FIFA World Cup is a World Cup event that is recognized globally, meaning unity, inclusion, understanding, and respect. Organizing such a prestigious tournament means the host nation must reflect such values. As for sports and diplomacy, Saudi Arabia has recently achieved much progress, but still, its experience of discriminating against minorities, violating human rights, and suppressing dissent in the name of religion contradicts the values FIFA promotes. This article highlights why Saudi Arabia should not be considered to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 because of the way it treats religious minorities.
Religious Discrimination in Saudi Arabia: An Overview
Mainstream Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim branch of Islam that is very rigid and purest in its practice, known as Wahhabi. Although there have been certain social changes in the kingdom in the past few years, the kingdom is still intolerant with minimum acceptance of religious freedom. In civil litigation, non-Muslims get only 50% of the compensation given to Muslim males in case of injury or death.
The country is an officially secular state, though it expressly frowns at the practice of any faith apart from Islam. This prohibition impacts millions of residents and citizens, particularly Shi’a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews. These communities discriminate systematically; they cannot pray freely, and those who try are severely punished.
Protection of Places of Worship and Restriction of their Places of Worship
Incidentally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not allow the building of churches, synagogues, or temples. While not prohibited from practicing their faith in private, citizens’ freedom of religion includes the prohibition of praying in a non-Islamic manner, and the organizers of any religious meeting face prosecution fines on deportation.
Harassment of Shi’a Muslims
Shi’a Muslims can be socially, economically, or politically disadvantaged. Human rights groups document that the government discriminates against Shi’a-populated areas in terms of access to basic public services and employment opportunities.
About 5-10% of the Saudi population is Shia Muslims, who are mainly concentrated in the Eastern Province. They face severe discrimination in every walk of life, be it education, employment, or religious practices
Blasphemy and Apostasy Laws
Anti-blasphemy and anti-apostasy laws are employed to persecute the religious minorities and dissidents. These penalties include imprisonment, public beating, or even formed execution, which tend to instill or bring fear among the non-Muslims and minority sects.
Lack of Freedom of Expression
Some supporters, men and women, players, referees, coaches, and so on, coming from different parts, may not feel secure in Saudi Arabia as the nation practices a very conservative brand of Shari’ah law. For instance, Christian fans will not be allowed to wear cross necklaces, have Bibles, and pray during the tournament.
Issues of Concern of Minorities about Safety and Security
Players’ delegations, particularly from countries with large Jewish populations like Israel, might feel the Nazi-esque treatment due to the KSA’s historical policies on interfaith relations, among other things. Black Saudis constitute around 10% of the population and are generally discriminated against in all sectors, such as employment and education. According to reports, they are considered inferior and treated worse by the police than their Arab counterparts.
Ethical Issues for the Fans and Players
Religious discrimination could open a can of worms for FIFA during the World Cup, speaking of many logistical and ethical issues. People from all the religions of the world are fans and players, and so people of every religion will attend the event. Saudi Arabia’s oppressive policies would always pose a problem with the atmosphere of the tournament.
Alienating Diverse Fanbases
The FIFA World Cup attracts millions of fans worldwide; only a portion of them is Muslim. Controlling them or banning anything that is considered religious could lead to anger among these fans and reduce the global appeal of the tournament.
Moral Issues and FIFA’s Liability
It would also be a very dangerous precedent to allow Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup notion that economic and political influence diminishes human rights violations. That is another reason why FIFA has to ensure that ethical issues are considered in deciding the host countries.
FIFA’s Human Rights Policy
In 2017, FIFA adopted a policy on the protection and promotion of human rights where FIFA committed itself in all its operations. The aforementioned policy would be defeated in case Saudi Arabia is given the opportunity to host the World Cup.
Risk of Whitewashing
However, Saudi Arabia may be able to use the event for ‘sportwashing’ by which it can manage to shift attention from its bad rights record. This tactic has been criticized in other sporting events that took place in the Gulf region.
Global Reaction and Boycotts
Many nations and fans may opt not to attend the event if FIFA pursues the opportunity of hosting it in Saudi Arabia. The organizers must have well known that intimidating huge celebrities who may opt to stage an elaborate boycott would dent the event, and thus its financial potential.
Historical Precedents
Previous sporting activities have been boycotted due to ethical issues such as the Moscow Olympics in 1980. The same could easily happen in the case of FIFA turning a blind eye to discrimination practiced by Saudis.
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup is not simply a sporting event but a union of global integration and cultural experiences. Not to mention Saudi Arabia was brought up once again for religious discrimination that is none of the things in any FIFA World Cup song or dance.
FIFA needs to live up to the standards that have been set regarding diversity and human rights. It is very unfortunate that if OF carrier Saudi Arabia hosts the 2034 World Cup without addressing these concerns, it will be a blow to the events and a compromise to the organization.
