Yearbook 2002

Qatar. According to Countryaah website, national day of Qatar is every December 18. Qatar continued to play an important role in US military planning for operations in the Middle East and Central Asia. In December, the United States was granted permission to utilize air bases in Qatar and a major military exercise was carried out at the end of the year.

A Jordanian journalist was sentenced to death for espionage in October for allegedly providing Jordan with sensitive information about Qatar and the US military.

The sister of Qatar’s governing emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa ath-Thani was appointed deputy chairman of the Family Affairs Council in November. Hassa bint Khalifa ath-Thani thus became the first female minister in the Persian Gulf countries.

In July, the emir decided on a minor reorganization. In June, he announced that elections would be held for a newly formed parliament within two and a half years.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain highlighted their dissatisfaction with Qatar, which is the home of the free-to-air Arabic TV channel al-Jazira. The channel’s office was closed and Saudi Arabia, which never allowed al-Jazira to operate in the country, called its ambassador home in September after a televised debate over a Saudi peace plan for the Middle East.

In May, Qatar sold its stake in the debt-laden Gulf Air, which was owned by neighboring Bahrain, Oman and Abu Dhabi. Qatar has its own Qatar Airways.

August

Better conditions for guest workers become law

August 30th

A new law is passed that will lead to the introduction of a minimum monthly salary of 275 US dollars and that it will be easier to change employers. The law also applies to employees in households. The changes to the law, which are important for a couple of million guest workers, have been promised before (see October 16, 2019), but human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch have accused Qatar of dragging its feet. Employers must have introduced the new minimum wage within six months and must also either arrange accommodation for the employee or pay supplements for such expenses.

Military trainers to Libya

August 18

Military trainers and advisers will be sent from both Turkey and Qatar to Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli. Agreements have been signed, according to official announcements in Tripoli, where the defense ministers of the countries concerned have been present.

Qatar Country Overview

Visas
Finns do not need a visa to Qatar if the travel time in the country is less than 90 days. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the trip and there must be a return or onward ticket upon arrival in the country.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, QAT stands for Qatar.

Note! Visa policies and rates are subject to change without notice.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

The currency of Qatar is the Qatari Rial (QAR). Currency can be obtained from Finland by booking in advance.

Vaccinations
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid (tetanus, polio and diphtheria). Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the trip. Please always check the vaccination requirements at your health center or the vaccination advice of the tourist clinic

Time difference
Qatar’s time difference to Finland is +1 hour in winter and in Qatar it is the same time in summer.

Electric current
Qatar’s electric current is 240 V (50Hz). Finnish devices need a British adapter.

Mobile phones
Check the coverage of your phone with your carrier. Qatar Area Code is +974.

Climate
Qatar’s climate is hot and rainless from May to September. Then the temperature can rise up to 50 degrees and desert winds bring sandstorms. At other times, occasional showers are obtained. Daytime temperatures in summer are close to 40 degrees, even in winter above 20 degrees. It rains a bit in Qatar, but the air is still humid. On the coast, higher humidity increases the embarrassment of summer days.