Qatar
(2003)
The Constitution provides for freedom of worship in
accordance with the law and the requirements of protecting the public
system and public behavior; however, the Government continues to prohibit
proselytization by non-Muslims and places some restrictions on public
worship. The official state religion follows the conservative Wahhabi
tradition of the Hanbali school of Islam.
The status of respect for religious freedom improved
somewhat during the period covered by this report due to the adoption
of a Constitution that explicitly provides for freedom of worship; the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the country and the Vatican;
and the conduct of a dialog on Muslim-Christian understanding. The Government
has given legal status to many Christian churches, allowing them to
open banking accounts and sponsor clergy for visas. Non-Muslims may
not proselytize, and the Government formally prohibits the publication,
importation, and distribution of non-Islamic religious books and materials;
however, in practice individuals generally are not prevented from importing
Bibles and other religious items for personal use. There are no Shi'a
employed in senior national security positions.
There are generally amicable relations among persons
of differing religious beliefs.
The U.S. Government discussed religious freedom issues
with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy
of promoting human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
The country has a total land area of approximately
4,254 square miles and its population is estimated at approximately
600,000 of whom approximately 150,000 are believed to be citizens. The
majority of the 450,000 non-citizens are Sunni Muslims, mostly from
other Arab countries working on temporary employment contracts, and
their accompanying family members. The remaining foreigners include
Shi'a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Baha'is. Most foreign
workers and their families live near the major employment centers of
Doha, Ras Laffan/Al Khor, Messaeed, and Dukhan.
The Christian community is a diverse mix of Indians,
Filipinos, Europeans, Arabs, and Americans. It includes Catholic, Orthodox,
Anglican, and other Protestant denominations. The Hindu community is
almost exclusively Indian, while Buddhists include South and East Asians.
Most Baha'is come from Iran. Both citizens and foreigners attend a small
number of Shi'a mosques.
No foreign missionary groups operate openly in the
country.
Section II. Status of Religious Freedom
Legal/Policy Framework
The Constitution provides for freedom of worship in
accordance with the law and the requirements of protecting the public
system and public behavior; however, the Government continues to prohibit
proselytization by non-Muslims and places some restrictions on public
worship. The state religion is Islam, as interpreted by the conservative
Wahabi order of the Sunni branch. While Shi'a practice most aspects
of their faith freely, they may not organize traditional Shi'a ceremonies
or perform rites such as self-flagellation.
The Government and ruling family are linked inextricably
to Islam. The Minister of Islamic Affairs controls the construction
of mosques, clerical affairs, and Islamic education for adults and new
converts. The Amir participates in public prayers during both Eid holiday
periods and personally finances the Hajj journeys of poor pilgrims who
cannot afford to travel to Mecca.
The Government has given legal status to Catholic,
Anglican, Orthodox, Coptic, and many Asian Christian denominations;
however, the Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim
public places of worship without permission. In May it provided them
with registration numbers that will allow them to open bank accounts
and sponsor clergy for visas. During the period covered by this report,
Christian church officials continued to seek authorization to construct
churches on land reserved by the Government for Catholic, Anglican,
Orthodox, Coptic, and other Christian communities; however, the Government
has not issued building permits. The Government does not maintain an
official approved register of religious congregations.
During the period covered by this report, the Government
established diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The Government also
hosted a seminar on Christian-Muslim understanding, which drew 30 prominent
scholars including the Archbishop of Canterbury to the capitol in April.
The following religious holidays are considered national
holidays: Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
The Constitution provides for freedom of worship in
accordance with the law and the requirements of protecting the public
system and public behavior; however, the Government continues to prohibit
proselytization by non-Muslims and places some restrictions on public
worship.
Converting to another religion from Islam is considered
apostasy and is technically a capital offense; however, since 1971 there
is no record of an execution for such a crime.
The Government formally prohibits the publication,
importation, and distribution of non-Islamic religious literature; however,
in practice individuals generally are not prevented from importing Bibles
and other religious items for personal use. In addition, religious materials
for use at Christmas and Easter are available readily in local shops.
Some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have raised
concerns that the Government has deported several non-Muslims because
of their religious activities. Though the Government does not normally
provide official explanations of such cases, proselytization is often
the suspected cause.
Congregations coordinate the holding of large religious
services with the Government in advance, while smaller services are
held without prior authorization. Although traffic police may direct
cars at these services, the congregations may not publicly advertise
them in advance or use visible religious symbols such as outdoor crosses.
Some services, particularly those on Easter and Christmas, can draw
more than 1,300 worshippers.
The Government does not permit Hindus, Buddhists,
Baha'is, or members of other religions to operate as freely as Christian
congregations; however, there is no official effort to harass or hamper
adherents of these faiths in the private practice of their religion.
Discrimination in the areas of employment, education,
housing, and health services do occur, but nationality is usually a
more important determinant than religion. For example, Muslims hold
nearly all high-ranking government positions because they are reserved
for citizens. However, while Shi'a are well represented in the bureaucracy
and business community, there are no Shi'as employed in senior national
security positions.
Islamic instruction is compulsory in public schools.
While there are no restrictions on non-Muslims providing private religious
instruction for children, most foreign children attend secular private
schools.
Both Muslim and non-Muslim litigants may request the
Shari'a courts to assume jurisdiction in commercial or civil cases.
Convicted Muslims may earn points for good behavior and have their sentences
reduced by a few months by memorizing the Koran.
Shari'a law imposes significant restrictions on Muslim
women. The Government adheres to Shari'a as practiced in the country
in matters of inheritance and child custody. Muslim wives have the right
to inherit from their husbands; however, they inherit only one-half
as much as male relatives. Non-Muslim wives inherit nothing, unless
a special exception is arranged. In cases of divorce, Shari'a is followed;
younger children remain with the mother and older children with the
father. Both parents retain permanent rights of visitation. However,
local authorities do not allow a noncitizen parent to take his or her
child out of the country without permission of the citizen parent. Women
may attend court proceedings but generally are represented by a male
relative; however, women may represent themselves. According to Shari'a,
the testimony of two women equals that of one man, but the courts routinely
interpret this on a case-by-case basis. A non-Muslim women is not required
to convert to Islam upon marriage to a Muslim; however, many make a
personal decision to do so. A noncitizen woman is not required to become
a citizen upon marriage to a citizen. Children born to a Muslim father
are considered to be Muslim.
There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees.
Forced Religious Conversion
There were no reports of forced religious conversion,
including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally
removed from the United States, or of the refusal to allow such citizens
to be returned to the United States.
Section III. Societal Attitudes
Relations between persons of differing religious beliefs
generally are amicable and tolerant. The press and media generally treat
non-Muslim religions in a respectful manner. On a few occasions, privately
owned newspapers or public television stations have carried articles
or sermons with anti-Semitic or anti-Christian content.
Section IV. U.S. Government Policy
The Ambassador and other Embassy officials met with
Government officials at all levels to address religious freedom issues.
The Embassy facilitated contacts between religious leaders and the Government,
and coordinated initiatives with other Embassies to increase their impact.
The Ambassador and other Embassy officials also met
with representatives from a number of religious communities in the country.
The Embassy discussed with them strategies for increasing religious
freedom in the country, protection of the interests of minority congregations,
and allegations of discrimination on religious grounds, and has brought
these issues to the attention of appropriate officials in the Government.
Sources: U.S. State Department - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor |