Editing Foreign relations of Qatar (section)

==Multilateral relations==
Sheikh [[Hamad bin Khalifa|Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]], the emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, helped establish Qatar's reputation as an influential player in Middle East politics. The first major move in this regard was the founding of [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]],<ref name="boot">[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8215363856234901024 Books of our Time: Al-Jazeera] at [[Google Video]]; TV programme feat. Lawrence Velvel, Dean of the Mass. School of Law, interviewing author [[Hugh Miles (journalist)|Hugh Miles]] who reveals a lot about the channel ''('''a''', '''c''': 48:30, '''b''': 55:00)''</ref> a state-owned news media company.

Qatar has also cultivated close relationships with Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. [[Al Udeid Air Base]] hosts American and British air forces. Qatar has invested extensively in London real estate, and the country has also made donations to prominent research centers in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hamburger|first1=Tom|last2=Becker|first2=Alexander|title=At fast-growing Brookings, donors may have an impact on research agenda|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/at-fast-growing-brookings-donors-help-set-agenda/2014/10/30/a4ba4e8e-48ef-11e4-891d-713f052086a0_story.html|access-date=26 June 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=30 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ormsby|first1=Avril|title=Qatar investor buys UK department store Harrods|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-harrods-idUSTRE6470V520100508|access-date=26 June 2015|work=Reuters|date=8 May 2010}}</ref> At the same time, Qatar maintains ties to Western adversaries, including Iran, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and extremist elements in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodspeed|first1=Peter|title=Qatar's divided world|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/peter-goodspeed-qatars-foreign-policy-is-filled-with-contradictions-as-it-maintains-ties-with-the-u-s-israel-iran-and-islamists|access-date=26 June 2015|work=National Post|date=26 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gaza Conflict Spotlights Role of Qatar, the Hamas-Funding U.S. Ally|url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2014/07/28/gaza-conflict-spotlights-role-of-qatar-the-hamas-funding-u-s-ally/|access-date=26 June 2015|work=The Algemeiner|date=28 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirkpatrick|first1=David D.|title=Qatar's Support of Islamists Alienates Allies Near and Far|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/08/world/middleeast/qatars-support-of-extremists-alienates-allies-near-and-far.html?_r=0|access-date=26 June 2015|work=The New York Times|date=7 September 2014}}</ref> Although according to a report by [[The Economist]] in December 2021, Qatar has modified its anti-Islamist policies and demanded Brotherhood activists leave.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-09 |title=The Muslim Brotherhood is tearing itself apart |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/12/09/the-muslim-brotherhood-is-tearing-itself-apart |access-date=2022-04-18 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In an attempt to quell the mounting criticism, Qatar announced sweeping labour reforms in 2019. This included ending ''kafala'', the system that made it illegal for migrant workers to change jobs or leave the country without their employer's permission, effectively trapping workers who were being exploited and abused. Other reforms included the first minimum wage for [[migrant worker]]s in the region and harsher penalties for companies that did not comply with the new labour laws. When they came into force in September 2020, the reforms were met with wide acclaim. [[FIFA|Fifa]] called them groundbreaking. The [[United Nations|UN]] said they marked a new era. An international trade union referred to them as a game changer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pattisson |first=Pete |date=2021-11-22 |title=The road to reform: have things improved for Qatar's World Cup migrant workers? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/nov/22/qatar-labour-rights-reforms-world-cup-legacy |access-date=2023-04-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar {{!}} Country Page {{!}} World {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/middle-east/north-africa/qatar |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=www.hrw.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Human Rights Watch |title=Qatar: Events of 2021 |date=2022-01-13 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/qatar |work=English |access-date=2023-04-24 |language=en}}</ref>

It is also one of the few countries in which citizens do not have to [[List of countries by tax rates|pay any taxes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qatar.angloinfo.com/money/general-taxes/ |title=General Taxes in Qatar|publisher=Anglo info|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012/world-report-2012-qatar |title=World Report 2012 |chapter=World Report 2012: Qatar |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|date=2 December 2010 |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref> 

On October 16, 2019, the Council of Ministers of the State of Qatar unanimously endorsed end to such practice in the country by abolishment of the [[Kafala system]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-16 |title=Landmark labour reforms signal end of kafala system in Qatar |url=http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_724052/lang--en/index.htm |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=www.ilo.org |language=en}}</ref> 

Qatar is a strategic ally of China, with relationship between the two countries growing stronger.<ref>{{cite news |title=Qatar, China enjoy strong ties based on respect |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/599134/Qatar-China-enjoy-strong-ties-based-on-respect |work=Gulf-Times |date=11 July 2018 |language=ar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Commentary: Isolated Qatar pivots towards China, as its ties with Gulf states wane |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/qatar-gulf-states-growing-ties-china-10450188 |work=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=23 August 2018 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823210726/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/qatar-gulf-states-growing-ties-china-10450188 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Qatar is a member of [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], [[Gulf Cooperation Council]], [[OPEC]] and the [[Council of Arab Economic Unity]].

===Regional relations===
In September, 2014. QFFD contributed in enhancing stability for Syrian refugees. Qatar Charity facilitated access to quality education through the rehabilitation of 6 Formal schools in Turkey, [[Gaziantep]], [[Urfa]], [[Kilis]], targeting a total number of 13,540 beneficiaries and 12,860 girls and boys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar Fund for Development Support Syrian refugees in Turkey towards stability - Turkey |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/turkey/qatar-fund-development-support-syrian-refugees-turkey-towards-stability |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=ReliefWeb |date=11 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

On July 10, 2017, according to documents obtained by Al Arabiya, Qatar agreed to quit supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. In order to avoid undermining relations with the Gulf, it also removed non-citizens from Qatar and refused to provide shelter to anyone from a GCC nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will Qatar's Relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood Change after Gulf Reconciliation? |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/will-qatars-relationship-muslim-brotherhood-change-after-gulf-reconciliation |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en}}</ref>

On March 27, 2022, The [[United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office|United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism]] (UNOCT) and Qatar on their fourth high-level strategic discussion, discussed strategic priorities and worked together to ensure that the UN effectively supports member states in their efforts to combat terrorism. Out of a total of 35 other contributors, the state of Qatar is the second greatest contributor to the UN trust fund for counter-terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fourth High-Level Strategic Dialogue between the State of Qatar & UNOCT {{!}} Office of Counter-Terrorism |url=https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/events/fourth-high-level-strategic-dialogue-between-state-qatar-unoct |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=www.un.org |language=en}}</ref>

Some [[financial economist]]s have interpreted the 2014 Saudi-Qatari rift as the tangible political sign  of a growing economic rivalry between oil and [[natural gas]] producers, which could "have deep and long-lasting consequences" beyond the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.academia.edu/6702258|work= Al Hayat|location=London|title=A GCC House Divided: Country Risk Implications of the Saudi-Qatari Rift |author=M. Nicolas J. Firzli|date=6 April 2014|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref>

In March 2014 Qatar made overtures to [[Oman]] in order to counteract the influence of Saudi Arabia on politics in the region.<ref>[http://www.tehrantimes.com/component/content/article/114539 "Qatar, Oman seek to enhance ties to counter Saudi Arabia’s sway over PGCC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313161158/http://tehrantimes.com/component/content/article/114539 |date=13 March 2014 }} ''Tehran Times''. 7 March 2014</ref>

In May 2017, an alleged hack of state media led to stories quoting the Emir as enquiring US resentment towards Iran and remarking on Hamas. Doha reported it as false and gave no indication on where it originated. However, news organizations in the region reported the emir's comments as fact. This led to Saudi Arabia, UAE, [[Egypt]] and Bahrain [[2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis|cutting diplomatic ties]] with Qatar on 5 June 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/06/01/whats-going-on-with-qatar/|title=Analysis {{!}} What's going on with Qatar?|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829|title=Qatar row: Five countries cut links with Doha|date=5 June 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>

Qatar voiced support for the [[Operation Olive Branch|Turkish invasion of northern Syria]] aimed at ousting U.S.-backed [[People's Protection Units|Syrian Kurds]] from the enclave of [[Afrin, Syria|Afrin]]. Spokeswoman of [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], Lulwah Rashif Al-Khater said that: "The launching of the Turkish military operation last Saturday was motivated by legitimate concerns related to its national security and the security of its borders, in addition to protecting [[Syria]]'s territorial integrity from the danger of secession. [[Turkey]], a NATO member, has always been a stabilizing factor in the region."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://qasioun-news.com/en/news/show/127172|title=Qatar: Turkey's Olive Branch Operation in Afrin is Legitimate – Qasion News Agency|accessdate=20 June 2023|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204826/http://qasioun-news.com/en/news/show/127172|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In mid-March 2024, the Emir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and President of the [[European Council]], HE [[Charles Michel]], discussed about enhancing cooperation between Qatar and the [[European Union]], as well as addressing key regional and global issues, with specific focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qna.org.qa/en/newsbulletins/2024-03/13/0058-HH-the-Amir-Receives-Phone-Call-from%C2%A0European-Council-President | title=404_page }}</ref> 

===Peace brokering and peacekeeping activities===
{{See also|Qatar as a mediator in conflict}}[[File:Συμμετοχή ΥΠΕΞ Δ. Δρούτσα σε συνάντηση Ομάδας Επαφής για τη Λιβύη - FM D. Droutsas participates in meeting of Contact Group on Libya (5615843719).jpg|thumb|The First Contact Group Meeting on Libya was held in Doha, Qatar on 3 April 2011]]
The onset of the [[Arab Spring]] in January 2011 complicated Qatar's ability to mediate having forced Gulf leaders to side with revolutionaries or the longstanding autocratic regimes. Sheikh Hamad stated in that Qatar would support the uprisings, a position that clashed with neighboring Saudi Arabia and the [[United Arab Emirates]]. Qatar provided extensive support, in funding and weapons, to [[Libya]]n revolutionaries and aided in the removal of [[Muammar Gaddafi]] by mobilising Arab support behind NATO airstrikes. In Egypt, Qatar supported President [[Mohamed Morsi]] and has suffered from strained relations with President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] following Morsi's removal.
 
In Syria, Qatar has provided arms and funding to various opposition groups.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/f2d9bbc8-bdbc-11e2-890a-00144feab7de.html |title=How Qatar seized control of the Syrian revolution |date=17 May 2013|newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref> Other discoveries from the research claimed that Qatar supported the US against the Assad government. Additionally, the nation supported efforts to mediate a conflict-ending political transition in Syria. In March 2021, Qatar, Russia, and Turkey also started a different track of talks on the Syrian peace process.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14702609 |title=Qatar profile - Timeline |date=3 December 2018|newspaper=bbc.com}}</ref>

According to the [[Royal United Services Institute]], Qatar plays an important role in [[Syria]] and [[Iraq]] as an interlocutor between Western powers and resistant groups that cannot be engaged directly. This role is consistent with Qatar's efforts as an interlocutor with the [[Taliban]] in Afghanistan, hosting a small embassy in [[Doha]] where US officials are able to meet with the Taliban behind closed doors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/25/world/meast/qatar-emir/|title=Qatar's Emir: We don't fund terrorists|date=25 September 2014|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

Prior to the abdication of Emir Sheikh Hamad, Qatar's mediation was fronted by the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abdullah Al Mahmud. On 4 May 2009, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Abdullah Al Mahmud announced that Chad and Sudan had agreed to end hostilities against each other and to normalize relations during Qatari-mediated talks in Doha; however the agreement quickly broke down.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/05/200954124019927666.html|title = Chad and Sudan agree to end feud|work = Al Jazeera|date = 4 May 2009|access-date = 19 September 2011}}</ref> Qatar also brokered an agreement between the Sudanese government and the strongest Darfur rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, in Doha in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/02/200922293248253584.html|title = Meetings follow Doha deal on Darfur|work = Al Jazeera|date = 22 February 2009|access-date = 19 September 2011}}</ref> The agreement fell apart in May 2010 and the conflict is ongoing.

[[File:Donald Trump meets with the Emir of Qatar (Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani), May 2017.jpg|thumb|U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] with the Emir of Qatar [[Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani]], May 2017]]
Qatar hosted a donors conference to help rebuild war-ravaged Darfur in April 2013.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2013/04/20134732514850321.html Qatar pledges $500m for Darfur reconstruction] ''Al Jazeera''. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.</ref>

In June 2010, Qatari peacekeeping forces deployed in the disputed Ras Doumeira area on the border between Djibouti and Eritrea after the latter withdrew from the area. The intention was to help start bilateral negotiations and solve the [[Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict|territorial dispute]] which had turned violent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/what-is-an-expensive-idyllic-resort-doing-in-eritrea/274424/|title=What Is an Expensive, Idyllic Resort Doing in Eritrea?|first=Armin|last=Rosen|website=[[The Atlantic]]|date=28 March 2013|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219235425/http://m.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/what-is-an-expensive-idyllic-resort-doing-in-eritrea/274424/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Qatar withdrew its 450 troops from the Djibouti-Eritrea border in June 2017 after the two countries [[2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis|severed ties with Qatar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/6/14/qatar-withdraws-troops-from-east-africa-peacekeeping-mission|title=Qatar withdraws troops from peacekeeping mission on Djibouti-Eritrea border|work=alaraby |publisher=Al Araby Al Jadeed|date=14 June 2017|access-date=3 September 2017}}</ref>

On February 1, 2023, in an interview, Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, stated that his country is actively utilizing its established communication channels with both Washington and Tehran in order to foster a greater alignment of their respective perspectives.

In September 2023, it was reported that Iran expressed its readiness to execute a Qatar-mediated agreement with the United States. The Iranian foreign minister made this announcement on September 14, 2023. According to the terms of the agreement, both [[Washington (state)|Washington]] and Tehran would release five prisoners, while $6 billion worth of Iranian assets held in South Korea would be released.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar hopes recent prisoner swap deal between with US will pave way for revival of nuclear deal |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/qatar-hopes-recent-prisoner-swap-deal-between-with-us-will-pave-way-for-revival-of-nuclear-deal/2966193 |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Inc |first=Reuters |title=Iran ready to implement Qatar-mediated prisoner swap deal with U.S. - official {{!}} SaltWire |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/iran-ready-to-implement-qatar-mediated-prisoner-swap-deal-with-us-official-100892100/ |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=www.saltwire.com |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009115850/https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/iran-ready-to-implement-qatar-mediated-prisoner-swap-deal-with-us-official-100892100/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The broad outlines of the U.S.-Iran deal, which pertain to the potential release of U.S. citizens detained by Iran, were publicly disclosed on August 10. As part of this agreement, it has been proposed that the funds be transferred to banks in Qatar while simultaneously releasing five Iranians who are currently held in the United States.

In June, it was reported that secret talks took place between [[Venezuela]] and the United States, with Qatar serving as the host for these discussions. Qatar has been known for its significant involvement in supporting the United States during delicate negotiations, which notably encompassed a recent prisoner exchange with Iran and facilitated backchannel communications between the [[United States|U.S]]. and the Taliban.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2023/09/mediating-multipolarity-qatars-role-in-us-venezuela-negotiations?lang=en | title=Mediating Multipolarity: Qatar's Role in U.S.-Venezuela Negotiations }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quesada |first=Juan Diego |date=2023-06-30 |title=United States and Venezuela hold secret meeting in Qatar |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-06-30/united-states-and-venezuela-hold-secret-meeting-in-qatar.html |access-date=2023-09-16 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en-us}}</ref>

On October 7, 2023, Israel and Palestine started an extensive armed conflict. Due to its escalation, On October 9, 2023, Qatari mediators made urgent talks to attempt to arrange the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israeli women and children held by the militant group that were being detained in Gaza. Positive progress is being made in the ongoing negotiations, which Qatar has been undertaking in collaboration with the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mills |first1=Andrew |last2=Al-Mughrabi |first2=Nidal |last3=Al-Mughrabi |first3=Nidal |date=2023-10-09 |title=Qatar in talks with Hamas, Israel to swap hostages for prisoners |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatar-leads-talks-swap-hamas-held-hostages-palestinians-israeli-jails-2023-10-09/ |access-date=2023-10-30}}</ref> Qatar has played a crucial role in facilitating the release of American and Australian hostages who were stranded in Israel and Palestine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nick |date=2023-10-20 |title=Rishi Sunak thanks Qatar for efforts to free UK hostages taken by Hamas |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/20/rishi-sunak-qatar-uk-hostages-hamas/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham-Harrison |first=Emma |date=2023-10-20 |title=US mother and daughter released from Hamas captivity after Qatar brokers deal |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/20/hamas-us-hostages-released-mother-daughter |access-date=2023-10-30 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In October 2023, Qatar's mediation efforts led to the reunion of four Ukrainian children with their families. By December 2023, an additional six Ukrainian children were scheduled to be repatriated from Russia to Ukraine under a Qatar-brokered agreement. In February 2024, a third group of 11 children was successfully returned to their Ukrainian families with the assistance of Qatar's mediation. On March 21, 2024, a new batch of children exchange between Moscow and Kyiv took place at Qatar's Embassy in Moscow, facilitated by Qatar and attended by Ambassador ''Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani'', as confirmed by Russian Children's Ombudswoman ''Maria Lvova-Belova''. Furthermore, the ambassador ''Sheikh Ahmed'' expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for their support throughout this process.

=== Cultural and religious activities ===
[[Qatar]] is an Islamic state with multi-religious minorities like most of the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Persian Gulf countries]] with waves of migration over the last 30 years. The official state religion is Wahhabi Sunni Islam. The community is made up of [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] and [[Shia Islam|Shi'a]] [[Muslims]], [[Christians]], [[Hindus]], and small groups of [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] and [[Baháʼí Faith|Baha'is]]. [[Muslims]] form 65.5% of the Qatari population, followed by [[Hindus]] at 15.4%, [[Christians]] at 14.2%, [[Buddhists]] at 3.3% and the rest 1.9% of the population follow other religions or are unaffiliated. Qatar is also home to numerous other religions mostly from the [[Middle East]] and [[Asia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar |url=https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/country-profiles/qatar |access-date=2023-06-12 |website=rpl.hds.harvard.edu |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530081000/https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/country-profiles/qatar |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The country has also hosted numerous interfaith dialogue conferences.

The culture of Qatar is strongly influenced by traditional [[Arab culture|Bedouin culture]], with less acute influence deriving from [[India]], [[East Africa]] and elsewhere in the [[Persian Gulf]]. The peninsula's harsh climatic conditions compelled its inhabitants to turn to the sea for sustenance. Thus, there is a distinct emphasis placed on the sea in local culture. Literature and folklore themes are often related to sea-based activities. Oral arts such as poetry and singing were historically more prevalent than [[figurative art]] because of the restrictions placed by [[Aniconism in Islam|Islam on depictions of sentient beings]]; however, certain visual art disciplines such as calligraphy, architecture and textile arts were widely practiced. Figurative arts were gradually assimilated into the country's culture during the [[History of Qatar#Oil drilling|oil era]].

===Foreign aid===
{{Main|Qatari foreign aid}}
[[Qatar]]'s [[international aid]] program has expanded dramatically since the beginning of 2010, and focuses heavily on the [[Arab world]], most notably in the humanitarian crises in [[Syria]] and [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Papers/2015/06/trends-issues-qatari-foreign-aid-kharas/Kharas-Trends-and-Issues-in-Qatar-Aid-v2.pdf?la=en,|title=Page Not Found|website=The Brookings Institution|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626142741/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Papers/2015/06/trends-issues-qatari-foreign-aid-kharas/Kharas-Trends-and-Issues-in-Qatar-Aid-v2.pdf?la=en,|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the [[UN]] [[OCHA]]'s Financial Tracking Service, Qatar's international aid increased from less than $10 million annually in the pre-[[Arab Spring]] period to the hundreds of millions following the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=Profile-donorCountrylist,|title=Qatar Country Profile: 2015, Financial Tracking Service, 2015|access-date=5 June 2017|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626142046/https://fts.unocha.org/pageloader.aspx?page=Profile-donorCountrylist,|url-status=dead}}</ref>

For example, in 2012, according to the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], the country donated more than QAR3 billion (or c. £524 million) through governmental and non-governmental aid to nearly 100 countries across the globe.<ref name=MOFA>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/SiteServices/MediaCenter/News/Pages/News20131111082549.aspx,|title=|website=www.mofa.gov.qa|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905230822/http://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/SiteServices/MediaCenter/News/Pages/News20131111082549.aspx,|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Qatari leadership has since pledged publicly to reduce suffering of victims and to achieve and support global partnerships for the achievement of foreign countries' [[Millennium Development Goals]]. The state is engaged in investments in a wide range of [[humanitarian aid|humanitarian]] and developmental sectors.<ref name=MOFA /> Qatar pledged $50 million in support to [[United Nations]] humanitarian response plan as well as the regional refugee plan for [[Sudan]], during a donor conference in [[Geneva]] on 19 June 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-06-19 |title=Qatar pledges $50 mln in Sudan aid - PM |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sudan-aidconflict-idAFS8N37R05I |access-date=2023-07-11}}</ref> "Based on our fraternal responsibility and our moral and human duty towards our brothers in Sudan, and as a continuation of our continuous humanitarian and development efforts in brotherly Sudan, we announce the State of Qatar's pledge of $50 million to support the efforts of the Humanitarian Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Plan," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qarjouli |first=Asmahan |date=2023-06-19 |title=Qatar pledges $50 million in humanitarian response to Sudan |url=https://dohanews.co/qatar-pledges-50-million-in-humanitarian-response-to-sudan/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 24, 2023, [[Qatar]] dispatched a significant quantity of humanitarian and relief aid, amounting to 58 tonnes, to assist the city of Derna in Libya, which had been severely impacted by flooding. This recent contribution elevates the total amount of aid provided by Qatar to support those affected by the floods to an impressive 267 tonnes. Aid typically encompasses a range of essential provisions, including but not limited to shelter essentials, electricity generators, food, and medical commodities.

Recently, [[Qatar Charity]] (QC) launched the 'Libya Appeal' campaign, aimed at providing aid to the Libyan population grappling with the consequences of severe floods. These floods have resulted in the loss of numerous lives and the displacement of a significant number of individuals.

Sheikh [[Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani|Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani]] also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the victims affected by the catastrophic floods in [[Libya]] through a message posted on the social media platform Twitter.  "I extend to our brothers in Libya my sincere condolences and sympathy for the victims of the catastrophic floods, and we in Qatar declare our complete solidarity with the Libyan people to overcome this painful ordeal, and we ask God to have mercy on the dead, bring back the missing, and heal the wounded,". He wrote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-26 |title=Two Qatari Planes from Qatari Air Bridge Arrive at Benina Airport in Libya to Aid Flood-Hit People [EN/AR] - Libya {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/libya/two-qatari-planes-qatari-air-bridge-arrive-benina-airport-libya-aid-flood-hit-people-enar |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eltayeb |first=Mohamed |date=2023-09-25 |title=Qatar delivers two planes carrying 58 tonnes of aid in flood-hit Libya |url=https://dohanews.co/qatar-delivers-two-planes-carrying-58-tonnes-of-aid-in-flood-hit-libya/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Doha News {{!}} Qatar |language=en-US}}</ref>