Qatar is small country blessed with oil and gas reservoirs and due to its natural resources it is one of the richest countries of the world. In this paper, we would look at and Social and cultural factors like society, culture, privacy, territoriality, personal space, types, patterns, settings, family structure in designing houses in a Qatari Muslim society.
Society and social development:
Qatari society has been evolved from traditional system like a number of other Muslim societies. It is greatly influenced by English and there management of foreign land falling under British control. The influence is very visible in its administrative infrastructure and institutions. Qatari society developed multiple structures through multiple influences. Some of the customs and rituals of traditional society are still part of Qatar culture. The Qatar society developed very fast with various changes through many influences but the speediest phase was oil development and exposure to west. The new developing society was not having any organization which is replicating the structure formed during Islam. Most of the structures were replicating the structures established in the west.
Islamic Design- Islamic design is related to all the arts and designs that are according to the principles of Islam and suits in the Islamic environment. By the time the art developed or used for the designing the houses of the people who are believers of Islam, it was known as Islamic art or Islamic architecture. The houses in the Muslim societies are designed and built according to the Islamic environments and the ways prescribed for the Muslims by the Islam. Qatar is also an Islamic country and while designing or building houses, the style, design and architecture is used which is as per the prescribed rules of Islam and suits to Islamic environment. This genre of architecture is visible on the every building of Qatar, whether it is an individual’s house, educational institution, government office, mosque or any other building .
Social and cultural factors that affect the designing of houses in a Qatari Muslim society:-
Privacy and personal space – the privacy is one of the most important parts of housing architecture in Muslim societies and this pattern is quite visible in the Qatari society. While designing the houses it is mulled over that the house is for the family and it should not be exposed to the streets or road. The houses in the Qatari society are designed in such a way that there is a clear delineation between the male and female portions and also between the family and the guests or outsiders. Outsiders or gusts, especially males are not supposed to enter into the main portion of house and to host them there is a provision of separate majaalis in almost every house of Qatar. All the visitors who are not supposed to go inside the house and interact with the family members, specially the females are attended in the majjalis by the male members of the family .
In the Qatari houses the architecture is developed according to their comfort and in a house apart from the majjalis there are big bedrooms known as saala, big and airy kitchen, bathroom and study room. There is provision for separate bed rooms for every member in the house. The accommodation for the servants, animals is usually outside the house and also there is provision of garages and space for the boats outside the house .
House design of a Qatari house and provision of privacy
Social behavior and its impact on house design- The provision of majjalis in the Qatari houses also indicates about the social behavior of Qataris. The Qatari people are very social and they like to spend a lot of time with their frinds and people from the society . Majjalis also shelters the youths and males of the society for their various time pas activities. In big houses there is usually a provision of huge majjalis which is often a show off more than a need .
A big Qatari majjalis
Islamic architecture and Qatari educational institutions
Educational institutions of Qatar are also a good example of Qatari architecture. A number of educational institutes are there in Qatar, some are old and some are newly constructed. The old education institutes are evidence of rich elegant Qatari designs and architecture while new educational institutes are blend of traditional and modern architecture of Qatar. The notable thing in these designs is that all the designs reflect the culture and tradition of Islam .
The Qatari Culture and Islamic architecture:
Society and culture of Qatar are male dominated and according to the norms of islam. Male members are responsible for the livelihood of the family and Women are usually busy in the house works and after sending their men on job they spend time talking to other female friends. They are not responsible for the means of household and thus live a relaxed life. Their duty is to look after the house, children and other family members of the house. In current and changed scenario women have also started working and earning for them but the ration in comparison of males is very less and countable. Women are getting education and in the last few years they are doing as good as the male students are doing and in some cases better than that.
There are a number of medium of entertainment in the society and people participate and show enthusiasm in these activities. A number of amphitheatres, stadiums and museums are built according to the Islamic architecture and people spend their time at these places playing games and enjoying their time. The stadiums and amphitheatres are a good blend of old Islamic traditional architecture and new change Islamic architecture. Yoga, football, camel race, hunting are very popular among Qatari people and a number of tournaments are organized in these fields.
Islamic architecture and Religious institutions
The official religion of Qatar is Islam and the words of Holy Quran are the supreme law and respectable than any other thing on the earth for the Qataris like any other Muslim societies of the world. In Doha, the capital of Qatar, a number of mosques are available and their magnificence is superb. These mosques are a specimen of rich tradition of Qatar and evidence of the greatness of Islamic culture and architecture. Almost all the people of society visit mosques for Namaaz and offer their prayer in these mosques .
All the laws and regulations are regulated by the Shariah and no one is above the words of Quran. The laws are stringent as they have traditional norms and according to the principles of the holy Quran that suggests to establish a sin free society. The social code presented by the holy Quran is the final version and is used to regulate and build the society. The people are very religious and all Qataris are ardently follow the rules prescribed for them and follow the namaz and other religious activities according to the rules. In the Islamic society of Qatar, Muslims are two types Sunni and shia. A large number of population belongs to sunnis and shias are in very small number and constitute the minority of the country. Other followers are Jews and Christians but they are countable.
After having a detailed description of the society and Islamic architecture, it is good to say that Qataris live a good life and their wealth provides them all the amenities and luxury to lead a good life. Qataris prefer the Islamic architecture for their houses and this is visible on almost every type of buildings in the country. Islamic architecture and Qatari lifestyle are intermingled with each other. The Qataris are ardent believer in Islam and their society is traditional yet modern. The Islam and holy Quran is the inspiration of their life and all the activities are guided by the Islamic thoughts. Qatari society is changing and the west has affected the society at large, youths are educated, modern thoughts and have a vision for their future, society and country. The traditional values are intact but inspired substantially by the modern lifestyle. People are peace loving and god fearing, they know how to enjoy the life. Men are good family men and for women their family is their life. Qatari Society is a good blend of tradition and modernization.
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