EXPLAINER
The emir of Qatar put a bisht on Argentina captain Messi during the World Cup closing ceremony.
At the World Cup trophy presentation after Argentina’s win over France in the final on Sunday, Lionel Messi was offered a bisht, a traditional Arab cloak, to wear by the emir of Qatar.
Messi allowed Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to place the robe on his shoulders before taking the World Cup trophy from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and lifting it in front of his ecstatic teammates.
What is a bisht?
The bisht is a long cloak made of light, often sheer, material with trimming made of real gold that is worn over a white gown.
Primarily worn in the Gulf, it is a garment that has been worn for centuries during special occasions. It is viewed as a sign of appreciation and respect and is typically worn by top officials such as politicians, sheikhs and other high-status individuals.
What is special about the bisht?
Mustafa Baig, a lecturer in Islamic studies at the University of Exeter, told the dpa news agency that the bisht is a formal robe worn by royalty, dignitaries, grooms on their wedding day, and graduates on graduation ceremonies.
“So only a select few people would actually wear the bisht,” he said. They basically honored him [Messi] by putting it over his shoulders. It’s like a mark of honor, and just kind of a cultural welcome and a cultural acceptance.”
Baig said he is also representative of Qatar’s national dress – but only on important occasions.
And this is a top occasion. I mean, there’s probably no bigger occasion, so they put it on him as a mark of honor,” he said.
Baig said he saw it as “an embrace by Messi of the local culture”, adding that it was “a pretty cool thing” for Qatar to do and “smart thinking” on their behalf.
What did the organizers say?
Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary-general of Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee, said: “It is a dress for an official occasion and worn for celebrations. This was a celebration of Messi.
“The World Cup had the opportunity to showcase our Arab and Muslim culture to the world. This was not about Qatar, it was a regional celebration.”
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