Qatar World Cup 2022: Al-Qaeda urges Muslims to shun 'immoral' tournament

Al-Qaeda's regional branch has urged Muslims around the world to shun the World Cup in Qatar, though it stopped short of threatening attacks or promoting violence in connection with the event, according to a statement reported by a monitoring group.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the group's Yemen-based branch, criticised Qatar for "bringing immoral people, homosexuals, sowers of corruption and atheism into the Arabian Peninsula" and said the event served to divert attention from the "occupation of Muslim countries and their oppression".

"We warn our Muslim brothers from following this event or attending it," said the statement, reported by the SITE Intelligence group on Saturday, a day before the tournament opens in a predominantly Muslim country for the first time.

Same-sex acts between consenting adults in private are a criminal offence in Qatar, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

World Cup organisers, in response to criticism over Qatar's human rights record, including LGBTQ+ rights as well as social restrictions, have said that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome during the event.

Though alcohol consumption is legal in Qatar, it is banned in public places and can only be bought in a limited range of hotels and clubs, where a pint of beer can cost as much as $18.

The country has opened up designated areas, including fan zones, for the sale of alcohol during the tournament.

Qatar's World Cup chief has potentially ruled out prosecuting drunk fans by saying anyone intoxicated would be sent to special areas to sober up, and fans at one venue will be allowed to drink for up to 19 hours a day.

Qatar, a small country with a population of about three million, mostly foreign workers, has said that it trained more than 50,000 people to provide security during the World Cup, with foreign forces helping out under Qatari command.