Culture

Qatari culture revolves almost entirely around Islam. A monotheistic religion, Islam's holy book is the Qur'an, and Friday is its sabbath day. Most Qataris adhere to the austere Wahhabi sect of Islam which also dominates Saudi Arabia. Qatari Wahhabism, however, is less strict. For example, alcohol, which is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia, is available in Qatar and there is no prohibition on women driving cars. Arabic is the official language in Qatar, though Doha's sizable population of Pakistanis make Urdu, the Pakistani language, seem more useful. English is also widely spoken.

Qatar is primarily a Bedouin culture, and the tribal ethos is still strong in modern society. Bedouins (being nomads) had a culture traditionally based on poetry and song rather than buildings or art. However, the practical art of weaving has produced some beautiful Bedouin artefacts, such as tents, rugs, cushions and saddlebags. The Bedouin weavers work with wool from sheep, goats and camels, using simple tools made from wood and gazelle horn. Qatar was once renowned for its weaving industry - it's said that even Mohammed preferred his clothes made from Qatari fabric. Traditional Qatari dress is characterised by gold or silver embroidery, known as al-zari or al-qasab. Women are veiled - most take the veil when they are around seven years old, and by adolescence they will cover their body entirely with an al-darraa, a long black dress. They also wear a black mask, called al-battoulah, which covers all of the face except the eyes, nose and mouth. Qatari men wear a thobe, a long white shirt over loose pants. They also wear that symbol of the Arab world, a loose headdress called a gutra, held on with a black rope known as the agal.

Qatar does not have an indigenous cuisine worth mentioning. Outside the big hotel restaurants, Doha is filled with the usual collection of Western fast-food places and small Indian and Pakistani restaurants offering little more than curries and biryani dishes. Fruit juice and soft drinks are the only beverages you'll find in the average Qatari restaurant. The good news is that Arab hospitality is legendary, and it is common for Qataris to invite strangers into their homes for qahwa - spiced Turkish coffee - served strong and in copious quantities.

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