Brief History of Qatar : 661-1258 AD

Near the end of the 7th century Islam have spread through the area of what now is Qatar. In 750 AD the area was part of the Umayyid dynasty. Since Qatar didn’t exist until later on, very little was known about the country during this time.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Qatar. London: Stacey International, 2000.

Architectural Wonders

Islamic -


Link - http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=415&pID=1281

The Museum of the Islamic Arts: The museum displays Islamic Art and artifact. The building was designed by a Chinese American named Pei. The building was build using Islamic design and is located in Doha.

Non –Islamic


Link -http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/tourist-attractions/ethnographic-museum.html

Ethnographic Museum: The museum house the history of the region in Doha. It is the only kind left in Doha. It was built in 1935.


Link-http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/tourist-attractions/umm-salal-mohammed.html

Qatar national museum: The museum displays the collection of Islamic relicts and artifacts. The museum is the largest one in Doha.

Qatar Visitor. “The Islamic Museum in Qatar” .Qatar Tourist Info. http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=415&pID=1281(accessed May 28,2009).

Middle East Hub. " Ethnographic Museum, Qatar ". Middleeasthub.com. http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/tourist-attractions/ethnographic-museum.html (accessed May 28, 2009).

Middle East Hub. " Qatar national museum". Middleeasthub.com. http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/tourist-attractions/qatar-national-museum.html (accessed May 28, 2009).

Traditions of Islam in Qatar

Since a majority of Qatari are Muslims, the traditions that are practiced relate to Islam. Most Arab women cover most their body when going outside. “The traditional black overgarment (abaya) is ankle length with long sleeves and a high neckline, and the hair is covered” (“People and Culture”). It depends on how strict the husbands are and how much the women want to cover up. Men are encouraged to wear a “thobe, a loose, ankle-length robe made from fine white cotton (“People and Culture”). Their culture is based on Bedouin poetry, song and dance and they do traditional dances called Ardah. Ardah is "a stylized martial dance performed by two rows of dancers who are accompanied by an array of percussion instruments, including al-ras (a large drum whose leather is heated by an open fire), tambourine and cymbals, along with small drums (“People and Culture”). Other than this, they have two main religious holiday that they celebrate Eid Al Fitr, which follows Ramadan and Eid Al Adha, which is 40 days after Eid Al Fitr.

@llo’ Expat. “People and Culture”. AlloExpat.com. http://www.qatar.alloexpat.com/qatar_information/culture_qatar.php (accesed on May 26,2009).

Islam in Qatar

Islam plays an important role in how the country operates. Base on the Middle East Hub, about 90% of Qatari adherents to Islam. Out of the Qatari adherents to Islam, 10% are Shia and 90 % are Sunni. Other than Islam there are Hinduism and Christianity in Qatar. In Maps of World, it said that Islam started around the 7^th century.

Sources-

Middle East Hub. "Language and Religion in Qatar." Middleeasthub.com. http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/culture/language-religion.html (accessed May 24 ,2009)

"Qatar Religion". Mapsofworld.com. http://www.mapsofworld.com/qatar/people-culture-festivals/religion.html(accessed on May 24,2009)

Qatar Religion

Link - http://www.ancient-symbols.com/islam-symbol.jpg

The primary religion of Qatar is Islam. The religion stretches back to the 7th centuries. Most of the Qatari practice Sunni Islam religion. Sunni hold a good amount of political and religious authority. There is a small Shiite community in Qatar. The Sunni and Shi’a were separated on theological ground.

Source -

Mapsofworld.com. "Qatar Religion". Mapsofworld.com. http://www.mapsofworld.com/qatar/people-culture-festivals/religion.html(accessed on May 21,2009)

Old architecture in Qatar

This is Al-Koot fort which is located in Doha. The fort was built in 1927 by Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al-Thani. The fort was build to protect against thieves.

Source -

Member of Qatar Foundation. "Al-Koot fort".Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. http://www.heritageofqatar.org/sites/koot.htm(accessed on May 20,2009).

Language of Qatar

Arabic is the language that has been and is currently spoken in Qatar. Due to the English speaking working class, English is also spoken in Qatar.

Source -

Middle East Hub."Language and Religion in Qatar".Middle East Hub.http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/culture/language-religion.html(accessed on May 20,2009).

Qatar about 2000 B.C.

Qatar was part of Mesopotamia during this time.

Link - http://ant3145-mesopotamia.wikispaces.com/file/view/mesopotamia_map.gif

Three stereotypes

1. anti-Semitic - 'media regularly turn out ugly and hateful images of Jews and Israel' ("Qatar Source of Anti-Semitic Incitement; ADL Says Anti-Jewish Images 'Rampant' in Leading Newspaper")

Anti-Defamation League."Qatar Source of Anti-Semitic Incitement; ADL Says Anti-Jewish Images 'Rampant' in Leading Newspaper".Anti-Defamation League. http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASaw_14/4270_62.htm(Accessed on May 19,2008).

Other than this it is hard to find out other stereotypes but I believe the following could be stereotypes based on why I know about the country.

2.People thinking that the Qatari are rich like there neighbor Saudi Arabia because of there oil. - "oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP"("Qatar")

CIA - The World Factbook."Qatar" CIA - The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/qa.html(Accessed on May 19,2009).

3. The Qatari are misleading - People who expect high paying jobs when they get to Qatar are forced to work in low paying jobs.

"Qatar".Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar.(Accessed May 19, 2009).

Qatar rides the oil boom - 06 June 2008

AlJazeeraEnglish. "Qatar rides the oil boom = 06 June 2008".YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=318jZ3IU04(accessed on May 19,2009).

Pictures of Doha - Capital of Qatar

Avanes, Armond 2004. "Qatar Gallary - doha city". JAlbum. http://www.qatarembassy.net/Qatar%20Gallery/doha%20city/index.asp(accessed on May 19, 2009)

Three Geographical features:

1. Qurayn Abu al Bawl - highest point in Qatar which is 103 meters
2. Sand Dunes - begin about half way down the peninsula
3. Duhul - large caves, widespread on the peninsula of Qatar

Sources -

Oxford Business Group. "Qatar - Country Profile". Oxford Business Group. 2008 http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/country.asp?country=29 (accessed May 18, 2009).

Explore Qatar. "Geography » Geo Features »". explore Qatar. http://www.explore-qatar.com/info/Facts-and-Figures/Geography/Geo-Features-01.htm(accessed May 18, 2009).

Qatar Map

Intute - World Guide - Qatar. “Country Outline Map” Intute. http://www.intute.ac.uk/sciences/worldguide/html/998_map.html(accessed May 18, 2009).