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- Qatar's ruler says citizenship laws to be amended, slams excessive tribalism
Qatar's ruler says citizenship laws to be amended, slams excessive tribalism
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani urges Qataris to show 'openness and tolerance' during next year's World Cup
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![Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani speaks to IOC President Thomas Bach ahead of the opening ceremony for the World Athletics Championships on the Corniche in Doha, Qatar, September 27, 2019.](https://cdn.i24news.tv/uploads/f1/56/aa/37/e1/86/61/cc/3d/2f/82/c7/cf/bf/2a/4a/f156aa37e18661cc3d2f82c7cfbf2a4a.jpg?width=1000)
Qatar's ruling emir on Tuesday warned the Gulf state against excessive tribalism he said endangered national unity, proposing a plan to promote equal citizenship through changes to legislation that has inflamed tribal sensitivities.
The emir, in a speech at the opening session of the advisory Shura Council, for which partial polls were held for the first time earlier this month, also urged Qataris to show "openness and tolerance" when Doha hosts the soccer World Cup next year.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said he instructed the cabinet to prepare legal amendments aimed at promoting "equal Qatari citizenship" and send them to the council for approval.
"Nevertheless... Citizenship is not purely a legal issue, but is primarily civilizational and an issue of loyalty, belonging and duty, and not just rights," he said, adding that tribal intolerance was a "disease."
"Hateful intolerance, whether tribal or otherwise, could be manipulated and used to subvert and destroy national unity," he added.
Qatar is preparing to welcome the international soccer competition which is set to take place between November 21 and December 18, 2022. In doing so, the independent emirate will make history as the first host nation in the Middle East region.
Organizers say that they hope to attract more than 1.2 million visitors from around the world during the tournament.