Can you eat pork in Qatar?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “can you eat pork in Qatar? ”. We will also learn about the religions practised in Qatar and the history of Islam and pork as well as the restriction, availability and the permit required to purchase pork, who gives a licence or permit to buy pork and their products and how to apply for a permit to buy pork in Qatar.
Can you eat pork in Qatar?
Yes, you can eat pork in Qatar although there is a banner on foods like pork and others. Being a Muslim country, pork and other pork products are banned in Qatar. Immediately you are discovered to have such meat on you they will be confiscated.
What are religions practised in Qatar?
Qatar is also home to a diverse range of other religions, most of which originate in the Middle East and Asia. Qatar, like most of the Persian Gulf countries, is a multi-religious society that has seen waves of migration over the last 30 years.
Muslims account for 65.5 percent of Qatar’s population, followed by Hindus of 15.4%, Christians of 14.2%, Buddhists of 3.3%, and the remaining 1.9 percent of the population who practice other religions or are unaffiliated.
What is the history of Isalm and pork?
When Mohammed the founder of the Isalmic religion told the Arabs about the new religion of Islam, he also told them that Muslims or followers of Islam should not eat pork.
This is because pork is forbidden to Muslims according to the Quran. So, around about 700 AD, pigs became much less abundant in the Mediterranean and West Asia, and they are still rare today among Muslims.
Is pork restricted in Qatar?
All around the world, different countries provide restrictions on what is allowed in or not and Qatar is no expectation. Qatar like all Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), is dominated by Isalm, thus its laws and regulations are guided by the teaching of morality and decency in Islam. Muslimism prohibits pork and this is based on the teachings of the Holy Quran.
Is pork available for sale in Qatar?
Several years back, pork was banned in Qatar and could not be brought into the country through its airports and other transport routes. However, since 2011, the Qatar Distribution company has commenced the sales of pork and pork products such as pork bacon in Qatar.
Qatar, being a devoutly Muslim country, has traditionally restricted access to alcohol and outright outlawed pork meat, both of which are considered haram or illegal in Islam.
The pork is however only available to non-Muslim foreigners or expatriates.
Do you need a permit to buy pork in Qatar?
Yes, you need a permit to buy pork in Qatar. Because Qatar is an Islamic country, purchasing pork and alcoholic beverages would necessitate specific permission or licence.
These non-halal products are also subject to a one-hundred percent sin tax (excise tax), which is levied on specified goods that are often regarded as damaging to human health and the environment.
Who gives a licence or permit to buy pork and their products.
QDC is the sole importer, distributor, and retailer of alcoholic beverages and pork products in Qatar. They are also the agency in charge of granting permits to hotels, clubs, and restaurants around the country so that they can serve alcohol to their patrons.
Qatar Distribution Company (QDC) gives licence or permits to non-muslims or expatriates so they can purchase alcohol or purchase pork products directly for home and personal consumption.
How to apply for a licence to buy pork?
The following are the prerequisites for applying for a new QDC permit to purchase pork and their products:
- Employer’s letter in written in English addressed to QDC which includes the following:
Name
Position
Salary breakdown by month (basic salary, allowances)
Either free housing given by the company or a monthly allowance must be shown as a housing entitlement authorised signatory signatures are included, as well as the company’s stamp within the last three months on an original corporate letterhead
- QID validity of more than 2 months
- QDC application form is accessible in the permit office waiting area or the parking guard room to be completed.
- Other requirements that could be requested include: Statement from the bank, a CR copy of an employment contract
- The licensing fee should be paid on a pro-rata basis based on the applicant’s time in the program which is not refundable.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have answered the question “can you eat pork in Qatar? ”. We have also learnt about the religions practised in Qatar and the history of Islam and pork as well as the restriction, availability and the permit required to purchase pork, who gives licence or permit to buy pork and its products and how to apply for a permit to buy pork in Qatar.
