I will be speaking on a panel of female Muslim bloggers on Tuesday, March 9, 6pm, at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (in Education City).
Fellow panels include Dr. Amal Al Malki, one of the first female Qatari faculty members in Education City; and Shelina Janmohamed, British author of Love in a Headscarf.
Details below. Hope to see you there!
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Husain's announcement of Qatar's citizenship offer (The Hindu)
By SHABINA S. KHATRI
GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
The Internet is abuzz with news that controversial Indian artist MF Husain, 95, has accepted a rare offer of citizenship from Qatar, a tiny conservative country in the Arabian Gulf. Husain, arguably one of India’s greatest painters, has been working in Qatar on a project involving the history of Arab civilization at the behest of the country’s first lady, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Misned.
The conferment of citizenship has surprised many as Husain faces numerous obscenity charges in his home country, which he left in 2006 after nude paintings of Hindu deities he produced in the 1970s were brought to light, spurring protests, vandalism and threats.
On Twitter, @Iveegee said:
This is bizarre news. What does Qatar stand to gain from giving him citizenship?
N. Ram, a journalist who first broke the news of Husain’s citizenship conferment in an editorial for the widely read English-language Indian daily The Hindu, called the development “an honour to Mr. Husain, to his artistic genius, and to the India-rooted civilisational values he represents. Nevertheless, it is a sad day for India.” On the popular online forum Qatar Living, the news generated 116 comments before the site was shut down for maintenance over the weekend. Some applauded Qatar, a Muslim monarchy’s, support of artistic freedom, while other wondered where India, a secular democracy, went wrong.
Commenter Landcruiser_Qatar said:
Very talented person and crapy countrymen running hate campaign. Hats of to MF Hussain.
Thoufy said:
is this democracy….?????? is this democracy….?????? Very Shame to our country…
Husain’s exile from India is admittedly self-imposed, and Indian politicians are saying he is free to come and go as he pleases. However, as dual citizenship is not possible in his home country, Husain will have to give up his Indian passport to become a Qatari. In India, Twitterati have been responding to the news with a steady stream of messages, ranging from penitent to petulant.
@gurgaonharyana said:
m f hussain accepts qatar citizenship.big loss for india.we r such jerks.
@gulpanag said:
So Hussein accepts Qatar citizenship.Well,if his country of origin cannot guarantee his safety/wellbeing,he does have a case.
@rajizm said:
if he so couregeous let him paint some muslim painting in qatar nude and u will see he is dead next moment
What kind of freedom of expression Husain will be afforded in Qatar remains to be seen. Qatar Living commenter heero_yuy2 said:
I hope he won’t have a hard time florishing his artistry here if we still even have some trouble on media freedom around here.
And svelte_saggi said:
Anytime that religion has been represented as art in a derogatory manner,it has ended in chaos.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Clips, doha, free speech, global voices, india, mf husain, qatar | Leave a Comment »
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton answers questions at a town hall meeting in Doha, Qatar (Shabina S. Khatri)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced an unsmiling but polite crowd of students and faculty on Monday during a town hall meeting at Carnegie Mellon’s Doha campus as she tried to rally support for a fourth round of sanctions on Iran.
Addressing an audience of some 500 people from various universities across Education City, Clinton described Iran as an uncooperative rogue entity that is “moving toward a military dictatorship.”
“Part of the reason why we’re so focused on the nuclear threat from Iran is that it would be very destabilizing for the countries in this region,” said Clinton, who addressed the same issue at the US-Islamic World Forum in Doha on Sunday.
“The engagement offer (to talk diplomatically) is still there, but it is important for us to work with like-minded countries who share our concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” she said. “We have to work to take action to convince the Iranian government not to pursue nuclear weapons.”
- Mohammad Marandi, political analyst, University of Tehran
Tehran, which denies that it is building a nuclear bomb, announced last week that it had begun enriching uranium for a medical reactor.
Skeptical crowd
Clinton’s message seemed difficult to swallow for many in this tiny oil-rich Gulf country, including Qatar’s top officials. But holding fast to Arab hospitality – and the desire to maintain relations with both the US and Iran – dissent was couched in the most diplomatic terms.
“We are a small country, so peace and stability is important for us,” Prime Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani told Clinton during Sunday’s forum, which was organized by the Qatari foreign ministry and US-based Brookings Institution.
“During our talks, Iranian officials assure us that they are not making a nuclear bomb, but when we hear from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), they express suspicion,” he said.
Earlier this month, just days after accepting US weapons meant to deter Iran, Qatar sent its heir apparent to meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, in Tehran.
When asked about whether the US is considering launching a military attack on Iran, Clinton said “no,” but added that the administration would not “stand idly by” while the country pursues a nuclear plan that threatens its neighbors.
Iran remains defiant
Meanwhile, many in Iran scoffed at Clinton’s remarks.
In an interview with Qatar-based television network Al Jazeera, Mohammad Marandi, a political analyst at the University of Tehran, dismissed her accusations.
“If we give Hillary Clinton some more time, she will be blaming Iran for global warming as well,” Marandi told Al Jazeera.
During Monday’s forum, Clinton also fielded questions about Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US relations with the Muslim world after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: doha, Education City, Hillary Clinton, Iran, nuclear weapon, qatar, US | 1 Comment »
Chocolate fondue at Maya La Chocolaterie (Omar Chatriwala)
Chocolate is a treat versatile enough to be enjoyed at every occasion and no occasion, by old and young, a delight for princes and paupers alike.
But not all chocolate is created equal.
The great stuff is almost always novel, comes specially made and of course tastes drop-dead delicious. It is not always easy to find or afford, but we’re lucky enough to live in a land that has done a remarkable job of attracting and hosting some of the world’s best confectioners.
My top 10 list of places to get a chocolate fix in Qatar is a testament to that. Though it contains some inexpensive options, I must warn you that good chocolate usually comes from far far away, and it’s not cheap.
Still, there’s no need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to satisfy your sweet tooth. I haven’t forgotten about you, thrifty readers – nearly all of the places on this list, which you can find at Qatar Visitor, are happy to let you try before you buy, so bon appétit!
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: chocolate, dessert, doha, eats, food, qatar, Qatar Visitor | Leave a Comment »
If it seems like there is no rhyme or reason to Internet censorship in Qatar, it’s because there isn’t. Though it is the second most connected country in the Arab world (behind the UAE), Qatar has been slow to establish any rules about what its residents can see, hear or say on the Internet.
The Qatari constitution protects privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of the press, but it also contains clauses that permit ISPs to spy on Internet users and require them to turn over any data upon government request.
Without any rules, bloggers must use their best judgment when publishing online in Qatar – or end up like Lisa Clayton, an art history professor in Doha who was publicly rebuked in December 2009 for comments she made on Qatar Living, a popular local forum.
“It’s not a question of any organization or agency that tells you what the boundaries are on the Internet,” one government official said. “Most of the bloggers or people writing online – they have to look into the local sensitivities; they have to have an understanding of the political ecosystem.”
For the full article on navigating the Internet in Qatar, check out Qatar Visitor.
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: censorship, doha, ictQatar, Internet freedom, Media, Politics, qatar, Qatar Visitor, religion, sex | Leave a Comment »
I’m on Youtube! I was invited to speak at ictQatar’s Mudawanat conference earlier this month on a panel of expert bloggers.
Though Arabic is the world’s fifth most widely spoken language, Arabic speakers represent less than 3% of all web users, according to Internet World Stats. The purpose of this conference, which was held in English and Arabic, was to nurture interest in blogging in Qatar and across the region. Read more about the day’s events at The National.
I was humbled to speak on a panel of such high-caliber bloggers. The point I tried to get across was that you don’t have to have a lot of free time or be famous or special to blog. You just need to have something of value to say and be willing to share it.
Enjoy my small contribution, and please ignore the drooping mic!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: blogging, conference, Mudawanat, Shabina S. Khatri | Leave a Comment »
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
WWW.KHALEEJESQUE.COM
When it comes to explaining Qatar to people who don’t live here, I am often at a loss. How to convey a country’s essence – its chaotic blend of traditions, cultures, faiths and food – to someone who has not experienced any of these sights, sounds and tastes firsthand? It is not an easy task.
Enter Shades of Doha. The series of documentary-style short films featuring familiar characters around Doha, including a street barber and a bread maker, was first created by journalist and British expat Omar Khalifa. Recently, he developed Shades into a mini-series for Qatar’s National Day.
What can Shades tell us about Qatar, and our place here?
I recently put that question and others to Khalifa, the 28-year-old director/producer. Read on to learn more about the series and Khalifa’s next film project, as well as his advice on staying true to one’s self and beating the #1 expat complaint in Doha – its infamous loneliness.
Khaleejesque Team: How did you get tied up with National Day?
Omar Khalifa: I was called by a producer friend of mine who said that somebody he knew liked the short films I had been making and wanted to meet me. Open, keen and blind-happy to the opportunity, I said yes. After meeting the guy – the creative director for the National Day programme – in a rather stately-looking building, he asked me if I’d like to make some more of my Shades of Doha series for the month-long channel dedicated to the forthcoming National Day. I jumped at the chance, formally agreed, and left the meeting wondering exactly who, indeed, I’d been talking to. As it happens, it was Peter Webber, the Acadamy Award-nominated director for Girl with a Pearl Earring, which gave me even more of a kick.
KT: What is your official role?
OK: I am the director of Shades of Doha. But I was also the cameraman, and bit-part editor. I had a producer and editor on board, but otherwise it was quite an intimate little project, the way I’d always envisioned it.
KT: What is Shades of Doha? How does the series relate to National Day and Qatar?
OK: A vibrant documentary-style mini-series, Shades of Doha gets to know the people and places that make Qatar what it is today. From the legendary medicine man to the famed falafel-maker, and the Bedouin camel saddler to the illustrious oud player, Shades of Doha paints a colourful first-person portrait of the country’s characters. Shades was borne out of a desire to celebrate the unique cosmopolitanism and diversity that Qatar heralds and will reflect during its National Day on December 18th.
KT: Which is your favorite?
OK: My favourite is the medicine man. We turned up at closing time, he didn’t seem to like us much, and he looked a little down. But we chatted with him off-camera for an hour about life’s mysterious ways, and he warmed to us. Eventually he agreed to let us shoot, and I made sure we were recording within 20 seconds before he changed his mind!
KT: Has working on QND changed the way you look at Qatar at all? Have you learned anything new about this place?
OK: Getting my hands on the QND vision has given me an insight into what Qataris enjoy about their nationality; about their statehood and how they see themselves. Over the course of the shoot, I learnt a lot about Qatar’s recent tribal history, and its race to modernity. The Shades were effectively based on well-celebrated Qatari people and institutions too, so I got to hone in on where the locals spend their time. I had a lot of chai with some fantastic characters.
KT: What is your future vision for the project/series?
OK: I think it’s time to put the Shades project to bed! From the initial Shades I made before National Day, to the ones neatly wrapped in the last week, it’s probably about time to goodnight them. I’ve got a house-sized list of other projects to finish! I’ve shot 16 Shades in total – some for myself as a way to learn filmmaking techniques and develop my own style, and some for the National Day project. Two – the fish seller and shisha man – will forever remain unfinished.
Sometimes a series-based film project can get saturated, not only in your approach, based on the amount of time you’ve simply spent with it, but because when more factors are added to the equation – people, different equipment etc – the art can lose its original resonance, and filmmaking starts to become less appetising. The Shades for QND, I would say, are vastly different to the Shades I made originally. The concept, direction and focus changed, which felt more like a loss than a gain at the time of delivery.
Ultimately, I wasn’t making them for me anymore. But that was also the challenge. There is a buzz about making TV and filmmaking, for me, is as much about creating visual art as it is project management. If you can marry the two, your production will run smoothly and your product will be a winner. I felt immensely proud to be on the QND project, there are some fantastic people involved in its production and I hope to work with them in the future.
KT: Any hints on your next project?
OK: Making films in Doha has made me want to open an independent cinema here. Fans of world cinema, who want to watch a film en francais one Friday with a latte on a comfortable sofa – I want to give them that place. In terms of film projects, I have a music video to shoot, I’ve got a few short films I want to make and I want to start pushing the boundaries of *DSLR cinematography. These things are incredibly powerful now. I’d recommend any aspiring filmmaker to get one. (*Digital SLR cameras are a hybrid between digital still cameras and high-definition video cameras. They allow you to achieve cinematic shallow depth of field and expressive cinematography at relatively low prices (www.dslr-cinematography.com)
KT: Qatar can be a lonely, isolating place for expats. Any advice to people on getting out there and enjoying themselves?
OK: As an expat myself, I’ve been through all the emotions, just like anyone else. The best thing to do is always have a holiday ahead of you when you come back from the last one, even if it’s a little break to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Bahrain. Frankly, this can apply to anyone anywhere – I’d say this to someone running aground in London too. Doha’s investing in its tourism sector heavily, so in the next five years, there’ll be a bag of things to do. For now, my favourite place is a simple, green, open place – Aspire Park behind Hyatt Plaza. There, you could be anywhere.
Get to know more about Shades of Doha by checking out the site here.
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: doha, film, khaleejesque, Media, omar khalifa, photography, qatar, qatar national day, shades of doha | Leave a Comment »
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
Fed up with criticism of their culture and people, Qataris have begun organizing a campaign to shut down Qatar Living, the country’s most popular online forum.
A recent series of Qatar-bashing posts on QL have fueled the outcry and prompted college student Amal to start a Facebook group called anti-qatarliving.com on Sunday. The description reads:
This group is to protest against a website called qatarliving.com where many expatriates who live in Qatar post long threads where they criticize the Qatari citizens and culture using very rude and vulgar vocabulary.
Many of the expatriates on this website (not all of them but most of them) use bad language when talking about Qatari people. They have called us names such as pigs, uncivilized, racist barbarians, and many other hideous names. They say that we cannot survive without them and that we cannot handle or manage our country. They also say that they are the ones who built our country fo us and the ones who are teaching us how to behave like humans.
Our aim is to have this website closed for good and teach whoever is attacking our Qatari identity that Qataris should not be underestimated and underrated and we want all of them to see how vicious we are whenever anyone goes beyond their limits while talking about Qatar.
These people have no appreciation of what this country has given them and we will not let them get away with all of this.
Over the past week, various threads on Qatar Living contained scathing critiques of the country’s people and culture. One such thread, which has been removed by QL moderators, included a rant by commenter PM, who was upset by the rowdy behavior of some local teens on Qatar National Day (Friday).
PM’s post angered many locals, who called on advertisers to pull their support of QL.
According to local newspaper The Peninsula:
Some remarks against the festivities and the people of Qatar as well as Asian expatriates were in bad taste and smack of racism, said Mohamed Al Jufairi, a civil engineer.
Al Jufairi said he has received American education right from school to university levels and know what constructive criticism is. “But the comments about Qatari nationals and National Day are really humiliating.”
“We are all for freedom of expression but that does not mean you cross boundaries and heap insults on us,” he said.
Remarks that all Qataris are arrogant and egoists are not correct since a large number of them are simple-minded and good people. “Some of us may be bad but to say that all of us are arrogant cannot be true.”
In another QL thread, posted two Decembers ago but resurrected by commenters on Sunday, a disgruntled Canadian woman lists all the reasons “Qatar sucks,” including the weather and “lack of culture.”
gabaee writes:
And finally my biggest problam about Qatar is how they allow all these labours to come and work here like dogs. They should at least be allowed to bring their wives here with them, so that they dont’ ****** stare at women like hungry animals. They disgust me and I find them subhuman in the way they act towards non-Qatari women. While I don’t cover up like the Qatari women, I dress very conservatively with loose cloths and don’t show any skin while outside. Nevertheless, I have been made feel sooo uncomfortable and harressed by sick words, sounds, and animal-like stares. It’s sickening and infuriating.
So my advice to those females out there who have a good active life back in the homeland, with a good family and a good man, DO NOT even consider the idea of moving to Qatar. It’s BORING, DISAPPOINTING and DISGUSTING!
The post prompted dozens of responses, many of them from expats defending Qatar and its people.
Commenter Gypsy said:
I have to agree that Qatar is a difficult place for a single gal, and I think they should allow labourers to bring their wives,however I disagree with the rest. I know lots of nice Qataris, and I think the architecture here is pretty neat. Much cooler then anything being built in Canada at the moment.
mx1o0o said:
I have been here for 20 years …Im proud to live here all my life, and will always be proud, even though its not my home country, but Qatar and My home country are one in my heart. We are visitors here. We respect Qatar, those who don’t, know where the airport is…
On another QL thread,
genesis said:
I think this is blown out of proportion .This is not about Qatarlivning! QL is a site where both locals & expatriates share useful information about Qatar.In addition to organizing many community services throughout the years. The ND thread was deleted by MODs, Many have expressed their nonacceptance on what’s written already In Local internet forums like Qatarshares , many locals also criticized the unfortunate behavior of many during the night parade. I do agree with you that many comments by posters were racial , but it only shows complete ignorance of certain individuals Demand to block the site & then what? People will always find a way or another to vent. Only with understanding of one another can we overcome this clash of cultures.
In a post on the Peninsula article regarding Qatar Living,
Qatar Visitor, a website for expats, writes:
The article and the attack were not really fair on QatarLiving.com, especially as they had both promoted the event themselves and removed the offending comments – I personally can’t see what else they be expected to do! …Qatar Living has been a huge success, not just for the website owner but also for Qatar. The website demonstrates that, online at least, Qatar has a measure of freedom of speech. (A measure, because, as the removal of comments show, Qatar Living, like all of us, practises self-censorship…What’s more, it’s Qatar’s number one English language social networking site…With Qatar and ICT pouring money and effort into developing IT and the internet in Qatar, Qatar Living is unlikely to be closed down any time soon. But the website does need to be careful!
On Twitter, there was little support for shutting down QL.
Qatari hndqtr said:
the hell is wrong with them, we’ll everybody just let it go!!
Expat VEE6 said:
Sad and small minded individuals.
Amal, founder of the anti-QL Facebook group, which already has 91 members, stressed that her campaign was not against all of Qatar’s expats.
She writes on the group’s wall:
I want to make sure that everybody knows that were are not against expatriates at all. We are very aware that many people who live and work in Qatar are largely contributing to our country’s development. Many of these people are as well our teachers and instructors whom we hold a great amount of respect for. However, the people we are addressing by this protest are the ones who constantly use bad language when talking about Qataris. We are addressing the ones who act as if they like us and are inspired by our culture in front of our faces go talk about us behind our backs calling us retards and uncivilized. We do not want expatriates to leave the country, but we surly demand respect and will never accept being described as savages. Now for those who are not willing to be appreciative of all the benefits they are getting by working in Qatar, they surly are not welcomed to stay in Qatar.
Also on the wall was a plea for peace and an invitation to Qataris to join QL.
Amerah Egab said:
I do hope many of you do read the comments where many of the QL community would like to see more Qataris join us and become active members of this community, there are tens of thousands of members, a couple of loud mouth idiots do not represent us all.
On Monday, a few threads apologizing to the Qatari people were posted on QL. Those who run the site issued an official comment in the afternoon.
Ahmad said:
Over the last few days it seems that instead of facilitating discussions and conversations, Qatar Living has become the conversation.
We just want to point out that Qatar Living is not for or against anyone. It is a website dedicated to helping people make the most out of living in Qatar. From finding the best restaurants to selling you car, from helping people volunteer to organizing social events, Qatar Living is designed to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome.
Of course, with over 150,000 members and 500,000 people visiting each month, there are bound to be disagreements. And unfortunately, like everywhere on the internet, there are bound to be a small number of people who make comments that are offensive. It is unfair for these comments to generalize and stereotype people.
In the same manner, the objectionable comments by a number of individuals should not be seen as indicative of most of the Qatari’s and Expatriates who make up the Qatar Living community. We use our Community Guidelines to clearly indicate what is acceptable on our website. We do apologise if any users have fallen short of these guidelines – we aim to treat every member of this community with respect and dignity.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: doha, facebook, free speech, freedom of expression, global voices, Internet, Politics, qatar, Qatar Living, Qatar Visitor, religion, telecom | Leave a Comment »
Cartoon published in Gulf Times Nov. 22 2009
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
Is it satire, or just bad taste?
A cartoon of a crazed, angry-looking woman threatening a child with a dripping bowl of tainted gruel has left many Doha bloggers scratching their heads and looking for answers.
The sketch, titled ‘Housemaid’s revenge,’ was published in Sunday’s Gulf Times, a local English newspaper.
The cartoon depicts a maid – presumably Indian, judging by the red bindi on her forehead and gold hoop earrings – threatening a toddler after being scolded by her employer.
The text reads:
Your mum shouted at me today just because I broke a plate. And I am going to strike back. Count on me you brat, you won’t sleep at home tonight! You will stay at Al Sadd Children’s Emergency. Open your mouth now. This dish I have made will make you so sick that it will make you dizzy for hours.
Many Doha bloggers strongly condemned the cartoon, but were undecided about the artist’s intentions.
On Twitter, Weirdweb said:
No, really, Gulf Times, let it all out. Tell us how you REALLY feel about Indian maids. #racism #paranoia
On the forum Qatar Living,
Commenter Olive said:
There’s so much wrong about this cartoon I’m not sure what the editor was thinking when he allowed it to be printed.
Some wondered if the message behind the cartoon was lost in translation.
On Twitter, tomgara said
What is worse in this Gulf Times (Qatar) cartoon – hectic racism or awful 6th-grade writing? The answer is both.
On Qatar Living, the debate turned to treatment of maids by their employers, who sponsor their stay in the country.
genesis said:
Mohammed cartoons are never meant to be funny. Most of his work is dark altough sarcastic. I think it’s badly translated, the intention is how cruel some sponsors treat their maids
rMs_000 responded diplomatically:
It describes about the cruelty of some sponsors.. and devilish reaction of house maids. Editor doesn’t show any partiality to both of them i say. So its neutral..
britexpat said
The message is quite simple..Abuse the maid and you risk her abusing the child
Satire or not, most found the cartoon to be in poor taste.
On Twitter, rachelannmorris said:
Not funny in any way shape or form
On Qatar Living,
Commenter Amoud said:
I don’t like this at all…..Even the bad translation doesn’t cover what bad taste this is in.
And Adham Essam chimed in:
Oh my God! I CANNOT believe that was printed. How on earth could they allow something like that??? Which ever angle they were going for, it is completely wrong of them to present the issue like this. For the maid. For the child. For the parents. Disgusting…
For more on the discussion, visit Qatar Living.
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: cartoon, children, controversy, doha, global voices, Human Rights, laborers, qatar, workers | Leave a Comment »
BY SHABINA S. KHATRI
GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
No one is above the law in Qatar, a top official recently said in remarks made ahead of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which Qatar is currently hosting.
“Our system is based on equality and justice,” Attorney General Ali bin Futais Al Marri said in a recent program aired on Al Jazeera and reported by local newspaper the Peninsula.
Bemused, incredulous and wistful, Doha bloggers have been debating the merits of Al Marri’s remarks all week.
On Twitter, IvanGiesbrecht said:
hahahahahahahahhahaha!!!!!!!!
According to the Peninsula:
The Emir has never interfered with the judiciary. The Constitution gives him the authority to grant pardon to a convict only after the court has issued its sentence. So during a trial he has never ever tried to interfere, said Al Marri, adding that it was at the Emir’s directives that his office as well as the judiciary have been separated from the executive. Such is the level of fair play and equality in Qatar that once a senior police official was accused of slapping an Asian. The allegations were investigated and after the charges were proved, trial was conducted and the policeman was sentenced to six months in jail and stripped off his job.
On the forum Qatar Living,
Nic said
We, who work here, all, know the level of integrity this countries displays and this reputation is becoming well known in the west among those who have never been here. Qatar is starting to be known by its hunger for fame and good reputation and instead of improving things, they just hide the problems under the carpet! Look how the article puts it: “In other Arab countries, the political will to combat corruption is missing.” What makes these guys think that they are any better from other Arab countries?!?!?!
genesis was more optimistic:
But we are learning. Why do you think they opened all those universities at EC and encourge critcal thinking among locals? They know that once those who graduated from those universities will demand change. Why all those institutes are established? Why sign all those International agreements? The Emir yesterday have given full support and power to the public attorney office & Audit bureau on tracking down corruption cases. We are a “new” country in the world stage. 15 years ago, there wasn’t even a system. Just a copycat from other bureaucratic Arab systems.
On Twitter, peterlada pointed out someone in Qatar is indeed above the law:
Actually the Emir is. By definition.
Though press freedom is guaranteed to a certain extent in Qatar’s constitution, the Advisory Council in June recommended harsh punishments for Qatar-based journalists who write against the Emir, national security, religion and the Constitution.
But the State Cabinet last week called for a new press and publications law to “keep pace with the demands of the changing times,” stressing the importance of opening up communication between journalists and government officials.
Yesterday, during a forum for media experts held by the Doha Centre for Media Freedom (which has had its share of controversy over press freedom), journalists called for a revamping of the “outdated” law.
Local newspaper Gulf Times reported:
Nasser al-Othman, a former chief editor of Arrayah Arabic daily and a trustee member at the DCMF, called for abolishing the imprisonment clause in the current press law and replacing it with monetary penalties. “I believe that suggestions made at today’s meeting could be useful if taken seriously by lawmakers,” said al-Othman, who was named as the dean of Qatari journalists.
Other journalists wondered at the point of the roundtable, as no government official attended the session.
From the Gulf Times:
Abdullah bin Hamad al-Azaba, a columnist at Al Arab, criticised the absence of a government representative at the meeting, saying that such an absence had turned the discussion into a “dialogue of the deaf”. “I was saddened that HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamir (the Al Jazeera TV network chairman) was absent while HE Sheikh Jabor bin Yousuf (chief of the official Qatar News Agency) left before the end of our discussion,” he lamented. DCMF deputy director general Mariam al-Khater, who moderated the discussion, said the DCMF is supporting the issuing of a “modern press law” that considers the changes in all fields in Qatar. Al-Khater pledged that the Center would continue its efforts until a new law press law, free from any imprisonment penalties against journalists, is issued.
For now, however, press freedom in Qatar – Al Jazeera notwithstanding – is still a goal to strive towards.
On Qatar Living, Xena, who works in print media, said:
I got here at the start of the paper, everyone was gungho about being in a new country with new possibilities. The atmosphere was electric…Then come the blows – you cannot print anything vaguely opposite to government stances, you can only print press releases, and you are not allowed to change them, bad english or not… Trying to get interviews with people is like trying to reach the US president – impossible – phone call after phone call, lists of questions, approval of questions, wanting to see the story before it goes to print and then frequently changing or retracting statements.
On Here, There and Everywhere, intlexpatr reprinted one man’s comments on the typical newspaper formula in Qatar, saying “I almost split my sides, I was laughing so hard.”
Truthful Stranger writes:
Hence you always get the presence of evil (there’s always an Asian gang being deported for doing something dreadful like burglary or selling liquor) page 1, bottom of the page, that covers the Evil In Our Midst; then the sycophantic article about HH who has just made some pithy pronouncement on The Necessity For Mutual Understanding And Education Across The World, page 2; some phony figures about how much more the Pearl property or other investments have increased pages 3 – 5; some baloney about how safe the country is for investment, page 6; then the gushing op-ed about how the best societies in the world are so great because they have been enforcing Islamic values, pages 6 – 8; Qatar Airways wins award for best in-flight hot towels, page 9, and a new order for 500 Airbus aircraft (thanks to the strategic profitability of the airline! ha!) . And not to forget, Gulf Escapes Economic Downturn for the fourth week in a row, page 10 ad infinitum.
Filed under: Clips | Tagged: blogs, doha, global voices, Human Rights, law, press freedom, qatar | Leave a Comment »
