Doha Today

e46M3
By e46M3

Horrible day. Dust storms were terrible.
sand

sand2

I was driving my kids back from school.
Eldest says "They should tell the workers to go inside. Do they?"
Me: "No."
Eldest: "They treat them like slaves."
Little one: "Yeah, they treat them like slaves."

I kid you not.

 8,000 Graphics and Pics

By SAGE778• 12 Aug 2008 21:58
SAGE778

.

By desaim20• 17 May 2007 09:13
desaim20

Kuwait? The worst place on earth, arrogant, and the most uncivilized people and corruption is so much that even India looks better than the country we call Kuwait. Check the item with the Ambassadors of India, Bangladesh, Phillipines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and you will know, that except the few Kind Hearted families nothing is good about the country including the dust and the heat

MAHESH DESAI

POBOX 55013

DOHA QATAR

5856221

By Greman• 17 May 2007 09:06
Rating: 4/5
Greman

Wonder No. 1, "It is all about geography"

Regardless of your education, qualifications, experience etc, the biggest determinate of your salary and professional status will be the place you came from, if you are from an Anglo speaking western country you guarantee a place at the top of the corporate ladder with all its benefits, while if you are from some where in Asia or Africa, then the bottom is your place, even if you are doing a much better job.

Wonder No. 2, "It is all about connections (wasta)"

Got all the right credentials, relevant experience, proper educational etc, but you don't know the right people, then you are in the wrong place and you better forget about getting that deserved position. The Arabs invented the word "wasta" for that very common practice.

Wonder No. 3 "The more you work, the less you get"

People who work in the "best" places such as governmental or semi governmental organizations work the least (by quantitative and qualitative measures) and earn the most, on the other side of the slide the unfortunate ones working in the "worst" private organizations, work very hardly and for endless hours and their earnings will barely make ends meet.

Wonder No. 4 "The more you stay, the less you get"

Yes it is true that as the years go by you are getting more experienced both in your profession and in the local market, but don't be surprised if that far less experienced new colleague who just arrived to Doha yesterday get double your salary. After all, the sponsorship laws will guarantee that you are stuck in your work forever, while your new colleague have the freedom of choice, at least till he arrives to Qatar.

Wonder No. 5 "Labor law"

No body seems to apply, understand, or even care about the labor law, again the "best" places such as governmental or semi governmental organizations create working conditions that can easily be envied by workers in Western Europe, while on the other side many of the private organizations apply their own custom made slavery laws we thought abolished in the 19th century.

Wonder No. 6, "No body seems to wonder or do anything about all the

By dweller• 17 May 2007 09:01
Rating: 2/5
dweller

I agree with your comment about Kuwait dust storms e46M3. They were something else.

I worked in the desert at times mainly Burgan and the Saudi neutral zone and at times they were horrendous. The way the sand built up on the wiper blades was fascinating.

By hamlet• 17 May 2007 08:23
Rating: 4/5
hamlet

Yes it is not about relegion but let me ask a question, suppose that you have a very good university, but all the students graduating from that university are faliures, wont that tell you something about their university......Islam is great, I will not argue and I beleive in it deeply, but most of Muslims really sucks, the Islamic world is the worst place in the planet, democracy sun is shinning allover the world, while the only truely free islamic country in the world according to a report prepared few years ago was Mali!!!!!

Any way back to sand storms, I think they have one gread advantage, they sheild the scorching sun away

By ksarat16• 17 May 2007 07:46
ksarat16

Anil, that was a fantastic comment...

Indeed...

By anilchitale• 17 May 2007 04:12
Rating: 4/5
anilchitale

I'm really glad that a kid is having this feeling. When I returned back from Qatar and Oman trip, my wife asked me the best and the worst thing I have seen during my sojourn. I said, the best thing I saw was different in Oman & Qatar, but the worst thing I saw is the same, i.e. labors are working in such a heat and they are treated like slaves (the same way African slaves were treated in US few hundred years ago)

I also told her that seeing these people working in hot sun would be most painful thing, if we accept the offer and move there.

About Islam & Human Rights as discussed in this thread, don't mix up what Islam says versus what Muslim does. I'm not a Muslim but I know many Muslims do not practice teachings of Islam. Whenever, I see or hear about some actions about Muslims, I go and read myself in Islamic literature and see what Islamic literature has to say and in most of the cases I found it otherwise. I use to hate Islam until I started reading myself after 9/11, and now I know a lot more about Islam than an average Muslim knows, I can bet on it :)

Guys/Gals, don't blame the religion based on an individual's action or a group's action.

The Twin Towers were brought down by Muslims and by NOT Islam

Oklahoma Bombing was bombed by Christian (Timothy McVeigh) and NOT by Christianity. Babri Masjid (in India) was demolished by Hindus (BJP followers) and NOT Hinduism.

Dozens of innocent Arabs were killed by a Jew (Baruch Goldstein) and NOT by Judaism........I can go on and on.....

Bottom line, it's NOT about the religion but bunch of twisted minded people.

Anil Chitale

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 01:59
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

Later.

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 01:57
Rating: 4/5
Scorpio

Canon's are the best :)

Ok, screaming child, have to go....oh and get up at 7 for work...LOL..night night!

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 01:54
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

Yeah, Canons are good.

I like to see the world through a lens. I'm into stills.

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 01:50
Scorpio

Canon HV20 HDV Digital Camcorder..is quite slick!

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 01:40
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

What do you film with?

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 01:38
Scorpio

Ok now I feel bad saying that I like them..LOL...

I see how much sand we collect in the vacuum twice a week, and we never have the windows or doors open...hmmm..one wonders how this dust affects out health over a long period of time.

Pics, yes please :D

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 01:29
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

Yes, Scorpio, and I remember, on more than one occasion, being dragged by mother or father afterwards to the hospital where I had my eyelids turned inside out to get sand particles out of them.

As a matter of fact if you invest in an air filter here and clean it periodically you'd be surprised how much dust our bodies absorb. Amazing machine, the human body.

I'll post some pictures of the ones I have once they get really yucky.

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 01:22
Scorpio

Have you ever been outdoors in one?

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 01:13
Rating: 3/5
e46M3

You should see the duststorms they have in Kuwait. Zero-visibility. I remember we used to tape around all the doors and windows and when the storm was finished the house would be covered in a fine film of sand.

My dad used to work in the desert and his company car sometimes had to have the windshield replaced twice a year and the headlights once a year. I guess that's where the term sandpaper comes from.

People get lost and die in them. There used to be stickers on the cars that told you to stay put in case a duststorm hit.

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 01:06
Rating: 5/5
Scorpio

Have to admit, I quite like them. It's kind of exciting in Doha (of course not when your driving) opening the window at home seeing all the dust flying around with the winds and filming it. It's a new experience, not something I would ever see at home.

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 00:56
Rating: 5/5
e46M3

Scorpio, you're right, this was about the duststorms and my kids' comments.

And you're right, the theory of Islam is the same as the theory of all great religions in the world.

I think religions are there to consolidate our conscience.

Now back to the duststorms. Who has a nice duststorm story to tell?

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 00:48
Scorpio

This will be my last comment as I feel guilty enough hijacking this thread.

You speak to any Muslim today and they will tell you that Islam does not support violation of human rights and is all about peace, giving and charity! Your comments are redundant.

See Saud you were wrong about me...I don’t insult Islam!

By e46M3• 17 May 2007 00:38
Rating: 4/5
e46M3

SAGE778, you're out of order.

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 00:31
Scorpio

Oh so your saying it's acceptable in Islam to violate human rights...says so much about Islam doesn't it??

By Scorpio• 17 May 2007 00:22
Scorpio

As I have said before, it's more offensive that it happens here because it is a Islamic country. I've lived in the Arab world long enough to know about Islam, and violation of human rights is anti-Islam...Oh if you disagree, please enlighten me!

By yv2r• 17 May 2007 00:16
Rating: 4/5
yv2r

yv2r

Humanitarian consideration starts from kids, its only because kid is considered as God.

This afternoon my son also asked me its so sad these workers are working in such a hot sun and dusty storm,why cant their boss ask them to take a break at least on such ocassion for a while .

By e46M3• 16 May 2007 22:35
Rating: 5/5
e46M3

Yes, novita, with the mobile, and yes, I was really stunned by the kids' comments.

By novita77• 16 May 2007 22:28
novita77

i assumed you took this photos with your mobile. It is good pictures :-) Very clear.

amazing how can 5 yrs old think ...

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.