Barney Ronay’s article (Qatar calling its critics racist opens a debate that may be worth having, 3 November) offered a highly nuanced analysis of how to approach the subject of human rights in Qatar. But to gain a better insight into the dynamics of the situation, readers may not know that despite Qatar’s ratification of the two core international human rights treaties, religious minorities such as Bahá’ís are discriminated against and increasingly expelled from the country without any proof of wrongdoing.
For many years, even predating the declaration of Qatar as an independent state, members of the Bahá’í faith have lived there peacefully. They have considered Qatar their home for generations and have contributed to its social, cultural, and economic prosperity. But since the 1980s, there has been a shift: Bahá’ís are blacklisted, separated from their families and deported.
Dr Ahmed Shaheed, the former UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, recently noted that Bahá’ís in Qatar are in a “precarious situation”. Residency permits and work papers are denied to Bahá’ís without explanation. So despite Qatar’s efforts to promote diversity and interfaith dialogue, there are forces and strategies at play that mirror Iran’s policy of uprooting the peaceful Bahá’í community.
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said during his recent UN general assembly address that Qatar wanted to overcome obstacles and celebrate our common humanity, no matter how diverse our religions and nationalities may be. The World Cup is much more than a sporting event. It is an occasion to become enlightened by the spirit of the age, to celebrate diversity, and for Qatar to reflect on how discriminatory acts impede its social cohesion and development.
Padideh Sabeti
Director, office of public affairs, UK Bahá’í community