Qatar 2022 World Cup officials have openly encouraged LGBT and Israeli fans to participate in this year’s World Cup.

Qatar is known for having harsh laws against homosexuality, and the ban of Israelis from entering the Gulf state.

At Qatar 2022, all of that disappears, which really has us thinking, could Qatar 2022 be the first step towards a second LGBT legalized Gulf state, and official relations with Israel?

Following the statement of openly gay Australian football Josh Cavallo telling the Guardian, he would be ‘scared’ to play in the Gulf state, Nasser Al Khater, the CEO of Qatar 2022, strongly encouraged fans from the LGBT community that they will be safe and welcomed at this year’s World Cup.

“We welcome him [Cavallo] here in the state of Qatar, we welcome him to come and see, even prior to the World Cup,” Al Khater told CNN.

“Nobody feels threatened here, nobody feels unsafe here. I think, unfortunately, maybe he’s getting this perception because of reading a lot of these accusations or reading a lot of these news stories that shine a negative light. Qatar is like any other society in this world. Everyone is welcome.”

“Listen, public display of affection is frowned upon, and that goes across the board – across the board. Qatar is a modest country. That’s all that needs to be respected. Other than that, everyone is free to live their life.”

“They [gay people] will be coming to Qatar as fans of a football tournament. They can do whatever any other human being would do. What I’m saying is Qatar, from a public-display-of-affection factor, is conservative.”

Another impressive step towards peace from Qatar’s side is the warm welcoming of Israelis to participate in Qatar 2022.

Qatari officials have been in touch with Rabbi Marc Schneier, from the Orthodox Hampton Synagogue in Long Island, New York, to help plan the event, organize kosher food and a place to pray.

According to Ynet, Rabbi Schneier described the invitation as “an exceptional development that attests to the sensitivity that the Qataris show toward Israelis and the Jewish world”. He said the Qataris had sought his advice with concern for the needs of Jewish fans in everything related to kosher food. “I responded to the request with joy. The fact that our conversation took place on this subject is already amazing,” Rabbi Schneier said.

Over the years Israelis have been welcomed to participate in sporting events taking place in Qatar.

2008 – Tennis player Shahar Pe’er became the first Israeli to compete in a WTA Tour event in the Arabian Peninsula when she reached the third round of the Qatar Total Open in Doha. Later on, she competed again in Qatar in 2012.
2014 – Israeli swimmers took part in the 2014 FINA World Swimming Championships in Doha.
2016 – Israeli beach volleyball duo, Sean Faiga, and Ariel Hilman, participated in the FIVB Qatar Open in Doha.
2018 – Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela competed at the 2018 Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
2018 – Israeli youth handball team played at the 2018 Handball World School Championship in Qatar.
2018 – Israeli gymnasts competed in the 2018 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which was held for the first time in Doha, Qatar, and the Middle East.
2018 – Israeli equestrian Danielle Goldstein participated in the 2018 Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar. 2019 – The Israeli national anthem was played in Qatar after Israeli gymnast Alexander Shatilov won the gold medal for the floor exercise during the 2019 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series.
2019 – Israeli athletes contended at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
2021 – Israelis competed at the 2021 Judo World Masters in Doha.
2021 – Israeli Artem Dolgopyat won a gold medal at the 2021 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series, hosted in Doha.

These steps taken by Qatari officials in support of the LGBT community and Israelis gives us hope for a better future of acceptance and equality in Qatar.

It is important to know that as they are trying to present themselves as a country of fair play, they still have a long way to go in officially proving themselves in these cases, for good, not just during a one time sports event.