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.
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 -
Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images -
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 -
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 -
Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images -
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 -
Performers during the opening ceremony. PA -
Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images -
The performers opened the show. EPA -
The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters -
Dancers performing together. PA -
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 -
A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
