Visit of Qatar

I have extensively travelled across the Middle East (West Asia),
visiting almost all of its prominent countries. During these journeys, I
often found myself flying close to Qatar.
Qatar is frequently regarded as the richest country in the world.
Its urban planning is world-class, with modern high-rises that rival
those of major American cities. At the same time, it has cultivated a
cosmopolitan culture, attracting people from across the globe to live
and work there. Qatar seamlessly blends international influences
with its own traditional Islamic heritage.
I have always admired Qatar’s independent foreign policy. On
several occasions, when other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
members imposed sanctions, Qatar successfully resisted the pressure
and emerged stronger. The country is also home to the influential Al
Jazeera television network. More recently, it gained global attention
as the host of the FIFA World Cup in November-December 2022.
Visiting Qatar has long been a wish of mine to experience its unique
character firsthand.

HISTORY OF QATAR

In 1916, Qatar became a British protectorate, and a subsequent
treaty in 1934 granted it more extensive protection. The following

year, in 1935, a 75-year oil concession was awarded to Qatar
Petroleum Company, leading to the discovery of high-quality oil in
Dukhan in 1940. Qatar declared its independence on 3rd September

1971. In June 1995, Deputy Emir Hamad bin Khalifa assumed power
      in a bloodless coup, deposing his father, Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al
      Thani. His rule ushered in a period of reform, marked by greater press
      freedom and the introduction of municipal elections, eventually
      leading to parliamentary elections. A new constitution came into
      effect in June 2005.

ECONOMY OF QATAR AND HOW IT SURVIVED SANCTIONS
Petroleum and natural gas form the backbone of Qatar’s economy,
accounting for nearly 70% of total government revenue. By sector,
agriculture contributes only 0.2% of GDP, while industry accounts

for 50.3% and services for 49.5%. Qatar possesses the world’s third-
largest proven natural gas reserves and ranks as the second-largest

exporter of natural gas. The country’s GDP is expected at around
$262 billion. Qatar is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC), apolitical and economic alliance comprising six Middle
Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates,
Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. On 5th June 2017,Qatar faced a major
diplomatic crisis when several Arab countries, including some of its
GCC neighbours, cut off diplomatic and trade ties, imposing
sanctions on the nation. However, the crisis was ultimately resolved
on 4th January 2021, following mediation by Kuwait and support
from the United States.
Qatar enjoys a high-income economy, largely due to its vast
energy resources. The country holds the world’s third-largest natural
gas reserves and significant oil reserves, with its gas fields often
described as among the highest quality in the world. Qatar is also the
world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The nation’s economy is heavily dependent on petroleum and
natural gas, which together account for over 70% of government

revenue, more than 60% of GDP, and about 85% of export earnings.
It is the second-largest exporter of natural gas. I have always been in
trigued by the country and have often longed to see its all-round
development.
Qatar’s population stands at around 2.5 million, the majority of
whom are expatriates. Native Qatar is comprise only about 300,000,
while the expatriate community includes a large number of Indians
(approximately 700,000), making them the single largest expatriate
group in the country. Expatriates in Qatar also include nationals from
other countries. Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
enjoy visa-free movement and have the right to live and work across
the region. Except for nationality, they enjoy almost all rights of
residence and employment. Shared ties of the Arabic language and
Islamic culture have further strengthened their bond. It is heartening
to see the larger Indian community in Qatar engaged in diverse
sectors—managing industries, running businesses, operating
restaurants and travel agencies, and providing a wide range of
services. Indians have earned a strong reputation for being educated,
competent, disciplined, and reliable both as workers and as managers.
On the invitation of my cousin brothers, I finally decided to visit
Qatar. I boarded Air India flight AI 971 from Delhi to Doha,
scheduled to depart at 7:50 p.m. on 27th July, and it was airborne by
8:00p.m. During the journey, I observed that a large number of
passengers were workers and labourers headed to Qatar. The Indian
expatriate population in Qatar is about 700,000, and they make a
significant contribution to both nations. Each year, they remit around
USD 4.143 million to their families in India, providing precious
foreign exchange that helps the Indian government meet its oil
import bills from the Arab world.
A large number of Indian families have someone working in the
Arab countries—it almost feels like an extension of home. Shared
languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Malayalam make communication
easy, while Indian food habits remain largely undisturbed. With the

region so close to Indian shores, flight durations are short, and some
families even manage their businesses simultaneously in both the
Gulf and states like Kerala and Maharashtra. During my travels in
Qatar, I found that nearly everywhere we went, we interacted mostly
with Indians, and only occasionally with native Qataris.
It would be interesting to narrate my experience in obtaining a
visa on arrival, a facility normally extended to Indian nationals along
with citizens of about four dozen other countries. Following my
cousin’s advice, I first bought my return travel tickets. Afterwards, my
cousin consulted a travel agent in Doha to confirm the entry
requirements. To my shock, I learned that visitors from India and
some other countries were required to undergo a mandatory 24-hour
quarantine in designated hotels, with the cost borne by either the
passenger or the host family. This was rather surprising. In India, I
had already taken three doses of COVID-19 vaccine and carried the,
which even bore the photograph of PM Narendra Modi. In addition, I
had obtained an RT-PCR test certificate within 48 hours of departure.
Despite these precautions, the compulsory hotel quarantine still
applied.
Another setback was the rule that visa-on-arrival passengers had
to stay only in hotels, not with relatives or friends. This measure, I was
told, was imposed specifically to boost hotel occupancy during
preparations for the FIFA World Cup, and was not mandatory earlier.
I was so discouraged by these unexpected conditions that I considered
cancelling my visit. However, my cousin Arfin Ahmad and the rest of
the family strongly persuaded me to continue.
As a matter of practice, I always keep the Indian Embassy
informed of my travels. The Director General of the Indian Council of
Cultural Relations, Kumar Tuhin, sent an email to India’s
Ambassador to Qatar, Deepak Mittal, to arrange a meeting during my
visit. Another young friend, Shatrughan Sinha, a director in the
Ministry of External Affairs, also reached out to his batchmate, Ms.
Angeline Premalatha, Dy. Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in

Doha. She confirmed that, according to the EHTERAZ code, I would
indeed have to comply with both conditions. She requested details of
my confirmed return ticket, vaccination certificate, and other
documents, which I promptly sent by email.
On 26th July, to my relief, I received an official order from the
Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar
exempting me from both conditions. This meant I was free to leave
Doha airport and stay with my relative/family. My flight landed at
Hamad International Airport, Doha at around 9:30 p.m. local time.
At the Immigration Counter, I presented the official order. The officer
appeared perplexed on seeing such an unusual document, left his
desk, and consulted his superior. The senior officer quickly came over,
asked me a few questions, and then went to the duty officer in-charge
of immigration. Recognizing the order issuing authority and
authenticity of the order, they immediately stamped my passport
with a one-monthvisa.
I remain deeply thankful to the four senior officers of the Indian
Foreign Service who made my travel to Qatar far more convenient in
view of the COVID-19 restrictions and FIFA preparations. I am also
thankful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Protocol,
State of Qatar, for their order (vide letter no. MFA/0050924/2022
dated 25.07.2022) approving the Indian Embassy’s request to waive
the two entry conditions. It was a relief and a joy to know that the
restrictions had been lifted for me.
When I stepped out of the airport terminal, my cousins were
waiting warmly to receive me. We drove to the house of the youngest
of the three cousins, located at Flat No. 002, Building No. 240, Zone
91, Street No. 829, Ezdan Oasis, Al Wukair, Qatar. I noticed that
houses, residential colonies, and even commercial complexes in Qatar
are identified by numbers—a system that makes navigation easy for
people of different linguistic backgrounds. Signboards in commercial
areas and restaurants were prominently displayed, and all roads
carried names in both Arabic and English.

Given that the Indian expatriate population is around 700,000
compared to just 300,00 native Qataris, I could not help but feel that
Qatar resembled a part of India. I admired the royal government for
its generosity in extending hospitality. What struck me most was the
culture of safety—there seemed to be no crime, no theft, and
practically no fight among people. People even told me that houses,
offices, or shops could be left unlocked without fear of intrusion. At
the same time, I learned that in cases of disputes between a native
Qatari and an expatriate, the police generally acted only against the
expatriate. Clearly, the government has ensured that every Qatari
national enjoys a prosperous, rich, peaceful, and dignified life.
On the morning of 28th July, while I was still asleep, there was a
sudden heavy downpour. The whole of Qatar got flooded. Even in the
ground-floor flat where I was staying, rainwater entered every room. I
awoke to find my cousin sweeping the water out. He told me that such
rain is rare in Qatar—this was the first heavy rainfall in three years.
Though disruptive, the rain was welcomed with joy by the people.
Later, when I met Ambassador Deepak Mittal, he jokingly remarked
that I had brought the rain from India. I felt delighted—it seemed as
though even the rain had welcomed me, a good omen for my visit.
After a sumptuous breakfast, I began my exploration of Qatar. My
cousin Arfin Ahmad first took me to their factory located in the
industrial area. Their companies—Megatech (dealing in construction
and engineering), Alam & Ahmad (dealing in contracting and
trading), and Alam Foodstuff—are engaged in diverse businesses,
such as structural steel fabrication, tensile membrane structures,
earth drilling and piling works, building materials trading, equipment
rental, supermarkets, and import-export. Collectively, they cater to
the vast development needs of Qatar, a nation rich in wealth from its
world-class natural gas reserves.
It was clear to me that Qatar is in constant pursuit of new ideas to
accelerate its development and showcase itself on par with Europe
and America. With enormous financial resources, its aspirations

appear both ambitious and justified. Hosting the FIFA World Cup has
given Qatar the opportunity to construct world-class stadiums, a
modern metro network, luxurious housing, apartments, and entire
new colonies. However, I felt that once FIFA ends, some of its
infrastructure may become underutilized—creating some sort of
ghost colonies. In my view, Qatar might later lease these properties on
easy terms to expatriates, turning this surplus infrastructure into yet
another opportunity.
Most of the tourist attractions are located in and around Doha,
the capital. I began my sightseeing at the Corniche, which reminded
me of Mumbai’s Marine Drive. Located along Doha Bay in Dafna, it
is lined with stunning skyscrapers that instantly brought to mind
Manhattan, New York. I nicknamed it ‘Qatar Manhattan’—though
‘Doha Manhattan’ would be equally fitting. What impressed me most
was that every tower had a different design; I was told this was a
deliberate policy to promote architectural uniqueness.
I also visited Pearl Qatar, where foreigners can purchase premium
free hold properties on 99-year leases. From there, I explored Lagoon a
Mall, and in the evening, I visited Villagio Mall, designed on the
theme of Venice, complete with Gondola rides. It offered a delightful
atmosphere for an evening outing with family and friends, featuring
cuisines from around the world. Nearby stood the Torch Tower,
spectacularly illuminated with multicolour lights and laser displays.
Built when Qatar hosted the Asian Games, it remains one of the city’s
most striking landmarks.
My cousins hosted a dinner for me at the famous Bawarchi, a
popular chain of Hyderabadi restaurants with branches across the
Gulf countries. I especially enjoyed their signature dish, Haleem.
On 29th July, Arfin took me to the Sheikh Abdul Wahab Mosque,
the grand mosque of Qatar, for the Friday Juma Namaz. The mosque’s
infrastructure and design beautifully reflected the grandeur of Arab
tradition. It is an impressive structure with modern amenities—lavish
washrooms, spacious ablution (wazu) areas, full air-conditioning, and

carpeted floors. There is a vast car parking space, divided into
separate parking space for different vehicles. Located in the Dafna
district, the mosque stands close to Doha’s striking Manhattan-style
skyline of skyscrapers. Nearby is the headquarters of Al Jazeera TV. A
police vehicle was stationed at its gate, and I was advised not to take
any photographs of the building. After offering Juma Namaz, we
drove towards Mashaf.
On the way, I passed the sprawling campus of the U.S. Embassy.
Like in several other Arab countries, Qatar hosts a large contingent of
the U.S. Army, with the Qatari government bearing the full cost of its
establishment.
Later, I enjoyed a hearty lunch at the home of two of my cousins
who live in the same two-storey apartment. The eldest, Sajid Alam,
lives on the first floor, while his younger brother resides on the ground
floor. The lunch was a delightful spread, featuring a variety of Indian
dishes along with some local Qatari specialities.
On the afternoon of 29th August, after lunch at my cousin’s
house, I set out on a sight seeing tour with Arfin Ahmad. Our first stop
was Qatar University, which was closed due to the Friday holiday.
Nonetheless, we were able to drive extensively around the campus,
where I noticed on going construction work. The university offers
most popular disciplines, with a particular focus on science and
engineering.
From there, we proceeded to Lusail city, a showcase of Qatar’s
wealth, modernity, and imagination. The city is marked by high-end
infrastructure, unique architectural designs, and flawless finishing. I
was especially struck by the Katara Towers, designed in the shape of a
crescent moon—an iconic and imaginative concept. The towers house
luxury flats, and interestingly, a month after my visit, I saw a
newspaper photo of Virat Kohli playing cricket on a red carpet in front
of this very landmark. Another striking sight was a box-shaped
Residential complex—an architectural marvel made up of irregularly

aligned blocks painted in different colours, breaking away from the
conventional vertical-line design of high-rises.
I also visited Vendom Palace Mall and the newly built Lusail
Stadium, completed in 2022. This grand stadium was chosen as the
venue for the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Lusail has
clearly been developed to showcase Qatar’s wealth, opulence, and
engineering brilliance—and it succeeds magnificently in doing so.
Next, I visited the Katara Cultural Village, situated on the shores
of Doha Bay. The entire complex beautifully showcases the rich
cultural heritage of Qatar, blending wealth with imagination. The
highlight was the grand amphi theatre, inspired by ancient Greek
designs. With tiered galleries on two sides, a VIP stage on the third,

and a breathtaking open view of Doha Bay on the fourth, it is a world-
class venue for cultural performances and was expected to host several

FIFA-related events.
Within the Katara complex, I also explored Film City, a pictures
que setting ideal for international film shoots. With its aesthetic
architecture, manicured greenery, and scenic backdrop of Doha Bay,
the area is already used for cinematic productions. There is also a
Katara Cinema, where films are screened regularly. I enjoyed a cup of
tea with a unique sweet chapati at an open-air eatery in front of the
cinema hall, served by cheerful Nepalese waiters who expressed their
happiness about working in Qatar.
The cultural village is also home to a few beautifully designed
mosques. I offered Maghrib (sunset) Namaz at one such mosque,
whose tower stood out for its elegant architecture and multicolored
calligraphy. The site also features well-maintained beaches, making it
a popular family destination. The calm, relaxing environment of
Katara makes it a must-visit for anyone travelling to Qatar.
After sunset, I visited Pearl Qatar, where the buildings were highly
illuminated with multicoloured lights. There were luxury hotels,
apartments, and villas—mostly catering to Europeans and other
Western expatriates. The architecture and facilities closely resembled

those of Western countries. The Pearl Qatar is a man-made island
near West Bay in Doha, which currently has only a small residential
population.
From there, I returned to Dafna, a district that never fails to
attract me. Its skyline is a spectacular display of towers—each one
designed with deliberate uniqueness so that no two resemble each
other. By night, their multicoloured illuminations create a magical
view. The area is home to luxury hotels and modern office complexes,
and I often think of it as ‘Qatar Manhattan’ or ‘Doha Manhattan’.
During my drives along the corniche, I frequently passed the
Parliament building.

ARCHITECTURE OF QATAR

The architecture of Qatar beautifully blends geometric patterns,
traditional motifs, and contemporary landscape design. Among the
nation’s most striking architectural landmarks are the National
Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar National Library,
Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Qatar National Convention Centre, Sidra
Medicine, Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies, Al Janoub Stadium, Al
Thumama Stadium, and Al Bayt Stadium.
After visiting Dafna, I went to Souk Waqif, a traditional heritage
market often referred to as the Irani market. In earlier times, many of
these shops were run by Iranian traders.

On 30th July, I was invited to the industrial area, where the Bihar-
Jharkhand Expatriates Association of Qatar organized a reception for

me. The event took place at the office of Alam & Ahmad Contracting
and Trading LLC in Birkat Al-Awamir, Wakrah.
In my address, I warmly praised the expatriate Indian
community. I emphasized that they remain an integral part of India’s
vibrant society despite living abroad. Their contributions are
invaluable—helping reduce unemployment, remitting valuable
foreign exchange that strengthens India’s balance of payments,
supporting their families, and investing their savings back home,

which in turn boosts GDP. I highlighted how Indian expatriates are
admired for their knowledge, skills, hard work, discipline, and
honesty, and how they serve as true ambassadors of India by
promoting its positive image worldwide. I later learned that several
attendies were also from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and other
countries. In total, about a hundred people attended the gathering. I
was pleased that my speech had been inclusive, avoiding any criticism
of other nations. The reception ceremony was followed by a
sumptuous lunch, an experience I fondly remember even today. The
menu comprised of Arabian and Turkish cuisines, including mixed
salad, hummus zaitun, labneh, tomato mix, garlic paste, mixed grilled
chicken and mutton, chicken tikka, chicken kebab, mutton tikka,
mutton kebab, rais (lambchop), chicken chilli fried, mutton nalli
pulao, fresh lemon juice (special), and rasmalai, served with soft
drinks. I later learned that the cost of this elaborate lunch exceeded
two thousand Qatari Riyals.
After the reception lunch, Sharique Alam suggested that we visit
Banana Island Resort, Doha. I happily accepted his proposal, eager to
explore as many attractions of Qatar as possible. Even the name of the
island sounded intriguing. We reached the Doha corniche around 4
p.m. Near the alighting point of the ship, several attractions had been
set up to promote the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Two rows of from
participating countries fluttered in the sea breeze near the
Countdown Clock. This part of the corniche lies opposite the
Parliament House, with the Museum of Islamic Art located just across
the road. I took several photographs of the FIFA displays and symbols
showcased there. We purchased tickets for QR 300, which included
the boat ride as well as cover charges for several ethnic restaurants on
Banana Island. Before embarking the boat, we agreed to return by 10
p.m., which would be the last but one departure of the evening.
Banana Island itself is a reclaimed land transformed into a scenic
resort. Its serene beaches, clear waters, and peaceful environment
make it a popular destination for tourists, ideal for family outing sand

day-long picnics. Some visitors even stay at the resort for several days
to enjoy its facilities. While there, I Parveen, an Indian-origin
professional from the Maldives, who was engaged in monitoring
beach safety.
On 31st July, I wanted to complete the last part of my tourist
exploration. Iqbal Ahmad Mallick, a relative of my cousins, offered to

take me on a long drive in his SUV. The vehicle was well air-
conditioned, and Iqbal, a skilled driver, knew the roads well. Our first

stop was the Al Wakra Stadium, whose design resembles the lid of a
pearl shell. Next, we visited the National Museum of Doha, a
stunning example of modern architecture. Its unique design, inspired
by the desert rose—a natural mineral formation found in wet sand—
appears as hundreds of interlocking discs fitting seamlessly together.
Inside, the museum houses a fascinating collection of artifacts,
artworks, and exhibits that offer glimpses into Qatar’s rich history
and cultural evolution.
I was then driven to the Qatar Foundation, established by the
mother of the present Amir and Ruler. Spread across a vast area, some
parts of the foundation have already been developed and are
functioning, while other sections are earmarked for future projects.
During my visit, I saw Education City, the National Library, Sidra
Hospital, and Qatar Academy. I understand that the Qatari Royal
family envisions the foundation as a hub of intellectual pursuit,
aspiring to position Qatar as a global centre of knowledge and
learning. I deeply appreciated these priorities in shaping the
country’s development.
I also kept track of the FIFA stadiums being constructed for 2022
world cup. I visited six of them: Al Rayyan, Al Junub, Thumama, Ras
Abu Abud, Lusail, and Al Bait. At the time of my visit, the stadiums
were still under construction and scheduled to open only on the eve of
the tournament in November-December 2022.
After lunch and a short rest, I accompanied my three industrialist

cousins to the Indian Embassy, located in Dafna near the Doha
Manhattan. We were warmly welcomed by Ambassador Deepak
Mittal at the scheduled meeting time of 4 p.m. The Dy. Chief of
Mission, Ms. Angeline Premalatha, also joined the discussion. The
Ambassador courteously invited me to sit beside him, creating a warm
and personal atmosphere. Our discussion centred on the challenges
faced by Indian entrepreneurs and industrialists in Qatar. He advised
the delegation to work closely with the concerned organizations
functioning under the umbrella of the Indian Embassy. It was
heartening to see the success of the Indian expatriate community,
which not only earns valuable foreign exchange but also enhances
India’s reputation abroad. Indeed, India enjoys excellent relations
with Qatar.
QATAR’S IMPACT IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD, PARTICULARLY ON

PALESTINE ISSUE

During the Arab Spring, Qatar shifted from its traditional foreign
policy role as a diplomatic mediator to actively supporting change in
the Middle East and North Africa, particularly by backing
transitioning states. However, many regional actors perceived this
approach as over-reaching, which fuelled skepticism about Doha’s
true policy motivations. With the change of leadership in June 2013,
Qatar began to recalibrate its stance, adopting a more pragmatic
foreign policy while also working to address the fallout from its earlier
support of Islamist movements in the region.

QATAR’S POLICY ON PALESTINE AND ISRAEL

FIFA confirmed that Israeli citizens would be allowed to enter Qatar
during the World Cup to attend matches, even though Israel was not
among the participating countries.
This decision was significant, given Qatar’s strong and consistent
support for the Palestinian cause. Qatar has long been one of the most
generous Arab nations in assisting Palestinians, particularly in the

Gaza Strip, where it contributes substantial funds toward welfare and
humanitarian relief. The country continues to advocate for the
liberation of Palestine.
On 1st August, I reached Hamad International Airport to board
Air India flight AI 972, departing Doha at 10:35 p.m. local time. The
flight landed at Terminal 3 of IGIA, New Delhi, at 5:05 a.m. the
following day, 2nd August 2022.
During my visit to Qatar, I looked for brochures on Qatar
Tourism, but none were available. I even searched in newspapers, but
they too were not easily found—though I was told that some
shopping malls occasionally sell them. After checking in at the Air
India counter, I again looked for any tourism material, but without
success. Near the boarding gate, somebody suggested I search in a
specific area for brochures. I retraced my steps to locate the place,
hoping to purchase some literature or books on Qatar tourism.
Eventually, I discovered a tourism counter tucked away in a corner,
not easily visible to visitors. It was manned by a single person,
originally from Gujarat, India. He handed me a rudimentary map and
a few pamphlets. I pointed out to him that such a counter should be
positioned at the arrival section of the airport rather than in the
departure area. I also remarked that the material available at the
counter was substandard, lacking thoughtful preparation and
imaginative presentation. The brochures hardly contained any useful
details. He replied that more information could be found on the
Qatar Tourism website.
While at the airport, I also saw the mascot of the FIFA World Cup
Qatar 2022—a large figure named La’eeb, meaning super-skilled
player. The mascot symbolized joy and the spirit of football. The FIFA
World Cup tournament was scheduled to begin on Sunday, 20th
November 2022, and conclude on Sunday, 18th December 2022. I
sincerely wished FIFA and Qatar every success and hoped that the
tournament would promote peace, friendship, and harmony across
the world.

DR. M.A. IBRAHIMI

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