Visiting Qatar: Religion and Society
Despite the rapid development of Doha, Qatari society remains conservative and Islam is an integral part of daily life.
Islam is the dominant religion in Qatar. Two-thirds of the population is Muslim, followed by Hindus (15% of the population) and Christians (also 14%). Arabic is the national language, although English is widely used in business. More than 100 nationalities live in Qatar, so you can hear many languages on the streets of Doha and in shopping malls.
Qatar may be rapidly modernizing, but society remains conservative. Generally, immigrants living in Qatar must respect local traditions and conform to social norms, such as conservative dress.
Above all, they must respect the Islamic faith. It is important to know that criticism of the royal family is taboo, as is public criticism of Qatari politics.
Life in Qatar can be comfortable. There is a brand-new public transportation system, smooth highways, and an airport with flights to every corner of the globe. In addition, there is housing for any budget, any international brand you want, and on top of that a tax-free salary.
The country is increasingly urbanized, and about 90% of the entire population works and lives in the capital. Outside Doha is a barren peninsula, a mixture of stony desert, sand dunes and over 530 km of coastline. Only 1% of the land is suitable for cultivation, so Qatar imports the vast majority of its food.
However, despite the rapid development of Doha, Qatari society remains conservative and Islam is an integral part of daily life. In addition, some emigrants have a better life than others - the wealthy can enjoy an excellent quality of life, while some migrant workers face unfair treatment and exploitation.