We won’t ‘change the religion for 28 days of the World Cup’ – Qatar 2022 official to LGBTQ fans

The official is quoted by the ANigerians ssociated Press as cautioning that “rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the World Cup in Qatar to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights.”

According to him, the country remains against the overt promotion of LGBTQ freedoms contrary to earlier positions by FIFA and World Cup organizers that the rainbow flag would be welcome across Qatar’s eight stadiums.

He also stressed that Qatar will maintain all of its customs and will not change its religious values within the 28-day period that the games will be held.

Al Ansari, identified in the AP report as director of the Department of International Cooperation and chairman of the National Counterterrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior stressed that LGBTQ persons should demonstrate their values in societies where it is accepted.

“You want to demonstrate your view about the (LGBTQ) situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted,” he said.

Al Ansari continued: “Reserve the room together, sleep together — this is something that’s not in our concern. We are here to manage the tournament. Let’s not go beyond, the individual personal things which might be happening between these people …

“Here we cannot change the laws. You cannot change the religion for 28 days of the World Cup.”

The World Cup will take place in the country between November 21 – December 18 this year.