Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Such enormous wealth delivered to the young, who had little or no recollection of the
hardships of life before the riches of oil, came at a price calculable in terms of the arrog-
ance of the nouveau riche; their unwillingness to work; a military staffed by officers but
no privates; and jobs half started but not seen through.
Times have changed, however. The evident wealth of modern Doha is built now not on
money alone but on education and the growing confidence of Qatari professionals. Not all
of Doha is as glittering as the new West Bay developments may indicate and behind the
flush of wealth is a realisation that sustainability of the country's achievements depends
on commitment and effort. This growing work ethic among Qatari nationals is evidenced
by their involvement in the new industries, in the health and education sectors and at grass
roots level in the shopping malls, resorts and sports facilities. This represents a much
more robust legacy for the country's future than petrodollars alone.
Lifestyle
Despite its significant neighbour, Saudi Arabia, with which it shares a religion (the Wahh-
abi sect of Islam) as well as a border, Qatar has managed to steer a remarkably independ-
ent course, seeking ties with Iran, for example, and even more contentiously with Israel in
the 1990s.
Qataris aim to be equally as independent in society: while observant of a conservative
form of Islam, Qataris are not afraid of extending hospitality to those of a different mind;
while it is still unusual to see Qataris drinking alcohol, there is a tolerance of visitors who
do; and while men and women are discreetly dressed, there's no harassment of the dis-
respectful tourist. Wahhabism does not preclude women working outside the home or
driving but it does forbid any activity that may incite illicit relationships between men and
women. In Qatar, unlike in Saudi Arabia, driving and working are not considered areas of
likely temptation. Most significant is Qatar's press, which has enjoyed complete freedom
of expression since 1995, resulting in one of the most exceptional media phenomena of
modern times - Al-Jazeera Independent Satellite TV Channel.
Family life, at the heart of most Arab societies, is equally so in Qatar. Despite a high di-
vorce rate, the country manages to reflect the espousal of Western materialism while para-
doxically retaining something of the Bedouin simplicity of life: the day can stop for tea
with a stranger; the emergency exit on a plane is spread with prayer carpet; and a business
dinner may be rejected in favour of kebabs with friends.
