The secret identities of Qataris online

Qatar is a strict society, which can exert strong pressure on people - especially women - to behave in a certain way.

Which is perhaps why Qatar residents are taking to social networks in their thousands to express themselves in a way they can't do offline. And to preserve their new-found social freedom, many of them are doing it in secret.

In our latest article, Ola talks to some of the Qataris and Qatari residents who are using manufactured online identities to say things and behave in a way they would never do in their real lives.

Although for some, their online lives already feel more real than their offline ones...

Read Qatar Social Networks and the Secret Online Identities of Qatar Residents online for the full article.

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Qatar Martial Arts Actor

Aukment is a film starring Qatar martial arts actor, Ahmad Al-Suilaiti. I didn't actually know there was a Qatar martial arts actor, but I followed the link from Mr Q's blog post on Celebrity Qataris.

The film is actually based on Ahmad's own story. According to an interview on Qatar Happening, Ahmad ran away to Thailand to become a proffessional fighter and, as in the story, ended up joining a martial arts camp.

We're fascinated, and will try to find out more. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer below...

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Messenger of Peace

A scene from the original film

During the ground breaking Tribeca festival recently held in Doha an astonishing announcement was made.

The story of Islam and the life of Mohammed, if current plans are to go ahead, are to be made into a film.

Astonishing because, according to Islamic law, neither Mohammed nor his direct family may be represented in film.

Making a film about a Mohammed without Mohammed appearing can be done. The 1970's film The Messenger managed a whole film about the Prophet without us hearing his voice or seeing his face. (His staff does, though, appear at the end, smashing the false idols in the Kaaba.)

To help them produce a film worthy of the Prophet and the huge potential audience it would have, the Qatari company commissioning it hope to enlist Barri Osbourne, who has previously worked on the Matrix and Lord of the Rings.

For our take on the film and its implications check out The Messenger meets Lord of the Rings.

Qatar's Increasing Conservatism

When I first moved here I thought Qatar was becoming more liberal.

Head scarves seemed to be moving back, the Ministry of Information had been abolished and expats could dance the night away at numerous clubs.

More recently the establishment of a church in Qatar, despite some loud local opposition, was a brave and tolerant move by the administration.

Slowly, things seem to be changing.

Dress Code

It's perhaps inevitable that the dress code should be tightened up.

Some people were taking advantage of the relative freedom of the country to wear clothes that were offensive to local people.

A tightening up started with the publication of a dress code, although at the time this sounded more like a guideline than a rule.

Now, though, a strict dress code is imposed upon clubbers and bar goers. Knees and shoulders must be covered by clothes, and dresses should not expose too much flesh, either at the front or at the back.

Drinking

The first rule I noticed regarding alcohol was an edict banning drinking by swimming pools.

The number of bars have also shrunk, with Garvies losing its licence, two hotels with bars closing down and the old... also shutting.

There are also plans to shut down the cheaper alternatives.

Those remaining are increasingly hard to get into.

You now need an id card to enter into a bar, and you have to have membership of the bar or club before you are allowed to drink.

Some visitors have been turned away from bars on the basis that their visa was not sufficient. It seems that if you have a tourist visa you may be turned away unless you are in your own hotel, whereas if you have a business visa you have a licence to drink.

The Future

So far, most of these changes do not impact too much upon our lives.

These edicts are likely to continue, though.

The crucial point for most expats is alcohol.

Currently, whereas a sojurn in Saudi Arabia is often viewed as an ordeal to be undergone for some specific financial goal, Qatar is still considered a pleasant, if expensive, place to live.

A ban on alcohol would leave to many Western expats leaving, or demanding a premium on their salaries.

A Choice Only Qataris Can Make

Of course, the direction Qataris take Qatar is a decision that only Qataris can make.

We and most of our readers are visitors in a place which is not our country and is not our culture.

And, at the end of the day, we are free to leave if things become too conservative for our liking.

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Images of Ramadan - Qatar Photo Competition Update

We've put together a few of the images submitted so far in our Ramadan Photography Competition. In our opinion all of these images contain some of the spirit of Ramadan.

Note - this list was not compiled by our judge, so the winning images may be quite different.

Moments of Prayer

by Bridge Alkayde

Click here to see a larger image.

Holy Book
by Eman Zainudeen

Click here to see a larger image.

Ramadhan Dove

Image by Alan Holden

Click here to see a larger image.

Prayer in the Mountains

by Anindya Prithwish

Click here to see a larger image.

Ramadan Profile

by Fatim Alalawi

Click here for a larger image.

Prayer of Religion

by Isa Ebrahim

View a larger image.

Ibadah

by Hussain Khalaf

View larger image.

Bedouins pray in the Desert.

by Aurelie Korady

View larger image.

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The Abaya: What Lies Beneath

A teacher-friend, when talking to a class of Qatari ladies, tried to explain the word traditional with reference to the ladies' Abayas.

They were not amused.

Image by Ayam Hassan

The innocent teacher was besieged by a barrage of protest - in reality, they insisted, they were extremely fashionable.

A look around, whether in a souq or a shopping mall, soon reveals this to be the case. The material and designs used for the Abayas are often exquisite, and many more colourful dresses for private wear are on display.

Now, in What Lies Beneath, Yousra Abdelaal takes us into the world of Qatari fashion, explaining the different Abayas available, the Qatari sense of fashion - and, of course, what women like to wear below the Abaya.

Image by Ayham Hassan

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Five Sure Ways to Get Deported from Qatar

Now we don't mean to panic you. Qatar is, in many ways, quite a tolerant country. However, there are a few things that you should really avoid doing.

1. Drink Driving.

There is zero tolerance for Drink Driving in Qatar. Actually, this is something I totally agree with, and has been ever since I read the Ibot blog: the writer, Shannon, was put in a wheelchair at the age of eight years old. Her two young friends fared worse: both lost their lives.

However, many expats do not respect the drink driving laws and I personally know two expat drivers who lost their jobs and residence here as a result. I know many more who drink drive on a regular basis, often assuring me: "I ken handle it," as they fall out of their chairs. Others will have one drink - acceptable in the UK, for sure, but not without risk here.

Obviously, if a death was involved in a drink driving accident, the penalty would be far worse than deportation.

2. Getting Drunk

Well, let's qualify this - it usually means getting drunk in a public place and making a nuisance of yourself. If you have a liqour permit, it's legal to buy alcohol here and drink it in your own home (after concealing it in your car on the way) and it is legal to drink in a bar. It is not legal to drink elsewhere. However, the majority of people who have been arrested for drinking have been those causing problems: fighting and generally being a nuisance.

Muslims who drink should be extra careful. The law seems to be ambiguous here: they can get alcohol licences but they are forbidden to drink by Shariah law, and can be punished with a caning.

See Qatar Alcohol for more information.

3. Looove...Outside Marriage

A number of people have asked us whether it is acceptable to live together outside marriage. The answer is no, it's not. This is a strict Wahabbi country and many people, albeit usually servants, have been arrested, imprisoned and deported for sex outside marriage.

4. Offending Islam

Now let's put this into context here. There are many discussions between Christians and Muslims (and others) here, and many Muslims value the opportunity to put their point of view across, even if you don't agree with them. However, some things are sacred - that includes Mohammed and the Quran.

5. Libel and Slander

You really don't want to annoy the wrong person here. Qataris value their privacy and honour - so watch what what you say about who you say when you are chatting away on online forums here, or you might just find yourself with on a one-way plane trip back home.

These are our top five ways to get deported - let us know if you think we have missed any...

Image of Drunk Driver by Tread

Also see: Qatar Dos and Don'ts | Qatar Culture

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Eid Mubarrak!!!

We celebrate the first day of Eid with an excellent article by Yousra Abdelaal. In Eid Frenzy, Yousra looks at the frenzied preparations that take place in Qatar prior to the festival, and joins in at the henna salon.

Meanwhile, a question we posed (not entirely seriously) in 2006 is still arousing comment.

What does a vegetarian Muslim sacrifice?

Zizi replied:

The vegetarian sacrifices anything special to him.

Not so, answers Shahd, who believes that while a Muslim vegetarian is not required to eat meat, he or she should still make the sacrifice.

Normally, the vegetarian can sacrifice a sheep, goat, or whatever it is he pleases and he can give out the meat as sadaqa (charity), but no, i don't think there is a vegetarian tradition in islam since muslims can't prevent themselves from anything that allah has granted!

I wasn't even sure that there were such a thing as Vegetarian muslims, but a quick internet search put me right.

The International Vegetarian Union spreads the news of a Muslim-vegetarian society, with an emphasis on Islamic compassion towards animals. the page carries a number of quotes from the Quran and Hadiths regarding animals. See Islamic Duty of Compassion towards Animals.

Meanwhile, Enlightenment Next carries on article on how Muslims are becoming vegetarians because of factory farms breaking Muslims laws on the treatments of animals.

Neither, unfortunately, answer our original question. So if you can enlighten us, leave a comment, or head over to the Qatar Living forum to argue the matter out!

Also see: Eid Ul Adha

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The Islamic Museum: First Visit

Today I finally got to see the inside of the Doha Islamic Museum - and was seriously impressed. While I appreciate the exterior of the Museum and the interplay of the shadows on its complex geometric blocks, it doesn't really take my breath away.

The interior, on the other hand, is breathtaking, and must be a photographer's dream. As you enter, the atrium opens up high above you, with lines everywhere merging into each other, while a huge window offers a superb view of the Doha skyline.



We chose to limit our visit, viewing a selection of the artefacts rather than trying to take in everything in one go. We have the luxury of being able to make return visits!

Interactive Media

After entering the building, grab yourself an interactive media player. (You'll need to submit your id until you return it.) Along with an audio introduction, there are numbers to go with around 30 of the exhibits - when you enter these numbers you can hear the story behind it.

Exhibits

Ancient Quran

There were several exhibits that caught my eye on this first trip. One was an ancient Quran - thought to have been written only a few years after the death of Mohammed.
The survival of the manuscript was due to the nature of its parchment - vellum, made of animal skin scaped clean.

The Quran was not compiled until after the death of Mohammed, and this Quran must have been one of the first - perhaps compiled from the recitations of the Mohammed's followers. To be in the presence of such history felt awesome.

Christian Calligraphy

Another fascinating piece was a painting of the Virgin Mary with a young baby Jesus. This may seem like a strange exhibit for an Islamic Musuem, until you read the calligraphy: There is No God but God: the first part of the Muslim profession of faith. The painter had been a Christian, albeit one strongly influenced by Islamic calligraphy.

In adding the calligraphy, he expresses a core belief of both religions - that there is only one God.

The Book of Secrets

The third one which really intrigued me was the Book of Secrets - about the Results of Thoughts. This gives the lie to our belief that mechanical genius is a recent thing, with writer, Andluscian engineer Al-Muradi, describing more than 30 machines of ancient times, from war machines to water clocks. Much of the 11th century book has been decoded by a team of scientists, and an interactive digital version of the book is available for browsers. The book itself will be on exhibit until February 2009.



Also see:

The Book of Secrets: DecodingTheHeavens.com

Opening Hours

The Museum will be closed on the first day of Eid and Xmas.

Sunday: 10.30 - 17.30
Monday: 10.30 - 17.30
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10.30 - 17.30
Thursday: 10.30 - 17.30
Friday: 14:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 10:30 - 17:30


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Marriage in Qatar

Our latest article covers an area we have long felt to be a gaping hole in the culture section of our website - Qatar Weddings. As men, who have never been and will never go to a women's wedding in Qatar (yes, the men's wedding is seperate) we felt unqualified to even try and write about the subject. Fortunately, Mohana Rajakumar, editor of Qatar Narratives and organiser of the Doha Writer's workshop, came to our rescue with this superb article about a world that the men amongst us can never enter.

A quick aside about the image: this was a photograph by Trey Ratcliff of a girl he saw in Qatar. The girl, whose name was Ameena, and who is from Bahrain, was enroute to her honeymoon, and was still wearing the traditional henna tattoes that girls have have done prior to getting married. Trey was gracious enough to allow us use of the image. If you want to see other superb examples of his work visit his blog: StuckInCustoms.com.

Also see:

Gower Weddings

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The future of Qatar?

The New York times carried a fascinating article about the contradictory culture of Dubai two days ago. (You can read the article here, but you will have to sign up first (for free)).

The article explores the nature of Dubai, an Islamic city where you can drink alcohol and party till night. Western freedom lives side by side by mosques open 24 hours a day. Unlike many other Islamic countries, it is a place where people can choose to enjoy the vices of the West or to follow their religion to the full without the repression that exists elsewhere.

Qatar is often compared to Dubai and there are many similarities. Both are exploding with growth, although Qatar is lucky enough to fund its growth with oil revenue rather than with debt. Both are also experiencing a dramatic change in culture.

There is also conflict. There are both conservative and liberal elements in the country: those who want to continue to modernise and extend freedoms to those who want it, and those who want Qatar and Qatar residents to conform more strictly to an Islamic way of life.

Expatriates often experience this first hand. In malls you can see young people dressed in the trendiest and latest fashion, wearing clothes that might once have got you arrested but now seem to do little more than draw the occasional disapproving stare. Yet in the same mall you will also see women covered black from head to toe, some with even their eyes covered.

In Doha, at least outside Ramadan, expatriates can go to bars and clubs and dance and drink to the early hours of the morning. Or you can go to the Islamic Guest Centre and be warned about the dangers of listening to music and of hanging pictures of people or animals on your wall.

For expatriates at least, there is freedom to choose the way you want to live. But there is also a clash of cultures. Only time will see whether freedom and conservative Islam can continue to live together.

The photo of the Arab lady is by Yosita 82
Also see: Qatar's Future: 11 Predictions

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Garangau

It's a great night for kids tonight, as today is the fourteenth day of Ramadan, which means - Garangau! Garangau will be well underway as I write, starting as it does after Iftar (the breaking of the fast) - although my own daughter's school will be celebrating tomorrow, and has asked children to be sent in traditional dress. (What is traditional British dress?) It's also a day when the school relaxes its normal rules on sweets - last year my daughter came home with a huge bag of them, including many nuts covered with a sticky sweet icing - the sweets lasted until I surreptitiously threw them away a couple of weeks later. It's not actually a particularly religious festival, despite the words of the traditional Garangau song (see below), and children of virtually all nationalities and religions join in. 

Garangau Song

"If you give us some sweets and nuts God will reward you, and take you to Mecca, the place every Muslim wants to go.' (Source: Marhaba Autumn 2008). 

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Ramadam Kareem

Today is the start of Ramadan, a month of going without food and water from dawn to dusk for most Muslims (I am told that foregoing cigarettes is much harder than foregoing water for smokers) - and perhaps also a month of furtive sipping, smoking and snacking for non-Muslims. You also have to watch out for secret smokers in cars, those who duck down while driving to sneak a smoke, resulting in the famous headless drivers of Qatar.

It is also a month when food prices shoot up in response to the traditional increase in demand - for while the day is a time of fasting, the night is a time of feasting. In fact, may people put on weight during Ramadan!

If you are a non-Muslim and new to Qatar, it is worth remember that while you are not expected to fast in sympathy (although some do), it is considered disrespectful to eat or drink in front of those fasting.

For more information on Ramadan check out our article Fasting in the Desert and our blog post. Ramadan: fasting and health.

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Rahman Al Jaber and Wikipedia

Update (Sept 9th 2008): the article on Al Jaber has now been tided up - and you can also read our article on the subject: Al Jaber : Scourge of the Pirate Coast.

Scanning through the internet for links for our Qatar knol, I was suprised to see Wikipedia's page on Jasim bin Jabir was both sparse and factually incorrect.


"Jasim had his base at Udaid, and attacked British ships in the Persian Gulf."

In fact this fascinating man, who carried on a long grudge war against his many enemies (who included the Khalifas) was far too astute to attack the British. This did not stop the British from considering an attack on Jasim, who certainly disrupted the peaceful seas the British craved. However, after considering the difficulties that would entail attacking Jasim's well defended base they decided against it.

Jamim maintained relations with the British during his long life time, attracting admiration from some and revulsion from others for his ferocity. Both his appearance and death was related by a British writer who had met him in the Pirate's own book. His death took place during a sea battle, when he was battling his long-time enemies the Khalifas:

...when at last, Rahmah, being informed (for he had been long blind) that his men were falling fast around him, mustered the remainder of the crew, and issued orders to close and grapple with his opponent. When this was effected, and after embracing his son, he was led with a lighted torch to the magazine, which instantly exploded, blowing his own boat to atoms and setting fire to the Sheikh's, which immediately afterwards shared the same fate. Sheikh Ahmed and a few of his followers escaped to the other boats; but only one of Rahmah's brave crew was saved; and it is supposed that upwards of three hundred men were killed in this heroic contest.

The history of Rahmah is best dealt with by Habibur Rahamn in Qatar: the Turbulent Years. When we return from our holidays to Qatar and have access to all our sources, we will do a more detailed page on Rahmen Ak Jaber - and clean up that Wikipedia article!

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Hunting with Falcons

Our latest website article looks at falconry in Qatar and Arabia, including its history, present day practice and issues with the declining number of falcons and houbara, the favourite prey of Arab falconers. You can also listen to the sounds of the falcons and watch a video of a falconer hunting gazelle.

You may also be interested in the movie below, which shows two saluki hounds and a falcon working together to catch a rabbit.

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The cross shall not be raised in Qatar...

Photo by Omar Chatriwala

And indeed it is not being raised. However, for the first time in centuries a cross-less, bell-less church has been raised in Qatar, on land donated by the Emir, and is being opened today.

Despite the low key nature of the opening, controversy has been sparked in Qatar, with some members of the strict Wahabbi faith firmly against the construction. One columnist wrote:

“The cross should not be raised in the sky of Qatar, nor should bells toll in Doha."

Other prominent Muslims in the country support the opening of the church. The former Dean of the Islamic university, Abdul Hamid al-Ansari, is one of those who supports the building of the church, believing that religious tolerance and the right to worship is a part of Islam.

"Having places of worship for various religions is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Islam."

There does seem to be support for tolerance for other monotheist religions in the Qu’ran:

“Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.”

However, some Muslims oppose the building of the mosque. To support this rejection, they have used a quote from a hadith in which Mohammed is reported to have said:

"No two religions will come together in the Arabian peninsula."

Abdul has argued that this quote was taken out of context and does not in fact refer to the whole Arabian Peninsula but to Medina and Mecca.

Despite the controversy, Qatar is sending a message of tolerance out to the world. It’s one the current ruling elite seem to be keen on fostering. In a recent interview with Qatar Today the Director of the Qatar Leadership Academy explained that the aims of the Academy were to develop:

“...open-minded young gentlemen, who acknowledge all religion, culture, colour and social background.”

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Arafat and National Day

Today is both Arafat day and Qatar's National day.

The name Arafat is taken from the mountain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia. It's an important day for Muslims, as this is the day when Mohammed gave his farewell sermon the last year of his life.

Many Muslims in Qatar will be fasting, although unlike Ramadan the fasting is recommended rather than obligatory.

Muslim on the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will spend the whole day on the plan of Arafat, praying for God's forgiveness.

Meanwhile, Qatar is celebrating, for the first time, its national day, which celebrates the accession of Sheikh Abdullah Jassim Al Thani in 1878.

Sheikh Jassim's father was still alive when he handed over power to his son, although he wasn't very happy when his son invited the Ottoman's into the country. However, Sheikh Jassim made up for it later by defeating the Ottoman's in battle. (See the Rise of the Qatar Ruling Family for more details.)

Tomorrow is another even more important day, for it is the start of Eid Al Adha, or the feast of sacrifice. On this day Muslims celebrate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, and the mercy of God for allowing him to sacrifice an animal instead.

Muslims also sacrifice animals during this festival, so a trip to the wholesale market today will see many peoples with sheep slung over their shoulders and goats in the backs of pick-up trucks.

Also see: Holidays, Festivals and Important dates in Qatar

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Eid Mubarrak!

Eid Ul-Fitr takes place today, and not tomorrow as predicted by the head of the astronomy section of the Qatar scientific club.

Maybe he was not so wrong. The first glimpse of the Shawwal crescent (Shawaal being the tenth month of the Islamic calandar) was not seen in Qatar - according to the moon-sighting committee not one person came forward with a reported sighting.

Only in neighbouring countries has the new moon been seen. Indeed, Oman and Egypt will continuing to fast today, and will celebrate their Eid tomorrow.

The news that it would be Eid today was released last night and within half an hour the roads became impassible as residents rushed out to shop. For Muslims, today will be a time not just for prayer but for feasting and for family.

And also, in the house we have just come from, weighing and ruing the weight gain that's seem to be an inevitable part of this time of year. Still, dieting can come later - now is time to enjoy the festival, and to say blessed Eid or:

Eid Mubarrak!

Also see: Qatar Culture

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Eid Il Fitri in Qatar

Ramadan is coming to a close, and it will soon be Eid Ul Fitr - the festival of breaking the fast.

A local astronomer has predicted that Eid Ul Fitr this year will fall on the 13th November. It can be difficult to predict the holiday exactly, as the date depends on the moon - the new moon has to be sighted before the season of fasting can finish and the festival of feasting can begin.

Before Eid Ul Fitr does begin, all Muslims must pay zakat, or alms. This consists of two parts: the head of the family should contribute enough to feed one person for every person in his family, and also 2.5% of his total wealth. The first zakat should be paid directly to the mosque, who will redistribute, whereas the second zakat can be donated directly to the poor.

On Eid Ul Fitr, most Muslims will arise very early in the morning and have a small amount to eat, before attending a special prayer. While this may be held in a mosque, it is often also held outside. In Qatar prayers are sometimes held at embassies.

After that, it is customary to spend the day visiting relatives - and eating! New clothes are bought prior to Eid and all will dress up, while small children are often given presents.

Eid Ul Fitr should normally be a time of joy. However, for many Muslim expatriates in Qatar it is a time when they miss the families, friends and relatives back home.

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Hyatt Plaza: Layali Al Kheir

The Hyatt Plaza has launched an Arabic Cultural Programme called Layali Al Kheir which will run until the end of Ramadan. The programme will start at 8.30 every evening and will finish at 11.30. Events will include traditional oud concerts, plays including Ali Baba and the 40 thieves and a magic lamp quiz. Traditional Arabic perfumes, sweets and other goods will be available throughout the festival.






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