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Muslim business traveller's guide
Doha, the Qatari capital, is one of the most comfortable cities in the world for a Muslim business traveller: Qatar is a Muslim-majority Gulf state, so all food is halal by default (no pork, and alcohol is tightly restricted), the call to prayer marks the day, and mosques are everywhere. For anyone in town for the Qatar Halal Expo, getting around is easy — the modern driverless Doha Metro (opened 2019) plus the Karwa taxi fleet and the Uber/Careem apps cover the compact city.
Getting in
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
• Doha Metro (Red Line) — ~30 min to the centre (the metro stops right under the airport; cheapest and reliable)
• Karwa taxi — 15-25 min to the centre (official metered airport taxis from the rank)
• Uber / Careem — 15-25 min (easy and predictable; app pickup from arrivals)
Getting around
The Doha Metro (three driverless lines — Red, Green and Gold, opened 2019) links the airport, the main business and exhibition districts and the centre; Karwa city buses and metro feeder buses fill the gaps.
The Karwa Smartcard (Travel Card) pays for the Doha Metro and city buses; single-trip cards are also sold at stations.
Official Karwa taxis are metered and plentiful; Uber and Careem are the simplest option for door-to-door. The city is car-oriented, so factor in distances and the summer heat.
Visa & entry
Money
Qatari Riyal · QAR
Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for the souq and small shops. The riyal is pegged to the US dollar.
Tipping is optional; rounding up or ~10% is appreciated for good service, and a service charge is sometimes already added.
Connectivity
Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar tourist SIMs at Hamad International arrivals (passport required)
eSIM: Airalo and similar eSIMs cover Qatar
Plug: Type G (UK 3-pin); some Type D sockets · 240V / 50Hz
Emergency
General: 999
Fire: 999
Safety
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors travel from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to connect to Doha from each — entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note above.
Karachi
Qatari & Gulf cuisine
citywide · $-$$
halal by default
Machbous, harees, grilled meats and seafood — all halal, as is every restaurant in the country; no need to check.
Souq Waqif eateries
Souq Waqif (old town) · $-$$
halal by default
The restored heritage market is full of grills, mezze houses and tea spots — atmospheric and entirely halal.
West Bay & The Pearl dining
West Bay / The Pearl-Qatar · $$-$$$
halal by default
Business-district and waterfront restaurants and global chains; all halal, with alcohol only in a few licensed hotels.
South Asian & street food
Al Najada / central Doha · $
halal by default
Excellent, inexpensive halal curries, biryani and kebabs reflecting Doha's large South Asian community.
Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque (Qatar State Mosque)
central Doha
Qatar's grand state mosque and the largest in the country — a landmark for Friday prayers.
Mosques everywhere
citywide
A mosque is never far in Doha; malls, offices, the metro and the airport all have prayer rooms (musalla).
Note on prayer times
citywide
Some shops and services pause briefly at prayer times, especially for Friday (Jummah) noon prayers — plan errands around them.
Souq Waqif
old town
The restored heritage market — labyrinthine lanes of shops, spice stalls, cafés and the falcon souq; lively in the evening.
Museum of Islamic Art & the Corniche
Corniche waterfront
I. M. Pei's landmark museum overlooking the bay, with the long waterfront Corniche promenade alongside (museum ticketed; Corniche free).
Katara Cultural Village
between West Bay and The Pearl
A waterfront cultural district with galleries, an amphitheatre, mosques and restaurants — pleasant for an evening stroll.
Sources: https://visitqatar.com · https://dohahamadairport.com · https://www.moi.gov.qa · https://www.qr.com.qa
Nearby and frequently-paired destinations, with the same Muslim-traveller guide.
Pakistan