Qatar deploys culture as a force to manage diversity

Qatar Tribune

a day ago

Khaled Al Hameidi
Doha
When walking through the streets of Doha or other cities across Qatar, one is immediately struck by the prevailing sense of social security and mutual respect between citizens and residents.
This shared public space, teeming with people from diverse national, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, forms a vibrant mosaic of peaceful coexistence and human understanding. Behind this harmony lies an often understated but powerful force: culture.
A culture of everyday respect
Culture in Qatar is not merely expressed in formal celebrations or institutional settings, it breathes in the rhythms of daily life. From courteous exchanges in public parks to the welcoming smiles that greet visitors in malls, hospitals, and workplaces, culture manifests as a code of conduct that fosters inclusion. There is an unspoken etiquette that governs interaction, a kind of 'cultural DNA' that seems embedded in the social fabric.
One can recall the international acclaim Qatar received during the FIFA World Cup 2022, not only for its exceptional organisation but for the moral, cultural, and social values it projected to the world. The event served as a cultural milestone, communicating the essence of coexistence, hospitality, and diversity through a truly global lens.
Institutionalising
coexistence
Qatar's strategic investment in cultural programming has not gone unnoticed. The country's institutions—museums, cultural centres, and public art platforms, have consciously leveraged the power of culture to foster social cohesion.
'Culture in Qatar is not a luxury—it's a strategic necessity,' said Dr Abdulaziz Al Marri, a Qatari sociologist and expert on community dynamics. 'When you bring people from more than 100 nationalities to live in a single society, you either build bridges through culture, or you risk division. Qatar chose the path of harmony, and that was a visionary move.'
Dr Al Marri added that the cultural calendar in Qatar, ranging from art exhibitions to theater festivals, poetry readings, and community workshops, offers both citizens and residents a chance to participate, interact, and feel seen. 'It's not just about entertainment,' he emphasised. 'It's about representation. When people see their traditions respected and showcased, they feel a sense of belonging.'
Culture as
a social tool
For Dr Ubaida Shityat, a Jordanian expert in human sciences, who works for the Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education, culture functions as more than just a means of expression, it's a practical tool for managing societal complexity.
'Qatar represents one of the most complex demographic structures in the world,' Dr Shityat explained in an interview with Qatar Tribune. 'You have people from East Asia, Africa, Europe, the Arab world, and the Americas, all living in close proximity. Such diversity can only be sustainable through a framework of shared understanding, and that framework is built culturally.'
He added, 'What makes Qatar's model unique is the balance between preserving national identity and embracing global influences. This balance allows residents to integrate without feeling alienated, and citizens to remain open without feeling their traditions are under threat.'
Dr Shityat also stressed the importance of informal cultural mechanisms, gestures of politeness, dress codes, public behavior, and mutual courtesy, which operate alongside laws to maintain societal order.
'This is the unwritten constitution of coexistence,' he said.
Empowering through
development and awareness
According to Sabiha Abdelhafidh Sharafeddine, a Tunisian human development coach with long experience in intercultural training, Qatar's cultural environment actively empowers individuals to become agents of cohesion.
'I've seen firsthand how cultural events in Qatar are not just showcases, they are platforms for education and dialogue,' she said. 'Workshops for youth, intercultural panels, and creative writing competitions give people from all walks of life the chance to learn about each other.'
Sharafeddine praised Qatar's emphasis on intercultural empathy.
'It's not enough to tolerate others,' she noted. 'What Qatar is doing, especially through its educational and cultural institutions, is teaching people to understand others. That's a much deeper, more sustainable approach.'
She highlighted how many residents come from societies with historical grievances or cultural divisions. 'When they come to Qatar, they find a neutral space where mutual respect is not only expected, it's practised. That can be transformative,' she said.
Sharafeddine also pointed to the positive psychological impact of such a model.
'When people feel welcomed, respected, and engaged, they contribute more. Productivity goes up. Mental health improves. Social trust is strengthened. It's all interconnected,' she added. A pedagogical and ethical model
Dr Alaa Neama, a prominent Egyptian educator and senior consultant in pedagogy, believes Qatar's cultural model offers a replicable framework for other societies.
'What is happening in Qatar today is not spontaneous, it is the result of structured cultural pedagogy,' Dr Neama told Qatar Tribune.
'From school curricula to museum exhibitions to public service campaigns, there is a clear ethical message: diversity is an asset, not a threat.'
Dr Neama highlighted the role of educators in transmitting cultural values that emphasise mutual respect, dignity, and open-mindedness.
'Our role as educators is not only to teach knowledge, but to shape worldviews. In Qatar, schools are encouraged to celebrate international days, invite speakers from different backgrounds, and teach values-based curricula. This is how children grow up appreciating diversity as normal,' she said.
She also emphasised the need to document and export this success. 'Qatar should invest more in producing documentary films and publishing cultural case studies that tell the world about this unique social experiment. Many countries, especially in the Global South, can benefit from this model.'
Art as a universal
language
Qatar's cultural richness is also evident in its growing art scene. Museums like the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf, and Katara Cultural Village host exhibitions that highlight not only local heritage but global creativity. Public art installations across Doha often feature artists from different continents, sending a visual message of inclusivity.
These spaces do more than display artwork, they become sites of conversation, learning, and connection. In many cases, art events serve as the first point of contact between different communities, where shared aesthetic appreciation helps bridge linguistic or social gaps.
From diversity
to resilience
It is no coincidence that Doha was ranked third safest city in the world in Numbeo's 2024 Global Crime Index, among 329 cities. Experts attribute this not only to effective policing but to the deeper societal cohesion shaped by Qatar's cultural policies.
'Safety is not just the absence of crime,' said Dr Al Marri. 'It's the presence of trust. And trust is cultivated through shared norms, mutual respect, and inclusive culture.'
Dr Shityat echoed this sentiment, adding, 'Qatar's strength lies in its ability to turn diversity into resilience. In times of crisis, communities that are culturally connected stand stronger.'
Towards a
Shared Future
While much has been achieved, the experts agreed that more can be done. Suggestions included increasing multicultural storytelling in local media, producing films that highlight real-life examples of integration, and creating digital platforms where communities can share their cultural experiences.
In the words of Dr Neama, 'The ultimate goal is not just to manage diversity, but to celebrate it. Qatar is showing us that this is not only possible—it is essential.'
Indeed, as the world grapples with rising polarization and identity conflicts, Qatar's experience offers a blueprint for coexistence rooted in culture. Whether through a shared laugh at a play, a respectful nod at a museum, or a collaborative art project between children of different origins, the threads of culture continue to weave a fabric of unity.