Qatar cooks up a storm over pork sales

Monday, 6 February 2012 9:56 AM

The Pearl-Qatar island is a popular expatriate and tourist spot

The decision by Doha’s only off-licence to start selling pork products in December has resulted in online controversy, with expatriates and locals split on the surprise move by the retailer.

Accessible only to non-Muslims with an alcohol licence, the QDC store in Doha began selling packets of sausages and bacon from QR28 ($7.6) in the run up to Christmas. The move was welcomed by many pork-loving expatriate workers, with stocks reportedly selling out in a matter of hours.

“It’s very good news,” one resident told the Qatar Living website, while another hoped this would be the start of a wider roll out of pork products to other outlets across the city.

“Good move! But still hope that Qatar someday will follow the same as in DUBAI & OMAN where there are NON-MUSLIM section in SPINNEYS & AL-FAIR respectively in which pork products are available,” another reader commented.

While there were reports QDC may increase its supplies in the wake of the popularity of the produce, or even open a second store, some observers have said the ban on pork products should be reinstated.

“They should not sell it. It only appeals to some expatriates in Qatar, albeit a tiny percentage of them, and like any country in the world it is reasonable enough to expect some degree of respect for the local laws and norms. Qatar is a pretty liberal place any ways, and the people who do eat pork, will not be giving up too much in other ways by not eating it,” one commentator said.

The move has been condemned by others who see it as a step too far and an insult to the local Muslim population. “What’s next? legalization of abortion in Qatar??” said one outraged reader, while another online opponent of the move has set up a ‘Stop Pork in Qatar’ online group.

The only other venue pork is available to buy in Qatar is the American Military Base, but this is only available to American military personnel.

The backlash against the sale of pork comes as it was revealed restaurants and bars on Qatar’s flagship Pearl development have seen revenues slump by more than 50 percent in the wake of a new ruling banning the sale of alcohol to customers.

Outlets on the manmade island off the coast of Doha were told on Dec 12 they could no longer serve booze to guests in what is seen as a display of tension between Qatar’s Muslim culture and its largely expatriate population.

Managers of restaurants located on the popular tourist spot said they had received no explanation for the ban or any indication on whether it might be lifted in the future.

“Every restaurant on the Pearl is banned [from selling alcohol],” said Sumeet Jhingan, country manager for Foodmark, the hospitality arm of retail giant Landmark Group. “We don’t know if it is indefinite, there was nothing in writing or communicated to us as to how long it is going to last.”

Qatar has shot to fame in recent years, thanks in part to an ambitious investment strategy that saw it snap up trophy assets such as Harrods, and stakes in Barclays, J Sainsbury’s and the London Stock Exchange.

The wealthy Gulf emirate in 2010 won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup, the first Arab country to do so. Doha has pledged to spend some $88bn on infrastructure and hotels over the next decade as it gears up to hold the world’s most-watched sporting event.

But the country’s rapid modernisation has raised fears among the local population that Qatar’s national identity could be diluted by the influx of expatriates and foreign investment.

Qatar Airways, Doha’s flag carrier, is currently the subject of a Twitter campaign that calls, in part, for a ban on serving alcohol on its flights in line with Islamic values.

Qatar's 2022 World Cup

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Posted by: Abusidra Wednesday, 15 February 2012 10:26 AM[UAE] - UAE

I feel there are so many good things (Halaal) to eat from then why people go for something which is Haraam and unhealthy? Always there are good offers going on food products in GCC.

Posted by: mhd Tuesday, 21 February 2012 3:29 PM[UAE] - QAtar

Who said pork is unhealthy?

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Posted by: Frank Lampard Saturday, 11 February 2012 11:45 AM[UAE] - UK

I can live without pork chops! And alcohol for that matter. If it's what the people of Qatar and their government want, then fine by me, I'll abide by the laws. Simple really.
But I'm enjoying all the comments like: "If Qatar want s to be progressive it really needs to choose which side of the fence it's on". Since when did selling alcohol and pork become progressive. Qataris are trying to protect their own culture, heritage and way of life.

Posted by: gordon Sunday, 12 February 2012 10:18 AM[UAE] - dubai

and what about buying Raffles in Singapore which is the home of the Singapore Sling..

It just seems like a petty move and why deny people the right to choose. I can take the pork either way, but I dislike being treated like a child and being told what I can or can't do.

Posted by: PKK Saturday, 11 February 2012 1:02 PM[UAE] - Germany

I live in the area for several years and like to know what is meant by 'own culture and heritage'. I see a very materialistic society that enjoys crowded malls, enjoys big toys for big kids and seems to love fast food. And yes, the beautiful museum of islamic arts is mainly visited by tourists and the (few) forts on the country side on not hotspots either.

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Posted by: freedomofchoice Friday, 10 February 2012 10:30 PM[UAE] - Qatar

Got to love the "pork must be banned"comments here! who gave this lot to make decisions for the Govt. of Qatar???...just like the same Govt. has banned alcohol sales on the Pearl,they have allowed pork sales...as for supply chain issues,the same holds true for Dubai, Bahrain & Oman,there are Muslims handling it along the supply chain there,they don't seem to have an issue with it,so why should those in Qatar???...furthermore,the same supply chain handles & has been handling alcohol for years now,if that hasn't been a problem thus far,why should this now??? As Lionheart rightly pointed out,most educated,aware Qataris have no issues with this as long as you're not strolling down C-ring or Al Waab with a can of lager in one hand & a pork chop in the other,basically out of sight out of mind & that's a small price to pay,it is their country...much ado about nothing really...

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Posted by: john Friday, 10 February 2012 10:42 AM[UAE] - Qatar

The main issue is that in the Muslim Faith Pork is bad, same in the Jewish faith. Pork should be banned as it is the whole supply chain that is a problem i.e. pork must be imported by an agent, pork passes thru customs, pork has to be stored, pork is then supplied by local supplier etc too many people involved in supply chain who could be muslim and be insulted by handling pork, a lot of lorry drivers etc are muslim

Posted by: Doug Friday, 10 February 2012 1:43 PM[UAE] - UAE

If they're insulted by handling pork, it's not as if anyone's forcing them to do it.

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Posted by: Brian Ashton Friday, 10 February 2012 10:41 AM[UAE] - UK

More than any Arabian Gulf state, Qatar and the UAE must relinquish a lot of acquired alien customs and traditions. All the more Qatar and the UAE seem more European and Asian than Arabian. As a tourist, I need to experience the authentic Arabian hospitality and heritage; if I wish to experience European and Asian hospitality I know where to go.

Posted by: Jake Saturday, 11 February 2012 10:54 AM[UAE] - UAE

You mean all those nice filipinos, malays, kenyans and russian who serve you in you traditional arabian hotel, should go home and replaced by locals?

So it is! Looking forward to that!

We will also have to close 90% of the restaurants, shawarma tastes better than foie gras anyway.

Now, I also think that Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa aren't exactly inspired by the traditional arabic culture and heritage...

Seems you didn't think that through, did you?

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