What animals live in Qatar?

Qatar is a small, hot, mostly desert country on a peninsula in the Arabian Gulf. Even in that dry land, some remarkable creatures make their home — Arabian oryx roam the desert, sand gazelles dart across the dunes, and the Arabian sand cat hunts at night with its huge ears listening for prey beneath the sand. Out in the Gulf waters, dugongs — large, gentle sea mammals related to manatees — feed on sea grass, and hawksbill sea turtles swim through the warm blue sea. Qatar also sits on a major bird migration path, so in spring and autumn the skies fill with flamingos, ospreys, and dozens of other birds passing through on long journeys. God packed a lot of life into this little corner of the earth!

What do kids eat in Qatar?

Kids in Qatar often eat dishes like machboos, which is spiced rice cooked with meat — usually lamb or chicken — and it smells wonderful from all the cardamom and saffron mixed in. Dates are a very popular snack, and you might munch on them with a glass of sweet tea or camel's milk. Because Qatar sits on the Persian Gulf, fresh fish like hammour shows up on many family dinner tables too. Flatbread called khubz is eaten at almost every meal, used to scoop up hummus or stew. Families in Qatar often eat together on a big shared platter on the floor, which makes mealtime feel like a real gathering.

How do people say hello in Qatar?

In Qatar, most people speak Arabic, and the most common greeting is 'As-salamu alaykum,' which means 'Peace be upon you.' The other person answers back, 'Wa alaykum as-salam,' meaning 'And upon you, peace.' It is a warm and respectful way to greet someone, and people use it all across the Arab world. Qatar is a small country on a peninsula that juts out into the Persian Gulf, and most of its people are Muslim, so this Arabic greeting is woven into everyday life there. If you ever met someone from Qatar, trying that greeting would likely bring a big smile to their face — people always appreciate it when others take time to learn even a little of their language. Missionaries who work in places like Qatar know that learning local greetings is one small way to show genuine care for the people they hope to share the gospel with.

What sports or games do kids play in Qatar?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Qatar go wild for football — what you probably call soccer. It is the most popular sport by far, and you will find kids kicking a ball around in neighborhoods, parks, and school yards all across the country. Qatar even hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, which was a huge deal. Rusty wants to add that camel racing is a traditional sport with deep roots in Qatari culture — though today robots are sometimes used as jockeys, which is quite a sight! Kids also enjoy swimming, since Qatar sits on a warm stretch of the Persian Gulf. Basketball and volleyball are popular at schools too. It is a place where ancient traditions and modern sports sit side by side.

What's the weather like in Qatar?

Qatar is one of the hottest places on Earth! It sits on a small peninsula in the Middle East, poking out into the Persian Gulf, and the sun beats down hard there. In summer, temperatures often climb past 40°C (that's over 104°F), which is hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement. Winters in Qatar are much milder — think warm and sunny, around 20°C (68°F) — which is when most people like to spend time outdoors. Rain is very rare there, and sandstorms can roll in off the desert, turning the sky a dusty orange. It is a dry, sandy land, quite different from a lot of places in the world.

Tell me a fun fact about Qatar.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Qatar is a small peninsula that juts out into the Persian Gulf — you could drive from one end to the other in just a couple of hours. Even though it's smaller than the state of Connecticut, it sits on top of one of the largest natural gas fields in the entire world. That underground treasure has made Qatar one of the wealthiest countries per person on Earth. The capital city, Doha, has a skyline full of towers that rose up from the desert sand in just the last few decades — it went from a quiet fishing and pearl-diving port to a gleaming modern city faster than almost anywhere else in history. Pearl diving was actually Qatar's main livelihood for centuries before the oil and gas were discovered!

What is school like for kids in Qatar?

Great question to explore! In Qatar, most children attend government schools where classes are taught in Arabic, and they also study English as a subject. Boys and girls go to separate schools in the government system, which is different from what many kids elsewhere experience. The school year runs from September to June, and students study subjects like math, science, and Islamic studies. Qatar is a wealthy country because of its oil and natural gas, so many school buildings are modern and well-equipped. There are also international schools in the capital city of Doha, where students from all over the world study together. One thing to keep in mind is that talking openly about Jesus in schools there is very restricted — Qatari children mostly learn about Islam, and missionaries cannot freely share the gospel. That is a good reason to pray that Qatari kids would somehow get to hear the good news about Jesus.

Who are the unreached people in Qatar?

Qatar is a small but very wealthy country on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf. Most people there are Muslim, and the largest unreached group is the Qatari Arabs themselves — people whose families have lived there for generations and who follow Islam as their way of life. Very few of them have ever heard the good news about Jesus in a way that made sense to them. Qatar also has huge numbers of workers who came from places like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to build skyscrapers and stadiums. Many of these workers — especially those from South Asia — come from unreached people groups too, and they often live far from any church or missionary. God has, in a way, brought people from all over the world into one small place, and Christians who live and work in Qatar have a real opportunity to share the gospel with neighbors from many nations.

How can I pray for the people of Qatar?

Qatar is a small but wealthy country on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf, and most of its people follow Islam. Many Qataris have never had a real chance to hear that Jesus died for their sins and rose again — that is the most important thing anyone in Qatar needs to know. You can pray that God opens doors for that good news to reach them. There are some believers in Qatar, including workers who have moved there from other countries, but it can be risky to share faith openly. Pray that local Christians stay courageous and faithful, that missionaries find open doors to share the gospel, that Qatari men and women and children come to trust Jesus as their Savior, and that God raises up strong Christian leaders from among the Qatari people themselves.

What is a holiday or celebration in Qatar?

One of the biggest celebrations in Qatar is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan — a month when Muslims fast from food and water during daylight hours. During Eid, families put on their finest clothes, share special meals, give gifts to children, and visit relatives. The streets fill with lights and the whole country feels festive. Almost everyone in Qatar is Muslim, so these celebrations are deeply tied to Islamic faith. Most people in Qatar have not yet heard or believed the good news about Jesus as Savior. That is why missionaries and local Christians pray and work so that families celebrating in the streets might one day also know the joy of forgiveness and new life through Jesus — a joy that lasts longer than any holiday.

What language do people speak in Qatar?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! The official language of Qatar is Arabic. You will hear it everywhere — in the markets, in schools, and in homes across this small but busy country on the Arabian Peninsula. Rusty wants to add something interesting though: because Qatar has so many workers who have moved there from other countries, you will also hear Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog, and English on the streets. That means missionaries who speak several different languages can find open doors to share the good news of Jesus with people from many different nations, all in one place!

What's a famous place to visit in Qatar?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder at the map! One of the most famous places in Qatar is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, the capital city. It sits right on the water and holds treasures — pottery, jewelry, and manuscripts — collected from across the Muslim world over many centuries. Rusty wants to add that the old market called Souq Waqif is another spot travelers love. It is one of the oldest markets in Qatar, full of the smell of spices, the sound of bargaining, and stalls selling everything from falconry gear to handwoven cloth. Qatar is a very wealthy nation today because of its oil and natural gas, but places like the souq remind visitors of the older, quieter way of life that came before. Most people in Qatar follow Islam, which means very few have yet heard the good news about Jesus — something worth thinking and praying about.

Qatar — Kids Missions Explorer

Arabian Oryx

Qatar chose the Arabian oryx as its national animal because this sturdy desert antelope can survive for weeks without drinking water by absorbing moisture from the plants it eats.

Sooty Falcon

The sooty falcon migrates to Qatar's rocky coastline each summer to nest, and Qatari falconers have treasured trained falcons as prized hunting companions for centuries.

Dugong

The shallow, warm waters of the Persian Gulf around Qatar are home to one of the largest populations of dugongs in the world, gentle sea mammals that graze on underwater sea grass.

Machboos

Machboos is Qatar's most beloved dish — spiced rice slow-cooked with tender lamb or chicken and dried limes that give it a warm, tangy flavor unlike anything in most Western kitchens.

Luqaimat

Luqaimat are small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, crispy on the outside and soft inside, and families often enjoy them together during evening gatherings.

Balaleet

Balaleet is a breakfast dish of sweet vermicelli noodles flavored with cardamom and rose water, usually served alongside a savory fried egg on top.

Qatar

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Life in Qatar

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