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Original poster

Why the hate for Qatar when people flock to Dubai?

185 replies

piddocktrumperiness · 04/11/2022 16:35

I 'm not quite getting why people are quick to criticise Qatar and its human rights record and treatment of LGBTQ+, when every country in the gulf does the same. This government is in bed with the Saudis, sold lots of landmarks to the Qatari Royal family and many brits are quick to emigrate to Dubai. We even accept sponsorships from these countries.

For the record I'm not condoning any of these Gulf regions- I believe they are all equally bad and treat not only LGBTQ+ badly, but every nationality that is not white American/European/Australian.

I just don't think you can pick and choose- you either state that you condemn all of these regions, or you kind of keep quiet. If the World Cup was held in the Emirates, with most of the games in Dubai, I don't quite imagine the same criticism take place?

So why is the news singling out Qatar?

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 04/11/2022 16:37

I just don't think you can pick and choose why? Have you only ever been to perfectly equal countries with a good human rights record? If yes then you’ve never left western/ Northern Europe !

Brefugee · 04/11/2022 16:39

I will never go to Dubai and I'm boycotting the World Cup in Qatar and don't condone it.

Do you have any evidence that people who hate Qatar go to Dubai?

mileaminute · 04/11/2022 16:40

I think there would be similar condemnation if it was held in dubai actually.

Annasgirl · 04/11/2022 16:40

I don’t think they are the same people - I would never go to either. For me it’s about women’s rights BTW - a travesty that Governments, sports bodies and MSM and social media worthies seem happy to ignore.

Twinstudy · 04/11/2022 16:41

I think it's unlikely that the people criticizing the world cup in Qatar are the same ones flocking to Dubai. I've never been to Dubai, never would.

Twinstudy · 04/11/2022 16:43

Also agree that the criticism would be the same if it were in Dubai

JaninaDuszejko · 04/11/2022 16:43

Agree with PP, the people criticizing Qatar would not go to Dubai, although presumably (the incredibly corrupt) FIFA would.

Original poster
piddocktrumperiness · 04/11/2022 16:43

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I'm not quite getting your message here. I have lived outside of Europe- in the Middle East actually and I am saying that you can't pick to go to one country in the gulf for example The Emirates and herald at as being 'progressive, or modern' , and have an issue with Qatar- The gulf is notorious for its poor treatment of many groups- behind all the glitz and glam, they're all v v similar

OP posts:
Original poster
piddocktrumperiness · 04/11/2022 16:48

Perhaps it's just in my social circle then, but yes I have had this conversation with some colleagues at work- who have worked in Kuwait, holidayed in Morocco, Egypt and Dubai (all where being gay is still officially illegal) and for some reason are drawing the line at Qatar- I could not get to the end of it. The only thing they kept coming back to is that the former countries have made an effort to be inclusive, progressive and so long as you respect local customs everything is ok?
What? That did not make much sense to me.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 04/11/2022 17:54

I would go to either.
(but then again I also wouldn’t watch the World Cup if they were playing at the local rec and gave mea free ticket!) never saw the interest in lots of blokes spitting and kicking a ball around.

MrsMamaD · 04/11/2022 18:14

Just out of interest, have you ever been to any of these countries?

I used to live in Dubai and can tell you that although these things are technically illegal, they turn a blind eye to A LOT. I knew so many LGBTQ+ members living out there and unless they did something to really offend someone (usually a national) then it wasn't an issue. Yes you do have the potential for getting arrested above your head for silly things like you see in the media, but those that live out there are aware of what it takes and know to adjust their actions in public. They know they have the freedoms to live how they wish in western countries, yet still choose to live in a Muslim country because it can actually provide a better opportunities and quality of life for them.

Qatar, along with Saudi, is one of the more strict countries and enforce stricter and more barbaric laws - hence why most people have a bigger issue with them.

It's a very messy argument to get in and one I don't see the West winning without the Arab nations requiring something huge from us. We rely on them a lot more than they rely on us.

arctica · 04/11/2022 19:45

MrsMamaD · 04/11/2022 18:14

Just out of interest, have you ever been to any of these countries?

I used to live in Dubai and can tell you that although these things are technically illegal, they turn a blind eye to A LOT. I knew so many LGBTQ+ members living out there and unless they did something to really offend someone (usually a national) then it wasn't an issue. Yes you do have the potential for getting arrested above your head for silly things like you see in the media, but those that live out there are aware of what it takes and know to adjust their actions in public. They know they have the freedoms to live how they wish in western countries, yet still choose to live in a Muslim country because it can actually provide a better opportunities and quality of life for them.

Qatar, along with Saudi, is one of the more strict countries and enforce stricter and more barbaric laws - hence why most people have a bigger issue with them.

It's a very messy argument to get in and one I don't see the West winning without the Arab nations requiring something huge from us. We rely on them a lot more than they rely on us.

There's always one who comes to defend themselves acting like having homophobic laws is no big deal.

BananaGrana · 04/11/2022 19:51

With regard to ‘turning a blind eye’, if you’re part of the elite in these places you can get away with a lot. Quite different for those further down the pecking order.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 04/11/2022 19:54

There's always one who comes to defend themselves acting like having homophobic laws is no big deal
like Hungary and Romania

Freespirit42 · 04/11/2022 19:54

Brefugee · 04/11/2022 16:39

I will never go to Dubai and I'm boycotting the World Cup in Qatar and don't condone it.

Do you have any evidence that people who hate Qatar go to Dubai?

My feelings to never understood why folk go to Dubai when you hear how many get arrested for mundane stuff

Longwhiskers · 04/11/2022 19:54

It’s a funny one. I lived in Qatar for a while. We had several gay friends who never had a problem. One declared it at the interview stage for a v senior role and was told by his boss to be (a direct relative of the timer) ‘what you do in your private life is your concern and not ours.’

losingit31 · 04/11/2022 19:58

Dubai is not a country. It observes both local and federal laws. Unmarried couples can cohabit legally and there are plenty of gay people living their lives without fear or harassment.

MissyB1 · 04/11/2022 20:00

I wouldn’t dream of going to either. Have never understood the love for Dubai holidays anyway, I can’t even imagine wanting to go there.

knittingaddict · 04/11/2022 20:17

I'm guessing the same people who aren't bothered by Qatar aren't bothered by Dubai. The people who don't like either probably dislike both. Its really very simple.

knittingaddict · 04/11/2022 20:18

I should probably add that no amount of money would persuade me to go to Qatar or Dubai.

PilatesPeach · 04/11/2022 20:26

I detest anywhere that uses slave labour to build it (or provide any other service) and would not visit either Dubai or Qatar just could not do it - even a free holiday!

DeireadhFomhair · 04/11/2022 20:30

I don't know why some people may object to Qatar more than Dubai, but I watched a show in ITV last night (think it was called "Qatar; state of fear?") And to be honest it was horrific. I won't watch the World Cup in my own personal protest, I think the whole thing is completely corrupt!!

rumred · 04/11/2022 20:36

All grim. Wouldn't ever visit a country where I'm illegal. No respect for those who holiday there

MrsMamaD · 04/11/2022 23:40

arctica · 04/11/2022 19:45

There's always one who comes to defend themselves acting like having homophobic laws is no big deal.

Show quote history

I am not defending homophobia or homophobic laws in places. I was just simply stating that there are many people in the community that live out there quite peacefully. I was also trying to say that Dubai isn't AS BAD as Qatar, yes I realise it still has Sharia law but the laws aren't enforced as heavily because they want to be seen as a desirable place to come to for all people.

If you have an issue with their laws, your issue is with the religion. We all know most religions are outdated but they don't change. For a law to change there, the religion needs to change and it won't. This is why I said we (the West) won't win this one. As sad as it is, it's a fact.

Don't tar me with the homophobic brush sheerly due to the fact that I once lived in Dubai and I was trying to educate on what it's actually like to be there

MeetPi · 05/11/2022 00:37

@piddocktrumperiness

I 'm not quite getting why people are quick to criticise Qatar and its human rights record and treatment of LGBTQ+, when every country in the gulf does the same. This government is in bed with the Saudis, sold lots of landmarks to the Qatari Royal family and many brits are quick to emigrate to Dubai. We even accept sponsorships from these countries.

I thought the relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia was somewhat strained?

Regarding the World Cup in Doha, you might be interested to learn that many of the stadiums have been built using slave labourers from North Korea. Qatar is loose ally of NK.