Famous in Qatar

Gundula Haage

Poorest nation, richest nation (Issue III+IV/2018)


1. Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani
Patron of the arts and sister of the emir
The magazine, ArtReview, selected the 35-year-old Qatari princess as the most powerful person in the international art world. As the head of the Qatar Museums Authority, the sister of the current emir of Qatar has an annual budget in the billions of dollars at her disposal. That makes her a welcome guest at galleries everywhere around the world. In 2012, she paid the record price of $250 million for The Card Players, a painting by Paul Cézanne. Apart from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the Qatar Museum Authority, the princess is also responsible for the Doha Film Institute. She studied political science and literature at Duke University in the US and also spent a year at the Sorbonne in Paris.

2. Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani 
Emir of Qatar
One of the four sons of the last emir, he was only 23 years old when, in 2003, he was designated heir to the Qatari throne. In 2013, aged 33, he became the youngest head of state in the Arabic world. Since taking up the job, the emir has remained popular among his people. Flags and posters bearing his image are a symbol for Qatari pride and the Instagram account the ruler started at the beginning of this year has 350,000 followers. Despite his youth, Al Thani’s steering of the country’s political destiny has remained fairly conservative. Critics say he is too close to the Muslim Brotherhood and NGOs continue to complain about the human rights situation in Qatar. Since the Arab Spring demonstrations, Al Thani has been promising more reforms. The rights of foreigners and migrant workers will be better protected in the future, he has said. Whether he keeps that promise remains to be seen.

3. Fahad Al Kubaisi
Singer
The son of a conservative Qatari family, the singer grew up listening to Khaliji music. His career as a “tender baritone” began while he was still in school. He interpreted traditional Islamic music and began to mix in other musical influences. He is now one of the best known singers in the Gulf states. The music video to his 2014 song, We Ba'adeen, was the first in Arabic music video to be filmed using a selfie stick and inspired many imitators. Al Kubaisi is also the first musician from a Gulf state to be nominated for a Grammy award. 

Compiled by Gundula Haage and Kai Schnier



similar articles

Poorest nation, richest nation (Topic: Inequality)

“I am an optimist”

an interview with Moussa Abdoulaye

How does politics function in a crisis-torn state? Moussa Abdoulaye, special advisor to the Prime Minister, describes his day job.

more


Une Grande Nation (Topic: France)

Tour de France

Everyone knows the Louvre art gallery in Paris. But what else is there to look at in France? Here, some lesser-known sights that are also worth checking out. 

more


Une Grande Nation (Topic: France)

Comment ça va?

by Areski Meftali

Five French locals on the state of their nation.

more


Poorest nation, richest nation (Topic: Inequality)

“Our reality is funny enough”

by Hamad Al-Amari

What do people in Qatar laugh about? Comedian Hamad Al-Amari explores his countrymen’s humour.

more


Poorest nation, richest nation (Topic: Inequality)

Blood-soaked soil

by Judicaël-Ulrich Boukanga Serpende

Our country is plagued by a never-ending cycle of violence. But how have people learned to deal with the omnipresence of death?

more


Poorest nation, richest nation (Topic: Inequality)

In god’s name

by Michaël Eustache Mounzatela

On why it is actually not religious differences that are dividing the Christians and Muslims of the Central African Republic. 

more