Qatar starts FIFA World Cup opening ceremony with Quran recitation

The opening ceremony of Fifa World Cup 2022 was started with the recitation of Quranic verses by 20-year-old Qatari YouTube star Ghanim al-Muftah.

Photo of Web Desk Web DeskNovember 21, 2022
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, FIFA World Cup Quran recitation, Ghanim al-Muftah, FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of Fifa World Cup 2022 was started with the recitation of Quranic verses by 20-year-old Qatari YouTube star Ghanim al-Muftah – the first time that a Fifa World Cup opened with the recitation of the Quran at Al Bayt Stadium.

Ghanim al-Muftah – who is also a Fifa World Cup ambassador appeared alongside Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman – recited the Quranic verses, saying, “Oh mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.”

Ghanim, born with a rare condition that impairs the development of the lower spine, appeared alongside Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman. The American actor sat on the pitch beside the Qatari qari (a person who recited the Quran with the proper rules of recitation), Khaleej Times reported.

Freeman narrated the opening segment of the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony, titled ‘The Calling’, telling viewers: ‘We all gather here in one big tribe’. “How can so many countries, languages and cultures come together if only one way is accepted?” Freeman told the crowd.

Freeman narrated the opening segment of the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony, titled ‘The Calling’, telling viewers: ‘We all gather here in one big tribe’. “How can so many countries, languages and cultures come together if only one way is accepted?” Freeman told the crowd. “I heard something beautiful. Not just music, but also this call to the celebration,” the actor began.

Freeman later addressed the crowd, saying, “Football united nations and their love for the beautiful game. What brings together nations also brings together communities.”

Who is Ghanim Al Muftah?

Ghanim Al Muftah is a twin brother born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare disorder that impairs the development of the lower spine. Given very few chances of survival by doctors, he has managed to live beyond his fifteen years.

His story has served to amaze and inspire people by being a prominent and exceptional example for the youth and disabled people across the world. On yearly basis, Muftah receives expert surgical care in Europe.

He hopes to become a future Paralympian. Despite his disabilities, Ghanim lists swimming, scuba diving, football, hiking and skateboarding as his favourite sports.

At school, Muftah used to play football wearing shoes on his hands and would chase after the ball with his ‘normal-sized’ friends. He climbed Jebel Shams, the highest mountain peak in the entire Gulf region. he has intention to climb Mount Everest.

With over 1 million followers on Instagram, Al-Muftah aims to study Political Science at university, with the goal of becoming a future Prime Minister of Qatar.

For first time, host team lose opening game

Ecuador defeats Qatar in the World Cup opener. In 92 years of soccer’s biggest event, a host team had never lost its opening game. The World Cup opened Sunday with Qatar getting outplayed in a 2-0 loss to Ecuador.

World Cup hosts Qatar have had a disappointing start to their campaign, with a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador leaving them facing an uphill struggle to make it out of their group in their first-ever World Cup.

Qatar, the only host nation to lose an opening match in the history of the World Cup, only had five shots in the match and none were on target. The team had just two touches inside the opposition penalty area.

Photo of Web Desk Web DeskNovember 21, 2022
Photo of Web Desk

Web Desk

Back to top button