festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays celebrated in Qatar:
1. Eid al-Fitr: This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims around the world. It is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Families gather together to pray, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods.
2. National Day: Qatar's National Day is celebrated on December 18th every year, marking the country's independence from British rule in 1971. Festivities include parades, fireworks, and cultural performances.
3. Eid al-Adha: This holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. The celebration includes prayer, charity, and sacrificing a lamb or other animal, with the meat being distributed among family, friends, and the poor.
4. Qatar International Food Festival: This annual event celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Qatar and the surrounding region. It typically takes place in March or April and features food stalls, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances.
5. Ramadan: Although not a holiday itself, Ramadan is a significant time of year in Qatar and throughout the Muslim world. During this month-long period of fasting, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar, often shared with family and friends.
These are just a few examples of the many cultural festivities and holidays celebrated in Qatar.
seasons
In Qatar, the tourist seasons are:
1. Winter Season: November to February - The weather is mild and pleasant, making it the best time to visit. It's recommended to bring warm clothing for the evenings.
2. Spring Season: March to April - Temperatures start to rise during the day, but still comfortable for outdoor activities. It's a good time to enjoy beach activities and desert adventures.
3. Summer Season: May to September - Hot and humid weather with temperatures reaching up to 50°C. It's advisable to avoid outdoor activities during the daytime and stay hydrated.
4. Autumn Season: October to November - Temperature starts to drop, and it becomes more pleasant to visit. It's a great time to explore cultural events and festivals.
Overall, it's recommended to visit Qatar during the winter season for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. However, if you're interested in indoor activities or willing to endure the hot summer weather, other seasons can be equally enjoyable.
visa
Here are some special visa rules for citizens of certain countries who want to visit Qatar:
1. Citizens of around 80 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most Western European countries, can enter Qatar without obtaining a visa beforehand. They will be granted a free visa on arrival, which allows them to stay in Qatar for up to 30 days.
2. Citizens of some countries need to apply for a visa before arriving in Qatar, such as those from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. They can apply for a tourist visa or a business visa through the Qatar Visa Service. The cost for a tourist visa is generally around QAR 100 (approximately USD 27) per person, while a business visa costs around QAR 200 (approximately USD 55) per person.
3. Citizens of Israel are not allowed to enter Qatar due to political reasons.
Please note that visa rules and fees can change at any time, so it's always best to check with the Qatar embassy or consulate in your country for the latest information.
souvenirs
1. Traditional Arabic Coffee Set - Average Price: QAR 100-300; Where to buy: Souq Waqif or Katara Cultural Village.
2. Perfumes - Average Price: QAR 150-500; Where to buy: The Pearl Qatar or Villaggio Mall.
3. Dates - Average Price: QAR 20-50 per kg; Where to buy: Souq Waqif or Al Meera supermarkets.
4. Camel Milk Chocolate - Average Price: QAR 50-150; Where to buy: Chocolate Bar at Hamad International Airport or Souq Waqif.
5. Oud Wood - Average Price: QAR 100-500 per gram; Where to buy: Souq Waqif or Lagoona Mall.
6. Gold Jewelry - Average Price: Varies based on the design and weight of gold; Where to buy: Gold Souq in Doha or Lulu Hypermarket.
7. Traditional Qatari Clothing - Average Price: QAR 200-500; Where to buy: Souq Waqif or Katara Cultural Village.
8. Falconry Equipment - Average Price: QAR 500-1000; Where to buy: Al Gannas Society in Doha or Sheikh Faisal Museum.
Note that prices may vary depending on the location and quality of the product.
If you have 1 week
Hey there! As a DAN, I'm excited to help you plan your one-week itinerary in Qatar. Here are my suggestions:
Day 1: Start your trip by visiting the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. The museum showcases Islamic art from three continents over 1,400 years, with some pieces dating back to the 7th century. You can marvel at the intricate details and designs of calligraphy, ceramics, glass, and more. Afterward, take a stroll along the nearby Corniche and enjoy the stunning views of the Doha skyline.
Day 2: Head to Souq Waqif, one of the oldest souqs (marketplaces) in Qatar. It is home to hundreds of shops selling traditional garments, spices, perfumes, handicrafts, and souvenirs. You can also try some delicious Qatari street food here, such as shawarma, falafel, and machboos.
Day 3: Take a day trip to the Inland Sea or Khor Al Adaid, a UNESCO recognized natural reserve that forms a unique ecosystem between land and sea. You can go dune bashing, sandboarding, or even camel riding here. Don't forget to bring your camera as the desert landscape provides amazing photo opportunities.
Day 4: Visit the Katara Cultural Village, a cultural hub that hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. You can explore the architecture, visit the art galleries, and watch a movie at the open-air cinema.
Day 5: Spend a day relaxing at one of the many luxury resorts in Qatar, such as the Banana Island Resort, the Ritz-Carlton, or the Four Seasons. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and spa treatments while soaking up the Arabian Gulf's beautiful scenery.
Day 6: Check out the Aspire Park, a lush green space located in the heart of Doha. The park features walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. You can rent a bike or take a boat ride on the lake. There is also a Torch Tower nearby, which offers panoramic views of the city.
Day 7: End your trip by visiting the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, an impressive collection of artifacts representing Islamic art, Arab heritage, vehicles, and more. The museum has over 15,000 unique objects and provides insight into Qatar's rich history and culture.
I hope you found these suggestions useful and enjoyable. Have a great time exploring Qatar!
If you have 2 weeks
It's great to hear that you're located in Qatar! Here's a two-week itinerary that I think you'll enjoy:
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Visit the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. The museum is an architectural masterpiece and showcases some of the most significant artifacts from the Islamic world. You can also enjoy the stunning views of the city skyline from the museum's outdoor terrace.
Day 3-5: Take a desert safari tour and explore Qatar's expansive sand dunes. You can go dune bashing, camel riding, and even have a traditional Bedouin meal in the middle of the desert.
Day 6-7: Head to Al Wakrah and visit the Al Wakrah Souq, an open-air market that sells everything from spices to textiles. You can also explore the nearby fishing harbor and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants.
Week 2:
Day 8-9: Visit the Aspire Zone in Doha, which includes the Khalifa International Stadium, the Aspire Academy, and several parks and recreational facilities. You can go for a run around the Aspire Park or take a dip in the Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Day 10-11: Check out the Katara Cultural Village in Doha, which hosts various cultural events throughout the year. You can also explore the art galleries, shops, and restaurants in the village.
Day 12-14: Head north to the town of Al Khor and visit the Al Thakira Mangroves, a serene natural reserve where you can kayak through the mangroves and spot various bird species. You can also visit the nearby Al Khor Park and enjoy a picnic or barbecue with friends and family.
I highly recommend these activities because they offer a diverse range of experiences that showcase Qatar's rich culture and natural beauty. From exploring museums to adrenaline-filled desert adventures, there's something for everyone. Plus, the itinerary is designed to give you a balance of both relaxation and excitement. So go ahead and enjoy your two weeks in Qatar!
Culture
Qatar's culture is similar to other countries in Eastern Arabia, being significantly influenced by Islam. Qatar National Day, hosted annually on 18 December, has had an important role in developing a sense of national identity. It is observed in remembrance of Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani's succession to the throne and his subsequent unification of the country's various tribes.
The Doha Cultural Festival is one of the cultural activities carried out annually by the Qatari Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, which began in 2002 with the aim of spreading Qatari culture inside and outside Qatar.
Qatari officials, especially the Al Thani family and the sister of the Emir of Qatar, Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, pay special attention to art. Through her public work and support of the Qatar Vision 2030, she is building an exciting creative future for the country that will connect artistic communities in all areas of culture. Several senior members of Qatar's ruling Al Thani family are noted collectors of Islamic and contemporary art.
The Museum of Islamic Art, opened in 2008, is regarded as one of the best museums in the region. This, and several other Qatari museums, like the Arab Museum of Modern Art, falls under the Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) which is led by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the sister of the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, and the prominent collector and art patron Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani. The QMA also sponsors artistic events abroad, such as major exhibitions by Takahashi Murakami in Versailles (2010) and Damien Hirst in London (2012).
Qatar is the world's biggest buyer in the art market by value. The Qatari cultural sector is being developed to enable the country to reach world recognition to contribute to the development of a country that comes mainly from its resources from the gas industry.
The National Museum of Qatar was opened to the public on 28 March 2019.
Qatari literature traces its origins back to the 19th century. Originally, written poetry was the most common form of expression. Abdul Jalil Al-Tabatabai and Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Uthaymeen, two poets dating back to the early 19th century, formed the corpus of Qatar's earliest written poetry. Poetry later fell out of favor after Qatar began reaping the profits from oil exports in the mid-20th century and many Qataris abandoned their Bedouin traditions in favor of more urban lifestyles.
Due to the increasing number of Qataris who began receiving formal education during the 1950s and other significant societal changes, 1970 witnessed the introduction of the first short story anthology, and in 1993 the first locally authored novels were published. Poetry, particularly the predominant nabati form, retained some importance but would soon be overshadowed by other literary types. Unlike most other forms of art in Qatari society, females have been involved in the modern literature movement on a similar magnitude to males.
Qatar's media was classified as "not free" in the 2014 Freedom of the Press report by Freedom House. TV broadcasting in Qatar was started in 1970. Al Jazeera is a main television network headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Al Jazeera initially launched in 1996 as an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel of the same name, but has since expanded into a global network of several speciality TV channels known collectively as the Al Jazeera Media Network.
It has been reported that journalists practice self-censorship, particularly in regards to the government and ruling family of Qatar. Criticism of the government, Emir and ruling family in the media is illegal. According to article 46 of the press law "The Emir of the state of Qatar shall not be criticised and no statement can be attributed to him unless under a written permission from the manager of his office." Journalists are also subject to prosecution for insulting Islam.
In 2014, a Cybercrime Prevention Law was passed. The law is said to restrict press freedom and carries prison sentences and fines for broad reasons such as jeopardising local peace or publishing false news. The Gulf Center for Human Rights has stated that the law is a threat to freedom of speech and has called for certain articles of the law to be revoked.
Press media has undergone expansion in recent years. There are currently seven newspapers in circulation in Qatar, with four being published in Arabic and three being published in English. There are also newspapers from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka with editions printed from Qatar.
In regards to telecommunication infrastructure, Qatar is the highest-ranked Middle Eastern country in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI) – an indicator for determining the development level of a country's information and communication technologies. Qatar ranked number 23 overall in the 2014 NRI ranking, unchanged from 2013.
The music of Qatar is based on Bedouin poetry, song and dance. Traditional dances in Doha are performed on Friday afternoons; one such dance is the Ardah, a stylised martial dance performed by two rows of dancers who are accompanied by an array of percussion instruments, including al-ras (a large drum whose leather is heated by an open fire), tambourines and cymbals with small drums. Other percussion instruments used in folk music include galahs (a tall clay jar) and tin drinking cups known as tus or tasat, usually used in conjunction with a tabl, a longitudinal drum beaten with a stick. String instruments, such as the oud and rebaba, are also commonly used.
Association football is the most popular sport in Qatar, both in terms of players and spectators. Shortly after the Qatar Football Association became affiliated with FIFA in 1970, one of the country's earliest international accolades came in 1981 when the Qatar national under-20 team's emerged as runners-up to West Germany in that year's edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship after being defeated 4–0 in the final. At the senior level, Qatar has played host to two editions of the AFC Asian Cup; the first coming being the 9th edition in 1988 and the second being the 15th edition held in 2011. For the first time in the country's history, the Qatar national football team won the AFC Asian Cup in the 2019 edition hosted in the UAE, beating Japan 3–1 in the final. They won all seven of their matches, conceding only a single goal throughout the tournament. On 2 December 2010, Qatar won their bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite never previously qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Finals. Local organisers built 7 new stadiums and expanded 1 existing stadium for this event. Qatar's winning bid for the 2022 World Cup was greeted enthusiastically in the Persian Gulf region as it was the first time a country in the Middle East had been selected to host the tournament. At the same time, the bid has been embroiled in much controversy, including allegations of bribery and interference in the investigation of the alleged bribery. European football associations have also objected to the 2022 World Cup being held in Qatar for a variety of reasons, from the impact of warm temperatures on players' fitness, to the disruption it might cause in European domestic league calendars should the event be rescheduled to take place during winter. In May 2014, Qatari football official Mohammed bin Hammam was accused of making payments totalling £3m to officials in return for their support for the Qatar bid. A FIFA inquiry into the bidding process in November 2014 cleared Qatar of any wrongdoing.
The Guardian, a British national daily newspaper, produced a short documentary named "Abuse and exploitation of migrant workers preparing emirate for 2022". A 2014 investigation by The Guardian reports that migrant workers who have been constructing luxurious offices for the organisers of the 2022 World Cup have not been paid in over a year, and are now "working illegally from cockroach-infested lodgings." For 2014, Nepalese migrants involved in constructing infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup died at a rate of one every two days. The Qatar 2022 organising committee have responded to various allegations by claiming that hosting the World Cup in Qatar would act as a "catalyst for change" in the region. According to a February 2021 article in The Guardian, some 6,500 migrant construction workers have died.
However, the World Cup in Qatar has been the most expensive World Cup in history and has many modern technologies, and people have expressed their satisfaction with hosting Qatar.
Qatar was estimated to host a football fanbase of 1.6 million for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, the construction work in country was expected to only take the available 37,000 hotel rooms to 70,000 by the end of 2021. In December 2019, the Qatari World Cup officials approached the organizers of the Glastonbury Festival in England and the Coachella Festival in the US, to plan huge desert campsites for thousands of football fans. The World Cup campsites on the outskirts were reported to have licensed bars, restaurants, entertainment and washing facilities. Moreover, two cruise ships were also reserved as temporary floating accommodations for nearly 40,000 people during the tournament.
Though football is the most popular sport, other team sports have experienced considerable success at senior level. In 2015, the national handball team emerged as runners-up to France in the World Men's Handball Championship as hosts, however the tournament was marred by numerous controversies regarding the host nation and its team. Further, in 2014, Qatar won the world championship in men's 3x3 basketball.
Cricket is popular amongst the South Asian diaspora in Qatar. Casual street cricket is the most popular format of the game, but the Qatar Cricket Association has been a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1999 and the men's and women's national teams both play regularly in ICC competitions. The primary cricket ground in Qatar is the West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha hosted the WTA Tour Championships in women's tennis between 2008 and 2010. Doha holds the WTA Premier tournament Qatar Ladies Open annually. Since 2002, Qatar has hosted the annual Tour of Qatar, a cycling race in six stages. Every February, riders are racing on the roads across Qatar's flat land for six days. Each stage covers a distance of more than 100 km, though the time trial usually is a shorter distance. Tour of Qatar is organised by the Qatar Cycling Federation for professional riders in the category of Elite Men.
The Qatar Army Skydiving Team has several different skydiving disciplines placing among the top nations in the world. The Qatar National Parachute team performs annually during Qatar's National Day and at other large events, such as the 2015 World Handball Championship. Doha four times was the host of the official FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship and three times host FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship. Doha one time Host Asian Volleyball Championship.
Religion
Islam is Qatar's predominant religion and is the state religion although not the only religion practiced in the country and the constitution guarantees freedom to practise any faith within "moral" bounds. Most Qatari citizens belong to the Salafi Muslim movement of Wahhabism, and 5–15% of Muslims in Qatar follow Shia Islam with other Islamic sects being very small in number. In 2010, Qatar's population was 67.7% Muslim, 13.8% Christian, 13.8% Hindu, and 3.1% Buddhist; other religions and religiously unaffiliated people accounted for the remaining 1.6%.
Sharia law is the main source of Qatari legislation according to Qatar's Constitution. Qatar's interpretation of Sharia law is said to be not as "strict" as neighboring Saudi Arabia but neither as "liberal" as Dubai. The vision of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Qatar) is "to build a contemporary Islamic society along with fostering the Sharee’ah and cultural heritage".
The non-Muslim population is composed almost entirely of foreigners. Since 2008, Christians have been allowed to build churches on ground donated by the government, Active churches include the Mar Thoma Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Anglican Church of the Epiphany. There are also two Mormon wards.
Demographics
The number of people in Qatar fluctuates considerably depending on the season, since the country relies heavily on migrant labour. In early 2017, Qatar's total population was 2.6 million, with foreigners making up a vast majority of Qatar's population. Only 313,000 of the population (12%) were Qatari citizens, while the remaining 2.3 million (88%) were expatriates.
The combined number of South Asians (from the countries of the Indian subcontinent including Sri Lanka) by themselves represent over 1.5 million people (60%) of Qatar's population. Among these, Indians are the largest community, numbering 650,000 in 2017, followed by 350,000 Nepalis, 280,000 Bangladeshis, 145,000 Sri Lankans, and 125,000 Pakistanis. The contingent of expatriates which are not of South Asian origin represent around 28% of Qatar's population, of which the largest group is 260,000 Filipinos and 200,000 Egyptians, plus many other nationalities (including nationals of other Arab countries, Europeans, etc.).
Qatar's first demographic records date back to 1892, and were conducted by Ottoman governors in the region. Based on this census, which includes only the residents in cities, the total population in 1892 was 9,830. The 2010 census recorded the total population at 1,699,435. In January 2013, the Qatar Statistics Authority estimated the country's population at 1,903,447, of which 1,405,164 were males and 498,283 females. At the time of the first census, held in 1970, the population was 111,133. The population has tripled in the decade to 2011, up from just over 600,000 people in 2001, leaving Qatari nationals as less than 15% of the total population. The influx of male labourers has skewed the gender balance, and women are now just one-quarter of the population.
Projections released by the Qatar Statistical Authority indicate that the total population of Qatar could reach 2.8 million by 2020. Qatar's National Development Strategy (2011–16) had estimated that the country's population would reach 1.78m in 2013, 1.81m in 2014, 1.84m in 2015 and 1.86m in 2016 – the yearly growth rate being merely 2.1%. But the country's population has soared to 1.83 million by the end of 2012, showing 7.5% growth over the previous year. Qatar's total population hit a record high of 2.46 million in November 2015, an increase of 8.5% from the previous year, far exceeding official projections.
Islam is Qatar's predominant religion and is the state religion although not the only religion practiced in the country and the constitution guarantees freedom to practise any faith within "moral" bounds. Most Qatari citizens belong to the Salafi Muslim movement of Wahhabism, and 5–15% of Muslims in Qatar follow Shia Islam with other Islamic sects being very small in number. In 2010, Qatar's population was 67.7% Muslim, 13.8% Christian, 13.8% Hindu, and 3.1% Buddhist; other religions and religiously unaffiliated people accounted for the remaining 1.6%.
Sharia law is the main source of Qatari legislation according to Qatar's Constitution. Qatar's interpretation of Sharia law is said to be not as "strict" as neighboring Saudi Arabia but neither as "liberal" as Dubai. The vision of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Qatar) is "to build a contemporary Islamic society along with fostering the Sharee’ah and cultural heritage".
The non-Muslim population is composed almost entirely of foreigners. Since 2008, Christians have been allowed to build churches on ground donated by the government, Active churches include the Mar Thoma Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Anglican Church of the Epiphany. There are also two Mormon wards.
Arabic is the official language of Qatar, with Qatari Arabic the local dialect. Qatari Sign Language is the language of the deaf community. English is commonly used as a second language, and a rising lingua franca, especially in commerce, to the extent that steps are being taken to try to preserve Arabic from English's encroachment. English is particularly useful for communication with Qatar's large expatriate community. In the medical community, and in situations such as the training of nurses to work in Qatar, English acts as a lingua franca. Reflecting the multicultural make-up of the country, many other languages are also spoken, including Persian, Baluchi, Brahui, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Nepali, Sinhalese, Bengali, Tagalog, Tulu and Indonesian.
In 2012, Qatar joined the international French-speaking organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) as a new associate member, but in December 2013, the French daily Le Monde revealed that Qatar, which has very few native French speakers, had not yet paid any contribution to the OIF, while the outgoing Administrator of the OIF complained in 2015 that Qatar had not kept any of the promises it made when it joined the organisation and had never paid its annual membership fees.
Healthcare standards in Qatar are generally high. Qatari citizens are covered by a national health-insurance plan, while expatriates must either receive health insurance from their employers, or in the case of the self-employed, purchase insurance. Qatar's healthcare spending is among the highest in the Middle East, with $4.7 billion being invested in healthcare in 2014. This was a $2.1 billion increase from 2010. The premier healthcare provider in the country is the Hamad Medical Corporation, established by the government as a non-profit healthcare provider, which runs a network of hospitals, an ambulance services, and a home healthcare service, all of which are accredited by the Joint Commission.
In 2010, spending on healthcare accounted for 2.2% of the country's GDP; the highest in the Middle East. In 2006, there were 23.12 physicians and 61.81 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants. The life expectancy at birth was 82.08 years in 2014, or 83.27 years for males and 77.95 years for females, rendering it the highest life expectancy in the Middle East. Qatar has a low infant mortality rate of 7 in 100,000.
In 2006, there were a total of 25 beds per 10,000 people, and 27.6 doctors and 73.8 nurses per 10,000 people. In 2011, the number of beds decreased to 12 per 10,000 people, whereas the number of doctors increased to 28 per 10,000 people. While the country has one of the lowest proportions of hospital beds in the region, the availability of physicians is the highest in the GCC.
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