Politics, the economy and religion

Government & Politics 

The Emir of Qatar is His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Emir appoints a Council of Ministers, the country’s supreme executive authority. Laws and decrees proposed by the Council of Ministers are referred to the Majlis Al Shura (consultative council) for discussion and ratified by the Emir.

Qatar is one of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the others being Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, and is a member of many other international bodies such as the United Nations, OPEC and the Arab League. 

The Economy

Once the source of the coveted pearl, today Qatar has the world’s third largest proven reserves of natural gas, exceeding 25 trillion cubic meters (or about 13% of the world’s total). Its proven oil reserves stand in excess of 25 billion barrels, equivalent to some 60 years’ supply at current production levels. 

The nation tops the rankings of the world’s richest countries in terms of per capita GDP (c $100,000).
Tourism has been designated as a priority sector for future development. Visitor numbers are expected to rise from 1.3 million in 2013 to some 7 million by 2030. 

Qatar has won the rights to stage the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has embarked on a major programme of hotel and infrastructure development, including the construction of stadium facilities and the Qatar Metro system (Qatar Rail), in preparation for this showpiece event.

Religion

Qatar is an Islamic country and Islam plays an integral role in the life of its citizens. Prayers take place five times per day - at dawn (Al Fajr), around midday (Al Duhr), in mid-afternoon (Al Asr), at sunset (Al Magharib) and about two hours after sunset (Al Esha). The exact timing varies each day according to the sun's position.

Throughout the country are a large number of architecturally inspiring mosques, none more so than the Grand Mosque of Imam Shaikh Mohammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, which can accommodate 10,000 worshipers inside and 30,000 outside.

Other religions are respected and Doha’s cosmopolitan population supports many places of worship from Hindu temples to Christian churches.