| INTRODUCTION |
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QATAR |
| INTRODUCTION |
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The
state of Qatar is situated halfway along the western coast of the
Arabian Gulf. It consists of a Peninsula projecting northwards approximately
160km into the Gulf. At its widest point, the Peninsula measures
about 80km across from coast to coast. The total area of the country
is 11,437 square km. The capital is DOHA and the local time in Qatar
is GMT + 3 hours.
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| Terrain |
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Mostly
flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel. The jebel
Dukhan (Dukhan Hills) in the west have some spectacularly shaped
limestone outcrops, and the impressive crescent shaped barchan sand
dunes in the south east, around the Island Sea, reach areas are
characterized by sabkha or salt flats in many areas.
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| Climate |
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The
country has a moderate dessert climate characterized by mild winters
and hot summers with high levels of humidity.
Natural
hazards like haze, dust storms, sandstorms are common. Occasionally,
during wintertime, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms may occur.
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| POPULATION,
LANGUAGE & RELIGION |
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According
to full census carried out in the country in 1999, the total population
of Qatar is around 723,542 with 60% of the population residing in
the country's capital DOHA. The 80% of the people being expatriates
from other Arab countries, Asia and Europe, North and South America.
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| Language |
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official language for Qatar is Arabic. English is also widely understood
and spoken in the country. |
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| Religion |
| Islam
is the official religion of the country and Holy Quran is the Moslem
Holy Books. The vast majority of the population is Sunni Muslims.
The following are known as the five pillars of Islam. |
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| The
profession of faith |
| This
is the belief that there is no God but ALLAH and Mohammed is the last
Messenger of ALLAH. |
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| Prayers |
| Muslims
must pray five times a day before dusk. The worshippers face towards
Mecca while they pray. |
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| The
giving of alms (zakat) to the needy |
| Muslims
must get 2.5% of their possessions (cash, gold, etc. kept for one
year) in charity to the poor annually. |
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| Fasting:
Ramadhan |
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Ramadhan
is a holy month during which the Moslems have to abstain from eating,
drinking, smoking as well as continence in all other respects from
dawn until dusk. It also calls for more prayers and meditation coupled
with increased tolerance towards one's fellow men. Fasting is considered
good both for body and spirit; it cleanses the body of toxins, clears
the mind and encourages self-discipline and creates an appreciation
for those who suffer hardships and deprivation every day of their
lives. During this time, other non-Muslims need to be sensitive
to the beliefs and practices of Islam and the strict conventions
adhered to during the month, which ends with the EID festival. Muslims
observe a three-day holiday marked by family reunions, social visits
and exchange of courtesies and gifts. People meet together and greet
one another with the traditional phrase of Eid Mubarak (May your
feast is blessed!)
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| The
pilgrimage to Mecca |
| Muslims
who are of responsible age, in fairly good health, and financially
capable must make the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca once in their lifetime. |
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