Editing Politics of Qatar (section)

===Alcohol===
[[Alcohol (drug)|Alcohol]] consumption is partially legal in Qatar, some five-star luxury hotels are allowed to sell alcohol to their non-Muslim customers.<ref name=wsj20120107>{{cite news |author= Alex Delmar-Morgan|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203686204577115923124889872 |title=Qatar, Unveiling Tensions, Suspends Sale of Alcohol |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=arabist20120115>{{cite news|author= Jenifer Fenton|url=http://www.arabist.net/blog/2012/1/15/qatars-impromptu-alcohol-ban.html |title=Qatar's Impromptu Alcohol Ban |publisher=The Arabist|date=16 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012}}</ref> Muslims are not allowed to consume alcohol in Qatar and Muslims caught consuming alcohol are liable to [[flogging]] or deportation. Non-Muslim expatriates can obtain a permit to purchase alcohol for personal consumption. The Qatar Distribution Company (a subsidiary of [[Qatar Airways]]) is permitted to import alcohol and pork; it operates the one and only liquor store in the country, which also sells pork to holders of liquor licences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |title=Purchasing Alcohol in Qatar |publisher=Qatar Visitor |date=2 June 2007 |access-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501044507/http://www.qatarvisitor.com/index.php?cID=414&pID=1053 |archive-date=1 May 2011 }}</ref> Qatari officials had also indicated a willingness to allow alcohol in "fan zones" at the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Qatar would 'welcome' Israel in 2022 |first=Tamara |last=Walid |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/qatar-would-welcome-israel-in-2022 |newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=10 August 2013}}</ref>

Until recently, restaurants on [[The Pearl Island]] (a human-made island near Doha) were allowed to serve alcoholic drinks.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name=arabist20120115 /> In December 2011, however, restaurants on The Pearl were told to stop selling alcohol.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name="er6012012">{{cite news|author = James M. Dorsey |url = http://www.eurasiareview.com/16012012-debate-questions-emir%E2%80%99s-powers-to-shape-qatar%E2%80%99s-positioning-as-sports-hub-and-sponsor-of-revolts-analysis |title = Debate Questions Emir's Powers To Shape Qatar's Positioning As Sports Hub And Sponsor of Revolts – Analysis |publisher = The Eurasia Review|date = 17 January 2012 |access-date = 17 January 2012}}</ref> No explanation was given for the ban.<ref name=wsj20120107 /><ref name=arabist20120115 /> Speculation about the reason includes the government's desire to project a more pious image in advance of the country's first election of a royal advisory body and rumours of a financial dispute between the government and the resort's developers.<ref name=er6012012 /> Despite the economic consequences of the ban, many believe that it has been a necessary measure in order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of fans at the World Cup. Qatar's World Cup chief executive of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Nasser Al Khater, stated that the purpose of the designated sobering-up areas was to ensure the fans' safety.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drunk fans will be sent to special zones to sober up, says Qatar World Cup boss |url=https://news.sky.com/story/turning-world-cup-into-platform-of-political-statements-is-not-right-for-football-qatar-boss-says-12719115 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>