Adultery

for me, the accused are inocent for the crime adultery coz they are both single and if they love each other why stop them. if it is called adultery then men holding each others hand like lovers lying down the grasses of cornich is also commiting adultery....

im disgusted when a friend holds my hand for a long time, shake hands is ok but strolling on the streets holding each others index finger is something else for me

?????????????

the maid is'nt being punished for adultry as the actually act commited wasnt adultry... they are being punished for the act of intercourse between two unmarried people which is "HARAM" in Islam and since this is an islamic country the laws apply.. thats a prepective for you..

and as for the males kissing on the cheeks, holding hands and nose rubbing as u called it has no "under lyding social bla bla" but are mere cultural habbits THAT BY THE WAY HAVE MEANING, in the gulf they "nose rub".. in sudan each person touches the shoulder of the other.. and in general we all hug.. so please before getting all educated and philosophical.. try to educate yourselfs on the LAWS of THIS country, its religious values and social norms...

as for the murder case, "blood money" applies only if the incident was an accident.. since obviously it wasnt an accident, the respective law applies..but if you share the ideas of "miss canada" where she implied hipocrisy and unprogressive im sure your sponsors will gladly sign your papers and may escort you to the airport if needed...

see...

this is how it is.. you can preach all you want about islam or whatever religion you want but the fact of the matter is that we are all humans and we all have our needs, if our society doesn't allow us to fulfill those needs with the opposite sex then i think you will find more and more people drifting to the same sex, yes kissing and holding hands is common here in Qatar but there a deeper and much darker side that obviously isn't open to the publics views, there are gays in this country and there are Gay male prostitutes (men selling sex to other men) I know of a very recent case where a filipino gay was caught by CID for prostitution, so yes, its alive and active in this country, deny it all you want.

I feel strongly that if this country were more open about relationships between the two sexes then there would be alot less homosexuality in this country, Alot less Rape, harrassment, etc. everyone wants/thinks/needs sexual fulfillment of some sorts.

here take a look at this famous pyschologist, Abraham Maslow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow

and his hierarchy of human needs. Notice whats on the most basic levels of needs along with breathing, food, water and sleep? yes thats right.. SEX.

Its what drives us, it is a very basic need, ffs its what allows our species to live and thrive!

So in conclusion about the maid and her lover getting busted for adultry: They are not at fault, its perfectly normal and natural, they just need to work on not getting caught a bit better. It makes my blood just boil when people get punished for something so trivial in the whole scheme of things. And what really irks me to no extent is how MANY Qatari's are out there sleeping around with gals to no end! whats the term i'm looking for.. hypocrites! thats it! Pretending to be all noble when they are actually doing the same exact things that the prosecuted are doing.. my gosh... grrrr!

Reading from all your insights, inputs, info, additionals and stuff, the question still remains...What Do We Do About It?

I've heard several stories in and around this place about those horrible and hideous crimes, some have been solved, resolved but for most, maybe are still on those cold prison cells awaiting for their turn to hopefully shine.

Again, what do we do about it?

This seems to be the general dictionary meaning, I have been through 3 different sources.....

Adultery

'Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse.\

So Qatari courts are using the wrong term or using it incorrectly, and I am sure it can be fought in a court of law that two unmarried persons are not committing adultery......

It is very sad that in todays modern world, where Arabs seem to commit more adultery than anyone else.... that two consenting adults get "reprimanded" like this.....

And another thing, I read in the article that she had done this before and it went on to describe another incident where they saw her allowing someone into her room..... Now that begs explaination, because if they had a problem with that, why didn't they go and knock on her door immediately and discourage the behaviour.... why give them an hour before taking initiative.... where they intentionally trying to trap her?

Just a thought.

X

Canadians = Whiney nerds of the north

pah, we have been called worse.

otherwise, just enjoying the debate.

deleted

QD06, I don't disagree with you, but my point is that America is a much larger and complex country. Hispanic labor is exploited in similar ways as South and Southeast Asian labor is in Qatar, but you have far greater social services provided for them as well as advocacy groups and all that. Moreover, there is room for social mobility for a considerable number of them. Additionally, their migratory matters are far more varied, and their situation differs based on a number of factors, including locality. And there is, at least, some sort of social awareness and concern about the abuse of Hispanic labor.

I agree with you -- human traficking is a global epidemic. And it exists very much so in America, though the average American is ignorant of the situation (often by choice). We like to see our country as that shining city on the hill, but we forget that many are excluded from joining the privleged on top.

Qatar, however, has its share of extremes. I've never seen anything comparable in the U.S. to the South Indian or Indonesian servant (seems more like slave) that follows her niqabed Qatari owner. The look on their faces breaks my heart. There is a strong sense of confusion and fear. I have no idea what goes on behind the doors of their homes. There is a greater expression of authority and dominance in the master-servant relationship here. The irony, with all due respect to Qatar, is that these people have come from countries with far greater civilizational achievement. There's obvious explanations for that, but this simple fact shouldn't be forgotten.

And yes, adultery is against the law here, but the law is not applied equally. Do you seriously think they'd arrest two Australians for having adulterous sex after meeting at Rydges? No, they don't want to send the white people running. They want more of them.

Your comparison between adultery and prostitution doesn't work. And Prostitution only happens in poor areas? I do think the poor might have less access to 'normalized' ways of sexual activity, but the rich commit adultery and use prostitution in as much as members of other classes do.

Did you say study showers? Eh I think you should begin with the America prison system.Eh At least in Central America they get conjugal visits :-).

I assume in some cases the Qatari men probably do smother there wives.

The same as some of us westerners tend to do the same in public. PDA's -Private Display of Affection as I call it. Why would we have so many kids running around if not? Do you think they just have the kids to satisfy a cultural norm or Islamic norm?

Act your age not your shoe size

@qd06

>>>>>>>>>If that was the case as you guys stated the majority of the people who are homosexual went to a religious or same sex boarding schools. Or the guy who was to afraid to ask some one to the prom or on a date was gay. What about the guys who shower in community showers at the coed gym or school. Are they homosexual? Maybe if we had coed showers guys would not feel the need to stare at the family jewels. Oh thats not homosexual behaviour its just manly men showing off the wares to other men :-). Miss Canada they should do a study on this... >>>>>>>>>>>

No one blatantly suggested that, if A) you went to a private school; then B) you were by nurture probably gay. What we were trying to understand (or at least I was) was “Does social sex segregation effect human behavior (and socialization)?" Basically trying to shed some light and attempt to give a “pseudo-sociological perspective” to why Qatari men are more attracted to the same sex (then to the opposite). Or maybe, I’m way off here and behind closed doors Qatari men overwhelm their partners with obsessive hand holding, hugging and caressing, kisses, nose touching, etc. Basically, you’d have to beat them off with a stick!!

I don’t want to hear, “this form of affection exists because it is a cultural norm. Yes, of course it is the norm and of course, it is part of their culture, but what are the underlying cultural factors that make a person more attracted to the same sex? Any ideas? I think we need to have a (lol) study (of course one of the key factors must include shower time)! Eh qd06? Hey, at least it helps to kill some time in the office!

>>>>As usual, it's the whiney nerds to the north harping about how bad the U.S. is:-) Just some friendly North American verbal sparring.

You mean, the "much more good-looking nerds to the north" ... cold weather does have its advantages! :P

On the subject of Mexican Labor. Where have you guys been? I have done a lot of construction work in the last five years in Houston. I can tell you the countless stories of workers getting stiffed by contractors and others. What is the recourse for them nothing. If they complain the people call Immigration. Sound familiar how many cases here are really about adultery or is it an excuse to get rid of a maid or driver.

The situation is the same as Ahmad explained for the workers here. I asked so many of the guys that I worked with why did they waste their money on beer and cantinas. The cantinas and dance halls are were they hang out on week nights and weekends for alcohol and other pleasures. The next day they are either at the construction site or back at the day labor pools just go to Home Depot or Lowes in any Major US City.

We have stories about human traffickers and employers holding people against their will or making the work for peanuts in America also. This problem is a world problem that even we are not exempt from. I invite anyone to visit me in Houston if they don't believe it happens in America. So don't be so "Holier than thou" to Qataris.

The difference is here adultery is against the law. The same as prostitution is in the America. However in most cases it is ignored by the police because it usually only happens in poor neighborhoods. How many cantinas,massage parlors or above ground escort services have you seen? Where are they usually located? I know a lot expats are homesick but don't over glorify our countries. Human Beings are Human Beings were ever you go and we are all capable of some very questionable behaviour regardless of our societal status.

We tend to over simplify these situations. I know too many people who went to school with girls but still had mad crushes or didn't know how to interact. Come on guys and girls, we know someone like this or it was us be honest. I definitely didn't go to a private school. In some cases it may have to do with accessibility but for the most part no. I know plenty of men and women who went to school, married, and generally mixed with the opposite sex but are to this day are homosexual.

If that was the case as you guys stated the majority of the people who are homosexual went to a religious or same sex boarding schools. Or the guy who was to afraid to ask some one to the prom or on a date was gay. What about the guys who shower in community showers at the coed gym or school. Are they homosexual? Maybe if we had coed showers guys would not feel the need to stare at the family jewels. Oh thats not homosexual behaviour its just manly men showing off the wares to other men :-). Miss Canada they should do a study on this...

(disclaimer it is a joke)

Act your age not your shoe size

Only Love & Respect of Others Make us True Human.

I fully agree with Scoobydooby. Are we ready?

Lets show that we care and after all are humans no matter which color, passport, religion or race.

As an American currently living in Qatar, I can attest to the fact that it is a big stretch to compare the situation of Hispanic (not simply Mexican) workers with South and Southeast Asian laborers here. The social stratification is far more complex there, whereas Qatar resembles more of a medieval caste system. There is a system for integration and naturalization, greater possibility for social mobility, and plenty more social services, and affirmative/positive discrimination.

America has its flaws. Immigrant labor is exploited. It's done on a more discreet level. America's 10-year housing boom was built on the backs of underpaid, often illegal immigrant labor. Same deal in Qatar. But America doesn't have the same proportion of incidents of refusal of pay, murder, rape, etc. of laborers. And we don't prosecute immigrants for committing adultery. I have seen Hispanic immigrants come to the U.S. without much, and end up living middle lifestyles after some years of toil. The situation is far more complex than has been presented above.

As usual, it's the whiney nerds to the north harping about how bad the U.S. is:-) Just some friendly North American verbal sparring.

Anyway, back to the original article, the abuse didn't surprise me. What surprised me was the fact that the sexual practices of non-Western immigrants are highly regulated, yet Westerners are free to frink and duck as they please. I have an idea, why don't all Westerners in Doha practice abstinence for a month in protest? It'll put all the hookers and bars out of business.

>>>Human life might be equally valuable in the eyes of God but unfortunately it isn't valued equally by economics.

SO TRUE!!

>>> Just look at all the poor Mexican migrant workers in the US.

EXACTLY AND LOOK HOW DISFUNCTIONAL AMERICA IS.

I'm no Mother Teresa by all means, but do believe in the good of man.

Just look at all the poor Mexican migrant workers in the US. They do not officially exist (the illegal immigrants I mean). They don't have health insurance, they get paid peanuts and because they do not officially exist, they have no human rights. They are often raped, physically assaulted and sometimes murdered. They are denied medical treatment when they are sick and they live in shacks. This also happens everywhere else in the rich world. Remember the Chinese illegal workers that drowned in England working for peanuts for a gangmaster? Human life might be equally valuable in the eyes of God but unfortunately it isn't valued equally by economics.

My heart goes out to the thousands of migrant workers here trying for a better life, from the ones sitting helpless on the jam-packed school buses - to the lowly man behind the counter trying to regain his composure after being repeatedly yelled at for not serving his burgers and french-fries fast enough. Yes, indeed this is that ‘circle of life’, we all have the desire to better ourselves. This is why we are all here in Qatar right?? I am a firm believer of ‘what comes around goes around’, especially in terms of a society; Doha is being built on the back of slaves (blood money per se). Enough said.

You explain things very well and give us insights that we would not otherwise have. I think you are right in your analysis. Wherever there are poor and vulnerable people there is also abuse. Circle of life.

Many crazy stories happen here, however they usually happen within a specific community and that community seems to be the lower-paid/labour community where it is very difficult for them to live a life where they are expected to function like a machine and only work hard all day wether its being a construction worker or a housemaid these people come here in the first place because they need to earn a living conditions are horrible where they came from, but after a few years comes a breaking point, they are afterall human and they need to socialize and have friends and meet members of the opposite sex and get married and the basic "circle of life" (Elton john music in the background).

When i was younger we had housemaids and drivers and to tell you the truth Human Rights would have so busted my parents for the treatment. I dont mean physical abuse they never hit or touched them, but they pretty much expected them to just work all day and not even dare to daydream! Thats a big price for a human to pay in exhcange for a small room to stay in, a crappy meal and enough money to buy a box of smokes (which they couldnt even smoke).

Back in the day those poor workers came here and saved up every penny and then went back home to open a small store or something to keep the family alive. These days all youth in general have a more selfish outlook on life, they want themselves to come first, and thats why you get a poor worker taking his monthly pay and then spending it on alcohol or prostitution or drugs and having nothing left when he goes back home, the whole working time was spent working very hard like a slave and then a weekend of substance abuse.

Also then comes the link to possible rape while under the influence or sexual harrasement or starting a relationship with another worker in which both end up getting deported or in big toruble.

I see it as a poor-paid/labour community thing where most incidents happen. If you were of a higher employment level and different nationality you will find no problem at all in socializing and having relations with anybody (consentual relations that is).

(Circle of life music fades out in background)

1- No, I believe that it doesn't apply to westerns.

2- As for the murder case, I believe that she will have to pay blood money to the maid's family. No jail sentence. IF you are qatari and have money, you get away with murder.

Miss Canada - Research? Well thanks to my close Muslim Sri Lankin friend I was aware of many of the "normal" things I would be likely to see. So yes I was prepared for this. Having lived in London for the best part of the last decade I have been fortunate enough to meet people from all over the world. They have all added to my view of the world.

He also said that Muslims here do not necessarily reflect Muslims elsewhere. Goes for everyone - Not all Westerners are the same either are they.

I research any company that I may work for - living somewhere new needs the same attention.

I’ve taken my fair share of Psychology classes and found the Human Behavior course to be very interesting. I recall that when animals were secluded based on sex, the females, once re-introduced to a mixed-group would showed signs of overall group reclusion (meaning that they would not socialize with either women or men) and were aggressive. Whether or not this applies to Qatari women is another thing … ha ha!!

No, they wear too much black for me ... I prefer women who dress for the seasons! :)

You are probably right but it is an interesting topic isn't it? I don't know the effect that segregation has on women. Do they become reclusive and distrustful? They are also probably vulnerable to idolising the first guy they fall for just as boys do with girls. I really don't know. I have a young daughter so I would be interested in finding out. Would like to help her avoid hurt and confusion if I possibly can.

Miss Canada: are you looking for a Qatari girlfriend? :)

Ok, plenty of male-male behaviors, what about Qatari women? Do they fancy the same sex as much as the men do?

Oh you’ve opened a nice big can of worms Richard!!

If we’re talking about gender segregation, yes homosexual behavior is more prevalent and noticeable in societies segregating sex. Basically, boys are stimulated by the boys and resort to this practice for sexual gratification (i.e. being overly affectionate to the same sex through touching, kissing, etc).

Having said this, isn't it true that when women are segregated based on sex they in turn become very reclusive and distrustful?

Miss Canada: You might also see men touching each other nose by nose. This means they are close relatives (or belong to the same family).

I do think it is contradictory. I was raised in the US but then went to school in England at age 13. The school was a boarding school and although it was for both sexes most of the boys had never socialized with girls before and they didn't know how to behave. Boys bonded well with boys (sometimes in a homosexual way)but were clueless around girls. They either fell irretreviably in love with them or saw them as sex objects (see the parallel?). I think segregation of the sexes has this effect on male behavior. Ahmad made a similar observation in one of his posts.

@ Richard. Thanks for the info. Good to know. Although, don't you think it is quite contradictive for a country that exhibits overly liberal same-sex behaviors and relations to be so against homosexuality that it is deemed a crime? Are Qatari women as affectionate towards the same sex, as the men?

@ Ivanhoe. >>> Did you not research social norms before coming here.

No, I guess not .Why else would I be asking the question???

Holding hands is not a sign of being gay, neither is the kissing that men do in greeting each other. Did you not research social norms before coming here. These are the social norms for here and many other countries.

Close male friends do hold hands and do kiss each other on the cheeks. It is also normal for good friends to keep holding on to the others hand after the initial handshake. This is a sign of trust and affection and not homosexuality. I have a few Arab friends here and although it is initially a little strange it is also good when this happens as it is a sign of acceptance.

The adultery thing is a different issue altogether. I agree it is a very uncomfortable and strange thing for us but it is completely separate from how males relate to each other.

What an unprogressive country if sexual relations between presumably unmarried consenting adults is considered "ADULTRY"!!

If we're talking relationships, what I find extremely puzzling is that homosexuality is highly illegal and punishable by law in Qatar, yet ... I have never seen so many public displays of male homosexual behavior by Qatari (i.e. same sex handholding, intimate caressing and touching, hugging, etc). Am I missing something, is this only a form of cultural male bonding?

there is more than 50 indonesians maid in the jail and some of them having baby inside there, it's really touching and sad. Maybe we should hear what is their story cause it's completely different. And yes they need help!