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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To never want to visit Qatar?

216 replies

RareLilacFinch · 28/12/2024 00:37

The incessant full-page ads I’m getting on MN encouraging me to visit Qatar have got me thinking about why I’d never want to go there.

As a woman, there are obvious reasons - not wanting to be under the “guardianship” of my husband, and the forced gynaecological examinations of a plane full of Australian women being the tip of the iceberg - on top of the hideous human rights abuses of migrant workers, and the general suppression of free speech.

So AIBU - am I missing something?

OP posts:
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7
Motheranddaughter · 28/12/2024 20:11

No way would i go there

JHound · 28/12/2024 20:09

SherbetSweeties · 28/12/2024 18:43

Hmm nope just no desire to visit a country where stoning ppl to death is entertainment.

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In Qatar?

Stoning people to death for entertainment in Qatar?

I like when people add a comment that proves the veracity of what I wrote.

Fidgety31 · 28/12/2024 19:34

I’m visiting at Easter - as my son lives and works there . Can’t wait - very excited to go tbh !

NotaRealHousewife · 28/12/2024 19:13

Waterocean67 · 28/12/2024 07:21

I forgot that here in the U.K. it rains glitter and roses every day and there’s no embarrassing (fairly recent ) history of colonialism and slavery. It’s great that things like modern day slavery , racism and sexual exploitation, discrimination , abuse of power, poverty and policy issues no longer exist . I hope you’re all also boycotting every single other country with human rights issues - that might not leave you with many places to visit or benefit from , but at least you won’t be a hypocrite

This

eastereggg · 28/12/2024 19:01

This reply has been deleted

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ParsnipPuree · 28/12/2024 19:00

RareLilacFinch · 28/12/2024 00:37

The incessant full-page ads I’m getting on MN encouraging me to visit Qatar have got me thinking about why I’d never want to go there.

As a woman, there are obvious reasons - not wanting to be under the “guardianship” of my husband, and the forced gynaecological examinations of a plane full of Australian women being the tip of the iceberg - on top of the hideous human rights abuses of migrant workers, and the general suppression of free speech.

So AIBU - am I missing something?

Yes- you're missing the fact Quatar supports Hamas, a terrorist organisation.

Westfacing · 28/12/2024 18:55

Apart from the human rights situation there would be no reason for me to visit Qatar - unlike Iran, Iraq, Syria, etc. there are no ancient buildings, history, culture, or sites of interest!

SherbetSweeties · 28/12/2024 18:49

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 28/12/2024 18:45

Hmm nope just no desire to visit a country where stoning ppl to death is entertainment.

Just FYI Qatar does have the death penalty but definitely does not stone anyone to death, nor is the death penalty carried out in public as an entertainment form.

It is carried out by firing squad and is extremely rare.

I'm not saying as a country there is nothing to critisise, far from it, but at least be factually correct.

Well pardon for the mistake but I'll still pass on that one. 😆

quixote9 · 28/12/2024 18:47

colinthedogfromaccounts · 28/12/2024 05:43

You do know that Doha and Dubai are in different countries?

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Yes. Duh.

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 28/12/2024 18:45

Hmm nope just no desire to visit a country where stoning ppl to death is entertainment.

Just FYI Qatar does have the death penalty but definitely does not stone anyone to death, nor is the death penalty carried out in public as an entertainment form.

It is carried out by firing squad and is extremely rare.

I'm not saying as a country there is nothing to critisise, far from it, but at least be factually correct.

SherbetSweeties · 28/12/2024 18:43

JHound · 28/12/2024 17:33

More than a tinge.

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Hmm nope just no desire to visit a country where stoning ppl to death is entertainment.

cakeorwine · 28/12/2024 18:42

JHound · 28/12/2024 17:33

More than a tinge.

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Do you think the concerns that LGBT people may have over visiting Qatar is Islamophobic?

Or do you think their concerns are valid?

Birdscratch · 28/12/2024 18:33

JHound · 28/12/2024 17:34

It’s weird we can see this as a human rights violation in Qatar but not when children are being forcibly strip searched in the UK.

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What an utterly ridiculous comment.

JHound · 28/12/2024 17:34

FictionalCharacter · 28/12/2024 16:56

Dear god. What an appalling human rights violation.

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It’s weird we can see this as a human rights violation in Qatar but not when children are being forcibly strip searched in the UK.

JHound · 28/12/2024 17:33

Batmanisaplaceinturkey · 28/12/2024 16:53

I always think there's a tinge of Islamophobia in threads like this...

More than a tinge.

Oblomov24 · 28/12/2024 17:33

No real appeal to me.

eastereggg · 28/12/2024 17:16

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FictionalCharacter · 28/12/2024 16:56

Pipconkermash · 28/12/2024 13:14

They all did. They were forced. One woman said she felt like she’d been raped.

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Dear god. What an appalling human rights violation.

Batmanisaplaceinturkey · 28/12/2024 16:53

I always think there's a tinge of Islamophobia in threads like this...

Barbadossunset · 28/12/2024 16:40

But people should be asking why things are so bad in these countries that this feels like the best option available to them?

That’s a good point.

LlynTegid · 28/12/2024 16:27

Boomer55 · 28/12/2024 16:20

I’ve never wanted to visit it, so nothing has changed. 🤷‍♀️

Likewise same for me.

Boomer55 · 28/12/2024 16:20

I’ve never wanted to visit it, so nothing has changed. 🤷‍♀️

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 28/12/2024 16:19

I lived in Doha for a couple of years. It feels much, much safer than UK cities. No stabbings or antisocial behaviour. You could be out late at night in public at the weekend and it was all family groups peacefully enjoying themselves, rather than shouting, aggro groups of pissed-up men.

So I liked that aspect of it.

I do also think that people ask the wrong questions. Yes, people from India, the Philipines and various other countries come over to work for not a lot of money and are separated from their children from most of the time. But people should be asking why things are so bad in these countries that this feels like the best option available to them?

Many people from less well off countries are able to go home to build houses, open businesses and support families on the money they earn working in the Gulf.

To add - Qatar and the UAE are quite different now. Qatar has opted for a far more conservative path, and at this rate I can see Saudi overtaking them on the liberalisation front.

BusterGonad · 28/12/2024 16:04

JHound · 28/12/2024 15:45

One of my married friends works now (at her daughter’s school) but only in the last few years. Before that she was a housewife (which was part of the reason they moved there as they found being a single income family very difficult in the UK). They have been there well over a decade now.

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I'm obviously unlucky.

LillethCrane · 28/12/2024 16:03

I’ve been to Qatar twice for work purposes, but the second time I extended my stay as it’s such a lovely place. Hospitality is amazing, weather superb, people friendly, lots to do…

I would love to go back one day.