Qatar – Lots of Sand + Gas and Oil – (1)

It is a rare occasion to have the opportunity to travel to Qatar on an World Affairs Councils of America and official Embassy of Qatar sponsored trip on a Leadership Mission. Having such an opportunity was too tempting to resist.

We all “sorta” know where Qatar is located but not exactly, just somewhere in the Middle East. Following is a map of the Arabian Peninsula identifying Qatar showing the municipality of Ad Dawhah, the most populous of Qatar’s eight municipalities and where the capital Doha is located.

The flight from Miami is direct and takes over 14 hours. However, if you are flying business class on Qatar Airways compliments of the Qatari government, there are worse ways to spend 14 hours. Considering the fact that Qatar annually gives $2 billion in foreign aid, it is doubtful that the cost of the tickets was of any concern. Qatari Airways has been voted the best airline a number of years, and, from this experience, that award is well deserved.

From the airport our group of 12 traveled to the W Doha Hotel in the heart of Doha. The road leading from the airport to the downtown area is lighted with neon poles all the way into the city. It sounds gaudy, but, it makes for an interesting ride watching the change of colors. Many of the buildings also have neon lightning.

After getting assigned to our rooms, we all met at the Market W, the hotel restaurant, for a three-course meal. Then we “sleep walked” to our rooms to get ready for the next day’s activities.

We started early Sunday morning meeting at 7:30 a.m. to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where we were escorted to a waiting room before going to a conference room. There we met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Her Excellency Lolwah Rashid al Khater, while being served dates and tea. Sparing you all the details, I will only mention that she talked about the five main principles of their foreign policy and the current blockade. She was educated, articulate and charming as were the other two women who also participated in the meeting. Interestingly they all wore the conservative clothing, including the covering of their heads, but, they did not cover their faces. There was no shortage of women in the building.

Following that meeting we were escorted back to the waiting room downstairs only to be escorted back upstairs to a different floor and waiting area before being led to another conference room. There we met with His Excellency Ambassador Tariq Ali Ansari, Director of International Cooperation; and, of course, he was also a charming fellow. We learned about Qatar’s foreign aid policies and where and why they choose to contribute how they do. We did learn that although companies pay taxes, there is no individual income tax. Qatar is the richest country in the world according to GDP per capita with the per capita income being over $130,000. Qatar’s population is 2.8 million, but, only about 10% of the population is Qatari. The balance is foreign workers, which quickly becomes obvious as one is out and about.

Following a many course Lebanese lunch at Em Sherif, located on the top floor of the Sheraton, we visited the Museum of Islamic Arts.

The museum was I. M. Pei’s last project and what a masterpiece. He insisted that an island be built for the museum so that the views could never be blocked. He initially spent time studying Islamic structures as this was his first and only Islamic design. He modeled the museum after a mosque in Cairo. The exhibits were interesting (we had a docent-led tour), but, it was the building that was the star. I. M. Pei was coaxed out of retirement at age 91 to undertake this project.

From the museum to the Souq Waqif, and, although interesting was a bit too tidy for me. The area had been deteriorating, so, the government stepped in and rehabilitated the souq, hence, a newer, tidier souq. Although the plan had been dinner at a souq restaurant, the lunch had been so elaborate that we opted to have a light meal at the hotel’s Italian restaurant.