2022 .. with or against?
I have noticed that many people on my BBM have ‘Say no to 2022’ as their display picture while many others have ‘2022’ with a little heart on the side. People are either strongly with or against it.
When I asked why do you support 2022? people said that it will change Qatar forever, bring more investments and develop the economy. It will put Qatar on the map side by side with greatest countries in the world. It will also force a change in Qataris’ traditional mindset towards more openness which is necessary for development.
Those who disagreed on the other hand argued that the 22 billion budget will be spent on foreigners while it could be better spent on local development and help improve the condition of poor Qataris. 2022 could infringe citizen’s rights rather than improve life quality. It has no benefits whatsoever for Qataris and will only lead to more loss of identity.
I personally have touched on this topic on a previous post.
I still think that there are far more important priorities such as improving health system, school system and environment. What are we going to do with all these empty stadiums after the Mondial is over? accomodate more and more foreigners? or bring more foreign footballers and pay them more and more money?
It is funny how there are so many people living in Qatar for more than 30 years and do not have the chance of acquiring citizenship while those foreign footballers who are not Muslim, and do not speak Arabic, and probably don’t even know where Qatar is get citizenship in a heartbeat. So many Qataris do not have health coverage and have to wait in line for a bed at Hamad’s hospital while foreigners have full medical coverage. So many Qataris cannot afford proper air-conditioning and depend on charity while those foreigners live in 5 star towers. My heart is aching for my country, more and more foreigners are going to come with 2022. Why live in Qatar then? we might as well live abroad.
ok forget about Qataris. What about all the poor minorities and cheap labour? why not have better human right laws to protect them from abuse? that won’t cost anything. Why not give their children scholarships? would that cost 22 billion?
2022 might be a wrong decision. But still, changes cannot only be the government’s burden. If Qataris do not push for the change they want themselves, there won’t be any chance for real development. We do have the tools to spread awareness or create community centers without the help of the government. To start real change we should start with ourselves and help those around us. Then the culture will change from dependence to independence. Maybe then we will have someone who might actually listen and acknowledge our ideas.
What do you think? are you with or against and why?
Genesis said,
December 1, 2010 at 8:20 am
Despite my long engagement in discussion about the bid the past few months, I still can’t finally determine whether I’m with or against.
Such event would definitely shaken up the society. However, what worries me most will power figures attached to the status quo who secretly oppose the bid allow such change?
The logistics & infrastructure obstacles can only be tackled with close coordination between all government entities, this would require a whole reorganization of those entities strategy plan for the upcoming years.
No one is discussing the “Elephant in the room” which is Qataris conservative nature.
As you’re much aware, The most heated issue discussed at local internet forums & raised through local writers revolves around Foreign women dress code, gender mixing & prohibiting the sell of Alcohol.
Qataris nowadays are becoming more intolerant than ever.
I like to be optimistic, but I don’t think that people here would change their mindset in the course of 12 years. This would definitely be an obstacle, as for tournament to succeed both locals & expatriates must work together to reached the desired goals in the upcoming years.
Qataris must understand that the world cup is a month long party and we will be the host, that oblige us to be accepting & welcoming of others from different faiths and beliefs regardless of their race.
N. said,
December 1, 2010 at 11:28 am
You’re gonna open a can of worms with this one. Nevertheless, count me in on the opposing side, although whatever the outcome tomorrow, I guess how we feel or which side we’re on won’t make any difference. At the end of the day, its all what TPTB want, its only their opinion that counts, right? millions if not billions have already been spent to campaign for it, and in case we do win, they’ll just pump in more money that I believe is better spent elsewhere. And we won’t be able to do anything about it, like always.
@ genesis, not supporting the bid doesn’t mean I’m intolerant. On the contrary, I’m quite tolerant. However, pardon me if I can’t tolerate seeing my own country turn into a glorified cesspool.
Homme Du Qatar said,
December 1, 2010 at 12:48 pm
AGAINST BIG TIME. no need to look for evidence, just consider the bad economic effect the Asian Olympics had on the country. Qatar crazy bid 2022 is nothing but another imposed game on the Qatari people, that we have to follow and work on for cheap dirt!
Tamimi said,
December 2, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Nice post. Now I have a question: before way get into “for or against” debate, what do you all think our chances of winning the bid are? Watching Al Kass yesterday they were talking as if we’ve already won it!
@ genesis: It’s true that many Qataris compalin about the things you mentioned, but that’s all they do! The most anyone will do is call the one of newspapers hotline or write an article. The big elephant as you’ve described it, is almost invisible & is intangible.
mimizwords said,
December 2, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Mabrouk for Qatar .. I hope this brings more good than bad .. and I hope we all work together to make it a great experience for all
I wonder how my life would be in 12 years? I will be 36 years old inshalla If I live.
Tamimi said,
December 2, 2010 at 7:10 pm
The fact that it’s 12 years from now makes me hopeful that we won’t have the same problems as the Asian Games 2006. Inshallah the health care system and the rights of the laborers will be improved so that everything will look good.
mimizwords said,
December 3, 2010 at 12:17 am
I read on line – and heard – many comment about how all the new development for 2022 will be built by the sweat and blood of south Asian salve labour and if it wasn’t for the oil Qatar will be nothing.
Yes, this is true. Our country has been built by the sweat and blood of south Asian labour – which we are very thankful for – and if it wasn’t for the oil we would be nothing.
but Qatar is not the only country in the world with such conditions. The labour will be working whether it was in Qatar or not. I am against inequality and still demand for better rights for them but again, if they didn’t work in Qatar they could be working anywhere else in the world. Even though we can surely enhance their situation while working in Qatar -but for some reason we don’t- we are not the reason or the cause for their misery.
A friend of mine told me today that injustice should never be justified, and I am not trying to do that. But slandering a whole nation isn’t justified either. Surinamese and immigrants in dutch land and UK, or Indians towards their own ‘children of God’ and the ‘untouchable’ are examples that are much worse than Qatar.
Happy about the situation or not .. it is inevitable .. we should try to make the best out
Just to make a point.
Tamimi said,
December 3, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Remember the story of the wolf that was drinking from a stream? It saw a lamb drinking downstream from it, wanted to eat the lamb, & so, the wolf accused the lamb of spoiling the taste of the water. The lamb said it was not possible since it was drinking downstream from the wolf, but the wolf didn’t care, it just wanted an excuse to devour the lamb. That, sadly, is the case with many of the people who take these cheap shots at Qatar. They associate only virtues to their homelands and only vices to Qatar. I grantee you that most, if not all, of them would have no issue working on the building projects for 2022, and that they will not mind being overpaid while the laborers they so like to cry for are underpaid. If they so care about the laborers, let them give up just 10% of their pay to the laborers, or down grade from 1st class to economy. Yeah, that’ll be the day.
CamelToe said,
December 4, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I would gladly do just that, Tamimi.
I do not live a lavish life here (although I am comfortable), and I have never flown first class in my life. But I would gladly take a pay cut of 10% and have that money re-distributed to some of the workers here who bust their a**es 24/7 for poor treatment and crap salaries.
Would you?
I am thrilled that Qatar got the WC. This country is my second home. But I will also be among the first and loudest to say that Qatar has enormous strides to make in terms of its treatment of migrant laborers.
I love this country enough to want it to be better than it is. I know it is capable of so much more than flashy film festivals and sports competitions, shiny skyscrapers and a citizenry who think shopping is an admirable vocation.
I am heartened to see that there have been improvements in recent years. I hope that they continue.
Tamimi said,
December 5, 2010 at 10:43 am
@CamelToe: Dear CamelToe, you don’t know me & I don’t know you. Would I be wrong to say that neither of us should make any assumptions about the other? I am a Qatari, but you have no idea whether I am an Al-Thani, ruling family member, or not even an Arab. Your question, “Would you,” implies that you know for fact that I don’t help those less fortunate than me. For the record my friend, I never said that all expats, western or others, are wealthy. Also, I never mentioned your name, so I see no reason for you to think I was talking about you, unless, that is, you are of those Mimi referred to when she said, “But slandering a whole nation isn’t justified either.”
If it is true that you love Qatar, and you want to see it get better, part of which is giving everyone here a fair treatment & pay, then my comment does not concern you. My comment was a response to Mimi’s post about those who slander Qatar as whole and it simply reflected what I see around me. Many people complain about the poor pay of the laborers, and how badly Qatar the country treats them, and yet they have no issue working for the organizations & companies that hire these laborers! More amazingly, those same people never waste a chance to sing praises of those in position of power here, who happen to be the same people that can end or at least reduce the unfair treatment of the laborers!
Oh, and by the way, my suggestion about the 10% donation from the pay was simply put a practical, easy, & safe way of helping the laborers; instead of spewing hateful words at all Qataris on the web, why not do something practical that will actually improve the situation? No one needs their employers or anyone else’s permission to donate part of their pay for charity. The money can simply be given to the embassies of the laborers for distribution to pay for any legal or travel costs which the laborers cannot afford to do. Remember my friend, “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
Qhris said,
December 5, 2010 at 10:55 pm
A more prolific and less incensed blog than my own.
I won’t flood your entry with my rainbow of comments, which can be viewed at http://qhris.iktib.com/ yet still nice to hear a voice of the people of Qatar.
Sadly I have been accused of jealousy, that my home nation did not secure the 2018 bid; wish I could have ghost written my blog under your name so as to eliminate that accusation of bias.
I’ll only add more opinion if you request me to, i don’t want to hijack your blog.
CZ said,
December 6, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Is the world cup about Football or being naked and drunk ? seriously what’s wrong with people ? you are suppose to watch and enjoy Football , not getting tipsy and staring at naked girls, go to Rio or Paradise (super paradise) in Greek if you would like to get naked.
mis? said,
December 6, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Can anyone answer me, what were the Indians and Turks doing in Europe or Africans in America ?
نــــــاصـــــــر said,
December 9, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Mimi, what do you think Qatar will be like in 2022? What changes would you like to see happen by then, and what things do you hope will stay the same? What do you think the upcoming generation of Qataris will be like? where do you see yourself in 12 years time? or what do you hope for yourself/to accomplish by then?
Sorry for the barrage of questions! It would be interesting to know your perspective on these matters…
mimizwords said,
December 13, 2010 at 8:59 am
about Qatar, I think it will be completely transformed in everything from people’s mentality and traditions to infrastructure and services. I hope the change will be for the best.
It is hard to predict how the next generation will be like but again, one can only hope for the best. And for me, I just hope that I will continue living a happy healthy life.
It is really hard to predict anything at this point anyway. what about you?
نــــــاصـــــــر said,
December 14, 2010 at 9:25 pm
You’re right, we can’t foretell what’s going to happen by then, but the way I see it, from where we are now, I think major changes will take place by then, and many of them aren’t positive ones. To me, progress isn’t made at the expense of losing our tradition, heritage and culture which is what Is see happening on an increasingly alarming rate. Far be it from me to judge, but it does sadden me when I see that more Qatari’s are incapable of writing or talking in Arabic, foregoing the national attire altogether, indulging in practices that are generally frowned upon in public..I don’t know, it’s almost like Qatar is slowly turning into something I no longer recognize..and with the inevitable changes that will take place with us hosting the WC, I just fear that my generation may very well be the last one that clings to any shred of our Qatari identity..
نــــــاصـــــــر said,
December 15, 2010 at 3:21 pm
http://qatarshares.com/vb/showthread.php?t=422186
Genesis said,
December 16, 2010 at 10:50 am
Melodramatic gibberish that can only work on semi educated individuals. The problem with the dogmatic fellas that they continue playing with people emotions in the name of religion and preserving tradition. This fear of losing the national identity have been an excuse for their own backwardness. Only weak civilization can be faded from multiculturalism. Qatar have never in its history embraced tradition and culture , the way it’s preserved & celebrated now. And this is remarkably observed whether in National day celebration activities or Qatar marine festival.
It’s really pathetic that salafis continue to nurse the welfare mentality instead of encouraging reforms and development.