To never want to visit Qatar?

[RareLilacFinch]

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?

No real appeal to me.

More than a tinge.

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.

What an utterly ridiculous comment.

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

Or do you think their concerns are valid?

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

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.

Yes. Duh.

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

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!

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

This

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

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.

No way would i go there

I already dealt with this in a post I wrote. As you well know because you responded. You are being very disingenuous.

Some people have genuine concerns about visiting Qatar and are consistent in the places they avoid.

Some people’s issue with Qatar is their Islamophobia (and many of the comments make clear which is which.)

Two things can be true at the same time.

Why is it ridiculous? What I stated is factually accurate.

What about the concerns over women's rights?
Islamophobic?

World Report 2024: Qatar | Human Rights Watch

Women in Qatar must obtain permission from their male guardians to marry, study abroad on government scholarships, work in many government jobs, travel abroad until certain ages, and receive some forms of reproductive health care.
Single Qatari women below 25 require their guardian’s permission to travel outside Qatar. Married women at any age can travel without permission, but men can petition a court to prohibit their wives’ travel. Qatari women are prohibited from being at events and bars serving alcohol, and unmarried Qatari women under 30 cannot check into hotels without a male guardian. Women face discrimination in practice while trying to rent apartments without a male guardian’s permission.

Guardian permission is required to work for government institutions, and women attending Qatar University face restrictions on their movements. Male guardians and other family members can report women to the police for being “absent” from their homes, which can lead to their arrest and forcible return home or to administrative detention.

Qatar’s Family Law also discriminates against women in marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Women require a male guardian’s permission to marry, and married women are required to obey their husbands and can lose their husband’s financial support if they work or travel against their husband’s wishes. Men have a unilateral right to divorce, while women must apply to the courts for divorce on limited grounds. Under inheritance provisions, female siblings receive half the amount their brothers get.

The Family Law forbids husbands from hurting their wives, but Qatar does not have a law on domestic violence or measures to protect survivors and prosecute their abusers.

Women are denied the authority to act as their children’s primary guardian, even when they are divorced and have legal custody. While Qatari men can pass citizenship to their spouses and children, children of Qatari women and non-citizen men can only do so under narrow, discriminatory conditions. Qatar passed a permanent residency law permitting children of Qatari women married to non-Qatari men, among others, to apply for permanent residency, own real estate, and receive government health and education services.

Read my post again.

Your question has been answered.

It took a few posts for you to acknowledge that some people might have actual concerns over going to Qatar.

Your first post

"The reasons are odd (I went to Qatar for work and not sure what you are talking about Guardianship?)"

Do you think the reasons are still odd?

It didn’t take a few posts. I acknowledged that from the start.

You are choosing to read what you wish to read for reasons unknown.

"You are not unreasonable to want to go to Qatar.
The reasons are odd (I went to Qatar for work and not sure what you are talking about Guardianship?)
You can choose whatever country you wish to visit for whatever reason"

Exactly. I said she is not unreasonable to not want to go to Qatar. Anybody can avoid any country for any reasons.

Her specific reasons are odd, in that she would not be under her husband’s guardianship if she visited and the incident with the Australian women on a plane is a strange reason to boycott a country when she is fine to live in a country that strip searches (including cavity searches) of children.

Some people have valid reasons for not wishing to visit Qatar. Some are Islamophobic.

My stance is unchanged.

""You are not unreasonable to want to go to Qatar."

"Exactly. I said she is not unreasonable to not want to go to Qatar."

Maybe you just missed out the word "not"