Tradition vs. Modernism
Qatar is home to more than 180 nationalities, all from different countries, cultures, and religions. During the this time year, many people are celebrating the holiday season starting with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.
In a conserative and Islamic country such as Qatar, some of these celebrations might be too hard to digest just yet for the local Qatari citizens and hence creating a tension between expats and nationals. Just a few weeks ago, a plan to hold a dance festival where a host of foreign artistes were to perform was shelved due to opposition from the Qatari community.
There is growing concern in the Qatari community about the kind of entertainment events that are organised by expatriates and the hospitality industry in the country, with young Qatari men and women terming some of the events “culturally inappropriate”, and even “extremely offensive.”
People need to remember that Qatar was traditional society some time ago, but over time globalisation has become inevitable after it became a global city. Many Qataris simply feel that their religious and traditional feelings should be respected.
Thoughts?
Source: The Peninsula | Photo: Flickr Group
To get back to the article quoted in the OP, why was a dance festival cancelled? What was so "offensive" about it?
Why are Asian events in Qatar considered to be offensive while western events are embraced as fun?
SC :)
@Thelonius
ANYTHING that is a basic human right over rules any culture any day, including my own. I hope I made that clear.
@Thelonius
That was clearly a metaphor!!!! I thought it was obvious man!!!
@BOXBE
Yes bro, I am a 100% Qatari on both sides of the family. Like I said I've lived abroad a lot so I learned to appreciate cultures AND RELIGIONS of mankind...I always took those differences as an opportunity to see something positive or learn something new....but since a lot of ppl come to Qatar for money, they completely miss the point and they try to make another copy of "Home" in Qatar.
U know I have an Indian friend, born and raised in UAE and I always tell him off cuz he has never ever owned an Emirati article of clothing or even eaten a real Emirati dish. He might know 10 Arabic words in total, it's such a waste. I've had countries I've visited for less than a week and I’ve picked up more than 10 words!!!
SC...no thats wrong...it is the qatari who have mixed the culture by themselves...we "EXPATS" still maintain our culture in our own country...i can proof u that if u come to india...the same culture people are maintaining till today
@Thelonius
AI and HRW observe human "Rights" they don't define cultures....human rights over rule any culture...human privileges do not...and these too r often mixed up in Qatar by many expats.
SUPERCOOL...that is not my question brother..iam asking if ur originally from qatar
@BOXBE
I'll repeat the same line..."We r the Qatari Culture....if we decide to replace Arabic Coffee with hot chocolate shots someday, that will be our new Qatari Culture"
@ Thelonius
You r absolutely right, Qatar has changed quite a bit....but whether for better or for worse is not a valid point at all. look that takes us back to my first point....u can't assume that ur own, or anyone else's values & morals are the same across all nations and along all periods of time, that's a huge mistake....yes that does apply to our forefathers too!!!
The bottom line is, there is not a country on earth that has had the exact same set of values over time, but a 100% of the time, the locals decide how they define their values and value, and there is no amount of observation u can do to allow u to tell us that we don't know Qatari Culture....cuz we r the Qatari Culture....if we decide to replace Arabic Coffee with hot chocolate shots someday, that will be out new Qatari Culture and others who chose to participate are more than welcome.
SC...iam an indian born in qatar....but i see the culture changing as what thelo said...1989 and today..i would say 1981 and today
supercool are u real qatari..:)
Seriously guys I just can't fathom how a non Qatari is trying to teach us our own culture and is telling us what being a real Qatari is....there is something very wrong and disturbing about this!!!!
With all due respect guys, and I do mean that in the most humble way, but who put u in charge of defining what a Qatari Culture is?
Stereo types are often wrong and very misleading. The fact that some expats come here with a pre-perceived notion of Qatar based on what they were told Qatari culture is, or what they have read somewhere about Qatar is risky business....We Qataris decide what being a real Qatari is....and that goes for every country on earth, the locals decide their norm at any given time.
If u were somehow mislead into an image of Camels and flying carpet then, well, it's on u cuz u made up ur image before u ever set ur foot here....again this is not for Qatar only, this is for the whole world.
Thelonius: What exactly is the "real" Qatari Culture ? Surely, all societies / cultures evolve
well said thelonius...yes i agree...qatari should stick to their tradition 100% but many are going away from it
I'm a Qatari who has lived about half his life abroad, has traveled to more than 30 countries and speaks 4 languages...well actually 3 and a half but whatever :P….and many times I still don't get what "some" of the expats r fussing about....ppl often forget that what is culturally and morally acceptable for them might not be the same for others….it’s ok for ppl to be different u know.
Look, one of the main purposes of living abroad is to be exposed to new cultures and try to embrace the differences...to adapt….why would u leave ur own country if u wanna go live somewhere that looks, feels and acts exactly the same!!??? isn't just easier to stay at home???
BUT, I find that it's often the case for ppl who put money first and at the top of their list to experience some kind fo a "Culture Shock".
I will clean up the mess boss :p
you mean Supari...
Shahi deluxe or Tulsi Boss?
MY...i give u kash (cash) to kill kashmala...:p
@Boxbe: Boss so what we have to do now.... :P
kashmala..iam boss of mafia...dont mess with me..:P
that's not called mafia...
if u are saying we are mafia no worries u can say whatever u want & Doors are open for every one you can join our mafia :D :p hahhaha
Seems like U, yasir and gerarra
kashmala...who is mafia here
Wht kind of mafia is this
M also with Gerrrara...
thanks buddy! :)
Mods please remove jeff rockz...he has insulted my good old pal gerarra
this question should be directed to Qataris
Hey Mr. Joker, why not do it yourself while holding your QID.
Gerarra go ........
I am not asking for your salary, im just asking for your job. Anyway I am not helping you fyi, I'm just trying to figure out why a certain person who claims that he is earning "18k riyals" and his occupation in his ID is laborer. Maybe you're a joke.
Will my dear friend if theres any company here in qatar have a LABORER as you speak as my job,that has a salary of 18k rial..what do think?as a matter of fact your not helping!anyway thanks for your comments!good day to you gerarra!
jeffrockz: Then what is your job if you are not laborer?
You very funny you know that!!i wish i could BE LABORER!AT LEAST same as my qid!!
jeffrockz: "Do you think we just sign it w/o knowing what we sign for??i dont think so!!" Then you know what you sign for is 'LABORER'. Maybe you sir, is really working as a laborer, that's why.
jeffrockz: before you get your ID you will sign the application form first. That application form states your occupation. Do you know about that, signing an application form?
Do you think we just sign it w/o knowing what we sign for??i dont think so!!maybe my friend you did not get the experience what we have experience right now!!
Gerarra: i know theres a signature at the back and as far as i know you connot see it first.you just notice when it given to you!!!every worker have a problem of this qid designation..some of my friends actually engr's.but there qid is mason sometimes plummer but they are engr...
I hope their wishes for protecting the culture & tradition are fulfilled .... .....
Sunday, 22.12.2013, 10.32 hrs ...
@jeffrockz: What is REALLY your job here in Qatar?
Are you sure they just give it to you? Will you be surprised if I tell you that your signature is at the back of your ID? And this signature will come from the application form that you signed? Please tell me the procedure on how did you get your QID.
Theres no signing of qid my friend!!they just give to you!!as far as i remember in the first time they hand over to me!!
Theres no signing of qid my friend!!they just give to you!!as far as i remember in the first time they hand over to me!!
I understand if you cannot read Arabic, me too. But still you should have asked for help first. HR should help you and should HAVE explained it to you before signing any documents. If you will not ask or question about everything, then you will not know. Nobody else is responsible for yourself except YOU. What's done is already done. Charge this as an experience and hope that you learn something valuable. Keep your hopes high and PRAY that in time you can change your job position in ID.
@gerarra I wish I could know that!in the firstplace I connot read arabic 2nd they will given to you when you are in qatar or maybe you are in the company already..3rd not easy to change that disegnation writhen in qid..it depends on your company..correct me if im wrong..thanks
@jeffrockz: In the first place if he is not a laborer, then why agree to put "laborer" in his QID?
Drivers license policy..specially qid designation is labor...even thou the person is not labor..hope to change this or have a consideration....in sha Allah.
Traditional slavery is abolished , right now we are practicing modern slavery . This is an example how much we are modernized , yet you people call us intolerant .
When they have decided to become global than they should open their arms to hug and accept values and happiness for all expats... this will create a new image of growing Qatar in the world... The same way Dubai did... Locals their are so cool and willing to gel with expats... Their are so many locals here who are well educated and humble but every coin has two faces...
Old Qatari very respect and behave along their heritage, and young one in the opposite. So colorful !
Nothing is permanent except change.
Thank you, princess boxbe :p
WELL said madam gerarra
They (Qataris) should follow, observe & obey traffic regulations first, especially the young ones. Their reckless driving, I find it “extremely offensive” & "extremely dangerous".
Many Qataris simply feel that their religious and traditional feelings should be respected....I AGREE...but i think the qataris should really be serious when they talk about religion and tradition...we have to follow ourselves first and then say to others
I think that they should allow us to have some of our culture here as well..Just as we respect there religion and culture they should give us the opportunity to have ours! We are already far away from our family and friends, and would love to have some of our culture in this country. Times has changed!!!
Qatar has decided to take a certain path. Whether you term it "progressive" is according to your perception. If locals feel that the direction is wrong, then they should and can approach the authorities to voice their concerns.