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Liberties allowed in Qatar could be a ploy - Doha Notebook 22
Japan supporters pose for a picture outside the stadium ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on December 5, 2022.
What you need to know:
- A person would certainly have to show ta marriage certificate to check into a hotel with a companion of the opposite sex
- English is also common in Qatar but not as widely spoken as Arabic
- Fifa will use a slightly different kind of ball for the semi-finals and final
Liberties allowed in Qatar could be a ploy
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According to common knowledge here, Qatar is not as open as it is looking at this World Cup. Currently; dressing seems liberal; the sexes are mixing freely and some couples even openly show affection; people can take pictures using their phones in public etc etc. This has not been the norm I am reliably informed. In fact, before the World Cup, women could only be seen outside covered from head to toe. If a man was seen with a woman, he would be stopped and questioned, and even asked to produce a marriage certificate if he claimed the female was his wife. A person would certainly have to show that document to check into a hotel with a companion of the opposite sex.
Arabic, English common languages here
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How can this column not have spoken of the language, well, spoken in Qatar. The official language here is Arabic – the sixth most spoken language in the world. A Qatari however tells me that the Arabic they speak is different from that spoken by the Saudi Arabians and that spoken by the Egyptians. English is also common in Qatar but not as widely spoken as Arabic. As a matter of fact, you are more likely to come across a person on the streets who speaks English than one who does not. With so many different nationalities living and working in this country it is not a surprise that English is common.
‘Al Hilm’: New ball introduced for the semis
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Fifa will use a slightly different kind of ball for the semi-finals and final. Its manufacturer Adidas unveiled the new ball, “Al Hilm”, on Sunday. The name “Al Hilm”" translates as “The Dream” in Arabic. It features a unique graphic design, setting it apart from the “Al Rihla” or “The Journey” that has been used throughout the tournament so far. Just like Al Rihla, Al Hilm will feature the ‘Connected Ball’ technology, which has proved a huge success in making semi-automated offside decisions faster and more accurately. The ball utilises the latest technological advances in ball design. Only Argentina, Croatia, Morocco and France players will use “Al Hilm” in Qatar.
