With nearly one million fans coming from across the world to attend World Cup matches, mosques in Doha have become a big attraction for many visitors wishing to learn more about culture and faith.

The Great Katara Blue mosque is among the many attractions at the Katara Cultural Village in Doha.

According to The Peninsula Qatar newspaper, the mosque has seen thousands of visitors each day having lined-up hundreds of art, culture and entertainment activities coinciding with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

“The aim of preparing this place near the mosque is to introduce foreigners to the Qatari culture of clothing, food and drink, customs and traditions, and most of their questions are about social relations of the Qatari family and marriage traditions,” volunteer Umm Ahmed said.

“Their social questions are mostly on the life of a Muslim based on Islamic values. Many of the visitors admit that their view of Islam and Muslims was tainted by a lot of unjustified prejudice, but being in Qatar has helped change their views a hundred and eighty degrees.”

Umm Ahmed and other volunteers are part of Qatar effort to bridge cultures and spread better understanding.

They operate at a lounge set near the mosque which has a sign that says “Ask me about women in Qatar.”

At the lounge, foreign women visitors can sit and drink tea and coffee, and learn about social life in Qatar with a number of volunteers answering their queries.

Employees and preachers from the Qatar Guest Center also are present at the entrance of the mosque to introduce Islam to the Eid Charity Foundation.

They receive non-Muslims and answer their questions and inquiries about the mosque. They also organize their entry to the mosque after prayers for people to get to know the inside atmosphere of a mosque.

While hosting the global football event, Qatar has launched several initiatives to introduce Islam to visitors.

For example, hotels added QR codes in guest-rooms that introduce visitors to Islam and Qatari culture in all languages.

Qatar also placed several murals across the country with hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to introduce Islam to fans.

Source: The Peninsula