Talking about religiosity, Qataris are very much different from the Saudis. In Riyadh where we lived for six years, it has been the general practice that during prayer time, (salah) all shops are closed and workers stop from working. We have experienced several times that even if we are not yet done eating, in some restaurants; we have to go out while in others, lights are shut down and we are locked inside.
During my short stay in Doha, I have noticed that even during prayer time, shops are open and you can see children playing on the field. Everybody go about their task even on prayer time. Could it be because Saudi Arabia is the center of Islam, the seat of Kaaba? Or is it in their culture? In Qatar, women are allowed to drive, a no no in Saudi Arabia. Women are not also wearing the black gown (abaya) and the veil (tarha) unlike in Saudi Arabia where even the non-Muslims are required to wear. I have several experiences with the mutawah, religious police, who accosted me for not wearing a veil. One time, I was in a bookstore buying school supplies for my children. A bearded guy wearing the traditional white dress called thob, stand by my side and talked to me in a very low voice....Do you know that women here are required to cover their hair? ( I always wear my hair long and I find it uncomfortable to cover my hair, first it is hot and second, the veil always fall down)...Explaining I was new in the Kingdom and was not aware of the regulation, I promised him that I will always cover my hair… a promise that was broken many times. Once scary encounter I had with the mutawah was when I was inside a mall walking with my uncovered hair. A mutawah and a police tried to stop me while uttering words in Arabic. I was aware why they were accosting me; I was not wearing a veil. I hurriedly went inside a shop that sells veils and pretended I am buying one. Good enough, they could not follow me inside the shop because it was a woman shop. That saved me. In Saudi, a mutawah, accompanied by a police, can effect arrest. That was also a big difference here in Doha. In malls and supermarket, mingling with opposite sex is not prohibited. Aside for some few who are wearing abaya and tarha and from the Arabic language, you would not think you are in a Muslim country. It is a far cry from Riyadh where women are limited to talk (socially) only to their husband or fellow women when in public place. Anyway, it is an interesting experience to learn different culture, meet different people and see different places. It enriches our knowledge and widens our perspective in life. We see how blessed and progressive we are in more ways than the others.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorA mother, an aunt, a sister and a friend, they embody Archives
February 2014
Categories
All
|