Over one million sports activities followers will go to Qatar for the World Cup in November and December, a spectacle that sometimes turns host nations right into a nonstop get together. However this yr could also be completely different.
The tiny, conservative Muslim nation might present little tolerance for the booze-fueled hooliganism that has unfolded at tournaments previous.
Qatar has sought to painting itself as welcoming to foreigners however conventional Muslim values stay robust within the hereditarily dominated emirate. Qatar’s judicial system, primarily based on an interpretation of Islamic regulation, or Shariah, has drawn Western criticism for its tendency to favor prosecutors and police.
The autocratic nation says it’s going to loosen up for the unprecedented inflow of vacationers. However followers attending the World Cup must be conscious of Qatar’s legal guidelines and cultural customs, together with insurance policies for alcohol, medication, sexuality and gown code.
This is a take a look at the a few of them:
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is served solely in resort eating places and bars which have licenses in Qatar. It’s unlawful to devour it elsewhere. Non-Muslim residents of Doha who’ve a liquor license, nevertheless, might drink at house. On the World Cup, fans will be allowed to buy Budweiser beer inside stadium compounds — although not at concourse concession stands — earlier than and after video games. Followers also can drink within the evenings at a chosen “fan zone” in downtown Doha. Usually in Qatar, public drunkenness is punishable by hefty fines and jailing. However the head of Qatar’s safety operations has stated that through the match, police will flip a blind eye to most offenses however probably make arrests if somebody will get right into a drunken brawl or damages public property. The authorized ingesting age is 21, and bouncers at bars typically ask for picture ID or passports upon entry.
DRUGS
Qatar is among the world’s most restrictive nations in the case of medication, prohibiting hashish and even over-the-counter medicines like narcotics, sedatives and amphetamines. The sale, trafficking and possession of unlawful medication might result in extreme penalties, together with long-term jail sentences adopted by deportation and heavy fines. Drug smuggling expenses can carry the demise penalty. World Cup followers ought to pay attention to these legal guidelines when arriving at Hamad Worldwide Airport, the place authorities scan baggage and passengers with new safety know-how and have arrested these carrying the smallest portions of medicine.
SEXUALITY
Qatar considers the cohabitation of single men and women a criminal offense, utilizing so-called indecency legal guidelines to punish extramarital intercourse. Nonetheless, authorities say single {couples} can share resort rooms through the World Cup with out concern. On the streets, public shows of affection are “frowned upon,” the federal government tourism web site says. Holding arms gained’t land you in jail, however guests ought to keep away from exhibiting intimacy in public. Qatari regulation requires a jail sentence of 1 to a few years for adults convicted of consensual homosexual or lesbian intercourse. Crossdressing can be criminalized. World Cup organizers have advised The Related Press that anybody, no matter their sexual orientation, can come “with out worry of any kind of repercussions.” However one official warned rainbow flags could possibly be confiscated to guard followers from being attacked for selling homosexual rights in a area the place discrimination runs rampant.
DRESS CODE
Qatar’s authorities tourism web site urges women and men to “present respect for native tradition by avoiding excessively revealing clothes in public.” It asks guests to cowl their shoulders and knees. These in shorts and sleeveless tops could also be turned away from authorities buildings and malls. Ladies visiting mosques within the metropolis will obtain scarves to cowl their heads. It is a completely different story in motels, the place bikinis are frequent at resort swimming pools.
CAUSING OFFENSE
Flashing the center finger or swearing, notably when coping with police or different authorities, can result in arrest. Most prison circumstances in Qatar that entrap unwary foreigners contain such offenses. Many Qatari men and women won’t shake arms with the alternative intercourse; await a hand to be provided. Filming and photographing individuals with out their consent, in addition to taking footage of delicate navy or non secular websites, might end in prosecution. It’s additionally necessary to tread fastidiously when discussing faith and politics with locals. Insulting the royal household can land you in jail. Few Qataris are more likely to welcome criticism of their governance system from a vacationer. Spreading faux information and harming the nation’s pursuits is a severe and vaguely outlined crime, so it is best to keep away from social media commentary on Qatar.