In the majlis

11 Oct, 2008  Random, Socializing

As I sat in the Majlis with a bunch of my friends, we got to talking about the way that Qatar is shaping.

I just thought I’d share a couple of the comments from the different Qataris (translated from Arabic)

“It’s great that Qatar’s investing in different countries, but how about Qatar invests in fixing up our roads?”

“Why do we need so many rules for something that’s so simple to do?”

“I tried to talk to this woman the other day who was waiting in a cue, I was just trying to have a normal chat and practice my english but she just ignored me like I was trying to hit on her…”

“I think they’re handing out licenses like they’re candy now, when are the traffic police going to start actually making sure people deserve it?”

“They’re tearing down things faster than they’re building them up. Rather than spreading things (entertaining places) they’re putting everything in one area. I can’t handle the traffic!”

Just thought I’d share how some Qataris feel.

  • tallg

    Seems like these Qataris feel the same way as a lot of us non-Qataris feel. I’m guessing that was part of the reason for posting this ;-)

    So do these concerns ever make their way up to the people who are responsible for these issues?

  • Kei

    yeah, Qataris are normal people too. Sometimes issues escalate, sometimes they don’t.

    Sadly though, not all Qataris can do something, it’s only a small percentage that actually have influence.

    It’s actually a stereotype that we’re all rich, have power, can do whatever we want :P

  • tallg

    I assumed that stereotype was correct after I met you ;-p

  • Kei

    lol, must have been my lime green Lambo that convinced you.

  • sweet030_2

    *ahem* After being annoyed of not being able to login using the ‘I lost my password’ feature on this blog and signing up with version 2 of ‘sweet30′, I can safely say that my opinion is at its best right now *grin*.

    Your comment – “I tried to talk to this woman the other day who was waiting in a cue, I was just trying to have a normal chat and practice my english but she just ignored me like I was trying to hit on her…”

    I can understand the hitting part – and maybe you should clarify the following so I can correct my own inherited judgement. I have been warding off talking to Qatari men who approach me because a friend of mine has told me that the Qatari men like playing around the expat girls??? True/Not true – I like to hear a real Qatari’s opinion?

    On a more nicer note, I want to learn arabic – any ideas where I can do this? I can read and write but have no sense of talking the language.

  • Kei

    @sweet, send me an email with the password you want and I’ll reset your password.

    It wasn’t me thought that was trying to chat to a woman, it was a friend in the Majlis who mentioned that.

    Lol I think it’s wrong to say that ‘Qatari men like playing around with expat girls’ because it’s not a Qatari thing. It’s a MAN thing.

    All men from all over the world try to hit on girls. At the end of the day, you can go for a chat and if you feel the person wants more, just kindly say that you’re not interested. Simple.

    To learn arabic, I suggest the Islamic center (the spiral center). Free arabic language classes (and you aren’t asked to convert or anything lol)

  • sweet030_2

    Thank you Kei. What is your e-mail address.

    Not worried about ‘revert to islam’ tactics because I am proudly muslim – I come complete with hijab and sheilah 101 installed *chuckles*

    I just happen to be one of those muslims who were born and raised in a western country who reads arabic salaah and Quran:D

  • sweet030_2

    Ps: what is the majlis?

  • Kei
  • sweet030_2

    hmm interesting…sounds very nice, the majlis that is. Its there a female version of it anywhere?

  • Kei

    well there are thousands of majlises everywhere. Many Qatari homes have their own Majlises.

    They’re neither for men or women, they’re for everyone.

  • sweet30

    Okay thats nice to hear.

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.