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It is the first time in the history of the World Cup opening ceremonies when verses from the Quran were recited at the start.
The World Cup 2022 opening ceremony featured dialogues between the young Qatari actor Ghanim Al Muftah and the well-known American actor Morgan Freeman on the grounds of Al-Bayt Stadium. At the opening ceremony on Sunday, Freeman spoke of optimism, harmony, and tolerance while Muftah, a FIFA World Cup ambassador, recited verses from the Quran to spread the message of inclusion and diversity.
Ghanim Al Muftah recites verse 13 of Surat Al -Hujurat
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
Translation— O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.
“I now recognize that what unites us is more than what separates us,” Morgan said. How can we maintain peace over time? “With tolerance and respect, we can live together under one roof,” the young Qatari retorted.
Al Muftah was named an official ambassador for the tournament, which is being staged for the first time in the Middle East, by the Qatar World Cup Supreme Committee in April 2022.
Through this year’s FIFA World Cup 2022, there has been a significant advancement toward Islam as a religion and toward others who took part in this tournament.
