Philip John P.

Jorvina

 You can buy alcohol in hotel bars, although youll pay for it. Alcohol can also be bought at the Qatar Distribution Centre with an alcohol permit up to a limit of ten percent of your income. Drinking outside the house or licensed premises is illegal, and if you cause any trouble after consuming liqour you'll be in serious trouble. The only licensed shop you can buy alcohol at is the Qatar Distribution Company. They have only two shops in the country, one of which is in Doha. Nevertheless, the Doha branch, though hidden away in a dusty corner of the city (next to the Department of Islamic Affairs!), is superb. There is a large range of alcohol, though it is slightly weak on beer, the shop is large and cool and the staff extremely helpful. Prices do vary, but in general expect wine and beer to be a lot more expensive than the equivalent in Europe. To buy alcohol, you will need an alcohol permit, which can be obtained at the QDC. Paradoxically, you need to show an alcohol permit to enter the shop! You can also purchase alcohol (to drink on the premises) from hotels.

 Just a few years ago the situation was dire. Now, however, Virgin Megastore has opened in Villagio and has a very good selection of books. There are also a growing collection of books about Qatar, including Qatar Explorer, which is getting better with every edition.

 Qatar is still much more liberal here than neighbouring countries. Basically, cover your shoulders, don't expose too much skin and make sure dresses/shorts are not too short. Exposing your belly will cause offence and possibly trouble! Sheila (Slang) The covering worn by women over their head. Also known as hijab orkhemaar. Darraih Qatari word for dress. Thobe Originally a word for the long flowing dress that Qatari women wear nowadays normallay used for men's dress.

 It might surprise you to learn this, but Qataris are very much a minority in this country. The largest population group is probably Indian, but there are also large numbers of Sri Lankans, Nepalese, Philipinos, Pakistanis, Africans, Egyptians and others.

 There are no longer any religious police. Qatar is a very religious country. People will try and convert you to Islam. Dont take this as an insult - they are concerned for your soul. While proselytizing back is illegal and could lead to you being deported, there is freedom of worship here, and there are a number of churches. Whatever your religion, you will soon become accustomed to the sound of the prayer call.

 Heterosexual sex outside marriage is illegal. What happens in practice (and contrary to just a few years ago) is that relationships conducted in private are tolerated, although couples caught having sex in public will be prosecuted and deported. Muslims will also be lashed. Some prostitutes do manage to sneak into the country, and from time to time a bunch are rounded up and deported. Homosexual sex is illegal outright, although obviously in a country with a ratio of two men to every one women and huge restrictions on meetings between the sexes, it is rife.