Just brushing up on some local laws after hearing on radio LGBT was illegal and wow…just WOW… https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar/local-laws-and-customs
Virtually identical to Dubai. I had to spend a week in Dubai a couple of separate times in 2019 for work and whilst overall, on balance, I am glad I have had the experience, it was very different and I was very conscious of it at all times. As I work implementing finance systems, the subject arose about finance laws and the place I was working filled me in on the laws relating to bounced cheques. Basically, they dont do credit over there in the same way we think of credit as it is anti Islamic. No such thing as mortgages - you basically write 300 post dated cheques. The system is brutal. You lose your job, through no fault of yours, and all of a sudden you are in danger of not being able to honour your next house cheque. You are done for - that's a criminal offence. There is an area of the car park at the airport filled with abandoned cars. Basically, when you know you are about to bounce a cheque because financially, things have taken a turn for the worse, you drive to the airport, abandon the car, get the hell out of there and never return. The alternative is several years in jail. I took a couple of days holiday on my second visit so I could delay my return and spend a couple of days doing the tourist bit. Dancing fountains at the marina, Burj Khalifa, all that stuff. It was great. But i am not in a rush to go back.
Dubai is a lovely place to visit,it's extremely clean and no dogs and cats crapping all over. You have to respect the countries you travel to its their laws wether you agree or not. It feels safe as well when you go out not like here.
Might feel it but as a woman if you get assaulted its deemed to be your fault. The number of people killed/injured due to boy racers is worrying too. If a national accused you of something, they won't believe you. I agree though, you do need to be aware of the laws in any counties you're visiting.
Pretty naive way to think about it all mate. In terms of Human Rights, this isn’t medieval times, this is 2022 and they are attempting to buy morals from the rest of the world. It’s not worked.
It puts it into stark perspective to consider that foreign travel advice, which should always be the go-to place for advice before travelling anywhere in the world - particularly more 'exotic' places. A World Cup shouldn't be anywhere near such an illiberal place. We all know the reason why it is. But how is control to be regained over FIFA, and it's higher-ups made more transparent and accountable? We might particularly ask that question in the wake of Infantino's freelancing over the weekend. And it raises more questions. Qatar seems a fairly straightforward case, but who is to judge which regimes are acceptable or not? And will we fall into the trap of assuming only 'western liberal' states can pass muster? Is America one such? Or a UK run by Sunak, Braverman and the ERG? And what about club ownership? Shearer made the point yesterday that the Newcastle fans have no say over who owns their club. And many of them have turned up at St James' religiously for maybe 40, 50, 60 years, through thick or (mostly) thin. Should fans have to stay away and boycott the love of their lives when government cannot give a clear steer in regard to its dealings with (arguably) oppressive states? Many questions.
We stayed on way back from Australia and my Wife was really worried before we got there but it was fine. We didn't see anything untoward ,maybe we were lucky but it was perfectly fine.
The UAE has for a long time been regarded as considerably more liberal (like Bahrain) compared to many M.E. states like Iran . Many years ago The old Sheik in Abu Dhabi used to have a beach house he would recline in on the 'European' beach. This was allocated exclusively to Westerners where women were allowed to wear bikinis etc. He obviously enjoyed the view and apparently some 'select' individuals who took his eye were invited to the beach house for 'refreshments'. When I went to Dubai it was long before the billions were pumped into it, was undeveloped, industrial , and if I remember correctly the Dubai Hilton being the one decent hotel in the place. Despite it being more relaxed You still had to be careful . My sister and brother in law lived in Manama in Bahrain (even more relaxed) for a few years and then Sharjah in the UAE. Driving was a bit dodgy since the boy racers especially on the desert roads drove like maniacs and many had Ferraris, etc. and regularly crashed or the things caught fire. Always burnt out cars at the side of the road at regular intervals. Biggest problem though was ANY incident involving a foreigner and local was ALWAYS regarded by attending police as the fault of the former and usually resulted in arrest, fine and car confiscated. Oh! And my brother in law pointed out the Bahrain driving test consisted of turning up at the fort and negotiating a short course made up of traffic cones. If you could negotiate that (without hitting too many) they gave you a licence after which you were the sone of a wealthy local you could go andbuy a Lambo or Ferrari and burn up the roads. Oh! and God help anyone who hit a camel whilst driving (quite a few of which roamed free) whilst driving. Throw away the key with that one. Times may have changed but, I suspect, customs haven't that much.
I had a friend who lived in Saudi Arabia for 10 years - and hypocrite is the right word - all false piety at home - then off to Bahrain to get p*ssed and shag prostitutes. I'm guessing qatar is the same - if you have the money then the rules only apply to others.
I agree if you go to another country you have to respect their laws even if you disagree. I have no interest of travelling to any of these places and its funny how footballers will wear a armband but not one has boycotted it. The tournament shouldnt even be taking place there.
