PROSPECTS OF REVIVING ISLAMIC CIVILISATION THROUGH PUBLIC SPACES: MUSLIM CIVILITY AT THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP

Abstract

This essay explores how public spaces promote Muslim civility and contribute to the revival of Islamic civilisation, with a focus on the 2022 FIFA World Cup (WC22) in Qatar. The central question is, if, and how do public spaces, structured around Muslim civility, support the revival (tajdīd) of Islamic thought? Through the World Cup, Qatar created environments where diverse individuals engaged and shared experiences, fostering understanding across cultural, ethnic, class, and religious lines. These spaces go beyond mere consumption, serving as platforms for dialogue, interaction, and even civilisational exchange. Islamic public ethics—hospitality, compassion, and justice—were showcased in these cosmopolitan settings, demonstrating how such open, inclusive spaces are essential for Islamic revival. They allow Muslims to reinterpret traditional principles in addressing contemporary issues like Islamophobia and secularism. The World Cup exemplified not just a sporting event, but a microcosm of how Muslim majority societies can potentially navigate the intersection of modernity and tradition. By facilitating inter-civilisational encounters, these spaces have the potential to demonstrate Islamic ethical principles in contemporary world by highlighting the significance of public spaces in this long durée revival process.