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Christmas in Qatar
From the time I arrived in Qatar in 1999, I knew that this place was far different from anything I could have expected. While the group I arrived with had been given some books to read up on in regard to Arab customs and some fretted over showing the souls of their feet to a Qatari, we initially forgot that basic tenet of human behavior -- if someone's intentions are good, you don't hold their mistakes against them. And that was -- and still is -- true of Qataris. They graciously welcomed us; respected us; listened to us; taught us; and most importantly shared their country with us.
So when that first Christmas rolled around (and this was before I became a Muslim), it was Qataris who told us to go to the New World Center and Rawnaq to get Christmas decorations. It was Qatari students who shyly slid Christmas cards onto our desks or sneaked them into our mailboxes. And within a few years it was our student government -- largely Qatari and overwhelmingly Muslim -- who planned a surpise Christmas dinner for all the faculty, catered by the Marriott, and attended by an oddly feminine Santa Claus (we were an all women's uni at that time) with elves delivering presents to each faculty member. They had even thought to supply Christmas music and video monitors of roaring fireplaces to set the mood!
Now we have all kinds of shops and malls with Christmas goodies and celebrations, right alongside the Eid decorations and festivals. I remember the first time I walked into City Center during this time of year with my daughter who was visiting and she marveled on the peaceful co-existence I have come to take for granted. I felt great pride in being a part of this place and I still do.
Merry Christmas and Holiday greetings to all.
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novita77 said
Season Greetings to you too ...Season Greetings to you too PM :D xxx
coolquietman said
merry xmas everyone....hi ...merry xmas everyone....hi novi are u back from your vacation?
do it right - the first time!
novita77 said
CQM ...no i am still in the UK CQM ... Going back next year on the 9th of Jan. How are you and the family?
PM said
Is it cold Novita? ...It's COLD here! Of course, that makes it seem more Christmas-y I guess ;-)
Even though I don't celebrate on my own anymore, I am always quick to snatch up an invitation for Christmas dinner and it's just another excuse to chower my grandchildren with goodies. LOL!
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drcc said
meri xmas! ...meri xmas!... (sigh..) (homesick..) (sigh..)
coolquietman said
novi ...long vacation huh? i wish i could do that..wanna trade places..lol
all fine here . had 4 days off for the eid.took a break but didnt travel anywhere out of qatar.just the usual desert bbq and long drives.
which part of uk are u in? i have lots of friends in london and manchester.
do it right - the first time!
Scarlett said
Pm..that's lovely... ...Its always wonderful to see how different people from such diverse backgrounds can make each other feel wanted and appreciated. Its the little things that count...
have a wonderful holiday season..and happy new year!
coolquietman said
hello scarlett have a great ...hello scarlett have a great xmas and a better new year..
do it right - the first time!
Martinez_II said
PM ...Nice to know u r one self contented woman around.
Peace.
flipmanja said
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I ...MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I didn't bother reading the message, but got the jist of the whole forum thinger. So yes, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It's bloody cold here!....um....to all non-vegetarians, and non-muslims, TURKEY GALORE TOMORROW!! woo!....I'm actually vegetarian. But tomorrow is the day that I'll give it up for a little while. Then I'll go back to good ol' soya.
Anyway, merry christmas. Hope everyone has a great time, and stuff.
PM said
drcc ...Sorry you are homesick but I guarantee you can always find someone to commiserate with on QL. I'm missing my family, too, but am am grateful for the telephone that will let me here the delighted squeals of my grandchildren tomorrow.
------------------------------
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flipmanja said
Ok i've read the post. Bless ...Ok i've read the post. Bless you PM.
Once again, merry christmas to all.
Sorry If I'm cluttering up this forum topic thing....merry christmas.
drcc said
PM ...i do phone calls earlier and yeah i miss the laughts there...
Because this is my first xmas away to my friends and family that is why maybe i cannot feel the presence of xmas...
but before i forgt, thanks$ fro the warm comfort! (",)
Scarlett said
thanks cqm...you also!! ...look forward to seeing everyone after New years...
HO HO HO!!!
novita77 said
PM ... it is quite mild ...PM ... it is quite mild today. It was 6 degree celcius this morning. We went to Lapland and it was 1 degree when we left London, and when we arrived in our resort in the other end was 0 degree. Just wondering what did you buy for your grandkid/s for Christmas? Did you send them anything?
Having quiet xmas dinner with father in law tomorrow ... my husband going to cook Turkey. Bless him ... :D
Here some photos from Lapland if anyone interested ...
novita77 said
CQM ... ...You save lives ... and my husband save oil... Your job more important than his ... The company where my husband works can do without him for 7 weeks lol.
PM said
You know I can't resist shopping online Novi ...They get overloaded with toys from the rest of the family so this grandma is the educational grandma! LOL! I got them the Hooked On Phonics full set, but also got them some books and some CDS. My granddaughter's name is Olivia so she loves that series of children's books about the little piglet named Olivia (how apropos from her Muslim granny! LOL!) Anyway, I got her the new Christmas book and also an Olivia Coloring/Activity book. She's also quite the princess so I got her a collection of Disney Princess sonds from all the various movies. And I got my grandson the soundtrack from Cars (which is still his favorite Pixar film), and A couple of Eric Carle's books (one is a Christmas story and the other about a chameleon). Tonight they will open the Christmas books so they can read them before bedtime.
Maash'Allah your son is precious! And what a big boy on the snowmobile! Were you scared to death to let him on it? It's so hard letting them grow up, isn't it?
------------------------------
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PM said
That Tofurkey isn't really a good substitute for the real thing, ...is it, flip? ;-)
Is your Avatar Borat? Love him!
------------------------------
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PM said
Scarlett, You had better get to sleep soon ...If you are going to be refreshed for that early flight! Please give your husband and sons my best and have a great holiday ;-) We'll miss you around here.
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flipmanja said
Haha! Yeah it is. I see not ...Haha! Yeah it is. I see not only are you a peaceful character, you also enjoy some Khazakstanian humour!..or at least..A british man, pretending to be Khazakstanian...but..yes.
And no, I'm actually having the real thing, the real Macoy, on christmas day. But after tomorrow, I'm afraid I will have to continue chomping on tofurkey!! Haha! But yeah, tradition is tradition, and if it forces me to eat real turkey on christmas day, then by golly I'll eat turkey! My guilt trip will only last a day. Then I can get back to not eating dead animals.
PM said
I think I was the first person to smuggle Ali G dvds ...into Doha! LOL! One of my favorite parts was when he went into the hotel in Atlanta trying to act all gangsta! ROFL! I might just have to cue that up again tomorrow if I start feeling low ;-)
------------------------------
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flipmanja said
Hahaha!! It's so weird ...Hahaha!! It's so weird though how you'd expect people in Atlanta to be less-friendly than those in New York, but it was the complete opposite! lol! That movie was total class! It really showed how society has changed for the worst.....and NAKED MEN WRESTLING!
But let us focus on the society bit. Ahem, it would be the mature thing to do.
novita77 said
PM - snowmobile ...The snowmobile my son on was a mini snowmobile ... it is tied in the pole in the middle. So he only can ride on a circle and goes around and around.
How lucky your grandkids with their 'Educational Grandma' lol ...
My son have so many on his christmas lists ... and this is his first christmas in the UK since he born (8 years of our marriage we spent 2 in Singapore and 6 in Qatar). So my husband's side relatives have showered him with presents, no idea how to bring those back. Here goes out of the window my space for shopping :-(
Actually ... i cant wait to go back to Qatar. Nice to go to see relatives and families ... but nice to go home too. And for now ... Qatar is my home. :D
Muhammed12 said
pm ...are they illegal here?
PM said
Where's home drcc? ...Mine is in the States (East Coast) and I just called my daughter to see if the last packages arrived. I spoke to my son-in-law's grandmother (who lives with them) and sure enough, daughter dearest was still running around doing last minute shopping! Great-Grandma told me the kids keep looking outside to see if it is getting dark yet -- and it's only 3:00 PM!
Insha'Allah, next year you and I both will be with our loved ones during the holidays.
------------------------------
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PM said
Oops! I thought you meant was I ILLEGAL? LOL! ...Do you mean the Ali G dvds? No, I have seen them in the airport and around town but it took a while.
I'm just joking about the "smuggling". What I meant was I packed them in a suitcase under my underwear -- so no one would bother to look! LOL!
------------------------------
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Muhammed12 said
pm ...lolz..i meant those ALI G.
Muhammed12 said
pm ...lolz...ok..
off to bed..
Gud nite!
PM said
ROFL Novi! ...I would love to see that going in circles! What a great idea, though. That might be the best one for me, too ;-)
I know what you mean about getting home, though. Qatar is my home now, too, and I always feel satisfied when I am riding home from the airport in the taxi and catch up on what I missed.
------------------------------
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mir83 said
Sure ...Peaceful coexistence but there are some elements out there who are ready to become fanatical ..... Like the poor who keep getting poorer....
PM said
good night Muhammed ...Sleep well, insha'Allah.
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mir83 said
Sure PM ...Gud nite
PM said
So let's pray for the poor, Mir ...that their burdens may be eased and their lives improved, and we can continue to live in peace and harmony.
------------------------------
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mir83 said
PM ...Great as a muslim people pray a hundred times so that the troubles in life are eased....Great Inshallah
diamond said
Lovely OP PM :) Wishing ...Lovely OP PM :)
Wishing all QLers a very Merry Christmas. I really hope you enjoy celebrating with your families. If family is far away remember them with love and happiness. Peace to one and all.
_______________________________________________________
Love is the answer...
silversurfer said
What a nice thread! ...No abuse, no misunderstanding, no egos, just a lot of mutual support and good wishes.
More of it in 2008!
SS
KellysHeroes said
Thank you PM ...for this lovely thread. Wishing you and all QLers lovely and wonderful holidays.
Merry Christmas to all
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zada said
You too ...And a very lovely Christmas to you too, and all QL members
"When you find yourself in a desperate situation.....Oh forget it."-zada
creakylol said
Christmas rules ...Merry Christmas!!!!!!! Ho ho Ho HO. And dont be naughty
ALIEN said
sliversurfer......it's lovely thread..... ...It is very nice thread and everyone is happy sharing good times and moments of pleasure one had and best wishes for good times in future.
If you see carefully, all those who make mess in the threads have yet not entered into it. So, this thread is yet not polluted with any nasty remarks. I hope it will continue until..........
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Everyone !!!
silversurfer said
I hope so too! ...All the best for 2008.
SS