image source, Getty Images
One of the highlights of the World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar was actor Morgan Freeman’s speech. Also, a differently-abled youth who recited Quranic verses received attention.
His name is Ghaneem Al Mufta. He is the ambassador of Qatar World Cup. After reciting the Quranic verse, Ghaneem Al Mufta welcomed everyone with its English explanation.
The conversation between Morgan Freeman and Ghaneem Al Mufta was about emphasizing the diversity and inclusiveness of the world.
Gulf media noted that this was the first time in the history of World Cup football that the proceedings had started with verses from the Quran.
Following his appearance at the World Cup opening ceremony, social media has been flooded with praise for Ghaneem Al Mufta.
20-year-old Ghaneem Al Mufta suffers from a genetic defect known as Caudal Regression Syndrome. People with this defect are born without the lower half of their body. Walk with a wheelchair and hands on the floor.
Khanim al-Mufta’s website states that many people urged his mother to abort the fetus while she was still in the womb, but she refused.
The website also mentions that Khanim’s mother told her husband, “I will be left-footed and you will be right-footed.”
His career has become popular as an inspiration to others as he progressed in the fields he loved despite his physical handicap.
He is followed by lakhs of people on social media such as Instagram and YouTube.
A young entrepreneur, he runs an ice cream company called Garissa.
Gives confidence talks to others. Ghaneem Al-Mufta is also involved in playing football and swimming with non-disabled people.
He has been appointed as goodwill ambassador for various programs at national and international level.
image source, Getty Images
Race over obstacles
Being the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East region, the opening ceremony of the tournament was attended by the leaders of all the Gulf countries except Bahrain. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman participated in the event on behalf of Saudi Arabia, which has been aggressively confrontational in the past.
Qatar won the right to host the World Cup in a 2010 FIFA Executive Committee vote. Qatar beat the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia in the poll.
Since then, the Qatari government has taken great pride in hosting the World Cup. On the other hand, criticism of the country also started to rise.
It was alleged that Qatar got the right to the tournament by paying a bribe. But it was not proved in the investigation.
Since then, Qatar has faced protests over its ban on gay marriage, alleged deaths of thousands of construction workers, and restrictions on alcohol. But beyond all that, the inaugural program has been completed.
Qatar is participating in the World Cup for the first time as the host nation.
Although no one expected the team to win the trophy, it takes great pride in hosting the tournament. That pride was evident in the King of Qatar’s speech at the opening ceremony.
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