name : armed samy

ID:180107952

Culture Name :Qatari

Orientation
Identification. Residents of Qatar can be divided into three groups: the Bedouin, Hadar, and
Abd. The Bedouin trace their descent from the nomads of the Arabian Peninsula. The Hadar's
ancestors were settled town dwellers. While some Hadar are descendants of Bedouin, most
descend from migrants from present-day Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and occasionally are
referred to as lrani-Qataris. Alabd , which literally means "slaves," are the descendants of slaves
brought from east Africa. All three groups identify themselves as Qatari and their right to
citizenship is not challenged, but subtle sociocultural differences among them are recognized
and acknowledged.

Location and Geography.

Qatar is a small peninsula on the western shore of the Arabian Gulf that covers approximately
4,247 square miles (6,286 square kilometers). The landmass forms a rectangle that local
folklore describes as resembling the palm of a right hand extended in prayer. Neighboring
countries include Bahrain to the northwest, Iran to the northeast, and the United Arab Emirates
and Saudi Arabia to the south. Qatar and Bahrain both claim the uninhabited Hawar Islands just
west of Qatar. Until recently, only small semipermanent seasonal encampments existed in the
interior desert. Water resources near the coast combined with opportunities for fishing, pearl
diving, and seagoing trade have supported larger, more permanent settlements. These
settlement patterns have contributed to the social differentiation between Bedouin and Hadar.

Demography
. In 1998, the population was estimated at 579,000. Most estimates agree that only about 20
percent of the population are Qatari, with the remainder being foreign workers. A total of 91.4
percent live in urban areas, mostly in the capital. Because male foreign laborers come without
their families, there is an imbalance of males and females in the total population. The foreign
workers, mostly from India and Pakistan, cannot obtain citizenship and reside in the country on
temporary visas.
Religion
Religious Beliefs. The majority of the citizens and the ruling family are Sunni Muslims,
specifically Wahhabis. There is, however, a large minority of Shi'a Muslims.