Globalization’s Effect on Qatari Culture

Author: Ahmed Abdel Elshenawy, Monarch Business School, Switzerland
Email: ahmed.elshenawy@hotmail.com
Published: February 28, 2017
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijcs.2.1.01

Citation: Elshenawy, A. A. (2017). Globalization’s Effect on Qatari Culture. IAFOR Journal of Cultural Studies, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijcs.2.1.01


Abstract

Qatar has a rich national and cultural identity. Particular customs and traditions characterize the Qatari cultural heritage. Globalization, though, has generated a lot of controversy with regard to the rise of a global culture. Western norms and practices are gradually being transported across the globe and becoming the accepted way of behaviour. The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of globalization on Qatari culture. The sample in this study consisted of (36) participants of Qatari nationality. Employing the focus group interview technique, a semi-structured questionnaire was used as a research method. Participants confirmed that globalization has had a significant effect on the country’s culture. From the participants’ viewpoints, globalization had a negative impact on religion, family connections, customs, manners and language. One the other hand, there has been a positive impact on the educational system and women’s rights.

Keywords

Qatar, globalization, culture, education, values