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18,541,484 articles and booksPeriodicalsLiteratureKeywordTitleAuthorTopicMember loginUser name Password Remember meJoin us Forgot password? TopLine();dw('
');Translate()Submit articles freeThe Free Library > Business and Industry > Business > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Business and Industry > Food and beverage industries > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Business and Industry > Travel industry > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Communications > News, opinion and commentary > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Entertainment/The Arts > Arts and entertainment industries > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > General Interest/Informational > General interest > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Law/Government/Politics > International relations > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Law/Government/Politics > Politics > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Recreation and Leisure > Sports and fitness > AP Features > December 3, 2010 The Free Library > Date > 2010 > December > 3 > AP FeaturesQatar must win over skeptical WCup fans
diggit();LinkToThis()Qatar won over FIFA FIFA International Association Football Federation [French Fédération Internationale de Football Association]
FIFA n abbr (= Fédération Internationale de Football Association) ? FIFA f with a promise that a World Cup in the Middle East would be good for soccer. Now it faces what could be an even harder task: Convincing skeptical fans who fear the desert nation will hold a sweltering and alcohol-free tournament.
Some fans wrongly believe Qatar has the same social restrictions of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (sä
`de ?ra`be?, sou`–, sô–), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. or the violence that plagues Afghanistan and Iraq.
Twitter A Web site and service that lets users send short text messages from their cellphones to a group of friends. Launched in 2006, Twitter (www.twitter.com) was designed for people to broadcast their current activities and thoughts. was abuzz with such concerns immediately after Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament on Thursday. Some fans suggested Qatar would keep women out of stadiums and many fretted they won't be able to buy a beer.
They might be surprised to find a largely safe, cosmopolitan capital where celebrity British chef Gordon Ramsay Gordon James Ramsay OBE (born November 8, 1966 in Johnstone, Scotland) is a Scottish celebrity chef and currently one of only three chefs in the UK whose restaurant is rated at three Michelin stars. He has been awarded a total of twelve Michelin stars[1]. has set up shop, malls are filled with designer goods and the skyline rivals any in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Women are free to work, drive and cheer on their favorite soccer team, as they did during last month's Brazil-Argentina exhibition. Drinking is allowed, but mostly restricted to ex-pat havens.
Still, this country of 1.6 million is no Paris or Rio or even neighboring neigh·bor
n.
1. One who lives near or next to another.
2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another.
3. A fellow human.
4. Used as a form of familiar address.
v. Dubai — and Qataris seem to want to keep it that way. Drinking and dancing is limited to the handful of raucous bars and nightclubs in four- and five-star hotels, public affection is usually tolerated but occasionally punished. Bikini-clad swimmers only began appearing on beaches two years ago.
Most understand, though, that the country will have to open up with the World Cup coming and find a balance between the modern and traditional. Organizers have already promised to allow drinking in designated fan zones and Qataris have resigned themselves to the sight of scantily-clad foreigners strolling through their streets — something that is frowned upon.
"I never wanted the World Cup in the first place because of the girls and the drinking. It's against our religion," said Mohammed al-Sayegh, a 16-year-old Qatari dressed in full-length white thobe worn by most men.
But like many of his friends shopping at the Villagio Shopping Center shopping center, a concentration of retail, service, and entertainment enterprises designed to serve the surrounding region. The modern shopping center differs from its antecedents—bazaars and marketplaces—in that the shops are usually amalgamated into — complete with an ice skating ice skating, gliding along an ice surface on keellike runners known as ice skates.Skating as a Sport
Skating, besides being an important form of winter recreation and the essential skill in the game of ice hockey (see hockey, ice) has developed rink and canal network with gondolas — al-Sayegh supports the bid as a way to boost the country's standing on the international stage.
"We want to take the World Cup, but we can't take everything," he said. "We can show the world that we can preserve our culture even if we host such a big event."
Another Qatari shopper in the mall, 21-year-old Hassan al-Emadi, said he was willing to take the "good with the bad" that would come with the World Cup.
"The good will be that other countries know Qatar is a peaceful place and has the capacity to host big events," he said. "The bad is the drinking in the streets. By 2022, there will be a new generation and when they see people acting like this, they will think this is the Qatar. It will be a challenge to keep our traditions."
Most expatriates in Doha felt the tournament would be a success, but that some things would have to change — at least for those four weeks during the tournament.
"If you can't drink beer, there is no World Cup," said Bono Van Wyk, a South African who has lived in Qatar for three years and works for an oil company. "They will have to lift all the restrictions. People want to drink where they want to drink."
Out at a makeshift beach on the outskirts of Doha, two fully clothed Muslim women waded into the water at a public beach, while several women in bikinis lounged on chairs at a private beach at the nearby Intercontinental hotel.
"I don't have any difficulties at all. It's very safe and secure," said Lara Koujou, a Lebanese national. "You have to respect the traditions and culture but you can go to the beach or the clubs. Of course, this is not Europe or America. I can wear a short dress at a club but not on the street. That isn't the norm here."
Most agree the challenge will be about changing perceptions of this Gulf country. It first came to the attention of Westerners as one of the Pentagon's Gulf partners during the U.S.-led battles to drive Iraq from Kuwait in 1991 and later hosting the U.S. military's command center for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It still hosts U.S. warplanes.
As recently as the 1990s, Qatar was a sleepy, port city that over the past quarter-century has transformed itself into one of the world's richest nations thanks to the discovery of vast oil and gas reserves. It's also a media hub for the Arab world as the home of the Al-Jazeera network, which is backed by Qatar's ruling family. It has become one of the hot spots hot spots
acute moist dermatitis. in the Gulf for sporting events, including a European Tour golf tournament, men's and women's professional tennis tournaments, the 2006 Asian Games The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). and upcoming 2011 Asian Cup.
Ruled by the Al Thani family without any opposition, there is no doubt that Qatar will make good on its commitment to spend $42.9 billion on infrastructure upgrades and $4 billion to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All those stadiums, Qatar says, will have a state-of-the art cooling system cooling system: see air conditioning; internal-combustion engine; refrigeration. cooling system
Apparatus used to keep the temperature of a structure or device from exceeding limits imposed by needs of safety and efficiency. that will keep temperatures about 81 degrees. Similar cooling systems will be used at training sites and fan zones.
Qatar has to address not only questions of its openness but also about its location in the volatile Middle East. Like most Arab nations, it has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Bid chief executive Hassan al-Thawadi promised Israel would be allowed to participate if it qualifies and earlier said fans from all nations would be welcome.
"We are a very, very hospitable hos·pi·ta·ble
adj.
1. Disposed to treat guests with warmth and generosity.
2. Indicative of cordiality toward guests: a hospitable act.
3. place that welcomes people from all parts of the world," he said. "Bringing the World Cup to the Middle East now ... will feature to the world that the Middle East is home to a lot of people, it's opening its arms to the rest of the world."
Al-Thani also said the country was making strides in promoting women's sports, noting how it soon would be starting one of the first women's soccer leagues in the Gulf.
"This is another perception, another perception that women are oppressed op·press
tr.v. op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es
1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny.
2. in the Middle East and this is a wrong, wrong perception," he said. "We hope with the World Cup being awarded to Qatar, we can change that."
Copyright 2010 AP Features
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder. Copyright (c) Mochila, Inc. SocialNetworks() Reader Opinion Title:
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FeedbackAuthor:MICHAEL CASEYPublication:AP FeaturesDate:Dec 3, 2010Words:1066Previous Article:US drilling decisions ripple on Gulf CoastNext Article:Agency moves to end Philly cruise ship departures
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18,541,484 articles and booksPeriodicalsLiteratureKeywordTitleAuthorTopicMember loginUser name Password Remember meJoin us Forgot password? TopLine();dw('
');Translate()Submit articles freeThe Free Library > Business and Industry > Business > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Business and Industry > Food and beverage industries > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Business and Industry > Travel industry > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Communications > News, opinion and commentary > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Entertainment/The Arts > Arts and entertainment industries > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > General Interest/Informational > General interest > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Law/Government/Politics > International relations > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Law/Government/Politics > Politics > AP Features > December 3, 2010The Free Library > Recreation and Leisure > Sports and fitness > AP Features > December 3, 2010 The Free Library > Date > 2010 > December > 3 > AP FeaturesQatar must win over skeptical WCup fans
diggit();LinkToThis()Qatar won over FIFA FIFA International Association Football Federation [French Fédération Internationale de Football Association]
FIFA n abbr (= Fédération Internationale de Football Association) ? FIFA f with a promise that a World Cup in the Middle East would be good for soccer. Now it faces what could be an even harder task: Convincing skeptical fans who fear the desert nation will hold a sweltering and alcohol-free tournament.
Some fans wrongly believe Qatar has the same social restrictions of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (sä
Twitter A Web site and service that lets users send short text messages from their cellphones to a group of friends. Launched in 2006, Twitter (www.twitter.com) was designed for people to broadcast their current activities and thoughts. was abuzz with such concerns immediately after Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament on Thursday. Some fans suggested Qatar would keep women out of stadiums and many fretted they won't be able to buy a beer.
They might be surprised to find a largely safe, cosmopolitan capital where celebrity British chef Gordon Ramsay Gordon James Ramsay OBE (born November 8, 1966 in Johnstone, Scotland) is a Scottish celebrity chef and currently one of only three chefs in the UK whose restaurant is rated at three Michelin stars. He has been awarded a total of twelve Michelin stars[1]. has set up shop, malls are filled with designer goods and the skyline rivals any in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Women are free to work, drive and cheer on their favorite soccer team, as they did during last month's Brazil-Argentina exhibition. Drinking is allowed, but mostly restricted to ex-pat havens.
Still, this country of 1.6 million is no Paris or Rio or even neighboring neigh·bor
n.
1. One who lives near or next to another.
2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another.
3. A fellow human.
4. Used as a form of familiar address.
v. Dubai — and Qataris seem to want to keep it that way. Drinking and dancing is limited to the handful of raucous bars and nightclubs in four- and five-star hotels, public affection is usually tolerated but occasionally punished. Bikini-clad swimmers only began appearing on beaches two years ago.
Most understand, though, that the country will have to open up with the World Cup coming and find a balance between the modern and traditional. Organizers have already promised to allow drinking in designated fan zones and Qataris have resigned themselves to the sight of scantily-clad foreigners strolling through their streets — something that is frowned upon.
"I never wanted the World Cup in the first place because of the girls and the drinking. It's against our religion," said Mohammed al-Sayegh, a 16-year-old Qatari dressed in full-length white thobe worn by most men.
But like many of his friends shopping at the Villagio Shopping Center shopping center, a concentration of retail, service, and entertainment enterprises designed to serve the surrounding region. The modern shopping center differs from its antecedents—bazaars and marketplaces—in that the shops are usually amalgamated into — complete with an ice skating ice skating, gliding along an ice surface on keellike runners known as ice skates.Skating as a Sport
Skating, besides being an important form of winter recreation and the essential skill in the game of ice hockey (see hockey, ice) has developed rink and canal network with gondolas — al-Sayegh supports the bid as a way to boost the country's standing on the international stage.
"We want to take the World Cup, but we can't take everything," he said. "We can show the world that we can preserve our culture even if we host such a big event."
Another Qatari shopper in the mall, 21-year-old Hassan al-Emadi, said he was willing to take the "good with the bad" that would come with the World Cup.
"The good will be that other countries know Qatar is a peaceful place and has the capacity to host big events," he said. "The bad is the drinking in the streets. By 2022, there will be a new generation and when they see people acting like this, they will think this is the Qatar. It will be a challenge to keep our traditions."
Most expatriates in Doha felt the tournament would be a success, but that some things would have to change — at least for those four weeks during the tournament.
"If you can't drink beer, there is no World Cup," said Bono Van Wyk, a South African who has lived in Qatar for three years and works for an oil company. "They will have to lift all the restrictions. People want to drink where they want to drink."
Out at a makeshift beach on the outskirts of Doha, two fully clothed Muslim women waded into the water at a public beach, while several women in bikinis lounged on chairs at a private beach at the nearby Intercontinental hotel.
"I don't have any difficulties at all. It's very safe and secure," said Lara Koujou, a Lebanese national. "You have to respect the traditions and culture but you can go to the beach or the clubs. Of course, this is not Europe or America. I can wear a short dress at a club but not on the street. That isn't the norm here."
Most agree the challenge will be about changing perceptions of this Gulf country. It first came to the attention of Westerners as one of the Pentagon's Gulf partners during the U.S.-led battles to drive Iraq from Kuwait in 1991 and later hosting the U.S. military's command center for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It still hosts U.S. warplanes.
As recently as the 1990s, Qatar was a sleepy, port city that over the past quarter-century has transformed itself into one of the world's richest nations thanks to the discovery of vast oil and gas reserves. It's also a media hub for the Arab world as the home of the Al-Jazeera network, which is backed by Qatar's ruling family. It has become one of the hot spots hot spots
acute moist dermatitis. in the Gulf for sporting events, including a European Tour golf tournament, men's and women's professional tennis tournaments, the 2006 Asian Games The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). and upcoming 2011 Asian Cup.
Ruled by the Al Thani family without any opposition, there is no doubt that Qatar will make good on its commitment to spend $42.9 billion on infrastructure upgrades and $4 billion to build nine stadiums and renovate three others. All those stadiums, Qatar says, will have a state-of-the art cooling system cooling system: see air conditioning; internal-combustion engine; refrigeration. cooling system
Apparatus used to keep the temperature of a structure or device from exceeding limits imposed by needs of safety and efficiency. that will keep temperatures about 81 degrees. Similar cooling systems will be used at training sites and fan zones.
Qatar has to address not only questions of its openness but also about its location in the volatile Middle East. Like most Arab nations, it has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Bid chief executive Hassan al-Thawadi promised Israel would be allowed to participate if it qualifies and earlier said fans from all nations would be welcome.
"We are a very, very hospitable hos·pi·ta·ble
adj.
1. Disposed to treat guests with warmth and generosity.
2. Indicative of cordiality toward guests: a hospitable act.
3. place that welcomes people from all parts of the world," he said. "Bringing the World Cup to the Middle East now ... will feature to the world that the Middle East is home to a lot of people, it's opening its arms to the rest of the world."
Al-Thani also said the country was making strides in promoting women's sports, noting how it soon would be starting one of the first women's soccer leagues in the Gulf.
"This is another perception, another perception that women are oppressed op·press
tr.v. op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es
1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny.
2. in the Middle East and this is a wrong, wrong perception," he said. "We hope with the World Cup being awarded to Qatar, we can change that."
Copyright 2010 AP FeaturesNo portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder. Copyright (c) Mochila, Inc. SocialNetworks() Reader Opinion Title:
Comment:
Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email FeedbackAuthor:MICHAEL CASEYPublication:AP FeaturesDate:Dec 3, 2010Words:1066Previous Article:US drilling decisions ripple on Gulf CoastNext Article:Agency moves to end Philly cruise ship departuresPublications by NamePublications by DateAuthorsLiteratureA-D E-O P-T U-Z before 1995 1995-1999
2000-2004 2005-20092010-A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A B C D E F G H I J K L M
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