Changing Qatar: Culture, Citizenship, and Rapid Modernization

Geoff Harkness

Published by New York University Press 2020

Changing Qatar

Culture, Citizenship, and Rapid Modernization

Geoff Harkness

https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9781479894659.001.0001

Overview
Contents

About this book

A cultural study of modern Qatar and how it navigates change and tradition

Qatar, an ambitious country in the Arabian Gulf, grabbed headlines as the first Middle Eastern nation selected to host the FIFA World Cup. As the wealthiest country in the world—and one of the fastest-growing—it is known for its capital, Doha, which boasts a striking, futuristic skyline.

In Changing Qatar, Geoff Harkness takes us beyond the headlines, providing a fresh perspective on modern-day life in the increasingly visible Gulf. Drawing on three years of immersive fieldwork and more than a hundred interviews, he describes a country in transition, one struggling to negotiate the fluid boundaries of culture, tradition, and modernity.

Harkness shows how Qataris reaffirm—and challenge—traditions in many areas of everyday life, from dating and marriage, to clothing and humor, to gender and sports. A cultural study of citizenship in modern Qatar, this book offers an illuminating portrait that cannot be found elsewhere.

Author / Editor information

Harkness Geoff :

Geoff Harkness is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rhode Island College. He is the author of Chicago Hustle and Flow: Gangs, Gangsta Rap, and Social Class.Geoff Harkness is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rhode Island College. He is the author of Chicago Hustle and Flow: Gangs, Gangsta Rap, and Social Class.

Reviews

Harvey Molotch, co-editor of The New Arab Urban: Gulf Cities of Wealth, Ambition, and Distress:
Changing Qatar changes not just how we think about the Arabian Gulf but how we think about political order, gender and the role of great wealth in making up cities and the people within them. It is a singular accomplishment—shrewd, engrossing, and rich with ideas and substance.

Christine Lindholm, Associate Dean for Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts:
This book reads very well. The author’s writing style is engaging, easy to follow and thought provoking....Given the dearth of information on Qatar, I believe this book will have wide appeal and provide useful and interesting insight into a little known country and culture.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
About the Authors Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1 Welcome to Doha Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	21
2 Modern Traditionalism: Qatar and the Arabian Gulf Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	56
3 Inventing Traditions: The Construction of Sports Culture Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
4 The National Uniform: Strategic Uses of Clothing Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	124
5 Venus and Mahrs: Dating, Sex, and Marriage Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	158
6 Expats and Workers: Foreign Labor under Sponsorship Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	190
Conclusion: The Limits of Modern Traditionalism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	241
Appendix: Researching Qatar Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	245
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	259
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	293
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	315
About the Author Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	329

Language: English
Publisher: New York University Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Illustrations
- Other: 19 black and white illustrations
Keywords: 2022; Arabian Gulf; Arranged marriage; Branding; Citizenship; Clothing; Comedy; Consanguineous marriage; Consanguinity; Culture; Expatriates; FIFA; Global South; Hijab; History; Islam; Labor; Marriage; Micropractices; Middle East; Modernization; Muslim; Nationality; Occupations; Oil; Pearl fishing; Soccer; Sports; Standup Comedy; Tribes; Work; World Cup

eBook

Published: July 28, 2020
ISBN: 9781479894659