Opinion Editorials, March 2014

   Almost entirely, without a single exemption, every person in Qatar is aware, in one way or another of the persistent demographic ‘crisis.’ It’s undeniable that, Non-Qataris outnumber Qataris by virtually, 10-1.  At the time of writing, Qataris are estimated at 350.000 while Expatriates approximate 2 million, which are staggering statistics.  Undoubtedly, the size of the country particularly, Doha, the capital, where nearly, 80% of the population live and work, is too small to accommodate this number.

   Having stated all of that, no serious steps have been taken to increase the number of Nationals.  The author argues that, complaints, moaning, and criticism about the ’crisis’ ought to (if not must) be stopped, and instead remedies, prescriptions, and solutions have to be found, as the current diagnose shows that, the Qatari society is ‘ill.’

   The author suggests that, there are perhaps, four ways through which the ‘crisis’ can be alleviated or solved out.  First; the government could select people from the expats’ population with highly, sophisticated skills of which the country would benefit for the coming two decades or so and granting them the Qatari Nationality, upon their wish, without considering any other considerations than sheer skills. Second; the government should encourage and support multiple marriage amongst Qataris for the purpose of increasing Qatari Nationals.  Third; since car accidents contribute to mortality, which stand at an average of two youths on a monthly, basis the Traffics department should introduce more measures to deter youth from speeding and other related factors of car accidents. Fourth; it’s quite a common place fact that, a fair number of Qataris suffer from certain diseases such as Diabetes and Cancer.  Therefore, the Ministry of Health has to coordinate a campaign with the media to raise Qataris’ and others’ awareness of exercising and healthy nutrition as vehicles of stopping or lessening diseases and hence, sustain life.

Professor, Dr. Ali Al-Hail, Media Consultant, Professor of Mass Communication, Twice Fulbright Award Winner, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Vice-President Of Qatar Fulbright Group, CSR Award Judge, Psychosomatics writer and Management Trainer.

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