The Qatar 2022 World Cup has begun and many fans from all over the world are in the Asian country with the goal of enjoying the biggest football party. As is customary at every event of this kind, tourists take a large number of photos to immortalize the best moments and places visited during their trip.
However, this World Cup will be different in many aspects, as Qatar is a very conservative country that has many restrictions related to dress code, alcohol consumption, or discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community.
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If you plan to travel to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, you must take into account all its prohibitions, because otherwise you could get into serious trouble, and one of the lesser-known limitations is related to taking photographs.
What types of photos are prohibited in Qatar?
The Organizing Committee of the World Cup has warned that taking photos of military, governmental or religious buildings is not allowed, neither is taking photos of local women. Similarly, if you want to take a photo of a Qatari, you must ask for permission, under no circumstances do it without their authorization.
Regarding journalists, content creators, influencers, or anyone who has a professional camera, they need to request a special permit from the Qatar News Agency (QNA) to be able to take photographs related to their coverage work and verify that they do not show anything that could be harmful to the country's image.
Taking photos is one of the favorite activities of tourists. Photo: Ruta Viajera.
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Can I be arrested for taking photos in Qatar?
In Qatar, laws are based on 'sharia', which establishes clear penalties for offenses they consider serious such as homosexuality or adultery. However, regarding taking photos, it all depends on how offensive they are to the locals, as it can range from fines to temporary arrests, in the worst case.
It is important to note that, to avoid problems with tourists, there will be signs regarding buildings where it is allowed, prohibited, or where you need special permission to take photos.
In Qatar, you cannot take photos of locals without their permission. Photo: EFE.
What other actions are prohibited in Qatar?
- Public displays of affection
- Alcohol consumption
- Infidelity
- Worship of any religion other than Islam
- Shouting in public
- LGBTQ+ community.