Hawzah News Agency- In a statement issued on Monday, the seminary-affiliated body said the decision by FIFA and the organizing committee of the 2026 World Cup in Seattle, was “both surprising and deeply regrettable,” stressing that it constitutes a clear insult to the religious beliefs of hundreds of millions of Muslims in Iran and Egypt, as well as billions of followers of divine religions worldwide.
Quoting the Holy Qur’an— “And do not approach indecency, whether it is apparent or hidden” (Surah al-An‘am, 6:151)—the statement underlined that Islam explicitly regards homosexuality as a prohibited and reprehensible act, classified among major sins. On this basis, the headquarters said, using international sporting events to promote lifestyles that contradict divine teachings is unacceptable.
The statement urged Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Iranian Football Federation to lodge an immediate and firm protest with FIFA through international diplomatic and legal channels, demanding the cancellation of the controversial designation and any related programs. It further called on the relevant authorities to seriously consider all available options, including refusing to participate in the match under such a title should FIFA ignore the objections.
Addressing religious authorities across the Islamic world—particularly senior clerics in Qom and al-Azhar—the headquarters called for the issuance of clear and unified statements reiterating Islam’s position on the absolute prohibition of homosexuality. It also urged them to demand that FIFA respect religious beliefs and refrain from turning sports arenas into platforms for promoting values contrary to Sharia, while mobilizing international Islamic institutions to join a coordinated protest.
The statement also appealed to international Islamic and religious organizations to voice strong opposition to FIFA’s move and to press the football governing body to incorporate respect for religions and the moral values of nations into its policies.
“Sport should serve as a platform for friendship, mutual respect among nations, and the promotion of peace,” the statement said. “It must not be transformed into a tool for imposing lifestyles and ideologies that stand in deep contradiction to the beliefs of billions of people around the world.”
Concluding its message, the Seminary Sports Leadership Headquarters demanded an official apology from FIFA and the tournament’s organizing committee to the followers of divine religions—particularly Muslims, and especially the nations of Iran and Egypt. It also called for the immediate and public cancellation of the “Pride Match” designation and any related symbols or programs, along with clear guarantees that similar actions disrespecting religious values will not be repeated in the future.
The statement emphasized that such steps are essential if FIFA is to substantiate its claims of neutrality and respect for cultural, human, and religious diversity.
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