Non-Arabs expatriates

On your note that both Qataris and Non-Qataris have to establish mutual respect, I whole heartedly agree, but this isn't something we need to have a live show about, and cannot be imbedded in any law.

The "oily Bedouins" vs "money seekers" slinging got to stop from both sides.

I'm not delving into the Foreign policy, and sorry for the bad experience you've mentioned. Thats the price some have to pay merely on the basis of their nationality, in most cases.

Salam

Dear Happy,

I wasn't gonna, and I don't think like that, just live and let live, "A Cesar lo que es de Cesar" (render to Caesar what is Caesar's and render to God what is God's) and no more.

Locals are here, this is their land, we are only guests, and we need to be respected guests as well as respectful.

Don't go to foreign policy, it drove me crazy once and i do not recommend this for anyone.

Stay Happy ;)

Yalla!

I very much respect your opinion, but how locals look at you and you look at them, is an attitude and cultural complexity, which I agree exists heavily, and is boosted by the government's treatment of foreigners. So again, it's not the people you have problems with.

PLEASE don't respond saying "they" need to be taught in school how to behave and drive (something we all hear a lot), because if you did, you would be demonstrating that the cultural misconception isn't one way it's a two way road.

That and you need to know that I too have concerns, but not with the people, it's with Qatar Government's foreign policy and in our region.

"Yalla" bye..:)

Salam

I've been here for almost 8 years now and believe me there are lot of misconception and stereotyping of expats from the locals perspective.

we need to speak out and let every one know why exactly are we here and what can we do to this country.

Yalla!

let's give it sometime to grow and develop...after a while we can push for a little bit more.

For what I've been reading and talking to some nationals this was a totally different place just 10 yrs back.

Regards!!

I think the one who is paid that much fortune will not dare complain and because they know that they are here temporarily.

Such programs are successful when there is a busy and hectic life where officials are hardly accessible due to their booked schedule. So they or their substitutes listen to Radio to receive complaints indirectly and i think this semi-democratic way of expression.

Considering the larger number of expatriates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Nepal....I think we should have atleast one Urdu/Hindi FM channel operational here soon.

---------------------------------------------------------Whenever I find the KEY to SUCCESS...Someone STEALS it.

Ka Pukhtoon ye no dalta daNgg warka: http://www.qatarliving.com/group/pukhtoon-in-qatar

What do you want exactly!

If you can't speak arabic why you do want learn arabic like when you travel to Germany or other country then you should learn their language

Glad you got your car problem solved in Qatar.., but you're a male as suggested on your profile, so you should be ok...:P

Just have a friendly approach with the country, adapt and work on an acceptable change approach to agree with you as an expat and the locals.

I've been hearing many expats (families) who've been in Qatar for long and consider it home, but they have always been considered and treated as second in rank, they sort of feel torn in the middle. Another thing for the government to tackle among other priorities.

Enjoy life…:)

Salam

Well not much;)

I have my office boy to wash my car therefore i never used a car wash ever since:)

but i can't see why can't you just go on air and demand for places for ladies only at car wash stations? and btw, why don't you try WOQOOD car wash?

anyway,

I just wanted to find a way for expats to pose their problems for someone to hear and act not only take advises from fellow QLers or some.

Peace out.

Yalla!

I'll give you a tiny simple example, I love my car to shine, therefore half the year I'm at the gas station for car wash (LOL) come summer or winter, I find no place for me to sit, as the glass room there tagged " for men only" - I noticed lately it was removed in many places- What do I do? I enter the see-through room quietly, sit in some corner and garb a paper to read, and then sneak out once I'm called.

Would I consider this discrimination and sexism? should I go to Human Rights and scandalize Qatar at the UN's for primitive treatment of women? Answer is NO.

10 years back, Qatar didn’t except the huge number of women drivers, and 5 years back, they wouldn't have imagine women in gas stations for car wash and oil checks.

I feel I've become so repetitive, but I’ve been saying this same message since being on QL and here I go again, Qatar needs time, and expats are seriously pushing the envelope. It’s a "new born", give it time. The government need to start with most pressing issues and that is the rights of our fellow laborers.

In agreement or not yet?

Salam

Well Happy, Democracy is being practiced here in Qatar, in its own way:), and yes I agree that it's "someone else's" but you know what, when i came here, i thought i'm gonna stay for couple of years and make some money and go back home, it's been almost 8 years now, I'm still saying the same every year, I even met some who were saying this for their last 30 years and still in Qatar.

Meaning to say, This is our home now and we need to make it better for us and for our children.

Yalla!

I agree with your 2nd paragraph of your last post, but above you called for "Democracy", I mean democracy in Qatar?? why? and why should any expat bother aslan? I'd rather dedicate this same effort in rectifying and redressing my country's problems, then seeking to solve someone else's.

I strongly feel expats are, on purpose, sabotaging the peace of the land.

Let me know your feedback please.

Salam

Ok guys sorry I was off for two days when i should've elaborated on my own post.

I think you r missing the point here, the show in arabic have solved hundreds or thousands of serious problems for many people suffering from injustice even with high ranked locals, and believe they are far more important than landcruisers not obeing road rules or why you can't find pork or how to spend your night time in qatar.

I'm talking about issues you can always find here on |QL like company not paying salary or sponsor not giving NOC or house owner wants to kick people out of his house because he wants them to pay more.

THanks Dali for your opinions and thanks to all others, I believe we really need to focus on what's important for our life here and mostly for our children and families.

We need to find a way to stop criticizing people for who they are and try to make a better community for our children.

To add one more thing, I thing freedom of speech is under rated here in Qatar, and at the same time, freedom of speech does not mean that you need to bash locals!!!!

Last, Happy Happy, the show is not directed only to Qatar's Government, and your problems are not ONLY with Qatar Gov.

Yalla!

Arien I think UKEngQatar is been around a while, but I am not sure about who the real racist is here. Reading between the post I think he was trying to be funny, anyway my adivice is try to ignore the real sh*t stiring racist trolls like the one below.

cryogenic

Nationality:Qatar

Job Title:kEwL cAt

Gender:Female Age:18 - 25

I wonder who the troll is here some one who is pretending to be a Qatari female?

You pay too much peanuts you get trolls trying to get into the pearl!

Answer to that Exile..

Too many Indians not enough cowboys?

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HE WHO DARES WINS

LOL Rana trying to Fake Interviews makes my week lol She is so bad.

Do Locals really want to know what we think of them. I honestly dont think so and there fore it would be a waste of time. MAybe a Podcast with free veiws and Opinions would be cool.

Salam

I'll have to send the SMS from your "cell"........phone...:)

Salam

Since you know arabic, can you please send the following SMS to them for me. I will reimburse the costs:

Why do Land Cruisers not obey traffic laws ?

Why isn't Pork available here ?

Why can't i wear by bikini in public ?

Why does not my employer gove me a NOC ?

Why do I have to sign a rental contract for a year ?

Why is my other half two timing me ?

Heck, I just realised that the answer will be in Arabic too :O(

1- Non-Arab expats are not always English Speakers.

2- Qatar's government knows way too well what expats are suffering from.

3- Watani Alhabeeb takes calls and SMSs from ARABIC SPEAKERS, have someone type you Arabic SMS or make a call on your behalf.

Salam

Cryogenic, I think you're blowing his joke out of proportion. I'm not even sure what you mean by your second paragraph. Is there somebody here with UK in their name that's not a genuine UK citizen?

I think this is a great idea. I'd sign up and volunteer my time and skills.

Arien,

Ignore the racist UK Eng. This is not the first time he shoots himself in his feet with such a churlish and racist remark.

When he was talking about monkeys maybe he was referring to his clan.

And not everyone who have a name like UK and Eng is a blue blooded Brit. there are several paki rejects who troll this site who have been banished from UK who call themselves fancy names.

FACE YOUR FEARS LIVE YOUR DREAMS.....

Well i have lotof things to share as i findlotof things wrong on the roads and other areas:s

and use to think there should be some way to get ri of it:s

Work for 30 yrs and have a retirment of 3 yrs OR

Work for 3 yrs and have a retirment Of 30 yrs :D

Consult me:D

I have just been informed that Bernie from QBS has put his name down as the host for such morning show.

Here we go we gonna have more Lullaby in the morning..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Its better than Rana pretending to interview people :O)

Brit nice one ;) which people are you asking about?

The locals? You ought to know they do but are afraid of the harrassment that follows, many of them often get cut off their Arabic radio chanel when they say too much.

The expats? That's the spirt! Our opinions matter more.

So far, the petitioners for free speech and the radio channel are

1- Phoneix

2- Britexpat

3- Myself

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

I am all for free speech..

If the people want it, then bring it on ..... :O)

Arien.. Don't take too serious man. I was refering to the red Indians...lol

Yep agree that the most of the big shot here are local guys with Other Arabs running the show..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Well spotted MD, since Qatar is working so closely with the States they should learn from them and apply this much needed human right.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

Even you, dali, forgot the freedom of speech in your constitution. You had to "amend" it!

ExiledSaint's

"Why does it take 4 years to finish a road but only 3 1/2 to build a gas plant when that is infinitely more complex?

Why does Qatar have lots of shiny new buildings but no roads?

Why does Qatar advertise itself around the world as a nice new shiny country to do business but when you land the first thing you see if how bad the roads are?"

Are the ones i'd really love and beg to be answered.

The rest of the questions above have a right to be addressed and responded to, why not have open dialogue?

This is what Qatar is claiming to cater to "dialogue is part of the countrys reform" so...where is it?

If you can't have an English speaking radio station where you're qualms are aired and discussed then it's shamefully backward not to mention discriminatory in light of the fact that an Arabic version exists.

Maybe the English speaking Qataris would oblige everyone with their answers to your questions.

What are the graduates of Northwestern going to do?

Please don't tell me, they are being invested in by the government for the sake of even more Qatar PR work?

I doubt the esteemed university believes in that and expects it's students to practice the skills they have aquired in the worlds top ranking University of it's field.

Brit, If it is so boring then why be part of QL?

And on the contrary I believe that a great many people would welcome it and unlike yourself won't find it boring. It's as though you're adopting a 'whats the point' attitude when you havent given it a shot.

I believe that freedom of speech is an integral element of human rights, it should be encouraged and is the beakon of any civilization. Falling short of that would be to pave the way for tyranny and none of us, especially us, should encourage that.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

UK - thats offence.may I know who are those monkeys you meant there?

The road contractors takes ages to complete here because most of the companies are owned by local big shots..

Deadlines are given, but no questions are asked.

The same monekys ( as UK said) builds it in Dubai, they are quick and does it in time, They are given a deadline and they will be questioned and fined.

______________________________________________

- Listen to Many...Speak to a Few -

I'll add a few more

Why does it take 4 years to finish a road but only 3 1/2 to build a gas plant when that is infinitely more complex?

Why does Qatar have lots of shiny new buildings but no roads?

Why does Qatar advertise itself around the world as a nice new shiny country to do business but when you land the first thing you see if how bad the roads are?

Yep right Brit. May I add a few more if I may

Why are there not enough ladies in the Bars?

Why can't I live with my boyfriend?

Why can't half or more of the Qatari Police speak or refuse to speak English?

Why does the lady at the Immigration ask when returning from your Holiday at the Airport, So Sir what are you coming to Qatar for even though she can see your valid RP?

The list goes on.

Must differ Brit But I think it will very interesting to see actually someone answering them on the show..

Bring it On..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

OK.. So we get the program .

then the main gripes will be;

Why do Land Cruisers not obey traffic laws ?

Why isn't Pork available here ?

Why can't i wear by bikini in public ?

Why does not my employer gove me a NOC ?

Why do I have to sign a rental contract for a year ?

Why is my other half two timing me ?

It'll get boring very quickly..

Let's continue to use QL instead..

Observer like the one about the expats taking the parking in City Center..... and I thought it was the Qataris parking their 4x4 at an angle taking up two spaces....

Britexpat is right it will be the same things over and over again.... however he missed one.

Why aren't there more bars and nightclubs here?

Another thing UKEng, if it is in English it's taken seriously and thats your angle....ask any arab lol

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

UKEng....But the ones that Can Can, speak english very well ;)

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

There will be a problem if this program is in English.. Basically every thing will get lost in translation as all the departments prefer arabic speakers?

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HE WHO DARES WINS

Your suggestion for a live radio channel is an excellent idea and quite honestly non Arab expats make up a larger number of the population than the locals, and fr the duration of their employment are very much part of the society supporting Qatar develop.

For them to be denied what is allowed for the Arabs is transparent discrimination and any country that discriminates has the trappings of a non progressive dictatorship.

On the contrary your request is a valid one, which should be petitioned for.

All in favor should say so and collectively appeal for it.

Otherwise why in Gods green earth bring universities like Northwestern whom have come to teach mass media and journalism if everything that is being taught there will end up stifled? I ask all of you!?

I am in favor and put my first signature on this petition

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: IF AMERICA AND ISRAEL CAN HAVE THEM - THEN SO SHOULD IRAN.

I personally use to say straight what i think to anybody (including to Qataris) and i never faced any problem, and when i talk about a particular issue i always got an answer explaining me if what i am asking it's possible or not, and even when i got refusals i got satisfactory answers, but of course i do it in a educated way, starting yelling doesn't help (anywhere here or in any other place in the world), in my opinion you can freely speak, the difference is just the way you use to express yourself.

Most part of Qataris are well educated and if you speak with them in a polite way, you will see that they will listen and also they will take care of your problem.

I have dozens of positive examples (QTEL, QNB, etc...).

And when i criticize something , i never got any problem, even whne talking with officials.

Please stop to say that Qatar is China, where everybody muss stay quite.

For sure the country needs a lot of improvements in different matters, but this is also not the hell that lot of people here try to convince us about....

NO! NO! we don't need a program if it will be like that program in Arabic! why? casue "Watani Al Habib Sabah AL Kheir" program is taking 95% calls from Qataries ONLY so u rarly hear arab expat speaking! and I believe they choose who to speak and of course they prefer Qataries!

Every time when I am heading to work in the morning and by mistake open on this program I only hear Qatari people most of the time complaining about funny normal things! like last time I opened in this program a Qatari lady called and said (( I have graduated from unversity on Aug and still can't find job!!) then she said: I found job in schools but I don't like it and they only offer her 11000 QR!!

another local called to say that his car is Reserved with caps becasue it has QR 6000 of traffic violations!

ok then what should this program do for him??!

a third one called to say complainig " We can't find enough parkings at City Center becasue those expatriates

are filling all the places!!) these calls makes u feel sick in stomic so we don't need a program like thah!

____________________________________________________

I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?"

People always said this is not allowed, that need to be careful...

Tell me please for example what is not allowed, what will get you in jail, deport, fine, etc,.,..if u say something publicly.

I think if it'd be same as the arabic version then no harm.

it's just for the complains on daily life problems, yet, everyone lives here know the red lines that should not be crossed, then it can happen now without prejudice

Yalla!

the only problem here is that expatriates are more outspoken, and that something that can't be tolerated by officials here

a live call in radio program like that.

Perhaps if it were taped/pre-recorded so they had time to censor out the stuff they didn't want -- because if they don't have free press here for all the journalists who already walk around on egg shells and are scared to offend the wrong person, do you seriously think they will let the non-Arab expats (a notoriously outspoken group of folks) sound off about any and everything under the sun here?

But I agree with your desire to see it happen. I just don't think it is likely.

"Marriage is a wonderful institution...but who wants to live in an institution?" -- Groucho Marx

Good idea but I believe there will be a lot of Do's & Don'ts in the speak-up format. Similarily like in QL you could not express whats the real thing in your mind. In short the freedom of expression will not be totally in.

Well I think instead of complaining anonymously on QL and other forums, you would have someone to listen to your problem and try practically to solve it.

In UAE this type of programs are available and non arabs or non arabic speaking generally can have someone to hear their voice.

Democracy!

Yalla!

And what good will it do ??