Qatar

Qatar is a peninsular Gulf state bordering the eastern side of Saudi Arabia. Since the lifting of the British protectorate in 1971, it has functioned as an independent constitutional monarchy governed by the Al-Thani family. The majority of Qatari residents are actually noncitizens, both Arab and non-Arab foreigners, nearly 20% of whom are Shi'i Muslims, mostly from Iran. Virtually all native Qataris, however, are Sunnī Muslims, as are slightly more than three quarters of the total population. Wahhabi ideology permeates the Sunnīs’ religious outlooks in Qatar, and the largest religious minorities consist of Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, predominantly from South and Southeast Asia, and Baha'is from Iran.

Despite Qatar's geographic situation in the heart of one of the most conservative regions in the world and its reliance on Islamic law (Shari'a) to shape government policy, its emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, has instituted various liberal reforms, such as giving women the right to vote and creating and enforcing a constitution designed to cultivate pluralism and social justice. Doha, the capital, is home to Al Jazeera, the 24-hour international broadcasting corporation founded by the Emir, known internationally for its diverse array of news and talk shows that air controversial political, social, and religious issues, and that provides a voice for otherwise unrepresented points of view.

In 2008, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue officially opened as a locus for advocacy of understanding among faiths, the promotion of religious values in approaching humanitarian issues, and authoritative education and training for spreading the culture of dialogue. The center hosts annual conferences for interfaith dialogue, publishes a scientific periodical journal, and provides other programming such as youth camps and cultural field trips.

Additionally, in 2008, Qatar inaugurated its first contemporary public space for Christian worship, the 2,700-seat St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, or the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built on land donated by the Emir. Despite the Qatari government's gesture of promoting religious pluralism, it required architects to omit a cross, steeple, and bell tower from the building's exterior design but allowed crucifixes and paintings depicting biblical scenes inside. Qatar also planned to construct several other buildings to house services for Anglican, Coptic, and Greek Orthodox Christians and various Indian communities, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only Gulf country that does not permit the construction of non-Islamic houses of worship. Although Christians have historically worshipped in Muslim lands without such restrictions, Qatar's building regulations reflect the influence of modern ideologies rather than traditional Islamic practices.

Qatar also distinguishes itself from the neighboring kingdom by allowing Wahhabi ideology to influence its public displays of religion in a tangibly more relaxed manner. Unlike in Saudi Arabia, Qatari women are allowed to drive and vote, and foreign women are not expected to don [Page 1038]a full-length black gown when traveling in the country.

The global social network and grassroots activist organization the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow hosted its 2009 international conference in Doha and invited 300 young leaders from around the world to debate critical issues such as violent extremism and effective media engagement and to compose “An Open Letter to the World Leaders of Today From the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow,” a compilation of policy recommendations proposing solutions to contemporary challenges facing Muslims around the globe.

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