For years, Qatar has been under intense scrutiny by the global media. The small Arab emirate on the Persian Gulf has been accused of buying the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and of supporting terrorist organizations. Threatened sanctions from the Gulf Cooperation Council have only strengthened the country’s resolve to become self-sufficient in a short time, particularly in relation to imports from Saudi Arabia. The country’s Vision 2030 aims to reduce its dependency on gas and oil revenues. As the wealthiest nation in the world by GDP, Qatar is investing heavily in healthcare, education, and European companies, as well as in traditional sports clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain.
As a photographer, I traveled through this 11,000-square-kilometer emirate, home to 300,000 locals and over two million migrant workers. My work captures a world straddling tradition and modernity, highlighting the contrasts between the country’s rich cultural heritage and its rapid modernization.
