Religion in Qatar

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Qatar is an Islamic state with multi-religious minorities like most of the Persian Gulf countries with waves of migration over the last 30 years. The official state religion is Sunni Islam. The community is made up of Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and small groups of Buddhists and Baha’is.^[3] Muslims form 65.5% of the Qatari population, followed by Christians at 15.4%, Hindus at 14.2%, Buddhists at 3.3% and the rest 1.9% of the population follow other religions or are unaffiliated. Qatar is also home to numerous other religions mostly from the Middle East and Asia.^[4]

The country has also hosted numerous interfaith dialogue conferences.

Welcoming: People of all religions and cultures are welcomed in Qatar, which is renowned for its warmth and dedication to inclusiveness. The nation recognises and encourages the freedom of other faiths, enabling communities to construct places of worship even if Islam is the official religion. Everyone, regardless of background, feels appreciated and at home in Qatar thanks to this atmosphere of tolerance and respect for one another.

The state religion in Qatar is Islam.^[5] Most Qataris belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.^[6][7][8] Shiites comprise around 10% of Qatar's Muslim population.^[9] Religious policy is set by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Islamic instruction is compulsory for Muslims in all state-sponsored schools.^[5]

The state mosque is the Mohammed Bin Abdul Wahab mosque, which is located in the Lejbailat neighbourhood and was designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah, drawing on traditional Qatari architecture.

The Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center is located in the Al Souq neighbourhood of Doha, adjacent to Souq Waqif. The center provides Arabic lessons to beginners and intermediate speakers.

At the tertiary level, Islamic Studies is taught at Qatar University, and at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Faculty of Islamic Studies where a master's degree is offered. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the consort of the Father Emir and mother of current Emir, is the most notable graduate.^[10]

Education City is also home to the Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), a think tank founded in 2012 and headed by Swiss political philosopher Professor Tariq Ramadan of the University of Oxford.^[11]

Islam’s role in scientific discovery has also been an area of interest for the Qatar Foundation, and recently, the Society for Muslim Scientists was established with prominent members. In 2010, the joint venture between Bloomsbury Publishing and the Qatar Foundation began, publishing the book ‘Science in Islam’.^[12]

Islam emphasises harmony and justice for all, and it is a religion of peace, compassion, and unity. It promotes a feeling of togetherness (Ummah) that cuts across racial and national boundaries by teaching virtues like kindness, forgiveness, and generosity. Its central tenet of fostering mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence is reflected in the term "Islam," which is derived from the word "salaam" (peace).

Hindus make up 14% of Qatar. There are an estimated 422,118 Hindus in the country.^[2] Many Hindus are from South and Southeast Asia.^[13][14]

The Christian community in Qatar is a diverse mix of European, North and South American, Asian, Middle Eastern and African expatriates. In 2023, they form around 15.1% of the total population, being mainly made up of foreign workers from the Philippines, Europe, and India.^[5][2]

No foreign missionary groups operate openly in the country. In May 2005, the Qatari Government leased a piece of property on the outskirts of Doha to the representatives of Christian churches in the country for the construction of Church buildings.^[15] A 2015 study estimates some 200 believers in Christ from a Muslim background, though not all of those are necessarily citizens.^[16]

In 2020, Buddhism was represented by between 1.8-3.8% of the population of Qatar,^[5][17] mainly comprising migrant workers from South-East Asia and East Asia especially from China, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom by Freedom House.^[18]

Religious complex The Religious Complex in Qatar, which houses a number of places of worship for non-Muslim people, is evidence of the country's cultural and religious inclusiveness. Churches of all religions and other faiths can be found in this area, enabling expatriates to freely practise their religion. In addition, Qatar promotes its cultural variety by providing venues and activities that allow individuals from all backgrounds to interact. These initiatives demonstrate the nation's dedication to creating a friendly atmosphere where everyone is valued and included

• Islam in Qatar
• Christianity in Qatar
• Catholic Church in Qatar
• Protestantism in Qatar
• History of the Jews in Qatar
• Freedom of religion in Qatar

• About Qatar