The official language is Arabic. English and Persian are important as business and lingua francas. Guest workers speak their respective native languages, above all Urdu (Pakistani national language, which is also spoken in some states in India), Hindi (Indian official language) and other Indo-Aryan languages are widespread. French or German is sometimes also spoken in hotels. Arabic is spoken by around 320 million people worldwide as their mother tongue, and another 60 million people speak it as a second language. Because of its importance as a sacred language in the Islamic faith, Arabic has developed into a world language. It is next to Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Apart from Qatar, Arabic is also the official language in Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Israel, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, although the local dialects sometimes differ greatly from one another. The Cairo dialect is generally understood due to the large Egyptian film production. Modern Standard Arabic is rarely used as a means of oral communication, such as reading the news or attending church services. Written Standard Arabic is the written language for all dialects. It is written from right to left. In the Arabic alphabet there are only consonants and long vowels. Arabic is one of the Kurrent scripts, ie
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Qatar duty-free: 400 cigarettes and items for personal use such as a laptop, camera, mobile phone, etc.; Gifts/other goods up to a total value of QR 3,000.
Import Restrictions
If prescription drugs are to be imported for personal use, the doctor’s prescription (in English if possible) should be carried with you. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Import regulations
Firearms may only be imported with prior special permission from the Department of Defense.
Prohibited Imports
All types of alcohol are forbidden, pork, as well as magazines and books that could be considered permissive. Further information is available from Qatar Customs.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the State of Qatar
Consular section at Neuengasse 45, 3011 Bern.
Hotel Schweizerhof, Bahnhofplatz 11
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 313 72 09/10. Consular section: +41 (31) 326 06 60. Consulate General of the State of Qatar
Embassy of the State of Qatar
Schottenring 10/7a
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1) 310 49 50.
http://vienna.embassy.qa/en/home
http://vienna.embassy.qa/en/home
Business
Business etiquette
When negotiating, you should have a lot of patience and perseverance.
Opening hours
Business hours: Sat-Thurs 08.00-12.00 and 16.00-19.00. Authorities: Sa-Wed 07.00-14.00, some authorities are also open on Thursday mornings.
Business contacts
Delegation of German Business (AHK) Omar Al Mukhtar Street, Area 61 Al Dafna, PO Box 24481, Doha, Qatar Tel. +974 (0)443 111 52, +974 (0)443 111 53. Website: www.ahk. de/qatar Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1/15, PO Box 76, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 513 39 65. Website: aacc.at Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry PO Box 402, Doha, Qatar Tel. +974 (0)44 55 91 11. Website: www.qatarchamber.com
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code for Qatar is 00974. There are no area codes in Qatar and local calls are usually free. There are only a few public telephones left in Qatar. They are usually found in shopping centers, in airports and on roadsides. They are used with phone cards. Long distance calls are cheaper in the evenings and at night than during the day.
Mobile phone
GSM 900/1800, 3G (900/2100), 4G and 5G (Vodafone). Network operators include Ooredoo and Vodafone. Roaming agreements exist with Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among others. The network coverage is excellent. To avoid high costs, a local PrePaid SIM card is advisable. These can be bought at the airport or at newsstands, among other things. The network operators also offer mobile devices.
Internet
Internet providers include Ooredoo and Vodafone. There are internet cafes in Doha. Both paid and free WiFi hotspots are spread across the country. So you have WiFi in many public places like parks, shopping malls, cafes and restaurants. Many hotels offer free WiFi. The public computers at the National Library in Doha can also be used.
Post office
Mail to Europe can take up to a week to arrive. Stamps are available at Qatar Post post offices and kiosks.
Post office hours
Sun-Thurs 07.00-20.00, Sat 08.00-11.00 and 17.00-20.00 (main post office).
