I’m not going insane. It’s something I’ve always wanted to talk about and a commenter on the “Qataris are Rich – The Myth” post had touched on taxes and brought this back on my mind.

I don’t want to be taxed like crazy (like how the UK does to its people) but maybe a slight tax would be a good thing. (I’m talking about income tax and none of that VAT stupidity!)

Imagine if Qatar taxed citizens 1-2% of their salary for example.

1) That should be enough to beautify the country, parks, water systems, lights, etc…

2) People would demand that the country does something with their tax money

3) People would start conciously thinking of their financial status

The government should also provide tax breaks.

1) If you build a garden or put grass outside of your house, you get a 50% tax break (this forces people to beautify Qatar to avoid paying tax)

2) If your organization (or even your household) does something charitable, you get a tax break

If you think about it, Qatar is the ‘perfect’ country to have tax.

1) The taxes aren’t ‘needed’ by the government, which means that it should remain stable.

2) The tax money they generate would be considered a ‘bonus’

Who can give me their views on tax?  Good? Bad? If you think it’s good, explain why? Remember, don’t just think of the economic impact, think of society, psychology, bureaucracy, etc..

I’m feeling proud today. Despite being sick with a fever and a soar throat, what happened today was great.

I was asked to speak at the ictQatar Business Connect seminar today at Al Sharq Village. http://www.ictqatar.qa/output/page977.asp however what I experienced today was something special. The conference halls were packed full of people. Who knew there would be so many people that would be interested on starting up online businesses?

I’m not going to act indifferent, (as some do to seem ‘cool’), since I was ‘stoked’ for lack of a better word. In the middle of my presentation, I had a standing applause, and by the end, I had swarms of people coming up to me, and various companies that all wanted to be a part of iLoveQatar.net

Long story short, it was just the type of moral support that I needed to rejuvenate my enthusiasm. Of course, I also appreciate the fact there are so many people online and in the Qatari community that support me on a daily basis!

I’ll be posting my presentation up soon  for you to go ahead and read through at your leisure

update: as promised here’s the presentation and the presentation transcript.

ILQ ICT Presentation
ILQ ICT Transcript

So ILQ sponsored the Art Dog Day and the Fur Ball that happened some days ago. It was so great to be a part of a fun event! We’re taught in our faith, that it’s important to treat all of God’s creatures with respect.

Let’s look at the concept of Halal for example (no I’m not encouraging eating your pets! Relax!) The reason why we have Halal food is because it’s a human way of killing livestock. So it’s funny how someone can go and kick a cat, but then ask for a Halal burger. Ah well, I digress!

Interested in seeing a few photos of the event? Click here http://iloveqatar.net/forum/read.php?5,12035

If you were one of the attendees, you could have picked up some ILQ freebies, like one of these Beachballs!

Some people may have notice, but there’s now a little donate box on the left side of ILQ courtesy of Vodafone. (Right underneath ILQ’s Labour force donation button). They’re making it easy to donate to charity and all you need to do is select how much you’ve got to spare!

So if you’re feeling generous, go ahead and donate! Just visit http://www.iloveqatar.net and share a little

Seems like Qatar is lighting up with stars! Just yesterday a friend comes to my desk and says ‘Do you know that Brad Pitt and Angelina are having lunch at the W Hotel?’

It was an awesome feeling just to know that they’re here in Doha. Loads of celebrities are here supporting a couple of events.

We’ve got the Doha Tribbeca Film Festival (which is still going on and is at the Corniche, has it’s own out door cinema set up, fireworks at night, partly hosted in the Museum of Islamic Art, and is doing stuff all over.

Then there’s an ILQ supported event by 21st Century Leaders. They’ve brought over celebrities to take part in a charitable event including Sir Ben Kingsely and Josh Hartnett (perhaps we’ll be able to get a few ILQ shout-outs!).
It’s a fantastic concept. Tell celebrities to draw something related to peace, put it on merchandise, sell it, and then give the profits to charity.

I’m very proud that iLoveQatar.net will be working closely with them to support charitable causes! If you’ve got an idea or a suggestion, do let me know!

Also! What other celebrities have you heard are here?

My Grandmother (God rest her soul) was a great person, she sadly died of a rare form of cancer and it was a great blow to our family. (But I can proudly say that she did a lot of good in this world before going off to heaven )

Think Pink Qatar aims at trying to create a support group, increase awareness, and hopefully influence those who can, to donate in the fight against breast cancer.

For those who didn’t already know, here’s a reminder about The Walk for Life! <— Click there more more information.

There’s some great supporters of this! Just to recognize them, iLoveQatar.net (Our second year now!), Vodafone, Qatar Happening, HSBC, Qatar Gas, Toyota, and Harely Davidson. (I’m sorry if I didn’t mention someone.)