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Maturing Qatar Shines Brightly in Mideast
If you have ever heard of Qatar, you more than likely have also heard a fair amount of praise heaped upon this small country and the visionary people that populate it. After having lived and studied here in Qatar for the past three years, I can attest that Qatar is completely worthy of such praise.
When compared to most other countries in the Middle East, Qatar is leaps and bounds ahead — not just in terms of development, but also in terms of civic potential. Even with its already high standards, this country is continually striving to improve.
If its citizens persevere and continue to make such progressive advances in the future, Qatar will soon become a beacon of light not only to its neighbors in the region, but to the world at large.
In my eyes, Qatar has chosen a decidedly mature approach to the future. Since the establishment of two major U.S. military installations just outside of Doha in 2002, Qatari Armed Forces have become much more oriented toward a role that deals almost entirely with border control, internal security and the occasional search and rescue mission rather than any form of conventional combat.
Qatar has also indicated that it plans on further developing its capabilities in hopes of eventually providing troops for international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
This is notable for two reasons: First, it shows Qatar’s maturity and willingness to be a proactive part of the global community. Second, the adoption of this new military posture is significantly cheaper, a fact which allows the Qatari government to allocate expenditures to education and other social programs.
Obviously, Georgetown University is playing a huge part in this effort by creating its new campus in Education City. These have been some of the most prudent — as well as bold — decisions made by any nation in the region for some time.
This is not to say that Qatar is without its share of troubles. On the contrary, Qatar has some very glaring problems that will need to be addressed fully before it can ever be a truly great country. Many people in the Middle East associate modernity and progress with moral decay.
The two most obvious examples of this point of view are Manama and Dubai. These cities are arguably the most developed and lucrative urban centers in the region. Both cities have numerous night clubs that serve alcohol, and in many of them prostitutes can be seen openly seeking clientele.
Remarkably enough, however, Qatar has managed to embrace a great deal of modernity while ensuring that a minimal amount of these compromises have occurred.
Very few establishments in Qatar are even authorized to dispense alcohol. Obviously these places have a vested interest in ensuring that their atmosphere remains reputable and that debauchery remains minimal.
Are there places in Qatar where seedy behavior occurs? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The revealing article printed in the Hoya last month (“Culture a Delicate Balancing Act in Doha,” THE HOYA, March 21, 2006, A1) testifies to that.
Ironically enough, this article was as shocking to most SFS-Q students as it was to folks on Georgetown’s main campus. By and large, students here at SFS-Q are almost completely ignorant of the very existence of these bars and nightclubs, let alone what goes on inside them.
I was actually relieved that the article was so forthright about these after-hours hangouts. Some of these establishments are pretty seedy, and exposing what goes on behind their doors is an important step toward their eradication.
The few sex-workers in Qatar are often brought here illegally, and one can only imagine how terrible their lives must be.
It is equally important to note that Qatar is taking some encouraging steps toward dealing with this problem. Recently, several Chinese sex-workers were arrested, and all of them were either deported or imprisoned. What makes the arrests interesting is the fact that an account of the arrests was actually published in the local newspapers.
This disclosure is a stark contrast to what you might expect in any other country in the region, which in my opinion indicates that Qatari authorities are genuinely committed to solving problems before they become a real issue — even if doing so comes at the expense of their public image.
In closing, let me say that I genuinely believe SFS-Q has been an incredible success thus far, and that it has a very promising future. I also would like to remind everyone that we should be keen to realize the crucial role that Georgetown University will play in the development of Qatar’s citizens.
With this in mind, I beseech Hoyas everywhere to take an active interest in the development of Qatar and to vigorously support any future effort by members of SFS-Q to improve the lot of those who are being marginalized in the process.
from: http://www.thehoya.com/viewpoint/042506/view6.cfm
If you have ever heard of Qatar, you more than likely have also heard a fair amount of praise heaped upon this small country and the visionary people that populate it. After having lived and studied here in Qatar for the past three years, I can attest that Qatar is completely worthy of such praise.
When compared to most other countries in the Middle East, Qatar is leaps and bounds ahead — not just in terms of development, but also in terms of civic potential. Even with its already high standards, this country is continually striving to improve.
If its citizens persevere and continue to make such progressive advances in the future, Qatar will soon become a beacon of light not only to its neighbors in the region, but to the world at large.
In my eyes, Qatar has chosen a decidedly mature approach to the future. Since the establishment of two major U.S. military installations just outside of Doha in 2002, Qatari Armed Forces have become much more oriented toward a role that deals almost entirely with border control, internal security and the occasional search and rescue mission rather than any form of conventional combat.
Qatar has also indicated that it plans on further developing its capabilities in hopes of eventually providing troops for international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
This is notable for two reasons: First, it shows Qatar’s maturity and willingness to be a proactive part of the global community. Second, the adoption of this new military posture is significantly cheaper, a fact which allows the Qatari government to allocate expenditures to education and other social programs.
Obviously, Georgetown University is playing a huge part in this effort by creating its new campus in Education City. These have been some of the most prudent — as well as bold — decisions made by any nation in the region for some time.
This is not to say that Qatar is without its share of troubles. On the contrary, Qatar has some very glaring problems that will need to be addressed fully before it can ever be a truly great country. Many people in the Middle East associate modernity and progress with moral decay.
The two most obvious examples of this point of view are Manama and Dubai. These cities are arguably the most developed and lucrative urban centers in the region. Both cities have numerous night clubs that serve alcohol, and in many of them prostitutes can be seen openly seeking clientele.
Remarkably enough, however, Qatar has managed to embrace a great deal of modernity while ensuring that a minimal amount of these compromises have occurred.
Very few establishments in Qatar are even authorized to dispense alcohol. Obviously these places have a vested interest in ensuring that their atmosphere remains reputable and that debauchery remains minimal.
Are there places in Qatar where seedy behavior occurs? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The revealing article printed in the Hoya last month (“Culture a Delicate Balancing Act in Doha,” THE HOYA, March 21, 2006, A1) testifies to that.
Ironically enough, this article was as shocking to most SFS-Q students as it was to folks on Georgetown’s main campus. By and large, students here at SFS-Q are almost completely ignorant of the very existence of these bars and nightclubs, let alone what goes on inside them.
I was actually relieved that the article was so forthright about these after-hours hangouts. Some of these establishments are pretty seedy, and exposing what goes on behind their doors is an important step toward their eradication.
The few sex-workers in Qatar are often brought here illegally, and one can only imagine how terrible their lives must be.
It is equally important to note that Qatar is taking some encouraging steps toward dealing with this problem. Recently, several Chinese sex-workers were arrested, and all of them were either deported or imprisoned. What makes the arrests interesting is the fact that an account of the arrests was actually published in the local newspapers.
This disclosure is a stark contrast to what you might expect in any other country in the region, which in my opinion indicates that Qatari authorities are genuinely committed to solving problems before they become a real issue — even if doing so comes at the expense of their public image.
In closing, let me say that I genuinely believe SFS-Q has been an incredible success thus far, and that it has a very promising future. I also would like to remind everyone that we should be keen to realize the crucial role that Georgetown University will play in the development of Qatar’s citizens.
With this in mind, I beseech Hoyas everywhere to take an active interest in the development of Qatar and to vigorously support any future effort by members of SFS-Q to improve the lot of those who are being marginalized in the process.
from: http://www.thehoya.com/viewpoint/042506/view6.cfm
Qatar to send doctors to Sudan
DOHA: Qatar is dispatching a team of doctors to Sudan to treat 37 patients, 20 of them small children, of serious cardiac problems.
The doctors will carry surgical operations at a cost of around QR400,000 in hospitals in Khartoum. The humanitarian mission has been funded entirely by Abdulrahman Abdeljalil Abdelghani, a prominent Qatari businessman.
This is the second such team that will be leaving Qatar for Sudan to operate cardiac victims as part of a campaign titled "Friends of Sudanese children affected by heart problems". The campaign has been launched by Children's unit of Cardiology at the Hamad Medical Corporation in coordination with the
Qatari Red Crescent under the supervision of the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities.
The total cost of the campaign is QR387,000 which is being financed by Abdul Rahman Abdeljalil Abdelghani.
Dr Mohamed Tofik Noaman, a consultant at HMC and head of the team, said that the three doctors will carry out operations in Khartoum's Cardiac Centre and conduct training sessions for Sudanese doctors. The team will also donate modern medical equipment to the Cardiac Centre. The doctors will stay in Sudan for 10 days.
The first campaign was launched on January, 15, 2005 in which 13 operations were done on children.
from: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Di...th=April2006&file=Local_News2006042531245.xml
DOHA: Qatar is dispatching a team of doctors to Sudan to treat 37 patients, 20 of them small children, of serious cardiac problems.
The doctors will carry surgical operations at a cost of around QR400,000 in hospitals in Khartoum. The humanitarian mission has been funded entirely by Abdulrahman Abdeljalil Abdelghani, a prominent Qatari businessman.
This is the second such team that will be leaving Qatar for Sudan to operate cardiac victims as part of a campaign titled "Friends of Sudanese children affected by heart problems". The campaign has been launched by Children's unit of Cardiology at the Hamad Medical Corporation in coordination with the
Qatari Red Crescent under the supervision of the Qatar Authority for Charitable Activities.
The total cost of the campaign is QR387,000 which is being financed by Abdul Rahman Abdeljalil Abdelghani.
Dr Mohamed Tofik Noaman, a consultant at HMC and head of the team, said that the three doctors will carry out operations in Khartoum's Cardiac Centre and conduct training sessions for Sudanese doctors. The team will also donate modern medical equipment to the Cardiac Centre. The doctors will stay in Sudan for 10 days.
The first campaign was launched on January, 15, 2005 in which 13 operations were done on children.
from: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Di...th=April2006&file=Local_News2006042531245.xml
salman515 said:i`m really waiting to see what will happen till 2016
the pearl will be fully luanched
new airport
lusail
west bay
new road network "not sure about that"
and maybe the olympic games
what else ?
Our kids will go to middle school, Dubai will borrow more land from Abu Dhabi since it will all be covered with projects, and hmmm. all Qataris will eventually abandon Doha and move to Lusail.
dave550 said:^^Where exactly do you live at Q4E??? Your 3ezbah in Qatar, Texas or London??
Oman hehe :jk:
i'd rather talk about reality, not fiction!margog said:btw u need to make a Parliamentary elections thread in the sub fourm what do u think guys
Its going to be a reality man. We were promised Parliamentary elections and inshalla we are going to have it. The Emir when he took office, he made lots of promises. And compare Doha today to what it was 11 years ago, when the Emir took office. Only time waits before we can have an elected parliament.wakrah-wi-bas said:i'd rather talk about reality, not fiction!
Come on, why don't you vote. Its your country and as a Qatari you should participate in elections and be patriotic. It is not a law, but as a citizen you should have some patriotism when participating. Inshalla you will change your mind and vote next time. I was two months short of 18 when the constitution vote happened. But I cant wait to vote in the next elections.Qatar4Ever said:Yeah we'll have a parliament, but what kind of power will the parliament have ??
I for one will probably not vote like I didnt vote for the constatution.
I believe its more patriotic to stand for something you believe in is best for your country. To be honest I didn't choose to vote against the constitution I just didn't vote, period.
If you can tell me who wrote the constitution I will tell you why I was wrong not to vote for it.
Once I have faith in Parliament being an independent decision making body then I will vote.
Personally I have no problem what so ever with the status quo, I do have a problem with me being taken as a fool, asked to go with the flow, or particapte in something which I believe is no more than a image thing.
The only real voting I ever did was our high school student council, which I ran for office. I did so coz we had real power and we could put the school admins in check. When the student council start to fall apart, I was already the editior of the school newspaper and boy ow boy did I grill the school and its board.
If you can tell me who wrote the constitution I will tell you why I was wrong not to vote for it.
Once I have faith in Parliament being an independent decision making body then I will vote.
Personally I have no problem what so ever with the status quo, I do have a problem with me being taken as a fool, asked to go with the flow, or particapte in something which I believe is no more than a image thing.
The only real voting I ever did was our high school student council, which I ran for office. I did so coz we had real power and we could put the school admins in check. When the student council start to fall apart, I was already the editior of the school newspaper and boy ow boy did I grill the school and its board.
I agree with when you said that "its more patriotic to stand for something you believe in is best for your country." BUT the constitution will decide on the way the country will run and how is it going to be governed in the futurre. Moreover, it is binding and permanent--so this is the most important rule of law in Qatar.
Second, "going with the flow" is not considered foolish at all. In a democracy all the people vote for the person they think will represent his or her district the best--not to vote for who ever has the deepest pockets, or whoever has the most famous family name...
Third, I believe not all people will run for office because the want to help their copuntry. I believe that some will vote cause they want to be famous/ keep up their family name. Some will run cause they really want to make a difference.
Fourth, Qatar is a new country in terms of democracy. How do you want full democracy in one right. Rome wasnt built in a day; and it takes time to have a parliament with full power of legeslation (i applaud Kuwait here).
Fifth, the new Parliament will PROBABLY be decision-making, since it will be considered new and the Amir might grant it legeslative powers.
Thats my ideas of why you should vote; but its totally up to you my man!
Second, "going with the flow" is not considered foolish at all. In a democracy all the people vote for the person they think will represent his or her district the best--not to vote for who ever has the deepest pockets, or whoever has the most famous family name...
Third, I believe not all people will run for office because the want to help their copuntry. I believe that some will vote cause they want to be famous/ keep up their family name. Some will run cause they really want to make a difference.
Fourth, Qatar is a new country in terms of democracy. How do you want full democracy in one right. Rome wasnt built in a day; and it takes time to have a parliament with full power of legeslation (i applaud Kuwait here).
Fifth, the new Parliament will PROBABLY be decision-making, since it will be considered new and the Amir might grant it legeslative powers.
Thats my ideas of why you should vote; but its totally up to you my man!
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