Camaraderie and compatibility.

I went to Fanar, the Islamic Cultural Centre and discovered that she is just like me.   Yes, the abaya-clad lady dressed from head to toe in black with just two little eyes peeping out is very much like me and my other Western compatriots - she has a warm personality, she cares about others, she loves her family and is surrounded by friends, she is a font of information, she is articulate, has a great sense of humour and is generous of her time.   All I had to do was get past the flowing black robes and my own sense of 'strange' to see the Qatari women as being much like ourselves in any Western culture.  The only difference really is that religion plays such a central role in their daily lives.

Getting to know someone else, revealing yourself and learning something about the other person, creates an affinity and a comfort level that breaks down barriers and draws people together.  She became an individual person with her gift of herself.  She allowed me a glimpse into her life that coaxed commonalities of purpose and experience to the surface.  I hope she felt the same.  It ties in with the Bedouin idea of hospitality and the treatment meted to strangers:  share three cups of tea: the first with a stranger, the second with an honored guest, and the third with a friend.   Well, we shared our three cups of Arabic coffee and I feel a sense of camaraderie and compatibility.

At the same time, I learned a lot about the Islamic religion and the Qu'ran.  I was treated to Qatari hospitality of coffee and sweet dessert service, together with incense passed to each of us.  I had my first hennaed hand, and a daub of oud perfume (made from the bark of the rare sandalwood tree).  I had my name written in Arabic calligraphy.  We got a quick Arabic lesson and best of all! we entered a mosque at noontime prayer and watched the service.  It will most likely be my only opportunity to enter a mosque and it was humbling to see all those kneeling individuals prostrate on a thick, rich red carpet facing East and murmuring verses from the Qu'ran. 

What a wonderful experience!