A number of you have asked questions about Qatar so here are a few facts and figures.
Qatar is a peninsula of 11,437 sq. Km, the coastline covers 563 km.
Population - Approximately 1.4 Million with about 50% living in Doha.
Foreigners form much of the workforce within the country. Labour is brought in from a number of countries such as the Indian sub-continent, the Far East, Egypt and some Arab countries for short term contracts, middle management from the Indian sub-continent, Jordan, Egypt and Europe, and top management from a variety of Arabic countries, Europe, and United States (not forgetting Australia and New Zealand).
Economy - Qatar has gas reserves of over 900 trillion cubic feet and oil reserves of 15.2 billion barrels. It has become one of the fastest growing and highest per capita incomes in the world. In just a few decades Qatar has developed into a major global supplier of energy and is set to become the largest supplier of Liquefied Natural gas in the world.
Royal Family - The ruler of the country is the Emir , His Highness Sheihk Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. His son, HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is the Heir Apparent.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani became the Emir of the State of Qatar on June 26 1995. During the last several years, Sheikh Hamad has represented Qatar on official state visits and at numerous Gulf and international forums. His role as a leader and diplomat has earned him worldwide honors. In 1997, under Sheik Hamad's rule, Qatar became the second country in the Persian Gulf where women gained the right to vote. The recent rapid modernisation and development of Qatar not only as a major World supplier of energy but also that of an important player in Middle Eastern Affairs is due to the vision of HH the Emir.
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned is the consort of HH the Emir of Qatar. As Consort, Her Highness' roles are many and varied, and extend beyond domestic borders. She is a social activist and the driving force behind a host of innovative and ground breaking programs in Qatar, the region and the world. HH Sheikha Mozah is the prime instigator of educational advancedment and reform in Qatar. At Education City, Sheikha Mozah has developed numerous educational projects to make Qatar a center of excellence in higher education and research. She has also enabled the construction of technologically advanced, world class facilities in which students can learn.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
All about Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan, a time for Muslims to focus on purifying their soul through prayer and self-sacrifice. During Ramadan, more than a billion Muslims around the world observe one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam: Fasting.
Each day of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims aged twelve and older traditionally practice fasting. The Arabic word for fasting literally means to "refrain," which is what is religiously proscribed - not just abstaining from eating and drinking, but also restraining every part of one's physical body.
The mouth, for example, is restrained from idle talk and gossip, while the ears are restrained from listening to obscenities. In this way, a Muslim engages his or her entire body in the physical observance of the Ramadan fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims rise before sunrise to partake in a pre-fast meal, called suhoor. Each night after sunset, they break their fast with the iftar meal. The end of the month of Ramadan is marked with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which literally means the "Festival of Breaking the Fast." During Eid al-Fitr, families celebrate with elaborate feasts and dress in their finest clothes. At the same time, they increase their efforts to give charity to the poor and make contributions to their mosques.
Each day of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims aged twelve and older traditionally practice fasting. The Arabic word for fasting literally means to "refrain," which is what is religiously proscribed - not just abstaining from eating and drinking, but also restraining every part of one's physical body.
The mouth, for example, is restrained from idle talk and gossip, while the ears are restrained from listening to obscenities. In this way, a Muslim engages his or her entire body in the physical observance of the Ramadan fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims rise before sunrise to partake in a pre-fast meal, called suhoor. Each night after sunset, they break their fast with the iftar meal. The end of the month of Ramadan is marked with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which literally means the "Festival of Breaking the Fast." During Eid al-Fitr, families celebrate with elaborate feasts and dress in their finest clothes. At the same time, they increase their efforts to give charity to the poor and make contributions to their mosques.
Back in Doha
We have been back in Doha for just over two weeks...It’s hot - averaging over 45 degrees most days and well into the 30’s in the evening. The humidity is higher too so it can be quite sticky – like being in a sauna. We've been enjoying swimming back at the Dip Club.
It is the month of Ramadan so Muslim people are required to abstain from food and drink ( and other bodily pleasures ) during the daylight hours. It’s difficult especially with the heat. It seems that most people tend to sleep in the afternoons; the shops are closed from around 12.00 until 6.00 p.m. The evenings are when everyone gets out and about. Iftar is the breaking of fast after sundown so as the evening progresses the restaurants become very busy – as do the roads. Ramadan is a time of being with family and friends and a time where people are expected to exercise goodness in all that they do – this however does not seem to extend to driving, which seems more crazy than normal....possibly due to large numbers of very hungry people wanting to get somewhere quickly to eat. Iftar feasts are large banquet affairs where you can eat as much as you like and are very spectacular displays of Middle Eastern food – all very delicious. We actually haven’t been to one yet – but hope to do so before the end of Ramadan.
Schools haven't opened yet - the kids start at the end of September this year (once Ramadan is over). We have 7 schools this year, so far, that we will be working with. A much smaller team of advisors than last year although that may well change.
It is the month of Ramadan so Muslim people are required to abstain from food and drink ( and other bodily pleasures ) during the daylight hours. It’s difficult especially with the heat. It seems that most people tend to sleep in the afternoons; the shops are closed from around 12.00 until 6.00 p.m. The evenings are when everyone gets out and about. Iftar is the breaking of fast after sundown so as the evening progresses the restaurants become very busy – as do the roads. Ramadan is a time of being with family and friends and a time where people are expected to exercise goodness in all that they do – this however does not seem to extend to driving, which seems more crazy than normal....possibly due to large numbers of very hungry people wanting to get somewhere quickly to eat. Iftar feasts are large banquet affairs where you can eat as much as you like and are very spectacular displays of Middle Eastern food – all very delicious. We actually haven’t been to one yet – but hope to do so before the end of Ramadan.
Schools haven't opened yet - the kids start at the end of September this year (once Ramadan is over). We have 7 schools this year, so far, that we will be working with. A much smaller team of advisors than last year although that may well change.
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