Ambassador in LGBTQ storm says Qatar ‘will not change’



Qatar’s ambassador to the World Cup, who has called homosexuality “mind damage,” said on Wednesday his comments were misrepresented but insisted his country’s conservative culture would not change.

Khalid Salman drew criticism for his comments, which were broadcast on German television on Tuesday, raising new concerns about LGBTQ rights from the organizer of the international tournament, which kicks off on November 20.

“I regret that what I said was taken out of context because neither our religion nor our nature should be offensive or insulting,” the 60-year-old former Qatar international wrote on Twitter.

“Everyone is welcome in Qatar, but our religion and culture will not change for the championship,” he added.

More than a million people are expected to visit the tiny Persian Gulf country for the World Cup.

Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal, has come under constant criticism in recent years for its reputation for LGBTQ and women’s rights, and for its treatment of foreign workers.

Salman told German network ZDF that Qatar would welcome gay guests, but “they have to accept our rules.”

He added that homosexuality is “haram” – forbidden in Islam – before the interview was abruptly cut short by a World Cup spokesperson.

German Interior Minister Nancy Feiser, who is also sports minister and whose own criticism of Qatar before last week’s visit caused a diplomatic storm, called Salman’s comments “terrible.”

German Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf and local LGBT organizations and activists condemned the remarks, as did the US and international human rights groups.

Qatar has repeatedly said that LGBTQ fans will be “welcome” to the World Cup, but they must respect the local culture.

Human Rights Watch has accused Qatar of detaining and mistreating LGBTQ people ahead of the World Cup. The government vehemently denies these accusations.

FIFA is pushing for rainbow flags to be allowed in and around World Cup stadiums.

Captains from a number of European countries, including England, France and Germany, have said they will wear armbands in all colors of the rainbow with “One Love” written on them during the tournament as part of an anti-discrimination campaign.

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