Meet The People of The FIFA Arab Cup™ (Egypt Edition - Part 3)

16 December 2021

Storyteller: Islam Uthman

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?

Hi! My name’s Islam Uthman, and I'm a 36 year old born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. I grew up with sports holding a special place in my heart. Believe it or not, my father was an international football referee. He was the best assistant referee in Africa for several years in a row and was later appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Referees Committee in the Egyptian Football Association! This created my passion for football. Of course, I am a huge supporter of Al Ahly SC, ‘African Club of the Century’. I don't travel regularly to watch the Egyptian national team play, but I hope to save up to be able to attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Why did you go to Qatar for the FIFA Arab Cup? 

I travelled to Qatar to attend the FIFA Arab Cup™ as a member of the international Fan Leader delegation. It was a great experience being at the centre of the action. We were also tasked with reporting the pros and cons that we’ve observed to the local organising committee so that they can resolve any issues ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Only football has the power to bring together and unite 40 people from 29 countries in five days, with their different affiliations, cultures and beliefs. Absolutely magical!

Can I just highlight that the flight on board Qatar Airways was very enjoyable, different and a truly unique experience?

What was your experience at the FIFA Arab Cup?

I simply can’t wait to go back. We got to know everything that could be of interest to a football fan travelling to Qatar. We attended the opening ceremony of the tournament and the opening match. We visited several FIFA World Cup™ stadiums which were breath-taking, and we enjoyed all the places where ancient Arab heritage is present…and, of course, there was also an exhilarating desert safari trip! At the same time, we saw the other side of Qatar, developed and very modern, but what I personally enjoyed most is the feeling of the convergence of civilisations. When you see cultural diversity, you get this unexplainable feeling as if you are with your family.

How was the experience of watching Egypt play football live in Qatar?

The feeling of watching the Egyptian national team play abroad is a different yet wonderful feeling. While watching them live, I experienced two different feelings at the same time – one was of great pride in representing the rest of the Egyptian fans, but at the same time a feeling of abundant responsibility that your presence must be the difference for the players, and that your voice and enthusiasm is the biggest motivator for them when they hear it echoing everywhere in the stadium. I personally thought and hoped that the Egyptian national team would be crowned the champion of the FIFA Arab Cup™.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was ecstatic in an almost indescribable way. Encouraging your national team while you raise your country's flag makes you unable to sit on your seat just to watch. You must support those who play in the name of your country.

I also observed something very interesting during the match, there was an apparent difference between the Gulf and North African fans while supporting their teams. I noticed that the Qatari fans in the opening match were cheering and celebrating quietly and without clamour, while North African fans, for the first match of Egypt’s national team, cheered intensely and did not stop cheering throughout the match. They wouldn’t sit on their seats until the referee blew the final whistle.

What role does football play in your community and Egyptian society?

Football for Egyptians is the only thing that brings together everyone with different backgrounds and personalities, and it can be the biggest cause of happiness or sadness that you can see on the streets of Egypt, depending on how the team has performed that day.

What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?

Football is my life, and it is always a source of happiness. I’ve received a lot of love and support from fans based inside and outside of Egypt over the years. I aspire to study sports management and sports law to support my successful practical experience and hopefully one day reach my dream job of working at either FIFA or the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Can you tell us more about your support for Al-Ahly?

This is the most difficult question you can ever ask to an Al Ahly SC supporter! There’s just so much to proudly speak about, and fans will not stop talking about it. The principles of the club which you learn are to stick to your morals, fight until the last moment and never to give up, whatever the circumstances. Self-confidence is another one – we are the best nationally, in Africa, and across the Arab world! I say this confidently as we have won the most titles, and the second most crowned club in the world after Real Madrid.

I fell in love with Al Ahly SC during my childhood because of the football legend - Mahmoud El Khatib. It was the most beautiful surprise in my life, and I was the happiest child in the world, when I met him in person at seven years old. I could not believe my eyes! When I grew up, I wanted to return the favour to him, so I joined his electoral campaign to nominate him as President of the club.

What did you try to capture with your photos?

Football is a source of pride and a symbol of unity, and I tried portraying that with my photos. I brought a miniature FIFA World Cup™ trophy with me to Qatar and my friend carried it all around Doha while wearing traditional Arabic clothing. Fans from all backgrounds extended their hands towards the trophy expressing their passion for the beautiful game.

For images, please click here.

This special series was created in collaboration between Qatar Airways and Goal Click.