Asian Games
Let me ask another question, reading in the paper that Thailand is bringing 335 participants to the games. In Thailand pork is a staple of the diet, will the different countries be allowed to bring pork products for their athletes?
If that is OK, then doesn't that make it OK for non-muslim people to bring pork into the country? If it is OK to have Bars in the hotels, why is it wrong to bring a bottle into the country. At Duty-free, I can buy it and leave, why can't I buy it and bring it home.
It seems to me that when religious rules have to be enforced by the government, the religious leaders are not in charge of their members. They get their power from outside forces,not their religious teaching. This is the same thing in the US, the churchs want the government to make people pray in school, etc.
I am looking for common sense in a world that is spinning out of control. O Well, lets keep debating the great and not so great ideas of our time.
Im sorry, but this has nothing to do with values. Its business. You can legally buy alcohol at QDC (muslims included) which islamically is a hundred times worse than selling or eating pork. The only reason you cant bring alcohol into qatar is so that QDC (run by qatar airways) can keep the prices high.
Selling pork has nothing to do with values too. Its business too. Qataris will find it difficult to accept the open selling of pork and i am sure any store that starts will be boycotted by muslims here. again... business is business.
In the UAE pork products are sold in several stores. The pork counter is usually separated from the main part of the store so you cannot just happen on it by accident.
Respect
GIASI
Hmm, I don't think they'll allow pork, whether its staple food or not...at least not for this round of Asian Games.
Being different is a constant source of criticism and with the world becoming more and more global, being different makes you stick out like a sore thumb. and precisely for that fact I admire Qatar, for sticking to its values. I know it can be a nuisance sometimes when those values are in conflict with mine. But who's to say which value is right or wrong?
I assure you, I would love a decent sausage or bacon! but I'm in a different country and they say no, so what to do? I've done my share of grumbling but that's not to say I don't respect Qatar and its ways.
And anyways, exactly what is common sense? I thought I knew what 'common' sense is, but now I'm not so sure. Everyone seems to have their own version of common sense...
It's not very long since that alcohol was prohibited in the hotels, bars didn't exist. Neither was alcohol available in the duty free at the airport.
Pork has never officially been allowed. Even bacon flavoured crisps had to be removed from the "mixed"bags. They were sold under the counter to known western expats at Christmas.
It's only just over 20 years since Christmas was banned and the seasonal greeting was "Merry Crimble". The only sign of Christmas one year was the radar scanner on HMS Cardiff rotating with a "Merry Christmas" banner on it. Christmas carols, even the instrumental versions were not allowed on the radio, even on Christmas day.
Changes take time so give it time.