After the announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, Hanan Elatr, the widow of the late journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has expressed a wish to see him honored during the event. Hanan, who sought asylum in the U.S. in 2023, wants FIFA to remember Khashoggi and the crime committed against him while at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
She believes that there are meaningful ways FIFA could pay tribute to Khashoggi. For instance, naming a stadium stand in his memory or printing his image on tickets could help keep his legacy alive. “His sacrifice should be valued, not neglected,” she insists.
Hanan moved to Virginia after Khashoggi’s tragic death. She has committed herself to preserving his memory and advocating for human rights in Saudi Arabia, where freedoms are often restricted. Activists have raised concerns about the country’s troubling human rights record, including limitations on free speech, women’s rights, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Khashoggi’s murder remains a focal point in discussions about Saudi Arabia’s role in global sports.
The U.S. government has implicated Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) in Khashoggi’s death. While MBS accepted responsibility for the act committed by government agents, he denied ordering it. Now, he plays a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup plans, leading Vision 2030, a major reform initiative that includes hosting the tournament.
Looking back, Hanan reflects on what Khashoggi would have thought about Saudi Arabia hosting such a significant sporting event. “He would have been proud that his country was given the chance to host the World Cup. But he would also criticize the contradictions and human rights issues in Saudi Arabia,” she says. Her husband wanted a better future for his country without letting a handful of people dictate its global image.
Hanan feels that the World Cup gives activists a chance to speak out about human rights. “He would have wanted pressure placed on them to improve rights for everyone,” she shares. Many political prisoners remain in Saudi jails for simply expressing their opinions.
While FIFA’s reports claim commitment to freedom of speech for the tournament, Hanan is skeptical. She emphasizes that justice for Khashoggi has not been served, saying that the focus should be on holding the Saudi authorities accountable for their actions.
Jamal Khashoggi was born in 1954 in Medina, Saudi Arabia. He gained recognition as a leading journalist who advocated for social reforms. Hanan describes their connection as profound, noting their shared interests and values. Yet, despite his wish for change, he did not seek regime change in Saudi Arabia. Instead, he hoped for more openness and freedoms within the existing structure.
Before his murder, Khashoggi experienced increasing restrictions. He fled Saudi Arabia in 2017 after facing a ban on communicating with the foreign media. His last visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was under the pretext of getting marriage documents but ended in tragedy.
Today, Hanan has settled in the U.S. but continues to grapple with her loss and the lack of accountability for her husband’s death. She paints a bleak picture of Saudi Arabia’s future, saying that while the country may bring entertainment and fast progress, it is still ignoring the unresolved issues surrounding Khashoggi’s murder.
“My husband was a journalist, not a criminal. He loved his country and soccer. He should be remembered with respect,” Hanan emphasizes. “If he was alive, he would have embraced this opportunity to celebrate sports and connection.”
Source link
Saudi Arabia, Culture, International Football, Men's World Cup, Premier League, Soccer, Sports Business
