Qatar - Oman, UAE and Arabian Peninsula - page 469

PRACTICALITIES
» Magazines Marhaba, Qatar's Premier Information Guide , published quarterly, is an excellent source of in-
formation regarding events in Qatar, and includes some interesting feature articles on Qatari life and culture. It
costs QR20. Time Out Doha gives the most comprehensive listings for dining and entertainment.
» Newspapers Qatar's English-language newspapers, the Gulf Times and The Peninsula , are published daily, ex-
cept Friday. International newspapers and magazines are available one or two days after publication at major
bookshops in Doha.
» Radio Programs in English are broadcast on 97.5FM and 102.6FM each afternoon from 1.15pm until 4pm. The
BBC is available on 107.4FM.
» TV Channel 2 on Qatar TV (QTV) broadcasts programs in English and international satellite channels are
available at the majority of hotels. The renowned Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel is broadcast in English and Arabic
from Doha: it has become one of the most watched and most respected Arabic news channels in the Arab world.
» Smoking Widespread but top-end hotels reserve rooms for non-smokers.
» Weights & Measures Qatar uses the metric system.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
In addition to the main Islamic holidays listed in the Arabian Peninsula directory, Qatar
observes the following public holidays:
Accession Day 27 June
National Day 3 September
TELEPHONE
The country code for Qatar is 974. There are no specific area or city codes. The interna-
tional access code (to call abroad from Qatar) is 0.
All communications services are provided by Qtel ( www.qtel.com.qa ) . Local calls are free,
except from the blue-and-white Qtel phone booths which charge a nominal fee. Phone-
cards (which come in denominations of QR10, QR30 and QR50) are available in book-
shops and supermarkets around Doha and can be used for direct international dialling.
The cost of an International Direct Dial call is cheaper between 7pm and 7am, all day
Friday and on holidays. At peak times international calls cost around just QR2 per minute.
Directory enquiries can be contacted on 180. Call 150 for international inquiries.
Mobile Phones
Qtel operates a prepaid GSM mobile phone service called Hala Plus. Cards in a variety of
denominations are widely available in shops.
TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES