Qatar: An oasis for exiles
In granting nationality to M.F. Husain, the Gulf state of Qatar has done what it always does best — providing refuge to those in trouble back home.
Whatever be the repercussions in India — ranging from shame to jubilation — the decision has further bolstered Doha’s reputation as the ‘exile capital’ of the world.
Husain happens to be just the latest in a long list of people, who, on being driven out of their homes, have found shelter in the sleepy Qatari capital.
The most high profile of them have been the wife and daughters of Saddam Hussein. Saddam went into hiding after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, while wife Sajjad, accompanied by daughters, Raghad and Rana, slipped into Qatar to live anonymously.
There have been others: Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya, the ex-Mauritania President who moved to Doha, after a coup ended his rule, to Omar bin Laden, the son of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who took up an address in Doha after Spain rejected his asylum appeal and Egypt wouldn’t let him in.
Opening its doors to the “homeless” has been Qatar’s hallmark.
The citizenship for Husain therefore comes as no surprise. His presence has been the talk of the town, at least amongst Indian expatriates. He has been spotted dining and shopping and there is talk of his unlimited access to the royal family.
But what does Qatar get out of allowing Husain or others to inhabit its sparsely-populated territory?
Undoubtedly, it is the high profile that its tiny size could never have guaranteed. Being in the limelight has been Qatar’s state policy — something that it has pursued relentlessly.
The oil- and gas-rich country startled everyone by becoming the first Middle Eastern country to host the Asian Games in 2006. It is now bidding for the 2022 Football World Cup.
It is also Qatar’s desire to leave a global footprint that inspired it to launch Al Jazeera. It is through this bilingual television channel that the country of just 1.6 million seeks to challenge international broadcasters such as CNN and BBC.
What it does is set Qatar apart in a region raven with strife and hatred. It has attempted to bridge divides and broker peace between countries much larger than itself such as Lebanon and Sudan.
Carving a niche is obviously the goal. And Qatar’s position as an unlikely melting pot is cemented by its open door policy, taking in all those in dire need.
Husain has accepted Qatari citizenship and by offering to embrace this Indian artist, Qatar has proven to be bold and different. That is what Brand-Qatar is all about.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/artandculture/Qatar-An-oasis-for-e...
There is only one true exile and that is me. This man can go choke on his paint brush for all I care.
lol..jack, especially with his controversial background..
Will MF Hussain be allowed into the malls on Fridays?
Now that could be interesting :)
in fact we are all self exiled..for a few years, here.:)
to the Danish cartoonist and Salman Rushdie as well. Mr.Hussain hurt the relegious sentiments of the Hindu majority in India and created a rift between Hindus and Muslims just like the Danish cartoonist. I wonder what would a conservative society like Qatar will do with the nude paintings of Hindu gods and godesses by Mr.Hussain.
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Malcolm X
an oasis for exiles huh? Never thought of myself as an exile (yet) :)
...listen to the sound of silence....
Do plenty of Iranians get the same citizenship around here too? Or does it need some higher appraisal or a law that states a citizenship offer?
I even doubt if the president of Doha Bank was given Qatari citizenship, too, as I thought he was still just considered an expat.
When we talk about passports, 'asylum' and 'citizenship' are two different words around here.
"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
Oh great, bush and Saddam in west bay, and I thought I lived in a quiet part of the neighborhood
I heard George Bush now wants Qatari nationality and residence now. Also heard Saddam is still alive and living in West Bay. Now he and Bush could be neighbors.
GOOD WORK QATAR GOVT. For what ever vested interests,ie for publicity, fame e.t.c, any other GCC nation could benefit just as well but nobody has the GUTS /Humanitarian thought to offer help to the many exiles . M.F Hussain cannot be classified as exile as the Indian Govt never Exiled him, he left on his own for greener pastures.
You can be HOT or COLD to me, spare me LUKEWARM!!!!
How come the issue has been raised after decades. The paintings in question that forced Husain to self exile were painted way back in the 70's but astonishingly the public just woke up to that. I wonder how such a country couldn't notice the so called terrorists who came in by boat hundreds of miles afar to bomb Mumbai city..... it seems aaalll is not well....!!
Well he will be dead soon so what does it matter.
sorry to say..but people like you turn a healthy discussion into an agressive one because of your derogatory remarks lashed out at fellow members!
better learn some ettiquettes of speaking to ladies and then join the discussions.hope this suffices.
sorry to say..but people like you turn a healthy discussion into an agressive one because of your derogatory remarks lashed out at fellow members!
better learn some ettiquettes of speaking to ladies and then join the discussions.hope this suffices.
since this is a discussion forum...i am only expressing my opinion!better you take classes/learn how to address others humbly.
when you give respect to art so much,better still if you start respecting people more.better you filter your bozone with these humble thoughts.
sugardady they can also ask for asylum...:)
Win..yes I was kidding:)
FS: I dont think they do...not a bit!! :-)
Winn.. being Muslims..I guess they both have chance..:)
Well, there are more exiles in the queue I guess. Rushdie, taslima and so on...waiting to see whether Qatar will accept them too. ;)
and I dont see how it is a shame for Indian Govt. The govt never banned him and has even given him protection when he was in Mumbai.
smily can any thing filter your bozone .....
What does devout has to do any thing with this....
He has been offered this because of his stature as a brilliant artist .
All artist of any stature have taken beautiful women as their muse .This is not restricted to painers writers poets musicians all have been bitten by this beauty inspires art. Dont degrade beauty with vulgarity.
I wonder if Omar bin Laden is a QLer
--All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt-- Lucy Van Pelt
but yes on the contrary..hussein doesnt deserve a nationality here...he isnt a "devout"muslim too...spent most of his life painting madhuri dixit..going crazy after her..which eventually did not go well with his age!!!!he misrepresents the muslim community!
Just because you don’t agree with his Perspective doesn’t make him a garbage!!!
MF Hussein is a World-renowned artist And was named by Forbes Magazine “the Picasso of India”.
Qatar Have always showed interest in his work. Not to Mention, He was featured in an sole exhibition at the MIA opening last year.
I’ve seen his work last year and I’m really surprised by your narrowed mind for comparing it to the Danish cartoons!!!
this is not a good article from qatar's point of view!!!
this article pokes fun at qatar's activities.
this "sleepy"town has woken up..and by god's grace is doing good in these times of turbulence when other so called fast paced countries are in deep slumber!!!!!!(economically).proud to live here!
Very good article, thanks for sharing
Qatar has proved its generosity once again by giving citizenship to MF hussain. Anyway it is a shame for Indian govt, the biggest democracy in the world.
picking up garbage from other countries?
MF Hussein is no better than the Norwegian Cartoonist.
Thriving in cheap sensationalism by abusing one religion and cheaply playing to the gallery for media attention.
Whats funny is how the hypocrites scream from rooftops supporting MF Hussein and extolling creative freedom, artistic liberties and blah blah and suddenly turn around and issue death sentences on the Norwegian Catoonist. Pathetic double standards.
Religion is a personal choice and no one should be encouraged to insult it. What is wrong for the Norwegian Cartoonist is bad for garbage like MF H also.
We cant have different standards to suit our personal agenda.
i had no clue bin-laden had/has a son..
Interesting Article...but no comments...
I had no clue bin-laden's son was here :O