Doha, Qatar
We were met in Doha by a long line of Toyota Forerunners to head out to camel and sand dune country. We stopped at a small encampment, where Bedouins were happy to entertain our photos and camel rides. After that, we spent hours crashing the sand dunes as you can see here and here - our driver was amused and encouraged by our screams of delight/terror as we drove around in succession. He didn't speak much, too busy talking in Arabic on his cell phone, and playing loud Arabic music the entire trip - really added to the experience!
The adventure closed with a stop at the beach for a view across the Persian Gulf (to Iran*).
What to Know:
- The Emir of the State of Qatar is the monarch and head of state of Qatar. The emirs of Qatar are members of the Al-Thani dynasty, which originate from the Banu Tamim; one of the largest tribes in the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar is technically a constitutional monarchy, as it has a constitution, although it is an absolute monarchy in practice. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current emir.
- Sharia Law is the main source of legislation according to Qatar's Constitution:
- "Homosexuality is illegal considered a criminal offense in Qatar, and those convicted may be subjected to lashings, imprisonment and/or deportation. Also, intimacy in public between men and women, including teenagers, can lead to arrest."
- "Drivers should avoid arguments on roads over traffic incidents, particularly with Qatari nationals."
- "Local authorities may detain anyone considered to be potential witness, and the relatives of persons of interest, for the entire duration of investigations, without charge or access to legal counsel."
- "Women in Qatar may vote and run for public office. Women in Qatar hold leadership positions in several ministries / supreme councils. Women are allowed to go out and drive without any male companion. Although, Qatari women wear the abaya, there are no formal restrictions for expat women, although dressing modestly is a must."
- "The Qatari government uses Sunni law as the basis of its criminal and civil regulations. Religious tolerance is guaranteed to a certain extent."
- Source: OnlineQatar.com.
- Less than 10 percent of Qatar’s population of 2.1 million are Qatari nationals. The country has been increasingly dependent on migrant labor as Qatar continued to build stadiums and develop infrastructure in preparation for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Migrant workers (primarily from Asia and Africa) continue to face abuse and exploitation. For example, employers regularly take control of workers’ passports when they arrive in Qatar.
- Qatar has made great real estimate investments in Paris – Le Printemps, Royal Monceau, approx. 3,500 square metres on Champs Elysée; also in Italy and Great Britain.
- Al-Jazeera was founded in Qatar (and is owned by the government).
- 1 US$ = 3.64 Riyal (fixed)
In the News:
Recently, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and at least three other Arab nations severed all ties with the country, escalating their accusations that the Qatari monarchy supported Sunni Islamist terrorism and Iranian designs on the region.
Qatar is "obliged" to maintain "a middle position" with Iran because of its shared gas exploration in the Gulf.
Unlike previous disputes, when Qatar took immediate conciliatory actions to Saudi and the UAE, Doha is taking a more "defiant" stand this time.
This NYT article provides a good description of Qatar and the current situation, with news changing all the time.
No sympathy, please: The United Arab Emirates has banned people from publishing (social media, written, visual or verbal) expressions of sympathy towards Qatar and will punish offenders with a jail term of 3 to 15 years, and and a fine not less than AED 500,000 ($136,000)...! Read more here.
