I posted this back in early April, however I just had to post this again for those who don’t visit ILQ’s forums.

There’s a lot of good in Qatar, and there’s so much potential but where’s my government? I know there are many that are working hard to make a difference, but it’s not enough!

In Islam, we’re taught that we should treat everyone fairly. We’re taught that we should be tolerant and patient. We’re taught that we should always help those in need.

Now’s summer time, and the summer time work hours have kicked in. So if you see any labourers forced to work then contact the Qatar National Human Rights Authority on 444 4012 or 431 6542. Nobody should be working from 11:30-3pm.

I’m proud that Qatar’s own Al Jazeera reports this.

On a side note, it’s funny how many ignorant people there are out there. There are even those who ‘assume’ that by the title of ILQ that it’s all about the good side. No it’s not. It’s about loving your country so much that you want to make it a better place. It’s about wanting others to love it to, and to do that, we have to make a difference.

Classic case of judging a book by it’s cover; or in this case a site by it’s title.

Qatar’s taking some giant leaps when it comes to the environment and freedom of speech. I think it’s great that the government and other institutions are starting to become more aware and better yet, trying to spread awareness.

We’re also seeing the Human Rights Authority becoming more proactive, the Ministry of Business and Trade suspending companies for breaking rules, the Traffic Authority advertising road safety campaigns, and companies like Qatar Airways focusing on going green.

What I do hope though is that this is not just a ‘fad’ and that those involved will not end up becoming hypocrits. This is, put simply, a case of ‘practice what you preach’.

Here’s some news:
Media urged to be objective

Transactions of 148 firms suspended

 Hotline set up to combat human trafficking

 Traffic Week to focus on cellphone use risks

Green building meet from March 17

Anyway, I was just pleased to see such positive change!

On a side note, if you want to get all the latest news (from Gulf Times, The Peninsula, and others) in one easy spot just subscribe to the Qatar News Twitter feed!

A while ago I ranted about how spitting is a disgusting habbit and it’s visible that some nationalities have the tendancy to do it more than others. It may be the norm in some countries, but culturally in Qatar, it’s seen as offensive, rude, and filthy. Yes if you see a Qatari do that he’s either uneducated or really had to spit and didn’t have a choice.

I wrote about how I wish there was a law that penalised spitting. Voila! The government has done just that. It’s now 500 QR if you’re caught spitting. Now we just need the police to actually…. police it… So it’s with that, I saw that we need to use the commission structure and give them 5-10% of penalties. Problem solved.

After searching for a suitable image to go along with this post, I found that no spitting signs are common in China, America, Singapore, India, and Korea.

Article here

I just had to comment on something which is a perfect example of how sometimes the government has good intentions, but the solution isn’t really thought out.

This was a response as to the issue of fake companies issuing visas to labourers, where the company doesn’t exist.

“Al Rais who is a prominent member of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), made his comments in Qatar daily The Peninsula.

Al Rais explained how the bogus companies sell off work visas to manpower agencies abroad and then when the foreign workers arrive they are left stranded.

“I have been urging the authorities concerned for long to classify private companies into three categories: A, B and C, (signaling their treatment of foreign staff) to help end the problem of abandoned and absconding workers,” said Al Rais, who employs more than 3,000 foreign workers himself.

Grade ‘A’ companies should be the ones operating for 20 years or more with a track record of treating their workers well.

Firms existing for less than 20 years and more than 10 with no worker-related problems, should be put in category ‘B’.

New or even old companies with known problems related to workers should be classified as ‘C’ and they should not be given work visas at all, explained Al Rais. ”

I understand why the authorities don’t accept this, it doesn’t make sense! So let’s say I, a hard working and honest Qatari, started a business. Since my company is brand new, I’d be classified as C and wouldn’t be able to hire staff and receive work visas. What this means is that only established companies can hire staff and new ones will cease to exist. Unless I’m expected to run the company alone for 10 years first!

*sighs* Hopefully they’ll rethink things and suggest something a bit more intelligent. How about actually doing inspections on companies once or twice a year? I know it’ll take a bit more effort from the authorities side but that’s why the government is there, to make the people’s lives better

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.

Here’s a little video clip

Enjoyed some great food by the sea at Al Mourjan, smoked a bit of Shisha, watched the waves, chatted with good friends, and enjoyed a fantastic fireworks show.

Last year, there wasn’t much going on for National Day in Qatar. In fact, there were more decorations for Christmas than there were for Eid or ND. It was that issue that sparked a lot of complaints from Qataris asking why nothing has been done. It was with that, Qatar decided to do a huge event this year. There are other factors included as well. Look at the launch of the Museum of Islamic Art, The Media Expo, Qatar Media Freedom Center, the involvement in Philipines resolutions, advancement in Human Rights, and the launch of other huge developments for example. Qatar’s definately in the spotlight and Doha will continue to shine bright as long as changes keep happening.

Why are Qataris so proud? Well we haven’t had that much to be proud of for a long time. Our Emir has brought so much change and development to Qatar that there’s something to almost brag about. A typical Qatari will gladly sacrafice a lot for his country. Look at ILQ for example. The company was formed as a way of making Qatar a better place. The Emir has done so much to make our lives better, so why don’t we lift the burden off of his shoulders a bit and try to help?

So whether you’re Qatari, American, British, Indian, Philipino, Japanese, Chinese or any other of the many diverse nationalities on this small Earth, please celebrate National Day with us! Let happiness run through you like a rush of energy. With each firework that goes off on the 18th of December, smile. Let it represent the sound of the country’s heartbeat.

One common question I’m asked is how can your National Day be changed? Well it’s not an independence day, so it’s never changed. National Day is the day of the country and has been changed to reflect a major change in Qatar. A new direction. A new day.

What’s an assumption? It’s probably the most powerful tool any individual can use against a person; that-is-to-say, you can say something without really saying something, then deny it because you never said it. Phew, what a mouthful. A smart person would use the old saying “To assume only makes an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me”. It’s true. If you’re left assuming something, it would be better to ask if that’s what someone meant.

Alright, enough with that. What I’m leading into will hopefully be clear by the end of this blog post but one thing I’ll shed light on now is, this is about Barack Obama.

Assuming, (yes here it is), that Barack has Muslim ties, his name probably stems from the Arabic word Baraka which means Blessings. (Also see the saying “Barack Allah Feek” meaning God Bless You).

Barack is indeed a Blessed person after reading a bit about his history but his past life isn’t what I wanted to talk about. I’m hoping that he’ll be able to bring Blessings to the world so it’s his future that I care about. It’s sad, but to some it’s comforting, that the US has become so influential that we look to the same country that caused certain problems for a saviour. It’s the equivalent of getting shot in the face by a stranger, then hope he’ll take you to the hospital….. It’s also the same as thanking them if he’s done it.

Why does the Middle East care that Obama has won? Most probably because Read the rest of this entry »

Besides being a term to also describe the state of a well trained man by his wife (or girlfriend), in this case, it’s not a funny thought.

I read an article on the Gulf Times (see here) where ‘Bachelours’, were being WHIPPED if they tried to enter family areas.

I was in the souq a few days ago and saw the police turning away Indians (or labourers) trying to enter specific areas of the souq. Those areas being where the cafes and restaurants are.

At that time, I saw one police man say “No entrance here, go to the other area of the souq”. On the other hand another police man said “Go! Get!” and shoved some of them away.

However now they’ve resorted to whipping?! It’s just unacceptable! Fine, maybe some may not understand, how about you employ an Indian police guy to translate. How about you put a sign up in THEIR language to let them know which areas are family areas.

I’ll be honest, I’ve heard stories from women saying that some men stand there and stare at them while they’re at the cafe and ‘touch’ themselves… That’s something they should be whipped for probably, but hitting them as if to steer them like cattle is just… I’m lost for words. I’m going to contact the Human Rights Authority to see what they have to say about this but WTF???

The thing is, there aren’t that many social areas in Qatar these days because everything is under construction. I understand that sometimes, it’s not a pretty site when you have some labourers, not dressed well, sometimes reaking of B.O., and staring and touching themselves, but it’s still wrong to whip.. 

I don’t even know what to say, and in this case, I really don’t have a suggestion to make to make both sides happy… the labour city will help that’s for sure (with the malls, sports complexes and gardens for them) but it’s not enough… 

Perhaps some of the readers of this blog can comment and shed some of their own insight?

Side note: Family areas in Qatar Souq Wagif, Souq Najda, and The Corniche. The family times are until 7pm. Then it’s open to everyone

This has become an issue that I hope that the Ministry of Traffic will deal with. Where are the beautiful Traffic Police cars that the government recently invested in. You used to see the traffic police everywhere and they used to enforce the law. Nowadays, they’re more concerned with sitting in their cars and chatting.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met police and some of my friends work in the police and I’m proud of them, but I think that it’s time to stir things up. Look at the Lekhwia. They’re supposed to be Qatar’s security force. Yet I notice that they’re doing the Traffic police’s job!

Look at this accident that happened at La Cigale the other day. An FJ crashed straight into the center of a restaurant (luckily it was empty at the time).

Who’s to blame? I dont want to point fingers but, the roads and streets don’t encourage people to slow down, people are getting licences too easily, there aren’t enough deterants, and the list goes on.

We need more of Qatar’s Traffic police roaming the streets and enforcing the law. Talking on the phone? Fine! Not signaling? Fine! Not leaving enough space between yuo and a car? Fine! Trying to jump a cue? Fine!

All of these basics need to be embedded into everyone.

I say we follow Dubai’s method and put the whole country on a year probation. People need to learn how to stay in their lanes, indicate properly, not to stick out half way on a round about etc…

Common dear Qatar, help the country before its too late.

Who’s with me?