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Qatar has a large expatriate community, and the government and its people go to great lengths to make their guests feel at home. Moreover, as the various national groups have sought to maintain their national identities, Qatar has become a wonderful kaleidoscope of heritage, traditions, and people. In this diversity lies Qatar’s most beautiful gift to young residents - the opportunity to grow up in a peaceful, tolerant multi-cultural environment giving them an international perspective.
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Learning Arabic
Part of immersing oneself in a culture is related to language. When it comes to Arabic, however, keep in mind that there are several dialects and depending on the country, vocabulary usage can differ widely. In the Arabian Gulf area, khaleeji, is the nickname for the regional accent which varies considerably from classical Arabic and has many words and phrases unique in usage to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Those who want to study can find seasonal short courses tailor made at Bertliz, or community education courses at the various educational institutions. A number of private tutors are also available, at rates between QR 60 – QR 100 per hour.
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As with any place you hope to call home, Doha will be exactly what you make of it. But there are plenty of options and opportunities to ensure that your stay will be enjoyable. There are numerous speciality restaurants all over the city, from small establishments featuring ethnic flavour to the finest five-star elegance show casing gastronomic trends.
There are many city wide cultural festivals with bright lights, fireworks, and special displays or activities which accompany the two celebrations of the Muslim Eid holidays. Community groups such as Reach Out to Asia also sponsor events focused on health and wellbeing such as this past spring’s Heals and Wheels; a day long focus on physical activity for young children. The sports stadiums (soccer, tennis, track and field) which dot the city host a variety of competitions and virtually every event is free, or tickets are sold for a minimal entrance fee, featuring world renowned athletes competing for top prizes.
Places of worship
Non Muslims in Qatar are free to worship other religions, providing it is within their own place of worship. As a sign of respect, symbols and other relics are not displayed outside the premises. The Qatari Government recently granted a plot of land to the following Churches for worship; The Anglican Church, Egyptian Coptics Church, The Greek Orthodox Church, the Interdenomination Church of India (IDCC) and the Catholic Church. |
Movie theatres showing international cinema, luxury hotels with a variety of dining options, shopping malls with brand names and children’s play areas, as well as ice skating rinks, fishing expeditions, clubs for every interest, international music shows and influenced desert lands all wait to test your curiosity. Indeed, nature lovers can drive ten minutes beyond the city limits and be entirely engulfed in a world seemingly untouched by human hands. |
