You’d think that with all this talk of Qatarisation, things would be a bit easier.
We’re in the process of highering a secretary in the office (not ILQ but my day job office). So we started to search for Qatari secretaries.

We needed an Arabic and English speaker, we thought that we’d want to help Qataris searching for jobs, and that we’d be helping the system.

So we knew that the Ministry of Labour had a list of Qataris searching for jobs. We went to http://www.mlsa.gov.qa/Pages/default.aspx in order to get the number (side note, the English section is under construction and it’s probably going to remain that way for a couple of years).

How can the english side not be up yet? There should at least be a basic page so that foreigners can also search for Qataris to hire, especially if it’s a rule now.

You’ll finally get the following number 4841111. Give it a call. If you get an answer, you’ll win… win….. satisfaction. The type of satisfaction that comes with a hint of shock

We called for three days and nobody answered. How can we help Qataris if nobody answers? Why isn’t the database of employees searching for jobs accessible online?

So my colleague decides to head off to the Ministry and speak to someone. He meets someone in an office who promises to email us the list.

After receiving a list of graduates and non-graduates we go through it systematically.

I’ve now read every unusual name and heard every exception in the book.

- I want to wear the niqab in the office (against policy)
- I want my own office (you’re going to be a secretary..)
- I want a higher salary (do a good job first!)
- I don’t want to be in a mixed office (we live in a mixed world)
- I don’t like your company (fair enough… but if you’re on a government job site should you be so picky?)

The list goes on! We finally find TWO out of 100 people that seem suitable, ask for their cvs, they sound happy, and they send nothing…

As usual everything is messed up. From the institutions to the inviduals the institutions are trying to help.

I recently had a comment asking me why some sections mention where they serve alcohol. The answer is quite simple. For those that want to stay away from places that serve alcohol (or otherwise), it’s a great way to find out about where to go and where not to.

If there’s a hotel for example, it’s a great way to find out which ones are Shariah compliant for those who want it, and it’s also great for those who want the opposite.

Win Win situation if you ask me. IQL’s a community site dedicated to providing people with the honest facts, it’s up to everyone to decide what they want to do with it. No reason for anyone to get overly sensitive

Just a quick reminder to everyone who’s interested in Vodafone and winning some cool prizes.

Head on over to the link for Vodafone’s Landmark Treasure Hunt!
http://iloveqatar.net/forum/read.php?27,5608

I was a bit annoyed and pleased today. My father and I had decided to go to Souq Wagif to go buy some sirwals (the pants we wear under the thobe).
We put on our thobes and head off.

It used to be that it was packed on the weekends but its packed everyday now and finding a parking space is a hassle.

We finally spot a guy leaving and indicate to go in. All of a sudden, from the opposite side, some Indian guy in his 1980’s busted up car starts to nudge in while the guy’s exiting.

He was trying to take our space. My father’s face was shocked. In my mind I was thinking, if this guy tries to just take the space, I’m getting into his car and I’ll reverse it out myself.

I just couldn’t believe how much of a rude person this guy was being! Luckily, another Indian guy with his European looking mates noticed. He quickly jumped in front of the Indian guy’s car and said stop.

My father drove into the spot. As we exited, the guy said “I would never have let that guy go in front of you. I saw you were here first.”

We smiled and thanked the guy for helping us (for getting the space easier and for avoiding a fight.)

After we park, my father walks up to that parking spot theif and says “If you parked in that spot, you’d never come out.”

He looked at us as if he had no soul and shrugged with a tiny smile as if to say “That’s the way it goes.”.

Disrespect to the max.

Everyone, I wanted to share this dinner program that is happening on the 20th. It’s done by my favourite restaurant in Qatar Al Mourjan, so you know you’re going to get some great food and you’re going to be doing something that will make a world of difference!

If you’re interested, just contact the person listed below and let them know that you’ve come from iLoveQatar.net
 
Q.        What is the purpose of this event?
 
“I am sure that we share the same sentiment about the tragic situation in Gaza, choosing not to sit back while the world watches the devastation and bloodshed from the sidelines. Each of us in our own way can do our part to help ease the suffering of the Gaza people, at a minimum. I initiated AL MOURJAN REACH OUT TO GAZA CHARITY DINNER in this spirit”
  Read the rest of this entry »

Ok, bullet mode. My mind was constantly mapping out the journey. Pack. Sleep. Put bags in boot. Work. Finish work. Meet Omar. Leave. Check boot. Buy some snacks (a.k.a snakes). Head for the border.

Driving there was pretty easy thanks to my navigation but I can tell you that the most difficulty you’ll face is in Saudi thanks to lack of signs.

While driving to the Qatar-Saudi border, Omar tells me to get ready, smile, don’t give any lip to the Saudies. I pass the Qatari side smoothly. It’s all very straight forward. Go to window one, show your ID and registration, get some Saudi insurance (daily or weekly) in case you break down in that country, and then get your car checked out (for smuggling and whatnot). It’s the same process once you reach the Saudi side. The difference? It looks like it’s been deserted. Glass if broken, the checkpoints aren’t all accessible and the men don’t smile. Luckily Qatar’s side had cute friendly girls that smiled and tried to make you feel relaxed. In fact, every single person I Read the rest of this entry »

I got over charged by Qtel. I tried to pay once online and it debited my account, however it seems to never have reached Qtel. So I paid by phone trusting the guy on the phone. Sadly though I ended up paying twice for the same bill although their system said I paid once.

I called their customer service but sadly both women I spoke to on the phone were useless. They did not seem to understand what I was saying. I even tried changing the subject when talking about the price of data per mb. I said “Excuse me but the site says it’s 10Dirhams per mb, but I’m getting charged 10Riyals per mb”. She replies with “Yes 10 dirhams is 10 riyals”. Wtf?! So I replied with “Wait so 1mb = 10 dirhams = 10 riyals? I’ll give you 100 dirhams and you give me 100 riyals. You do understand we live in Qatar right?”. She finally gives in to her fault but only after a while. Ah well…

Solution? It’s pretty painless. Get a statement from your bank signed and stamped and take it in with your ID card. Finito. The lesson is that in store they’re customer service is much better than on the phone. I can’t wait to compare vodafone’s service.

Just thought it might help people before they start to panic.

update: It’s now been a week. Three different phone calls each asking for proof of payment -_-; I already did that…. Then they said they were shifting it to another department and assured me it would solved…

I’m sure that many will agree that what’s going on in Gaza is disgusting. A lot of Arabs feel that the world turns a blind eye when Israel masacres innocent people, but scream terrorism when any Palestinian defends himself.

Don’t get me wrong, most don’t support Hamas. Most support the idea of freedom and being able to practice their faith as they like. The argument there is, ‘but there are those that abuse religion or have their own extreme or twisted views”. Yes that’s right, so how about we democratically target those areas and lead a new wave of tolerance?

“Only God can judge me”, yet we live in a society where people judge each other.
“God will lead you into a life of happiness with your partner (wife)”, yet some individuals feel it is necessary to control who you marry.
“Pray 5 times a day”, but some walk out with a frozen heart.

There’s a lot of hypocracy, there is no doubt about it, but we live in a world that’s supposed to try and find solutions by using the brain that God gave us.

Solving the problem with gun’s blazing; just a moment… I’m getting a hint of dejavu..; is wrong and anyone who stays silent doesn’t care about living in a peacefull democracy.

The Jews asked for an apology for the genocide that was sadly afflicted onto their people, yet they mass murder now in the thousands of innocent Muslims.

Photo by Muhammed Basheer

I’m proud of the fact that there are so many in Qatar that want to make it visible that they stand against the killing of the innocent.

iLoveQatar.net says “I Love World”

Oh and quite recently Brazil has been helping out Palestine! Way to go Brazil!

Click here for more

As per my new years resolutions I have been working hard on improving ILQ. Mostly minor tweaks which people will appreciate but might not necessarily notice. That’s the beauty of things that make your life a bit easier. It just blends into your daily routine.

I’ve now added colour-coded stickies to make it easier for people to find a specific type of event easily.

www.iloveqatar.net/forum (check events)

Another convenient update for Mr. Q fans. Now when you visit on your iPhone or ANY mobile device, you’ll automatically be taken to a mobile version of Mr. Q’s Blog, which is faster and will save your precious kilobits.

Now everyone, raise your hands into the air and wave ‘em like you just don’t care.