A Display at The Famous Islamic Art Museum

This is a piece of "calligraphy" found in the famous new Islamic Art Museum in Qatar. Many exhibits like the one shown, are of famous documents that have been brought about throughout the tremendous history of the Middle East. Much calligraphy in the Middle East is due to the development of paper, and the style of writing is so precise and very difficult to exemplify. The writing shown is only a portion of what is in the Islamic Art Museum, as well as many other important artifacts of Middle Eastern history.

"Famous Art of Qatar." Www.qatarliving.com. 5 June 2009

http://www.qatarliving.com/files/images/IMG00041.jpg

The Art of Qatar

The famous "Islamic Art Museum" is located in Doha, Qatar. Opening in November of 2008, this museum is filled with great history, some of the best in the entire world. It is also known, that other famous museums around the world have given Qatar some of their artifacts and given them to the Islamic Art Museum in Qatar for its significance. For more information on this museum, here is a video that is short and talks about the opening of this famous museum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTnjqiF6gyY

In The News Today

On June 4, 2009 (Today), Qatar was in the news in discussing their interest in associating themselves with Germany's "Porsche" automobile company. A "finance minister" had stated that Qatar was looking to get involved with the "stake" of Porsche and had great interest in getting their country involved in the "car market." Because of the decrease in stock, Qatar has interest in not only Porsche, but other German automotive companies like "Volkswagen" as well. 

The trouble that Porsche has that Qatar does not know if they can deal with is their debt. Currently Porsche is in $12.75 billion dollar debt, that causes a country like Qatar to think else where (Volkswagen) when thinking about what car company they want to get involved with. Qatar has shown interest in German car companies since March of this year and continues to do so, whoever they choose will be for the betterment of the country and each individual person as a "whole" country. 

Shields, Michael. "Qatar Still Eyeing Porsche Stake - Finance Minister." Www.reuters.com. 4 June 2009 

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSWEA551620090604

History of Rule in Qatar

1538 Qatar was under control of the Ottoman Empire.

1855 Al Khalifa family of Bahrain dominated and ruled Qatar for numerous years.

1868 The British take control over Qatar

1916 British recognized Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani as ruler of Qatar.

1934 British announced that they would have "extreme protection" for the people in Qatar.

1971 The British decided to to withdraw from the Arabian Gulf Area leaving Qatar finally as a free country. It was then an independent country and adopted Islam as the official religion of Qatar.

1995 Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became the ruler of Qatar and lead them into a new "era of modernization." 

2003 The citizens of Qatar approve a new constitution 

"Ancient Times and History of Qatar." Www.asiarooms.com 3 June 2009

http://www.asiarooms.com/qatar-travel-guide/history.html

Qatar During World War I

It is important to first know that before the first World War the country of Qatar was under the control of the Ottoman Empire. As the war continued eventually the Ottoman Empire had fallen, therefore leaving Qatar to be some what free, right? Wrong, because Qatar had the "Al-Thanis" as their rulers, the people of Qatar were still not exactly free. With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire Qatar became control of the British. What is important to realize is that the British "recognized the Al-Thanis as rulers." By doing this they were given military protection and safety, with this the British asked in return "Control of Qatar's external affairs." These came from trades and different items that made Qatar successful (one being petroleum). This "trade-off" in a sense was developed through treaties in the years 1916 and 1934, this allowed the British what they want, as well as sent British troops into Qatar for protection. Overall, World War I did not have a huge affect on Qatar. Provided troops from the British were great help to keeping their safety. Also, because the British made sure to have the "Al-Thanis" rule the country, not much had altered than what originally had been going on. The fall of the Ottoman Empire however had affect for a while, not providing safety but as stated earlier was picked right back up by the British.

"Qatar History." Www.iExplore.com 2 June 2009. 

http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Qatar/History.html

The Early Struggles of Qatar

It is known that during the mid 1800's Qatar was dominated by the Al Khalifa Family of Bahrain. That dynasty is a family of Sunni's that occupied Kuwait (which was near Qatar) and held that rule over Qatar until their fall to the Ottoman Empire later in the century. In 1872 Qatar signed allowing the Turks to station in Doha (city in Qatar). Qatar still managed to stand alone from the British as well as the Turks, but still were some what under rule of the Ottoman Empire. Eventually however in 1916 British took over power of Qatar. The boundaries itself have not changed so much however with the signing of the treaty with Turkey, it allowed the Turks to come and go as they please in Qatar. Struggles for people were high in numbers, with having little to no power of their own country, considering that the Turks and eventually the British "owned them" in a way, it made them be very discreet in every which way of their lives. They also were required to help the Turks in fighting battles against the British, therefore, they were stripped of their dignity  and were much like "puppets" in a sense that whatever anybody except them was said, goes.

"Qatar/History." Www.looklex.com. 1 June 2009 http://www.looklex.com/e.o/qatar.history.html

A Look at Qatar in The Past

Qatar has only been credited for being under the rule of the Ottoman Empire since the sixteenth century. The Ottoman Empire held that rule for nearly four centuries. Most believe that Qatar was a part of the Ottoman Empire before that, but there is not much evidence to support this claim. Qatar on the map is almost connected to Saudi Arabia, that being said the lack of information about Qatar in the earlier years is due to this. It's quite possible that most researchers include the country of Qatar when discussing Saudi Arabia due to the popularity of Saudi Arabia whereas the country of Qatar is not well known to all.

"Qatar History." Www.lonelyplanet.com. 31 May 2009

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/qatar/history.html

Fascinating Architecture of Qatar

To the left you see a picture of a museum in Doha, Qatar. Simply put by its title: Doha's Islamic Arts Museum, this museum holds many ancient Islamic artifacts and history that provides the people of Qatar a better  way to understand the heritage of the fascinating language that they practice. 

"Islamic Art Museum of Qatar." Www.qatarvisitor.com  28 May 2009

http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=415&pID=1281

The picture above is one of Qatar's most visited sites. The Ethnographic Museum was created in 1935 and is still today one of the countries most coming attractions. It holds great history and much value as tourists rate it the number one place to visit in the entire country. 

"Ethnographic Museum, Qatar" Www.middleeasthub.com 28 May 2009 

http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/tourist-attractions/ethnographic-museum.html.

The Mosques of Doha is located in Doha Qatar. It faces the Persian Gulf and is a very hot spot for tourists. It is said that during Ramadan, this Mosques is one of the best for prayer during this time, and is highly valuable to the people of Qatar. Having such great meaning to the city, it is no wonder that is such a well respected place.

"Buildings in Qatar." Www.virtualtourist.com 28 May 2009

http://www.members.virtualtourist.com/m/p/m/27047/.html

The Traditions of Islam in Qatar

Knowing that Islam came about in the seventh century, it was different than both Christianity and Judaism. The two sects of Islam, Sunni and Shia are still practiced today in all Middle Eastern countries. Over 90 % of the Islam is mainly Sunni which makes up approximately 1 billion Muslims. But the Shia practice is one that Qatar practices more along with its surrounding countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Because they practice the sect of Shia Islam, they believe that God chose Ali to be the "chosen one" or the successor. In Qatar, they demand that some Islamic followers "shave their heads for pilgrimage," and even wear the ihram on the arrival at Mecca. They also practice multiple rituals and practice them to worship. "Religion in Qatar." www.justlanded.com. 27 May 2009

www.justlanded.com/english/Qatar/Qatar-Guide/Culture/Religion.

The Role of Islam in Qatar

It is uncertain when exactly Islam began in Qatar, but it is assumed that it was founded and used in Qatar around the same time as in other parts of the Middle East considering most Middle Eastern countries are dominantly Islam. In Qatar approximately 90 % of its population are Islam. From that 90%, about 10% are "Shia" Muslim, leaving the remaining 90% being "Sunni" Muslim. Shia Muslims believe in the prophet of Muhammad and go by the text accordingly. Whereas the Sunni Muslims believe in "words and actions." They also have four schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafii, and Hanbali.

"Language and Religion in Qatar." Www.middleeasthub.com 22 May 2009 http://www.middleasthub.com/qatar/culture/language-religion.html

Religion in Qatar

The primary religion in Qatar is Islam. Over 90% of the people in Qatar follow that religious view. The other 10% of the people in that country are "Shia Muslims" which means in other words they believe in Muhammad and worship as a part of his family. The other 90% ( "Sunni Muslims") believe in "words and actions." Being very dominated by one religion it is hard for most people to "branch out." Most people in Qatar have no other option but to study the Islamic religion. This in a sense takes away some of their freedom, as well as makes it difficult to believe in something else. 

"Language and Religion in Qatar." Www.middleeasthub.com 21 May 2009 

http://www.middleeasthub.com/qatar/culture/language-religion.html 

Architecture in Qatar

The Zubarah Fort is an Arab fort built in Qatar. It was built in 1938, and was used for protecting people. It was also useful for coast-guards to stand their post later on in the 1980's. It is now a museum exhibit and was credited to H.H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al- Thani for being built. 

"Al-Zubarah Fort." www.heritageofqatar.org./history/history12.html

Early on Qatar

Map of Mesopotamia 20 May 2009 http://kevin.lps.org/PreHistory_Lessons/images/mesomap.gif

Showed above, Qatar was apart of "Mesopotamia." It is located as stated earlier between the Tigris and Euphrates River. This allowed easy access to water that a country like Qatar desperately needs. Arabic is the main language spoken in Qatar to this day and was one of the first written languages created. 

Stereotypes in Qatar

What many people don't know about Qatar is that it is a country of great wealth. Therefore, Qatar has the second highest GDP (Gross Domestic Product) out of any country in the world. This creates people to believe that the citizens of Qatar are very selfish and only care about money, but as many discussed this is wrong. Also, many people of Qatar are compared to the people of Saudi Arabia. Now, Saudi Arabia has a reputation of being a "terror" country, meaning that they are all terrorist. This stereotype then goes back to people of Qatar, because people get them mixed up. Finally, the people of Qatar are Arab, meaning that most people in our world think every person that is of Arabic descent is a terrorist, that is untrue. The people in the world need to realize that this is not a true fact, and that people that are Arab are still people, they're not all terrorists. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

Map of Qatar

"Map of Qatar." Map. Http://map.primorye.nu The University of Texas at Austin 18 May 2009

There are some geographical features about Qatar that not a good amount of people know about. Interestingly enough, approximately 160 kilometers of Qatar goes into the Persian Gulf. Also, Qatar has mainly flat and rocky terrain with sand dunes surrounding the Gulf. Qatar also has limestone formations that have formed. There are also islands that surround the terrain. 

"Geography of Qatar." Www.middleeasthub.com 18 May 2009