Most football fan teams are created to match like-minded fans. Nasser Mohamed arranged his to highlight an injustice. As the first and ultimately the only Qatari to publicly claim to be gay, Mohamed, a doctor who has lived in the United States for 11 years, on Monday unveiled Proud Maroons: an LGBTQ fan club for Qataris. National team, named for the tone of their jerseys. But since homosexuality is criminalized in Qatar, it will most likely remain the only member for the foreseeable future.
Mohamed, 35, to brazenly vindicate his queer identity in May to denounce abuses against the LGBTQ network in his home country, where the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup begins on November 20. This forced him to move away from his family, lose his inheritance and apply for asylum in the United States on the grounds that he is at risk of persecution in Qatar because of his sexual orientation.
In the months that followed, Mohamed introduced the non-profit Alwan Foundation to promote LGBTQ rights in the Middle East and specifically in Qatar, where he claims that security agents infiltrate gay communities to torture and force members to denounce others. (Qatari government denies persecuting other LGBTQ people and says all enthusiasts are welcome “without discrimination” to attend the World Cup. But other LGBTQ people have been arbitrarily detained in September, Human Rights Watch said. )
Mohamed talks to TIME about the truth of life for other LGBTQ people in Qatar and what the World Cup means to them.
TIME: As a gay Qatari, do you think the World Cup can bring change?
Mohamed: I know some LGBT people at home who seek to draw attention to the fact that there is serious persecution in Qatar, which is getting worse in the run-up to the World Cup. And it will be even worse after the World Cup. And we seek to apply for assistance temporarily now, before other people lose interest in the problem and we are alone again.
He is separated from his circle of relatives in Qatar. Is it because of their ideals or would it put them in danger of maintaining a relationship with them?
It’s both. I contacted my parents in 2015. (Well, I contacted my mom, she wouldn’t let me communicate with my dad. )They just cut me off. And I did not hear a word from them; They didn’t even call me to yell at me!Because it’s not safe to make a connection with me. But that’s where we are and it drives me crazy when Qatari PR tries to minimize [the LGBT remedy].
What about the LGBTQ community in Qatar, is there an underground homosexual scene or is it too dangerous?
There were some places that were closed by the police. These are not clubs, but they are flirting places known to the community. But they are very low, because they can be infiltrated through undercover police. There are even nights of sex and things like that. , however, they are all very small. And they don’t know each other. And that’s because when one of them is infiltrated through an undercover cop, he aggressively searches to locate the contacts that each user has. Therefore, it is very harmful for them to know each other.
What kind of punishment and persecution does the LGBTQ network suffer?
The severity of the persecution is on a spectrum. The more woman you are and the poorer you are, the more seriously persecuted. [Torture] exists, but also state-mandated conversion therapy, it’s a huge thing. And then it’s like a general lack of protection for us. For example, if our families or other people on the street need to hurt us, there is no protection. They are rich, well-off, and very connected, so other people don’t say anything. But even the toughest gay [person] in Qatar is powerless in some respects.
So, do you think that the World Cup, when there are a lot of foreigners pushing, the government will take a step back. And then, when it’s over, will there be a crackdown on LGBTQ people?
That’s what I’m waiting for. If it were up to them, they would maintain strict control. But there are two things: First, they actually care a lot about public relations. Everything they do [the LGBTQ community] is in the shadows, nothing is public. Because they really care how [the world] perceives them. But they also don’t have the resources to [crack down] the World Cup, resources to devote to hunting LGBT people.
Do you think LGBTQ enthusiasts move on to Qatar for the World Cup?Or is it too dangerous?
I’m involved because the audience has been in a bubble; they don’t understand LGBT people. They could take an LGBT demonstration as a private attack. They could simply assault homosexuals and get away with it without any consequences. And whether such an attack occurs on a homosexual fan, I don’t know. the [security] resources for them. So I feel like other people whose gender expression is not heteronormative are going to be big targets. [LGBTQ] other people who show affection in public in any way would be objective; People holding rainbow flags will be targeted.
Honestly, if you’re a user who doesn’t pass through a [completely heteronormative] crowd, you’re probably afraid to move on to the World Cup. Because you could hurt yourself, you could be gay, you could get beaten up, and other people may not be able to help you. If you can walk around and be in this [heteronormative] crowd and not arouse [suspicion], then of course.
It is hardly inclusive. So, do all enthusiasts boycott the Qatar World Cup?
If that would make someone feel better than they don’t, then of course. But if you’re a football fan and really need to get through, then you’re not a terrible user to stop by and watch the games. But there are tactics to champion the cause and move it forward. I hope to find items that are useful to people, so if you’re passionate about that and need to take action, those are the things you can do. do. So that we not only speak, but take action to promote and protect LGBT and online rights.
So if other LGBTQ people can’t express themselves, who should?
I look at the teams, the players, FIFA, [Qatar ambassador] David Beckham, those are the other people who can and deserve to make statements because they can’t be touched, they are safe. Choose their battles and see what they can do for themselves without hurting themselves. Don’t lose your life because of this.
Read more: These are the celebrities who boycotted the Qatar World Cup
Why is there so little discussion of LGBTQ issues in the Middle East?
Since I arrived here in May, I connected with the LGBT network in Qatar, which has been tricky because I was concerned about security issues. [Before the Alwan Foundation] there was no LGBT organization covering the Gulf region. This is a big disadvantage because there is an [established] and methodical way of reporting country situations through human rights organizations like Amnesty and Human Rights Watch, to which I am now connected. Therefore, they need to interview victims directly, which is very, very complicated and dangerous. Hopefully [through the Alwan Foundation] other people can get help and have a methodical way of communicating what’s really happening on the ground.
Don’t you think LGBTQ protest will embolden Islamophobia?
There are, of course, xenophobic and Islamophobic twists on the subject. It is used through everyone. Abusers use it to enlighten others who try to silence them. And also, there are other xenophobic and Islamophobic people who have this moment of confirmation bias: they think, “Oh, I knew Islam is” or “I knew it’s Arabs,” which brings more hatred and doesn’t really help the situation. I believe everyone deserves to be part of human rights conversations, no matter where they come from or what their faith is. To that violence and human rights violations [are] expressed to any culture or faith is totally xenophobic and Islamophobic.
Is there a slow prospect in Qatar?
It will look at others and take generations, frankly. But it may not happen magically; Someone has to do it. Meanwhile, those affected now want help and resources.
This interview has been edited by and lengthed.