Qataris Bristle at What They See as Double Standards over Their World Cup

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Many in the country say the barrage of criticism about its human rights record and the exploitation of migrant workers is laced with discrimination and hypocrisy.

The skyline of Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Monday. The country is the first in the Middle East to host the World Cup. | Erin Schaff/The New York Times
When the singer Rod Stewart was offered more than $1 million to perform in Qatar, he said, he turned it down.

“It’s not right to go,” Mr. Stewart told the The Sunday Times of London recently, joining a string of public figures to declare boycotts or express condemnation of Qatar as the Gulf nation hosts the soccer World Cup.

In the prelude to the tournament, which started this past weekend, Qatar has faced an increasing barrage of criticism over its human rights record, including the authoritarian monarchy’s criminalization of homosexuality and the well-documented abuse of migrant workers.

Yet Mr. Stewart voiced no such disapproval when he performed in 2010 in Dubai or 2017 in Abu Dhabi, cities in the nearby United Arab Emirates — a country that also has an authoritarian monarchy and has faced allegations of human rights violations but that has more successfully cultivated a Western-friendly image. Mr. Stewart declined a request for comment through his public relations firm. » | Vivian Nereim | Friday, November 25, 2022

Where is the logic in worshipping Allah as the One God and Creator on the one hand and then criminalizing and punishing His creation on the other? How can God be both inerrant and yet still create gay people who are considered ‘abhorrent’. Are gays not a part of God’s creation? Are gays not exactly how God wanted them to be? Or did the inerrant God err? – © Mark Alexander

Analyst: Gulf Crisis 'Is a Crisis by Choice, Not by Necessity'

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to launch a fresh bid on Sunday to ease a crisis between Riyadh and Doha, both allies of Washington, but without high hopes of a breakthrough.

Omar Ashour, a senior lecturer in Middle East Politics and Security Studies at the University of Exeter, speaks to Al Jazeera about Tillerson's Middle East tour.

Inside Story - What Can Russia Do to Help End the Gulf Crisis?

The Russian foreign Minister has been in Qatar as part of efforts to find a common ground in the Gulf crisis. Sergey Lavrov has already visited the UAE and Kuwait this week and arrived in Doha on Wednesday.

Lavrov is the highest ranking Russian official to come to the Gulf since the crisis began. He says Russia fully supports the Emir of Kuwait's efforts to bring an end to the blockade that began on June 5th. But what can Russia do to help end the blockade?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiya - Qatar's Ambassador to Russia; Vyacheslav Matuzov - a former Russian diplomat, now Chairman of the Russian Friendship Society with Arab Countries; Abdullah Baabood - Professor of International Relations and Political Economy of the Gulf at Qatar University

Tillerson in Doha: "Trump Wants to Rid Earth of Terrorism & Agreement Is a Little Part of It"

The Crisis in the Gulf: Qatar Responds

The foreign minister of Qatar outlined his country’s position and response to the accusations made and diplomatic measures taken against Doha by a number of countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Qatar Blockade: Arab States Give Doha 10 Days to Cut Ties with Iran & Close Turkish Base

The Arab states which have imposed an economic blockade on Qatar over its alleged financing of terrorism have issued a severe list of demands, which includes giving Doha 10 days to cut ties with Iran, shutting down Al Jazeera, closing a Turkish military base and paying a fine.

Le Qatar face au défi de son isolement dans le Golfe

LE FIGARO: L'Arabie saoudite, les Émirats et l'Égypte rompent avec Doha, accusé de financer le terrorisme.

Rupture des relations diplomatiques, fermeture des espaces aériens et maritimes, interdiction de voyager au Qatar: la mise en quarantaine du minuscule émirat est entrée en vigueur. Appuyée par les Émirats arabes unis, Bahreïn et l'Égypte, l'Arabie saoudite a décidé lundi d'isoler son remuant voisin qu'elle accuse de financer le terrorisme. «Le Qatar accueille divers groupes terroristes pour déstabiliser la région, comme la confrérie des Frères musulmans, Daech et al-Qaida», souligne Riyad. À son tour, Doha, réagissant avec colère, a accusé ses voisins du Golfe de vouloir mettre le Qatar «sous tutelle» et de l'étouffer économiquement. » | Par Georges Malbrunot | lundi 5 juin 2017

Has Wealth Made Qatar Happy?

Souq Waqif was torn down – and rebuilt in replica

BBC: Oil and gas have made Qatar the richest country in the world - rich enough to be ready, apparently, to spend $200bn (£120bn) on stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup. But has virtually limitless wealth brought the country happiness?

It's still cool enough to sit outside in Qatar's capital, Doha. In another few weeks it will be too hot and most people - those who don't have to work outside - will be retreating indoors to the comfort of air-conditioning.

For now, though, families relax in the afternoon sun on the waterfront promenade, the Corniche. The view has changed beyond recognition in the last few years. Glass and steel towers rise like an artificial forest from what was once a shoreline of flat sand.

"We have become urban," says Dr Kaltham Al Ghanim, a sociology professor at Qatar University. "Our social and economic life has changed - families have become separated, consumption culture has taken over."

Qatar's government puts a positive spin on the pace of change.

From desperate poverty less than a century ago, this, after all, has become the richest nation in the world, with an average per-capita income topping $100,000 (£60,000).

What's less well understood is the impact of such rapid change on Qatari society itself. » | Matthew Teller | Doha | Qatar | Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Back Home, Ex-Qatar Academy Teacher Plans to Devote Life to Charity

REPÚBLICA: KATHMANDU, May 15: His recent arrest in Qatar over alleged insult to Islam has brought a turning point in the life of a former Qatar Academy chemistry teacher Dorje Gurung.

The 42-year old high school teacher with 16 years of teaching experiences in various nine countries abroad, including the US and the UK, has now decided to devote the rest of his life contributing to the education sector in Nepal.

“I don´t want to remember the past. I will now work toward making a difference in the lives of Nepali children,” said Gurung, who arrived home Monday evening after the authorities in Doha set him free.

Gurung says he plans to set up science labs and libraries in public schools across the country. Apart from financing the studies of poor children, he also plans to contribute to the society through social work. “I have decided not to go abroad for employment. I will now work for the cause of educating the poor children,” said Gurung.

The Qatar Academy had relieved Gurung of his duty last week over a derogatory comment on Islam-- something Gurung denies. He says all this could have occurred due to misinterpretation of what he actually said during an argument with a group of his students on April 16. “I never made remarks against Islam. I do not know what exactly the 7th grade students accused me of saying. But I was told by the police that I insulted Islam,” he said. » | Kosh Raj Koirala | Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Related »

Teacher Jailed on Charges of Insulting Islam Is Freed by Qatar

THE WASHINGTON POST: Dorje Gurung, the Nepali teacher who was imprisoned last week in Qatar on charges of insulting Islam, has been freed following an international outcry. Gurung, a chemistry teacher at the prestigious Qatar Academy, was fired after an exchange with his students last month. On Sunday, Qatari authorities allowed him to leave the country, from which he has returned to Kathmandu. » | Anup Kaphle | Monday, May 13, 2013

Related »

Teacher Appears in Doha Court, Faces Felony Charge of Insulting Islam
DOHA NEWS: A Nepalese teacher fired from a prestigious secondary school in Qatar for remarks he made to students last month appeared in a lower Doha court today on charges of insulting Islam.

Dorje Gurung, who taught chemistry at Qatar Academy, was seen by Doha News this morning leaving the court in handcuffs. If convicted, Article 256 of the Penal Code stipulates that he could face up to seven years in jail.

Colleagues, friends and students interviewed by Doha News said Gurung, whose two-year teaching contract was set to expire in July, had been facing problems at QA with students who did not respect his authority, in part due to his nationality.

Two of Gurung’s friends at the courthouse shared with Doha News notes of the teacher’s account of what happened. Here is a summary: » | Shabinakhatri | Thursday, May 09, 2013

Prince Charles Takes Private Arabic Lessons
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: He has long been fascinated by the culture and art of the Middle East, and now the Prince of Wales is taking his interest to a new level by having lessons in Arabic, it emerged today.


The Prince modestly told guests at a reception in Qatar that the language “goes in one ear and out the other”, but an aide disclosed that he is so keen to learn it that he has been having private tuition for more than six months.

Understanding Arabic would enable the Prince, who is passionate about encouraging dialogue between different religions, to read the Koran in its original form.

It would also mean he could decipher Arabic script during visits to mosques and museums of Islamic art.

The Prince was in Doha attending the launch of the Qatar-UK Alumni Network, for Qataris who have attended British universities, when he told a group of guests: “You all speak such good English.”

Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, chairman of the association and Qatar’s energy minister, asked the Prince if he spoke any Arabic, and the Prince said: “I tried to learn it once but I gave up. It goes in one ear and out the other.”

Dr Al-Sada told him: “It’s never too late to learn.”

Later, one of the Prince’s aides confirmed that he has been having lessons in Arabic recently, adding: “He is enormously interested in the region.”

The Prince speaks good French, some German, and has also had lessons in Welsh. » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter, Doha | Thursday, March 14, 2013

Janet Jackson Plans $20m Wedding with Qatari Billionaire; Converts to Islam

EMIRATES 24|7: The extravagant wedding is set to take place in 2013

Janet Jackson and her fiancé Wissam Al Mana are reportedly planning to get married in Doha, Qatar in 2013.

The couple hope to tie the knot in Doha where the billionaire was born and are making arrangements for the ceremony to take place in 2013.

Janet and Wissam will be wedded in a Muslim ceremony. A renown Turkish author, Adnan Oktar (aka Harun Yahya), is also making the claim that the 46-year-old Janet Jackson has converted to Islam — as did her brother, Michael Jackson — and is choosing to keep her new religion a secret from her fans.

According to an insider the wedding will be "one of the biggest, most memorable extravaganzas in recent history".

The source added to National Enquirer magazine: "They have tentatively set a late 2013 wedding date. But they are still working out the details and the exact day."

They will reportedly spend $3 million to fly in their 500 wedding guests from all over the world, while Wissam wants to give all attendees a $10,000 Rolex watch each as a thank you for attending.

The insider added: "Wissam is going to splash big when he marries Janet. It's going to be the wedding of the century." » |Bang | Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Doha Mall Blaze: An Eyewitness Account
Qatar is mourning the 19 victims, including 13 children of a fire at a major shopping mall cum entertainment complex in the capital Doha. Monday's incident has raised questions about building safety in the Gulf Arab state. Several memorials are planned to be held in Doha on Tuesday, as authorities continue to investigate the cause of the blaze at the Villaggio mall. Al Jazeera's Tarek Bazley was in the shopping centre with his two children when the fire broke out, but they escaped unharmed.

Related »

Children Among Dead in Qatar Mall Blaze
At least 19 people have been killed, including 13 children, in a fire at a major shopping mall and entertainment complex in the Qatari capital Doha, according to the country's interior ministry. The ministry said on Monday that four teachers and two firefighters were among those killed in the fire, while at least 17 others were injured. Al Jazeera's Andrew Potter reports from Doha.

Related »

DOHA - Le Qatar appelle l'ONU à enquêter sur la judaïsation de Jérusalem
20 MINUTES.fr: DOHA - Le Qatar a appelé dimanche à la création d'une commission d'enquête de l'ONU sur la judaïsation de Jérusalem et averti que les pays du Printemps arabe n'accepteraient plus l'occupation de la Ville sainte par Israël.

"Nous devons agir rapidement pour mettre fin à la judaïsation d'Al-Qods (Jérusalem)", a déclaré l'émir du Qatar, cheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al-Thani, à l'ouverture d'une conférence internationale sur Jérusalem.

Il a appelé l'ONU à former une commission pour enquêter "sur toutes les mesures prises par Israël à Jérusalem-Est depuis son occupation en 1967 pour effacer le caractère arabo-islamique de la ville". » | AFP | dimanche 26 février 2012

'Black Gold' Stars at Doha Film Festival
The Oscar-winning director Jean Jacques Annaud is one of dozens of filmmakers attending this year's Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Doha. Much of his latest movie, Black Gold, was filmed in the south of Qatar, a first for the country and hopefully the beginning of more such ventures in the Gulf region. Al Jazeera's Matt Moore reports from Qatar's capital Doha.

800 Foreigners Converted to Islam in 6 Months
THE PENINSULA: DOHA: A total of 800 expatriates converted to Islam in the last six months, according to statistical data released by Qatar Guest Centre (QGC).

The Centre, which is affiliated to Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad Al Thani Charity, is planning to publish the stories of these converts in a book to be translated in other languages. Also, QGC is organising in Al Khor advocacy programmes to educate the new Muslims in cooperation with religious guidance and mosque affairs department and Ministry of Awqf and Islmaic Affairs.

Of the 800 new Muslims 67 percent are Filipinos, according to Hadi Al Dosari, Director of Qatar Guest Centre. In its four years of service to Islam and the Muslims, the Centre has been contributing to the promotion of Islam with the number of new converts from various nationalities reaching 919 last year, said Al Dosari.

He said the number of converts to Islam has been increasing steadily for the last years. From 21 new converts monthly in year 2006, the numbers increased to 28 in 2007, 46 in 2008, 52 in 2009 52 and 77 last year. “These numbers reflect the efforts of the Centre to bring the message to all the communities,” he said.

The Centre is also organising cultural activities which attract a lot of people through lectures, seminars and meetings with various expatriate communities. » | Saturday, September 10, 2011

Moussa Koussa Facing Calls to Return to Britain after Being Tracked Down in Gulf
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Moussa Koussa, Colonel Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief and foreign minister, is facing calls to return to Britain for prosecution after The Daily Telegraph tracked him down to a luxury hotel in the Gulf.

Mr Koussa has been living for several weeks in a 17th-floor penthouse suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Doha, the capital of Qatar, under the protection of Qatari security services.

He has been in the Gulf state, a close western ally which is also a conduit for support for the Libyan opposition, since being allowed to leave Britain in mid-April.

At the time officials said Mr Koussa was likely to return to the United Kingdom, where his grandchildren live.

But at the weekend he refused to say when he would leave Qatar, or even if would be allowed to. He is constantly trailed by a team of Qatari “minders”, who were summoned to escort The Daily Telegraph away when it approached him for an interview.

The Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, called for Mr Koussa to be handed over to the International Criminal Court in the Hague and put on trial for his role in atrocities perpetrated over decades by the Libyan government under Col Muammar Gaddafi.

“He was part of a grim regime,” said Mr Halfon, whose family’s roots are in Libya and whose grandfather fled Tripoli in the 1960s. » | Richard Spencer, Doha | Monday, June 27, 2011

Al Jazeera Speaks to Robert Wirsing, Professor of International Politics