Given the small population of native Qataris, who represent less than 20% of Qatar’s
total population (around 250,000 out of a population of about 1.8 million), the
country’s extensive wealth, and the role of the state in distributing the country’s
wealth to their native population, Qataris are barely interested in politics or keen on
being identified with the state. Nonetheless, given the rapid changes that have been
taken place in Qatar over the last decade and the high speed of modernization, there
are certain conservative elements who viewed these developments not only with
suspicion, but tried to resist them. For example, these elements view the sale of
alcohol in hotels and some restaurants in the newly built “Pearl” area, as well as the
relative gains in the status of women, as an infringement on Qatari culture. Likewise,
conservatives express dismay that Qatar is hosting the World Cup in 2022 because of
the changes it will bring, such as the large-scale availability of alcohol and the
presence of openly gay personalities.