• Qatari motivational speaker and social media influencer Ghanim Al Muftah shares the stage with Hollywood star Morgan Freeman at the opening ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. AFP
    Qatari motivational speaker and social media influencer Ghanim Al Muftah shares the stage with Hollywood star Morgan Freeman at the opening ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. AFP
  • Al Muftah, 22, was born with a rare birth defect that inhibited the development of his lower body. Reuters
    Al Muftah, 22, was born with a rare birth defect that inhibited the development of his lower body. Reuters
  • Al Muftah and Freeman welcomed the world to Qatar at the opening ceremony. AFP
    Al Muftah and Freeman welcomed the world to Qatar at the opening ceremony. AFP
  • Al Muftah is joined by Qatari singer Dana Al Fardan and performers on stage. AFP
    Al Muftah is joined by Qatari singer Dana Al Fardan and performers on stage. AFP
  • The 30-minute opening ceremony was watched by thousands around the world. AFP
    The 30-minute opening ceremony was watched by thousands around the world. AFP
  • The ceremony, at the tent-shaped Al Bayt stadium, was themed around unity and tolerance. AFP
    The ceremony, at the tent-shaped Al Bayt stadium, was themed around unity and tolerance. AFP
  • Al Muftah is a well-known face in the Gulf, with a huge following on social media. AFP
    Al Muftah is a well-known face in the Gulf, with a huge following on social media. AFP
  • Al Muftah, who hopes to become a Paralympian, was named a Fifa ambassador in April. EPA
    Al Muftah, who hopes to become a Paralympian, was named a Fifa ambassador in April. EPA
  • Al Muftah is currently pursuing a political science degree in university, and hopes to become a diplomat. EPA
    Al Muftah is currently pursuing a political science degree in university, and hopes to become a diplomat. EPA
  • Creative director Ahmad Al Baker said he wanted the opening ceremony to signify 'a gathering for all mankind, an invitation to come together as one, bridging all differences with humanity, respect and inclusion'. EPA
    Creative director Ahmad Al Baker said he wanted the opening ceremony to signify 'a gathering for all mankind, an invitation to come together as one, bridging all differences with humanity, respect and inclusion'. EPA

World Cup

Who is Ghanim Al Muftah, the young Qatari star at the World Cup 2022 opening?

The social media star and disability activist stole the show

David Tusing

November 21, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

To many in the Gulf, motivational speaker Ghanim Al Muftah's is a familiar face.

But the young disability activist, who has a huge following on social media, was one of the breakout stars on Sunday night at the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 in Doha, which was watched by thousands around the world.

Al Muftah, 22, stole the show at the ceremony at the tent-shaped Al Bayt Stadium, sharing the stage with Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.

The young Qatari recited a verse from the Quran and helped the actor welcome the world in a show themed around unity and tolerance.

"We sent out the call, because everyone is welcome. This is an invitation to the whole world," said Al Muftah, dressed in a thobe and walking to the stage with the use of his hands.

Then, reciting a verse from the Quran, he added: "We were raised to believe that we were scattered on this earth as nations and tribes, so we could learn from each other and find beauty in our differences."

"I can see it," Freeman replied. "What unites us here, in this moment, is so much greater than what divides us. How can we make it last longer than just today?"

"With tolerance and respect, we can live together under one big home," Al Muftah replied.

Morgan Freeman and Ghanim Al Mufatah on stage at Al Bayt Stadium. Getty Images
Morgan Freeman and Ghanim Al Mufatah on stage at Al Bayt Stadium. Getty Images

Al Muftah was born in Qatar with a rare condition known as caudal regression syndrome, a congenital disorder in which the foetal development of the lower body is abnormal.

Mostly using his hands to move around, he has documented his continuing medical challenges, turning them into an inspirational journey and eventually becoming a motivational speaker.

Currently in university studying political science, Al Muftah hopes to become a diplomat one day. He is also a major social media star, with more than seven million followers on TikTok, more than 3.3 million on Instagram and close to a million subscribers on YouTube.

He also enjoys participating in extreme sports such as scuba diving, skateboarding and rock climbing, and hopes to be a Paralympian one day.

In April, Al Muftah was named a Fifa World Cup 2022 ambassador.

Sunday's 30-minute ceremony was meant to introduce Qatar to the world through its culture and with a theme of “bridging distances”.

Creative director Ahmad Al Baker told the Associated Press he wanted the ceremony to signify “a gathering for all mankind, an invitation to come together as one, bridging all differences with humanity, respect and inclusion”.

The show also featured a performance by BTS member Jung Kook and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi, who sang the single Dreamers, produced specifically for the World Cup.

"We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments,” said Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar, in his opening ceremony speech.

“We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time."

Scroll through the gallery below for more pictures from the World Cup 2022 opening ceremony

  • The opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. PA
    The opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. PA
  • Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images
    Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images
  • Mascots of former World Cups united. AP Photo
    Mascots of former World Cups united. AP Photo
  • Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, centre, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, Jordan's King Abdullah II King of Jordan, left, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, second right, at the opening ceremony. AFP
    Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, centre, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, Jordan's King Abdullah II King of Jordan, left, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, second right, at the opening ceremony. AFP
  • South Korean singer Jung Kook, centre, performs. AFP
    South Korean singer Jung Kook, centre, performs. AFP
  • Dancers perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. AFP
    Dancers perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. AFP
  • Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images
    Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images
  • Performers welcomed the world during the opening ceremony. Reuters
    Performers welcomed the world during the opening ceremony. Reuters
  • A giant inflatable emblem during the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City. PA
    A giant inflatable emblem during the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City. PA
  • Performers during the opening ceremony. PA
    Performers during the opening ceremony. PA
  • Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images
    Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images
  • The performers opened the show. EPA
    The performers opened the show. EPA
  • The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters
    The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters
  • Dancers performing together. PA
    Dancers performing together. PA
  • The opening ceremony before the Qatar versus Ecuador game. EPA
    The opening ceremony before the Qatar versus Ecuador game. EPA
  • Former footballer Marcel Desailly holds the Fifa World Cup trophy ahead of the opening ceremony. AFP
    Former footballer Marcel Desailly holds the Fifa World Cup trophy ahead of the opening ceremony. AFP
  • A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA
    A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA
  • Ecuador fans in the stands before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup. Reuters
    Ecuador fans in the stands before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup. Reuters
  • A dancer performs at sunset before the Fifa World Cup kicks off with a Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. PA
    A dancer performs at sunset before the Fifa World Cup kicks off with a Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. PA
  • Fans record moments from the first match of Qatar 2022 inside the Al Bayt World Cup stadium. Reuters
    Fans record moments from the first match of Qatar 2022 inside the Al Bayt World Cup stadium. Reuters
  • Performers outside the Al Bayt Stadium entertain the crowds before the Fifa World Cup 2022 Group A opening match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks off. EPA
    Performers outside the Al Bayt Stadium entertain the crowds before the Fifa World Cup 2022 Group A opening match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks off. EPA
  • A Qatar fan wears his national colours outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters
    A Qatar fan wears his national colours outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters
  • Fans arrive at the Al Bayt Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup begins. Reuters
    Fans arrive at the Al Bayt Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup begins. Reuters
  • Qatar fans on rollerblades outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters
    Qatar fans on rollerblades outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters
  • Ecuador fans on their way to watch the opening match of the Qatar World Cup 2022. Reuters
    Ecuador fans on their way to watch the opening match of the Qatar World Cup 2022. Reuters
  • A performer with a replica World Cup before the Fifa World Cup Group A match gets under way at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. PA
    A performer with a replica World Cup before the Fifa World Cup Group A match gets under way at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. PA
Bundesliga fixtures

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 

Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),

Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

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Updated: November 21, 2022, 11:57 AM
World CupDohaFifaQatar