies that promote particular cultural commitments. What is more, on a quite plausible account of how culture works, these political philosophers probably cannot provide persuasive reasons.
A former Qatar’s resident and Adidas’s employ recently took on Twitter to highlight the western narrow perspective about the acceptance of other culture. He wrote “I am sick of it. Qatar-bashing is getting tedious, unjustified, and simply inaccurate. The constant criticism by (especially) the Guardian and Mail newspapers are getting boring, is not helping and if anything, having a negative effect on the future positive changes within Qatar and it´s culture.”
Read more: Qatar World Cup offers lessons for human rights struggles
“As an ex-resident of Qatar for 17+ years, and deeply involved with the forthcoming FIFA World Cup, I consider myself an informed observer. I agree, Qatar is not perfect. I agree Qatar´s culture and views on diversity is different to “ours”. I agree, Qatar has some laws which the western world find strange. I agree, Qatar´s football World Cup will be unconventional, and most would say, risky.”
“However, why should the western world and media criticize a country which is different, imperfect but developing? Past hosts of the FIFA World Cup are also not perfect. South Africa (2010) had a very questionable human rights regime for years, this has now changed. Look what Russia (2018) is doing now and the tragedy it has created. And let us not discuss the future host, the USA (2026)! A country where gun laws are archaic and abortion laws have been set back 150 years.”
FIFA does it again. Another abysmal failure on the human rights front. #Qatar2022
“Qatari authorities have failed to give a guarantee to travelling LGBTQ+ supporters that they will be safe at the World Cup.”https://t.co/8mBjkrwXFO
— MacIntosh Ross (@punchingprof) June 30, 2022
“Qatar is a conservative society compared to most western countries. The authorities have stated, “everyone is welcome”, “mutual respect is needed” etc. If potential spectators to the World Cup have a problem with showing mutual respect, then DON´T GO! Watch the games from the comfort of your armchair! But don´t assume others can´t show respect and change their behavior during their visit to Qatar.”
“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 whilst not being hosted in a “perfect” country, will bring the world´s eyes upon it. Surely for a society to align with the rest of us, it is best for the spotlight to be shone. To experience the local population, to understand more of the context, to taste the culture, people need to visit. With the constant bashing and negativity, will this promote anything but suspicion, lack of understanding and thus no change?”
Read more: 2022 World Cup: Is Qatar putting its best foot forward?
Western academia and cultural writers believe they can compel a country or community to fall for certain cultural commitments. This same ambivalence is visible in the recent writings of many political philosophers who are insensitive towards the normative status of indigenous cultures.