Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!

Sheiks and Generals, Ambassadors and Ministers, filled the hall at the opening of the conference this morning.  I felt a little like Alice looking down the Golden Brick road at the cadre of guests, speakers, and dignitaries at the Doha Forum.  Reverence Jesse Jackson arrived to a rising chorus of excitement and camera flashes.  Handshakes, and kisses, and nose rubs were exchanged as His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jabr Al Thani and   H.H. Heir Apparent, Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani arrived.

Then it begins.  The Doha Forum, touted as the "world's foremost forum on democracy" opened with H.E. Sheikh Al Thani's statement that "human rights is borne of all religions" and that for the past 5 months, we have been "witnessing the popular revolutions for individual and national dignity, for individual freedom, and for individual security."  "A new player in Arab public opinion" has been heard -- that of the Arab people.  And it is up to the people to "transcend the fear" of change and push forward.

Rev. Jesse Jackson & H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani

Reverend Jesse Jackson reminded the audience that despite the many implementations of the term, 'democracy,' it has but one meaning, "of, by, and for the people."  The Arab awakening of the past five months has been termed the "Arab Spring." But unlike the Prague Spring of 1968, where the Czechoslovakians were forced to endure another 30 years of repression and disappointment, the Arab community, and indeed the world, needs to reach out and support the people in their struggle for their human rights: individual freedom, human dignity, jobs, health care, and education.

So the Doha Forum began.  It will take me days, if not weeks, to absorb and integrate today's information into a more cohesive understanding of events and how they apply to trade, but the second day is now beginning....

Dawn in Doha

Dawn. I was somewhat surprised to see the sun up so early here. But perhaps even more surprising was the activity as I observed the Muslim first call to prayer at 4:52 AM.  Almost in unison, people stopped what they were doing, produced their prayer rug, and began their prayers, which lasted about 10 minutes. Then back to their daily activity.

Muslims pray at least five times a day.

• Fajr (pre-dawn): This prayer starts off the day with the remembrance of God; it is performed before sunrise.
• Dhuhr (noon): After the day's work has begun, one breaks shortly after noon to again remember God and seek His guidance.
• 'Asr (afternoon): In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
• Maghrib (sunset): Just after the sun goes down, Muslims remember God again as the day begins to come to a close.
• 'Isha (evening): Before retiring for the night, Muslims again take time to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.

Muslims are reminded of the daily prayer times through the calling of the adhan broadcast through many mosques in the city.

Jet Lag is a bitch

3AM.  Still awake.  As cosmopolitan as this city and hotel is, there isn't much open this time of the morning.

Doha

On the other hand, I learned how to insert a local clock with the current time in Doha. :)

The conference opens at 10AM with H.E. Sheikh Hamas Bin Jassim Al Thani, Primer Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs giving the welcoming speech.  The Heir Apparent, H.E. Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani follows with the opening speech.

The first session is titled Insights on the World Political Scene, Transformations in the Middle East, moderated by David Foster of Al Jazeera.  Panelists include H.E. Dr. Salih, the P.M. Iraqi-Kurdistan, H.E. Carl Bildt,the Foreign Minister of Sweeden, H.E. Luis Amado, the Foreign Minister of Portugal, H.E. Maurice Leroy, Minister of the City, France, and our own Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist from the United States.

Al Jazeera, means "The Penninsula" in Arabic and is based on the Qatari peninsula.   Al jazeera (in English and Arabic) professes to be a staunchly independent news source for the Middle East, even if that means being critical of the local government.  So, far the news I've watched bears this out.  According to them, the dominant views on the death of Osama bin Laden is very supportive. Even Yemen, bin Laden's 'home country' stated that they hope that this is the "beginning to the end of the era of terrorism."  Some interesting videos and perspectives on bin Laden's death can be found on their web site here.

Arrived in Doha

8:30 PM in Doha. Qatar Airways was a first class airline all the way. Through customs in a snap with nowhere near the hassle entering the U.S. The only glitch was arriving and there was no one there to greet me and take me to the hotel.
Panic! 
This was the first time I ever traveled to a foreign country and didn't know where I was staying when I got there. After about 10 minutes walking back and forth looking for someone holding a sign with my name, a Doha Forum representative found me and I was taken to the Sheraton Doha Hotel.


The view from the hotel is fabulous.  Skyscrapers were lit up and reflecting off the Red Sea.

Doha at Night (viewed from the Sheraton)

The conference starts in the morning.  More then.

Doha or bust

On the way to Houston to catch Qatar Airways to Doha.  A 14 hour direct flight and I'll be there.  Looking ahead, the weather in Doha is about the same as in Austin, except it has only about 20% humidity!

I am still unsure where I am staying when I get there.  Since the Qatari government is picking up the tab, they say trust them.  They will have someone meet me at the airport and drive me to the conference/hotel.  I sure hope so!   The conference was at the Ritz Carelton last year on the northern end of the city.  That little problem aside, the trip should be uneventful.

Seems everyone I talk to about going to the Middle East asks me the same question.  It is safe?  I suppose that shows how little we Americans know about the Middle East, or perhaps it shows how effective the fear mongers have been since 9/11.  Qatar has been the home of the U.S. Central Command since the first Iraq war and Qatar is a close ally to the U.S.  And Bahrain next door is home to the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet.   I've also talked to several servicemen who have told me that they are often flown to Qatar for R&R!

As for being in the desert, here is a picture from the Ritz hotel.  Hmm, I can cast that far...maybe I need to pack a fishing rod.