Recently, I met a prominent person in Qatar: the morning disc jockey. Many people complain about Qatar Broadcasting Station’s content, but this is expected since an Islamic state is deeply regulated for public modesty. He is a talented jockey with a long history in the entertainment industry. He’s committed to keeping within the standards imposed on him. Bernie Lyons is also a devoted family man.

Lyons hosts the QBS “Breakfast Show” on FM 95.7, from 6 a.m. to 9.am. His early-morning silliness, laced with an Irish accent, is hard to ignore. Lyons is capable of generating smiles without becoming offensive to anyone; a mandatory trait while broadcasting in an Islamic nation. His show delivers a necessary distraction during frequently frustrating commutes in Doha, Qatar’s capital city. Continue reading →

Qatar army 1st Lt. Hassan Al Sheeb explained artifacts located at Fort Zubara in Qatar, June 17, 2007. The fort stands as a reminder of Qatar’s history and the royal family’s rise to power.

Qatar, an Islamic nation situated on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is a constitutional monarchy ruled and administered by an emir. Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani holds absolute power over one of the richest countries in the world. Today, Qatar exhibits a glamorous and prosperous nation, but it wasn’t always this way. The Al Thani royal family understands success is a product of struggle. Continue reading →