This paper is an overview of the law in Qatar; one of the nations ruled entirely by Islamic principles. The scope of the paper will mention some of the fundamentals of the same laws considering that they are far much too broad to be discussed in detail. Basically, the nation has laws that govern all the aspects of the life of its people, such as the economic, social, political, and civil affairs. It is interesting to note that Qatar has one of the most traditional principles concerning labor and the culture of the people (Dowling, 2001).
For instance, the labor laws are strict on any foreigners while the same laws restrict people on their dress codes. For those people who would wish to tour Qatar, there is the need to consider that the nation has stringent laws that govern immigrants, especially according to their HIV/AIDS statuses. Therefore, this work will discuss the fundamental laws concerning immigration laws, nationality issues, the dress code of the people, and sexual orientation, among others. There is also the need to recognize that Qatari laws are founded on the fundamentals of Islamic laws called Sharia (Sullivan, 2015).
Islamic law, Sharia is the basis of both family criminal acts law in Qatar. The Islamic court, which follows the outline of the Sharia laws is the established institution concerned with the settling of conflicts in Qatar, just like in many other Islamic countries. During Ramadan, Qatar requires that all her citizens fast from dawn to sunset. The nation grants visas cards at some of its major border entry points, some of which visitors make prior applications for. Qatar has tight principles and restrictions on HIV/AIDS visitors (Dehays, 2012).
It does not allow HIV/AIDS positive visitors to reside in the country. Therefore, the nation ensures a thorough medical examination of all visitors that plan to stay in the country for long periods of time. Tourists are taxed as per the customs regulations for carrying goods at any point of entry (Dehays, 2012). Trafficking of illegal substances as well as bringing of illegal substances such as alcohol is against the Qatari laws and its violation results in a death penalty or any other form of tough punishment.
Getting in Qatar with pets such as cats and dogs is allowed after an acquisition of a permit for import from the Ministry of Agriculture (Dehays, 2012). The law requires that the visitors submit details of the pet to the relevant authorities, which may include the vaccination forms. More so, according to the law in Qatar, residents should carry identity cards with them, apart from children below the minority age of eighteen years. The identity card is essential for the dealings with Government Ministries day in, day out because of its usefulness in registration social places. The law dictates that Qatari nationals should only hold their citizenship (Online Qatar, 2015).
Hence, it does not accommodate dual nationality. Therefore, one has to give up one of their nationality as soon as the Qatari authorities discover the existence of such an incidence. Therefore, citizens that have dual nationalities should look into such an issue before they stage their traveling activities. Short-term visitors should acquire an international driving permit that is valid before getting in Qatar as per the traffic laws.
They are not allowed to use home country driver’s license while driving, neither should they argue on roads over traffic occasions. Drivers involved in any vehicular accidents are held accountable for the injuries of the victims of the same circumstance. Additionally, any vehicle having more than five years of age is not roadworthy in consideration, and, therefore, cannot be imported in Qatar (Online Qatar, 2015). Further, the country assumes no tolerance legislation concerning people who drink and drive. Offending this law culminates into being banned from driving.
Talking of dressing code, Qatar does not accommodate dressing in a provocative manner. It does not permit wearing of sleeveless shirts and blouses, shorts or halter tops (Online Qatar, 2015). However, there are some considerable levels of acceptance of bathing costumes, especially at swimming pools and beaches. Therefore, there is a need that people in the country consider high levels of observance to Islamic principles. Language and gesture usage ought to be friendly. Insults, whether verbal or non-verbal, can consequently lead to imprisonment.
Homosexuality is termed as a criminal offense among other offences in Qatar. Involvement in the same activities together with intimacy in public may lead to subjection to imprisonment (Sullivan, 2015). Women are allowed to contest for leadership positions in Qatar. They are allowed to vote as well as running for public offices in the country, although not allowed to go out driving with any male companion, and just like others, they should dress modestly. Qatar government regulates crimes by the use of Sunni law based on religion. People are allowed to follow Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, among other religions, so long as they do not offend public order (Qatar Online, 2015).
In this case, one should be keen while discussing issues to do with religion in public. One is neither allowed to convert a member of one religion into another nor share religious ideas between people belonging to different lines of faith, as it is against the Qatari law. People are cautioned to be responsible and take care of their property to avoid petty theft cases. Furthermore, the nation does not allow people to involve in illegal businesses. Lastly, violation of any law in Qatar will lead to nothing else but arrest or prosecution.
In conclusion, this paper has reviewed some of the fundamental Qatari laws and precisely touched the social spheres of life in the country. Just like any other state, there are clear implications that lawbreakers pay the price, which is a jail term or other punitive measures. However, the laws of the country have an extra-disciplinary action instituted against extremists, the death penalty. It is also conclusive enough that the country’s laws have their basis in the religious concepts and beliefs, mostly the Sharia.
However, the laws of the country show some considerable levels of respect for the religious orientations of non-Muslim residents and visitors. Qatari citizens are obliged to dress appropriately according to the national dress codes and respect one another lest they face the accrued consequences. All visitors to the country should take caution against driving rules because there are strict punitive measures against people who violate the traffic laws.
References
Dehays, O. (2012). Qatar’s new Tourism law – restoring confidence. Travel Law Quarterly, 4(3), 240-241.
Dowling, D. C. (2001). The Practice of International Labor & Employment Law: Escort Your Labor/Employment Clients into the Global Millennium. The Labor Lawyer, 1-23.
Online Qatar. (2015). Basic Laws and Regulations in Qatar. Web.
Sullivan, D. (2015). Qatar: Conditions, Issues, and U.S. Relations. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.