Saudi Prince Recognizes Israel’s Right To Exist

[StLucieBengal]

(04-10-2018, 11:38 AM)Dill Wrote: Thanks for the info, Dino.

As someone who actually lived under the "Kafala system" in Qatar for five years,  I could add a few points.  There has been a struggle over foreign labor in Qatar since the 90s.  The progressives were winning until Qatar got that World Cup bid. The American presence there is a constant pressure on them to clean up these labor problems.

Aside from that, they are certainly the most progressive of the Gulf nations, with the most opportunities for women. The Sheikha, the former Emir's second wife,  holds a contest every year with a money prize for the best female business start up. She was co-founder of their vast Education City, which provides western education to women from all developing countries. Women drive and can wear Western clothes in Qatar.  There is a prudent, progressive transfer of power to their version of a parliament.  They have to be careful, though. They are country in which FOUR FIFTHS of the inhabitants are immigrants, non-citizens.

Also, they are the only Gulf State with a two track legal system--one for Muslims and one for non-Muslims. So the Sharia Lucy so fears does not apply to Westerners. (one exception. Don't bring pork into the country.) I spent many a wonderful evening in the restaurants of luxury hotels drinking French wine and American bourbon.   Funny thing though. If you want to purchase liquour to take home, you have to apply for a liquor license and buy from a state store.  That's right. In this country YOU have to have the liquor license, not the liqour store.

As far as infrastructure goes, well, much better than the US, spiffy malls, one of the world's most modern airports.  Don't go there between May and October, but otherwise it is a great tourist destination. Clean, friendly, and safe, especially for "rich" westerners.

Here is a picture of the Sheikha--the only wife of a Gulf ruler to appear with him in public.  She never wears a veil.

Glad to see you trust your fate to the laws of Qatar. Seeing travel warnings over wearing a short sleeve shirt is enough to mark it off. My travel list.