National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC) on the sidelines of AFC 2023 Qatar Asian Football  Tournament, inaugurated ‘Human Rights and Football’ exhibition, at the Old Port of Doha.

Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Chairperson of NHRC emphasized its role in deepening human rights culture among citizens, residents, and football enthusiasts and serves as a pivotal initiative to foster awareness of human rights principles. This significant event coincides with the staging of the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup, she added.

Mrs. Al-Attiyah elucidated that the exhibition, curated by Qatari artist Ahmed Al-Maadeed showcases paintings that employ a universal artistic language to convey messages of human rights, equality, non-discrimination, and non-violence. The artwork transcends cultural barriers, promoting values such as exercise and unity among diverse populations worldwide.

Originally launched during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the exhibition has traversed various global capitals, including the United Nations headquarters in Geneva and the Algerian capital. This tour forms part of an extensive awareness campaign aimed at reaching a broad audience and fostering knowledge exchange with authorities overseeing national human rights institutions and defenders across the globe.

In alignment with sustainable development goals, the paintings underscore the necessity of linking sporting events to sustainable development and environmental preservation. Mrs. Al-Attiyah stressed the NHRC’s commitment to these goals, which will be further explored during the upcoming international conference on “Food Justice from a Human Rights Perspective: Reality Challenges and Future Bets.” This conference, scheduled for February 6th and 7th, seeks to facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the review of legislation, policies, plans, and programs related to food justice and human rights.

The exhibition also aims to emphasize the importance of sport as a potent tool for achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. Notably, a duplicate of the exhibition will be featured at the International Horticultural Exhibition Expo 2023, contributing to the discourse on climate change and environmental degradation.

Al-Attiyah highlighted the exhibition’s focus on the rights of vulnerable groups, illustrating the rights of people with disabilities to work and engage in sports, as well as advocating for gender equality in the workforce and sports.

The inauguration of ‘Human Rights and Football’ exhibition follows the resounding success of the ‘Arabic Calligraphy on Islamic Culture and Human Rights’ exhibition, which toured numerous global capitals. This previous exhibition linked Islamic culture with United Nations principles and charters.

A noteworthy inclusion in this context is the painting ‘Let’s Get to Know You’ displayed at the United Nations House in Doha, encapsulating the verse ‘And We made you into peoples and tribes that you may know each other’.  This painting is part of the larger exhibition initiated by NHRC in 2009, connecting diverse cultures and customs under the auspices of the United Nations.