Dr. Othman Al Yafei
Social responsibility can be defined as a moral responsibility that is developed individually or collectively concerning tangible issues that could be marked as being of environmental, ethical or even of physical nature. Such systematic and individualistic approach is but a result of social upbringing that is marked by engrained values and specific behaviors. Religious and ethical values are the governing factors that steer an individual to the edge that separates individuality from the outer societal environment. Such mechanisms play the role of automatically pushing individual behavior to where it becomes engrained in the way where problems and therefore, solutions are formed as natural reactions are made. These reactions spring naturally from within rather than being precautionary counter effects from outside. Here, it is of importance to highlight the fact that such decisions and reactions do not come as a result of measures or solutions from the state or institutions.
The individualistic type of mannerism and behavior is leashed and is developed by practicing practicalities translated in the way problems are dealt with and in the way dreams are made to become true. The way such stream of thought is formed and the essence of transforming behavior into a social responsibility of the individual to serve human, environmental, ethical and even natural ends, translate the role modeling that enhances the formation of such personality.
It is needless to ascertain the fact that such contributing roles are also helped and strengthened by other societal institutions namely the family, the school, and other government institutions. They all take part collaboratively to enhance the desired social value system, not just at the individual level, but at the level of groups that have influences of a systematic nature.
The balanced and well-built personality is normally the result of such wonderful upbringing which is manifested in the way decisions are taken and in the way they are executed.
This is why it has been emphasized in Qatar that the best development in a given nation is the one that takes the individual human person as the best asset of its targets. It is the human factor that helps achieve the aspired goals despite all hindrances and other challenges.
The weak and consumed personality is the one that is satisfied with the least and with as little as possible. Counter to that is the strong and well-built personality that aspires for the infinite, where the sky is the limit. It is the personality that looks for whatever that is great but achievable. It is the personality of the great and historic leaders that work for the welfare of the people and the country internally and even at the international arena as well.
This is all embedded in the Qatari decision to work for hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It is the challenge that translates the aspirations of a small country to take such a gigantic move in face of other countries with much bigger populations and with huge potentials on all other aspects. Qatar- a small country with small population – has won the race and is the one that will host the forthcoming football World Cup.
It is worth noting that it is not the effort exerted by males that has helped to achieve the fundamental goal of winning the honour of hosting the Football World Cup; rather, it is the joint effort of both Qatari males and females who have worked and are still working hand in hand to cross all hurdles and the biggest challenges that would stand to block the march toward glory in this context.
This would not have been possible without strong and deep rooted belief in the real essence of social responsibility at both the local and even at the international level as well.
What was thought at one stage is a summer-night dream has become a reality. The honour of hosting the football world cup is still the dream of so many big nations all over the globe, and now is the reality of the Qatari aspirations. Thanks to all those who believed and still believe that the impossible is not a word in the dictionary of the Qatari leadership, nor it is in the belief of the Qatari youth.
The other side that should be noted is the fact that the environment as a major concern of all at this time, is taken into account in the file that was presented by the Qatari team who ventured to stand out for this challenge. It was an undertaking to overcome this obstacle of the natural phenomenon factor where the heat of the summer in this part of the world would stand as a biggest hurdle for the Qatari file. Nevertheless, that particular aspect was also taken into account and the glory of employing modern technology of the solar power to generate energy capable of providing enough electric power to cool even the football pitches. Not just that, it was a generous gesture that the extra seats would be donated to poorer countries with the intention to help to popularise the game.
In addition, it is not just the challenge of building the reliable infrastructure in the country itself, rather to make sure that enough accommodation is ready to welcome the masses of fans, who will come to Qatar to enjoy the matches live here.
Such efforts entail the need for the help of thousands of skillful working hands that were employed from different parts of the world. False allegations were at one stage used to attack the decision of giving Qatar the privilege of hosting the world cup. But, it was a claim to wage unfair war against the reputation of the country which were luckily refuted by the chief head of the FIFA in person who came to witness the fair and good treatment of the working masses on all levels, be it financially, humanly, …etc.
It was breathtaking way the workers were and are still treated! The gained victory against all allegations turned them all into fumes of hatred. It is all due to the rightful stand of all ranks of people who strongly adhere to the principles of social responsibility.
Tens of thousands of young people, males and females are now volunteering to help out in all required spheres to ensure the success of the competition and to make the forthcoming football world cup the best that was ever held, the practical message of peace, the true enjoyment there is and there will be!
One other area of added benefits that also contributed to social responsibility is what was done by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. They have held lectures under the slogan of help to enlighten people about hygiene and entertainment, with the intention to strengthen the binds towards a collaborative and cooperative stand of all societal components. No doubt that all such ventures would pay off at some stage to ensure the actual realization of the goals of taking all precautionary measures towards initiating and ensuring the success of the best and most rewarding world cup for all.
It is worth noting that the road to hosting the forthcoming football world cup was neither a bed of roses nor was it an easy undertaking. Rather, it was full of painful endurance and sustained patience against all odds and challenges that came from the expected and unexpected actors.
The hardships were so numerous and were also topped up by an illegal siege to prevent successes that were realized despite all. It is all due to the engrained belief in social responsibility in a country that is full of manpower who are true believers in their leadership and in the fact that when all powers and potentials are added together for the success of a rightful goal, it is destined to strike success, no doubt about it, and that was and is the case. The football World Cup is the reality and Qatar is the hosting country. Big aspirations need true and aspired doers.
Othman Al Yafei
Writer and Graduate Research
