Qatar authorities confiscated toys which they called un-Islamic. They featured rainbow patterns that were similar to LGBT flags.
The small oil-rich peninsular will host next year’s football World Cup, and despite repeated assertions by authorities that anyone will be welcome to visit for the tournament, homosexuality remains illegal in the conservative Muslim emirate.
Children’s toys in the line were taken from retail stores. Officials claimed that they were not Islamic and their rainbow colours were “contrary” to Islamic values.
Qatari authorities have confiscated a line of toys for children that they called “un-Islamic”. They feature rainbow patterns, similar to the LGBT flags.
Although the emirate’s commerce ministry didn’t express its opposition to rainbow colors, some toys had a similar scheme to that of the LGBTQ flag.
According to Twitter, the ministry of commerce & industry “carried out inspection campaign on multiple retail outlets in different areas across Qatar”, it stated.
“The campaign resulted the seizure of and release from several violations, which included the confiscation or removal of toys with slogans that are against Islamic principles.”
A tweet with pictures of rainbow-coloured rubber stress balls was accompanying the message.
“The ministry asks citizens and residents to immediately report products bearing logos, designs or other elements that are not in keeping with our traditions,” it stated in separate statements on QNA’s official news agency.
Qatari authorities did not immediately respond to AFP’s request to provide more details on the reason for these seizures.
It stated that the ministry of commerce and industrial ‘performed inspection campaigns at several outlets across Qatar’ on Twitter (puctyred). “The campaign resulted from the seizing and release of many violations, including confiscation of toys for children with slogans against Islamic values.”
Since Qatar was selected to host the 2022 World Cup, 2010, Qatar’s rights records have been in the news.
The English Football Association assured LGBTQ+ supporters that they were welcome to visit the country during the World Cup. Qatar appeared to relax its anti-LGBTQ+ position for the tournament and said rainbow flags will be allowed.
There are concerns about possible consequences for LGBT+ Qataris, who could display flags of this nature during the World Cup.
Amnesty International has accused the Football Association of failing to engage with it over human rights abuses in Qatar – unlike associations in other countries – with a spokesman saying they had not spoken to the FA since 2020.
But the FA said last month it was ‘categorically incorrect’ to claim there has been no dialogue since March 2020, adding: ‘We are in dialogue with Amnesty and also with FIFA, UEFA, other member associations and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.’
The country’s attitude towards LGBTQ+ rights were in the spotlight earlier in December when Football pundit Mohamed Aboutrika, a former Egypt international, launched the offensive tirade on beIN Sports – a channel owned and run by Qatar.
He also criticised the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community, calling for Muslim players to boycott it.
Aboutrika said ‘such a phenomenon does not fit our faith and it does not fit our religion’, adding it is ‘not only against Islam’s nature, but it’s against human nature’.
Particular attention was paid to the rights of LGBTQ+ people and the working conditions of the many thousands of migrant workers who constructed the tournament’s infrastructure. Pictured: The Lusail stadium, host venue of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup opening and final match, December 5
An estimated 6,500 workers from South Asia, mostly migrants, died in the heat while building these stadiums. Pictured: Workers lay the turf inside the Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, November 18
He added: ‘They will tell you that homosexuality is human rights. No, it is not human rights – in fact it’s against humanity.’ He was not challenged on his views and will not be disciplined nor sacked.
Nasser Al Khelaifi is beIN Sports’ chairman. He was a close friend and colleague of David Beckham. This channel is run effectively by Qatari officials and has exclusive rights for next year’s World Cup.
BeIN refused to criticise Aboutrika over his comments, but said: ‘As a global media group, we represent and support people, causes and interests of every background, language and cultural heritage.’
David Beckham has also been criticised by human rights groups after signing a £10million-plus deal to be the Gulf State’s ambassador.
Along with LGBTQ+ rights, the focus has been on the conditions of the many thousands of migrants who built the infrastructure for the tournament.
An estimate is that 6500 workers from South Asia, mostly migrants, died in the heat while building the stadiums.
Amnesty International sent a March letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, urging him to put more pressure on Qatar for its record in human rights.