Moving to Doha from the United Kingdom

[A7861]

Salaam Alykum Everyone;

My OH & I are hoping to relocate to Doha in the next couple of months. 

I was wondering if anyone on here has moved there from the United Kingdom or elsewhere and if so:

What is like for the Shias? Is there anything we need to be aware of? Are there any mosques that provide English lectures?

If there are any other things / issues I need to be aware of please say.... 

Thank you  

[OrthodoxTruth]

2 hours ago, A7861 said:

Salaam Alykum Everyone;

What is like for the Shias? Is there anything we need to be aware of? Are there any mosques that provide English lectures?

If there are any other things / issues I need to be aware of please say.... 

Thank you  

Walaykum as Salam,

Shias make up some 10-15% of Qatari Muslims. There are some husayniyyas in Doha, and apparently even a sizeable mosque at al Wifaq Street. There may be more Shia mosques, but I’m not aware of them. Although Shias have relatively peaceful life in the country, as per reality in other countries of the region, it is worth keeping in mind that Qatar is officially a state that follows Wahhabism. Unlike in neighbouring “Saudi” Arabia, in Qatar the ultimate power is with the royal family, the Wahhabi ulama is relatively weak and meaningless in Qatar. There is also a lot of non-Muslim expatriates living in Qatar, so it makes the country somehow more tolerant and open minded. The Emir tries to keep the peace at home and sectarianism at bay, but the foreign Wahhabi scholars are invited over from time to time to preach in the state mosques.