Islam in Qatar
Muhammad sent his first military envoy, Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami, to Munzir ibn Sawa Al Tamimi, the ruler of the region of Bahrain, which extended from the coast of Kuwait to the south of Qatar, in the year 628 AD to engage in da'wah and spread the teachings of Islam.
[17] Education City is also home to the Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics [CILE], a think tank founded in 2012 and headed by Swiss political philosopher Professor Tariq Ramadan, of Oxford University.
In addition to housing one of the largest mosques in Qatar, the center publishes religious studies and offers courses in Arabic and Islam.
One notable instance is the attempted demolition of a Shia cemetery near Doha in 2011 by a group of Wahhabi extremists allegedly affiliated with Qatar's Islamic ministry.
Upon receiving news of this event, The Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa condemned the attempt and attended a Shia funeral as a sign of respect.
This period is characterized by the obligatory observation of fasting (sawm), wherein adherents abstain from consuming food and beverages from dawn until dusk.
In Qatar, the commencement and culmination of Ramadan are determined by the Moon Sighting Committee within the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
This committee observes the crescent moon, signaling both the conclusion of Ramadan and the onset of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast.
[28] Preceding the commencement of fasting, Qataris engage in preparatory rituals and communal gatherings, exemplified by the observance of Sha'ban, the month prior to Ramadan, with al naflah festivities.
[28] The daily fast commences at sunrise, following the consumption of suhur, the pre-dawn meal designed to sustain individuals throughout the day.
This tradition, continuing to this day in Qatar, is broadcast live on national television and can be observed at various locations such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village and Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque.
[28] In the past, al-musaharati roamed the farjan (neighborhoods) during the month of Ramadan, beating his drum to wake people up for suhur.
Eid al-Fitr, which means the "festivity of breaking the fast", takes place on the first day of the tenth month post-Ramadan.
This solemn event, observed on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja, commemorates the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim's sacrificial act.
[31] Throughout Eid festivities, children eagerly traverse neighborhoods, exuberantly exchanging greetings and collecting their "Eidiyah" – a customary monetary gift.
Qatari nationals typically adhere to traditional forms of dress that reflect both their religious values and local customs.
[34] Visitors to Qatar, while not expected to wear traditional Qatari clothing, are encouraged to dress modestly out of respect for local customs and Islamic values.
Traditionally, the call was recited from the mosque’s minaret without amplification, but in modern Qatar, loudspeakers are widely used, allowing the adhan to resonate through neighborhoods.
The rhythmic chant begins with the Takbir ("Allahu Akbar," meaning "God is Great") and includes the Kalimah (declaration of faith).
Qatar's urban planning reflects the importance of Salat, with mosques situated within walking distance of all residential areas to ensure accessibility for Muslims.
It is named after Dracaena trifasciata, commonly known as the snake plant in English and hayya bayya in Qatar,[38] alternatively spelled hia bia.
[38] During this ceremonial sacrifice, the girls dress in traditional attire, such as the al bakhnaq embroidered with zari thread, and perform songs specific to the occasion, such as praying to God to make their Eid joyous and for the safe return of pilgrims from Hajj.
Containing many religious and literary works, the complex hosts the Qatari Calendar House, the Center for Islamic Studies, and the Sheikh Al-Ansari Library.
