Qatar
(2004)
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 Wahhabi order
of the Sunni branch.
The status of respect for religious freedom improved somewhat during
the period covered by this report. There was continued progress toward
implementation of a Constitution that explicitly provides for freedom
of worship, including the adoption of laws guaranteeing the freedom
of association and public assembly. In April diplomatic relations between
the country and the Vatican officially were formalized with the arrival
of a papal nuncio. In May the second annual dialogue on Muslim-Christian
understanding occurred. Non-Muslims may not proselytize, and the Government
regulates the publication, importation, and distribution of non-Islamic
religious books and materials; however, in practice individuals and
religious institutions are not prevented from importing Bibles and other
religious items for personal or congregational 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 discusses religious freedom issues with the Government
as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.
Section I. Religious Demography
The country has a total land area of approximately 4,250 square miles
and its population is estimated at approximately 750,000, of whom approximately
150,000 are believed to be citizens. The majority of the 600,000 noncitizens
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 Wahhabi 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 the 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 Emir participates in public prayers during both Eid holiday periods
and personally finances the Hajj journeys of 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 April the Government responded to concerns about
the amount of space available for church construction by replacing the
original site it designated with a new lot substantially larger than
the previous site. However, the Government has not yet issued building
permits for church construction. The Government does not maintain an
official approved register of religious congregations.
In May 2003, the Government gave legal status to many Christian churches,
allowing them to open bank accounts and sponsor clergy for visas.
The following religious holidays are considered national holidays:
Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Converting to another religion from Islam is considered apostasy and
is technically a capital offense; however, since 1971 there has been
no record of an execution or other punishments for such a crime.
The Government regulates the publication, importation, and distribution
of non-Islamic religious literature; however, in practice individuals
and religious institutions generally are not prevented from importing
Bibles and other religious items for personal or congregational use.
In addition religious materials for use at Christmas and Easter are
available readily in local shops.
In 2003, some nongovernmental organizations raised concerns that the
Government had deported several non-Muslims because of their religious
activities. Although the Government does not normally provide official
explanations of such cases, proselytization is often the suspected cause.
During the period covered by this report, there were no reported cases
of such deportations.
Religious services are held without prior authorization from the Government.
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.
No foreign missionary groups operate openly in the country. In June
a new criminal code was enacted that established new rules for proselytizing.
Individuals caught proselytizing on behalf of an organization, society,
or foundation, for any religion other than Islam are sentenced to a
term in prison no longer than 10 years. If proselytizing is done on
behalf of an individual, for any religion other than Islam, the sentence
is imprisoned for a term no longer than 5 years. According to this new
law, those who possess written or recorded materials or items that support
or promote missionary activity are imprisoned for no longer than 2 years.
Discrimination in the areas of employment, education, housing, and
health services occurs, 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.
Muslim children are allowed to go to 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 verses from 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 a child out of the country without permission of the
citizen parent. Women may attend court proceedings, but generally they
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 woman is not required to convert to Islam upon marriage
to a Muslim; however, many make a personal decision to do so. 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.
Abuses by Terrorist Organizations
There were no reported abuses targeted at specific religions by terrorist
organizations during the period covered by this report.
Improvements and Positive Developments in Respect for Religious Freedom
In May 2003, the Government gave legal status to Catholic, Anglican,
Orthodox, and many Asian Christian denominations. It provided them with
registration numbers that allow them to open bank accounts and sponsor
clergy for visas. Once each church group had a "number," it
filed for visa and bank accounts. The granting of registration numbers
represented major progress. During the period covered by this report,
the Government issued the other paperwork that was required for the
visas and bank accounts. Religious figures are now more likely to be,
but still not usually, seen in public in Christian religious garb. During
the period covered by this report, the Government approved a significantly
larger land area than the location previously allocated for church construction.
The Government has allotted a plot to each of the major registered churches.
Christian denominations continued to make progress towards building
churches on their designated plots of land.
In his address to the opening session of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue
in May, the Prime Minister delivered a speech for the Emir calling for
dialogue and mutual understanding between Islam and Christianity that
received wide coverage in local media. The speech also called for broadening
the dialogue to include representatives of Judaism in 2005, concluding
that such dialogue would "build a decent human life where the principles
of love, tolerance, and equality prevail for the good of mankind."
This announcement has generated a national dialogue regarding Muslim-Christian-Jewish
relations.
Section III. Societal Attitudes
There are generally amicable relations among persons of differing religious
beliefs. The press and media generally treat non-Muslim religions in
a respectful manner. During the period covered by this report, a number
of public events promoted tolerance and understanding. The Indian Cultural
Society staged a celebration of Onam in September stressing mutual understanding
between the Muslim, Christian, and Hindu components of Indian society.
The Syro Malabar Cultural Association organized a Christmas celebration
featuring a portrayal of the life of Mother Teresa attended by 1,300
persons. The film "The Passion of the Christ" was widely advertised
and attended in the country. 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 U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government
as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.
The Ambassador and other U.S. 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; it brought these issues to the
attention of appropriate officials in the Government.
Sources: U.S. State Department - Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor |