Qatari authorities have confiscated children’s toys “contrary to Islamic values”, some of which had the rainbow on them, a symbol of the LGBTQI community, the conservative emirate said.
The rich Gulf state, which will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has assured that everyone, without discrimination, will be welcomed into the country during the sporting event.
However, the country is often criticised by human rights groups, particularly for their criminalisation of homosexuality.
“Control operations carried out in shops in various parts of Qatar have resulted in the seizure of children’s toys bearing logos contrary to Islamic principles,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Twitter, without elaborating.
نفذت وزارة #التجارة_والصناعة حملات تفتيشية على عدد من المحال التجارية في مناطق مختلفة بالدولة، وأسفرت الحملات عن ضبط وتحرير عدداً من المخالفات، تمثلت في لعب أطفال تحمل شعارات مخلّة بالقيم الإسلامية والعادات والتقاليد.#قطر pic.twitter.com/4JpwpMpR9v
— وزارة التجارة والصناعة (@MOCIQatar) December 20, 2021
“The ministry calls on all citizens and residents to inform the authorities of any product that has logos or designs contrary to tradition,” broadcasted the QNA agency.
Since the Arab country took over the 2022 World Cup, it has been the target of human rights organisations, mainly for the working conditions of immigrants, but also for the restriction of the rights of sexual minorities.
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