We had some interesting times in Qatar with DW. It can though be difficult often in ME to know unless you specifically talk to people where they are from as people in the three I worked in were from arab countries all around the world.
DW worked at a nursery (she has quite dark hair and pale complexion£, a father came storming in "why is their an arab girl teaching my child not wearing headscarf" (Phillipino staff and eastern European staff did not wear head scarfs) For some bizarre reason the dad was placated by showing DW's passport that she was british and hence not a muslim 
DW said while in a toilet some crotchety lady spat near here while shouting at her and pointing to her head in Arabic, but when DW spoke the women seem to then backtrack as if it was all some misunderstanding.
One of the phillipino staff at the nursery was a photographer and they went to a local wedding which was fascinating as for parts of the ceremony the men and women split (other religions do this too) but after splitting the women all took off there burqas and had fabulous dresses on, very daring slits up the side, literally just covering the nipple then plunging all the way down the back and of course made up like movie stars. Its believed there is some competition to outdo each other.
DW bought a nice embroided one while we were in Bahrain but barely wore it, except when she wasn't bother about changing out from jim jams to nip to the shop. though in Qatar she wore it more as we felt more eyes burning on us/being gawped at. Holding hands will get you dirty looks and definitely no kissing hugs publicly - roll on the World cup lol.
Interesting though while in her Burqa she got discounts in shops, and we had to giggle in one shop as the assistant said very slowly "dooo yoooouuu neeeed aaa baaaaggg" as if english wasn't her first language.
As a man you can probably guess I never had any problems in these countries.