Ok not everyone… but there’s new news about the change to the Visa rules.

Limafoxtrot first made a post about the fact that Qatar was changing the rules so that everyone had to go and get visas from an embassy rather than on arrival at the airport. (New Visa Rules from 1st of May)

However it looks like things have changed again! Adam_new posted:

“Hi All

Am not sure if this is true and it would be useful if anyone else can either confirm or deny it but i have heard this morning from a reliable source that the introduction of the new visa regulations has been delayed for an indefinite period”

Lucky for everyone it IS true, read the Qatar News Agency article here (Visa on arrival rule for 33 countries stays)

To be honest, Qatar’s a neutral country. Just because there are other countries in the Middle East that might seem to have a bad image, the west has grouped the whole region as a ‘threat’. The Qatari population is around 250,000, getting into Qatar isn’t the easiest of things to do, and obtaining a Qatari passport is near impossible, so I don’t see a major threat from Qatar at all.

Let’s all pray that it’ll be easier for Qataris to travel I hated the fact that I had to go through so much paper work with the Japanese embassy. I’d like to pay for a visa on arrival please!

So the event’s done. Over 4,000 people turned up and enjoyed the day! If you’re one of the lucky ones that came along, I hope that you managed to get an ILQ/VF t-shirt, ILQ Beachball, VF hat, VF lanyard, VF yoyo, and passed by our booth to get a chance to win two iPhones!

Didn’t attend? Well you better make sure you do next time because you never know what goodies we’ll be bringing along

Photos to be added soon!

Don’t forget that ILQ is sponsoring David Guetta’s event which is today!

Big stuff! Enjoy some fun, freebies, and more!

I was surprised today. While visiting one of my favourite sites www.autoblog.com , I saw the word ‘Qatar’. Yay, we’ve got a mention I thought. Sadly, it made me lower my head in shame.

Someone left their beautiful XJ220 to die. Autoblog got the article from CrankandPiston.com (article here), and by the looks of the photos, it looks like it’s a write-off in the Industrial area. For those that don’t know, the Industrial area is the equivelant of the rusty ship from the movie Waterworld. It’s a dump.

If I find this car, I’m going to chase down the owner and ask to buy it since he has no need for it. (Hopefully it can be restored!)

If you know Mr. Q, you know he loves Apple products. Wait, why am I talking like that…?

Apple’s designs are amazingly simple and at the end of the day, ILQ shares the same love for simplicity. We’re trying to make things look as simple as possible for our users.

So I now need a great case to protect my iPad and make me look like… a.. man in a…. thobe with an ipad in a…. case…. (I couldn’t think of anything smart to say alright?!)

Searching on Google, I couldn’t really find a nice collection of cases (especially slim ones) so I took it upon myself to provide you all with…..

So click on to read more!

Read the rest of this entry »

You heard me, there’s no excuse not to do something this Friday (unless you’re not in Qatar like me).

So what’s going on?

1) Red Bull’s Double Kick in partnership with Vodafone – Besides some great music, fun and games, you’ll also be able to grab some fantastic freebies! Be sure to stop by the Vodafone and ILQ booth!

2) Global DJs present DJ Goldfinger in partnership with iLoveQatar.net

3) Gold Circus

4) Got a few moments? Vote for Nouf and help support Qatar! Philadelphia Cheese has a small competition going and it would be great if you could help support Nouf! Visit http://www.spreadphiladelphia.com/story.php?id=98

If you’ve got something going on this Friday, let ILQ know!

Oh Apple why do you do this to me? Where’s the company that inspired us all to ‘Think Different’. If an Apple employee ever reads this, shrugs, and says “Yeah right”; it’ll be a true tragedy.

So I had ordered some iPads from the US store to be sent back home to me here in Doha. Most stores don’t send internationally, so Aramex’s Shop&Ship’s service comes in handy. For those that don’t know Aramex, it’s basically the Arabian FedEx, but more importantly, it’s our link to the West’s fantastic world of shopping.

What Shop&Ship gives you is a US and UK address so that you can order stuff online, send it to your new address and they’ll forward it off to you.

Sadly though! After ordering everything for the Apple store, I just received an email telling me that they don’t ship to P.O.Boxes OR Forwarders. They also told me that I had a day to change the address or the order would be cancelled. What’s more, they’re enforcing a ‘two per person’ policy.

*sighs* why oh why.

Anyway, so I posted on twitter and facebook that I needed a US address and luckily I had 9 people offer to help out. (Thanks everyone!) but the point is, I’m almost tempted to just cancel my order and give up on Apple…

*twiddles thumbs*

Edit: Want an iPad shipped to Qatar or anywhere?! Visit www.shipmypad.com and grab an iPad. (It’s around 1,000 QR cheaper than most shops in Qatar.

So on February 21st, we mentioned that we’re working together with some very talented individuals in trying to create a great conference forum for those interested in developing the Arab online world. In case you didn’t already know by now, it’s called Arabnet (see info below). You can visit their website over at www.arabnet.me

So if you’re passionate of doing something worthwhile online, would like to meet some pretty talented people, or would like an excuse to visit Lebanon’s party central, then be sure to sign up on their site!

Our fantastic friends over at Qatar Visitor will also be covering the event, so be sure to click on over to their blog!

Mothers day in Qatar is held on the 21st of March, and this year ILQ’s being a part of that. To do our little bit to share a bit of love to the givers of life. iLoveQatar.net has partnered up (yet again) with Vodafone! So what are we doing? At the Vodafone branches in City Center, Landmark, Villaggio and LuLu center, just step in and claim your rose! Remember, this is for Mums!

Or if you’d prefer, we’re also going to be roaming the corniche at night handing out some roses. Are you ready to claim what you rightfully deserve mums? Don’t worry, ILQ didn’t forget you

Note: Yes yes, we did something similar already, but what mother wouldn’t love a beautiful red rose?

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