In diplomatic affairs, protocol means abiding by certain rules of decency strictly and carefully. It also means respect for traditions, and such respect is the right of the host country. A breach of protocol can lead to embarrassing situations.
While not following diplomatic protocol only causes embarrassment, showing certain parts of the body results in more than just embarrassment, especially if it happens in a conservative society.
All religions oppose nudity and revealing certain parts of the human body. These religions call for covering the body. The act of uncovering the body is linked to shame in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ calls on the faithful to be polite, chaste and to cover their bodies.
Western societies also have called for this, sometimes after corruption had spread everywhere and societies could not put brakes on it. Several media campaigns have been launched on this issue and a large number of workshops held, but all to no avail.
It is like cancer: if not detected early, it spreads all over the body and ultimately brings death.
In Islam, modesty is connected to respect for society, particularly if the society is conservative, and this has nothing to do with preaching Islam. Islam is a religion that easily appeals to the human soul, and this makes people across the world accept it, even as those who hate Islam keep fighting the faith.
Immodesty is an insult to the morality of the society and a violation of its traditions, and this has nothing to do with personal freedom. Freedom does not mean harming others morally, materially, financially, verbally or by action. Such behaviour prevents a large number of conservative people from going to public places, so that they can avoid seeing the immodesty of others. Public places are not meant for just a specific group of people, but lack of respect for their feelings and traditions forces conservative people to stay home, lest their womenfolk and children see any disgraceful sights.
This is why there should be a national campaign to give residents and visitors information about the importance of dressing modestly in public places and showing respect for the local culture. This campaign should inform people that public places should be accessible to everybody, and of the need to show respect for the traditions and customs of the people of Qatar.
Everybody, including individuals, institutions and government entities, should participate in this campaign and support it. This campaign can also remind visitors to the country about the importance of respecting its laws and rules.
I have previously written about the importance of having guides for tourists and a web portal to introduce Qatari culture and traditions to them. I also called for publishing booklets and brochures in different languages for expatriates and tourists visiting the country, and making them available at tourist agencies and embassies. The booklets must contain information about the country, its culture and traditions.
We may also need to distribute books with information about Qatar on board planes of the national carrier as well as at airports. This can save us trouble. When people coming to the country read about its laws and traditions, they will avoid making mistakes when they come here.
Laws and regulations are made for people to respect them, and to bring the violators to account, regardless of whether they are residents, citizens or visitors. They protect the rights of citizens, preserve the identity of society and ensure its security and stability. Rules and laws are the arm the state uses to make everyone adhere to a code of conduct.
This is one reason why everybody must respect these rules and laws. Article No. 57 of Qatar’s constitution commits citizens, residents and visitors to maintaining public order and ethics and the nation’s traditions and norms.
Articles No. 290 and 291 in Qatar’s penal code stipulate imprisonment and a fine for those who commit acts that violate morality in public places.
Clothes that do not cover the body properly can result in punishment for the person concerned in the light of the aforementioned articles of the penal code.
I call on everybody — citizens, residents, media persons, institutions and government agencies — to take part in the campaign, “Reflect Your Respect”. They should do this in order to protect Qatar, its identity, traditions and customs. We should all work to protect our country and contribute to its progress, protection and the safety of its people.
