Our Beginnings

I've been asked by two people to consider writing a blog dealing with Edna and my excellent adventure to Qatar, the Middle East and the desert.  The first person to suggest it was a high school classmate who commented on my Facebook that I have the potential to help Christians and Muslims understand each other a bit better, particularly Christians in the USA.  The second was a Muslim co-worker, who suggested that I have such humorous takes on my experiences here.  Since I was writing a monthly email letter to friends, family and church family in Pittsburgh anyway, I decided that maybe it would be easier to write as my thoughts directed me, instead of waiting for a monthly deadline.  We thought that it would be fun to call it "Bob & Edna's Excellent Adventure," because that is what  it has been, a gift from God.  We have found both the people in the school, but the people of Qatar to be excellent in so many ways.  We figured that it would be fun to share some that with those interest in other parts.

We receive lots of questions from home.  I'll try to answer some of them first.  We are seven hours ahead of folks in Pittsburgh; ten ahead of loved ones in Orange County, California. When the clocks changes back home from Daylight Savings Time, we will be eight and eleven.  Needless to say, sometimes it is difficult speaking to folks in Pittsburgh.  They are either in bed or we are.  As I told my sons, unfortunately, being ahead in the day does not allow me to give them the winning lottery numbers nor tell them if the Pirates, Steelers or Penguins won before those things happen in Pittsburgh!  It it hot here?  Very!  Especially in the daytime.  We live in the desert where it is frequently in the 100's and the morning begins in the high 90's.  However, it is beginning to cool down.  In a week or so, temperatures should be ideal, and we won't need to seek out shade and hiding from the sun so much. Late September until late May is an excellent time to be in Doha, Qatar, climate wise.  I've been told that in January we may need long sleeves in the evening, but I've also been told that it will be like summers in the States.  One of the questions deals with language and cultural barriers; yes there are issues.  Most folks can speak some range of English, some very good. Most things have two languages on them, such as stores, menus, products and the like.  Not everything is the same.  Their oils for cooking make the potato chips taste a little different.  They eat more lamb, no pork products, no alcohol products except in the best hotels and even then, the bars only serve those in Western clothes, not the Arabic clothing, and their desserts taste a lot different than ours, in our opinion, not as good.  But there is so much beauty here, both Natural land architectural and the like,  Doha is a booming community.  Since were were here ten years ago, they have more than doubled from 800,000 to 2.2 million.  Qatari citizens only make up about 350 thousand, but they are the only citizens of the country and they are the only landowners of the country.  Due to natural gas reserves and the small size of the country, they are the richest country in the world. The Qataris are multi-millionaires and pretty much everyone makes more here than they do in their home countries.  However, there is a great discrepancy for us Americans in the wages of laborers than in the USA.  But compared to what they make in their poverty stricken countries, they are doing much better.  But they pay the price of leaving their families for a few years at a time.  While this bothers some Westerners, others feel that they are volunteering to do this and are generally happy.  But there is constant building of buildings and roads.  There is heavy traffic.  And there are those times when language barriers prevail.

We fell in love with the place and the people ten years ago.  That is why we were very excited to return when the dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar invited us to be part of the school again.  We believe in what CMU is doing here.  They are offering the brightest young folks in the Middle East Arabic speaking countries (and beyond) the opportunity to study Computer Science, Business Administration, Information Systems, Biological Science and Computational Science.  Other schools like Cornell, Texas AM, Georgetown, Northwestern and Virginia Commonwealth make up Education City of the Qatar Foundation along with us.  They offer the programs in which they are leading schools:  Cornell medicine and Texas AM petroleum engineering to name two.

One of the interesting aspects of our journey has been our conversations
 with Muslims.  At our orientation seminar during our first days here, we discussed safety issues as well as cultural sensitivities.  We were cautioned against speaking in public on political issues, particularly dealing with Qatar.  There is so much misinformation, particularly coming from the States.  We were also advised not to entertain discussions regarding religion, particularly Islam-Christian relations.  It is against the law for a  Muslim to convert to Christianity and no Qatari citizen is a Christian.  But ten years ago we were told that while we could not proselytize, we were free to answer any questions.  This came from an Arab Muslim.  Immediately after meeting several Arab co-workers, I have been asked about my station in life as a pastor, because I am an enigma.  Folks want to know if I can still be a pastor since I don't have a church.  It is rare that the folks in Qatar have met one, much less discussed their questions with one.  Everyone has been very polite.  We discuss differences of faith without attempting to persuade the other.  I learn that as with Christianity, some Muslims are ardent in their faith and know it very well, while others do not know it or practice it.  They politely answer my questions about their religion in return.  In fact, one young Muslim lady was describing how someone was treated and used the phrase, "He got crucified," then immediately apologized if she had offended me.  I realized that others do knot know our faith that well and don't want to offend.  But here is what I've learned about them:  they pray five times a day.  Islam is deep within the culture.  It has been here for centuries.  They are embarrassed and humiliated by the actions of terrorists such as ISIS and would have us know that their actions in no way are within the teachings of the Koran.  They want to live land let live and by and large are a peaceful people, which in part is the definition of the term "Islam," which means "submit."  They are submitting themselves to God and his laws as they understand them. The finest Muslims actually have a good rapport with the most spiritual Christians. They are drawn to them and admire them.

Another interesting item is that with the first weeks of the Fall Semester, the students had a "Pizza and Politics" luncheon in which the students had a free exchange on the top of "Israel and Palestine."  To be fair, there are no Jews nor Israelis here in Qatar or on the campus of CMUQ.  My understanding is that they would not be able to secure a visa to study here.  But he people want Americans to know that Palestinians have not been treated fairly by Israelis, particularly the Israeli government.  While they regret some actions of Palestinians and Arabs, they feel that most were done in retaliation.  Palestinians whose ancestors owned the land for centuries are continually having their properties and rights taken away from them.  The Arabs distinguish between Israelis and Israeli government.  Their issue is with the government.

In closing let me answer two questions.  First, Edna's role is assisting and administering the Dean's office.  He is the CEO of this campus.  The Chief Operating Official tells us that Edna is #2 on this campus.  Second, my role is now as Senior Consultant to the Director of Admissions.  I am humbled to receive such respect, but am honored to help this school secure some of the brightest and best young minds in an effort to enhance the future of this country and this area.  And finally, how safe are we.  Locally, there no dangerous crime. Qatar has one of, if not the finest police systems in the world.  They pay to have the best. Second, as far as wars and things, we are fairly safe, at least as safe as anyone could be. CMU does not recruit in war torn Arab lands, so I have a feel for which ones are dangerous. We are not one.  US military has a presence in the country and in the region.  The danger in the news is several hours away from us by airplane.  While anything can happen at anytime, both this nation and our own work pretty hard to ensure safety.  For that we are very grateful.

Blessings to all, 
Bob and Edna