Doha Debacle: My tedious transit at Hamad International Airport
By
Muhsin Ibrahim
I was filled to the brim with boredom and regrets about my choice to transit at
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport when a smiley, albeit timid-looking guy
threw a question at me, “Are you Muslim?” I answered in the affirmative. He saw
the name on my boarding pass that I put beside me while calculating how to
spend 24 hours at an airport. I knew no pastime could take away my
angst and anguish during this period. Still, I was determined to survive it.
“My name is Fahad Muhammad, and I am from
Pakistan”, he added. In sum, despite his faltering, heavily accented English,
he helped me kill more than an hour. He was glad, even fulfilled, that he spoke
with a Muslim [South!] African,
meaning an African. Thanks to cricket, many average Pakistanis and Indians see
all blacks as South Africans! But, unknown to him, I was happier, for I was
going through something akin to depression.
I began foreign trips in 2013. I always
recall, with much admiration, that trip along with my newlywed wife. However, the
exciting part of the journey was not our final destination, which was Punjab,
India, but what transpired in-between, which was in Cairo, Egypt. During our
nearly 24-hour-long transit, Egypt Air took us to a 5-star hotel. There we had
our honeymoon.
Since that honeymoon, I have always
associated long transits with happiness. Luckily, in the course of my several
other trips around the world, I have had similarly memorable transits in, among
other places, Addis Ababa, Cairo (again), Vienna and London. Different airlines
are generous in taking their passengers to luxurious hotels for convenience. In
other instances, passengers are allowed entry into cities, meet family and
friends and do other things they desire. Unfortunately, Qatar Airways and Doha
did the contrary to me on 01.09.2022.
I was smiling only for the photo! |
I booked a Qatar Airways flight with a lot of enthusiasm, thanks to what a couple of friends told me about them. Another reason was a dear-elder friend who works in the modern city of Doha. So we arranged to meet and tour the city, including a visit to my favourite news channel, Al Jazeera. While Doha was not the final destination, the transit duration was long enough for us to do this and more.
To my amazement, the Qatar Airways
customers told me that they no longer take passengers on transit to the hotel
due to covid-19 restrictions. Honestly, I found that shocking. I know countries
have their specific Covid-19 rules, but none, perhaps except China, is that
strict about denying someone what’s their right by the law. Moreover, even our bureaucratic
Germany, where I am a resident, has relaxed the rules. Don’t mention the UK.
During my last visit weeks ago, one would say there was never Covid-19 as life
was back to the ‘old normal’.
Unfortunately, after landing in Doha,
another customer care told me the same astonishing update. However, she
suggested that I could book a hotel within the airport. I joked that if I used
my money, they would have magic to protect me and others from Covid-19. She
smiled, apparently defeated, but she could not do anything else. Instead, she
told me I could use my boarding pass to get a free meal. I did and then went to
check on the airport hotels. To my surprise, the least cost is $306 per
night/day! Another option is the so-called Sleep ‘n Fly, which costs an
unbelievable $30 per hour! So, what’s left for me?
I spoke with my Doha-based friend, who
told me he would come to pick me up. So, I went to immigration. Before I
reached them, a security guide directed me to see some medical personnel to
check my PCR test, which I didn’t have. Another option was my CovPass (i.e. EU vaccination
certificate). I confidently presented it as I had had three doses, including
the booster. Satisfied, they gave me the green light to go to the immigration
counter.
I was impressed to see young ladies
checking passengers travelling documents. The guys with uniforms were standing
around, away from the ladies’ booths. The immigration officials were the first
Arab airport staff members I had seen since my arrival hours earlier. The rest
were mostly, if not exclusively, Asians and Africans. Regrettably, my good
impression was short-lived because the lady turned me back while smiling
coldly.
Upon seeing my Nigerian green passport,
she didn’t waste time asking me questions. Instead, she called a guy in uniform
who spoke to her in rapid Arabic. He collected my passport, boarding pass and
German residence permit and showed me the exit. I was bewildered. So, I asked
what was going on. He said that guy, one of the Asian underlings, would explain
it to me.
The Asian security guy asked me to return
to the arrivals and look for my next flight. As a Nigerian passport holder, he
told me I was not eligible for a visa on arrival. I felt furious, but I calmed
myself. I said to him that regardless, I deserved some dignity. I requested him
to call the attention of his Arab ‘master’, which he did grudgingly. I told the
ostensibly arrogant Arab officer the same. He ordered me to shut up, putting
his index finger on his lips. That riled me, and before you knew it, many
people in the hall could hear my livid voice.
Of course, it’s their country, but the
rules per their website say EU nationals and residents shall be “honoured and
accepted” when visiting or transiting in Qatar. But, I didn’t deserve the
honour and acceptance just because I carried a Nigerian passport. If this is
not humiliation, I don’t know what it is. They threatened me (with arrest?) and
asked me to stay. I did. Then, an armed, dark-skinned officer came. He asked me
what had happened. He looked at me and my documents as I explained the
situation. He visibly agreed with me, yet, he repeated the same thing. I shook
my head, collected my docs and left.
See what the law says! |
I let it be for peace. It’s regrettable that Qatar, a country hosting FIFA World Cup, is unfair to people carrying a Nigerian passport. Unfortunate as this is, a deep reflection tells me to worry no more. Several human rights groups have accused them of human rights violations amounting to modern slavery. Although I have not seen the violations physically, how foreigners dominate Hamad International Airport says a lot. One of them confided in me that they were not allowed to bring their family. Another told me that he works for 16 hours daily!
Qatar is one of the countries with the
most challenging citizenship system. Moreover, hundreds of construction workers
have reportedly died at the world cup stadiums and so on. So, I may count
myself lucky they didn’t lock me up. But, leaving me at the airport for 24 hours
is perhaps a worse punishment. I swear I had never seen a longer, dull day like
this one. It’s boring and killing. They have lost customers in my family and me.
I also think this piece will influence a few more potential customers to have second
thoughts when planning to book this flight or visit Qatar. Insignificant as
this may look, I believe it matters. Allah
ya isa!
Muhsin
Ibrahim, PhD, teaches Hausa Studies at the Institute of African Studies,
University of Cologne. He can be reached via muhsin2008@gmail.com.
Allah Ya tsare, Ya kiyaye gaba.
ReplyDeleteAbokan zaman mu su suka jawo mana, ina nufi Igbos.
Subhanallah, of course, this is very sad experience, Allah yakeuta, but in such situation one can go missing. Also this is very educative to people wishing or planning to go to countries like Qatar.
ReplyDeleteNice blog
ReplyDeleteQatar is one of the worst human rights violators I have ever known, I hate them with passion.
ReplyDeleteAllah ya saka maka.
Thank you Dr. Muhsin, I am thinking of booking Qatar Air to Malaysia, you saved me Now.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite sad! I have taken note; As much it depends on my power, I will never be their costumer by God's grace.
ReplyDeleteThat's really appalling!
ReplyDeleteWhat you quoted that EU resident shall ne honoured is not true, that is regarding COVID protocols. But as far as I know and I read, even if you're an EU resident, you're not eligible for visa on arrival.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing is you mentioned that because of your Nigerian passport, they did that to you. Well to be frank with you, I didn't see anything wrong in what they did. Thanks to your countrymen who gave you bad names everywhere. Any serious country will be cautious of Nigerians entering their country. I also live in Europe, but what some Nigerians do, I used to feel the shame myself, even though I can't do that.
How's it untrue? Did you really read what's there? Please, do and let's talk honestly. Thanks.
DeleteI read everything up there Muhsin. Can you show where they mentioned that EU residents are eligible for visa on arrival? Show that and let's see.
DeleteMoreover, you ignored the latter part of my comments
Read the screenshot. Regarding the second part, I guess you know that I don't belong to the category of those people. Thus, it does not deserve a response.
DeleteThe screenshot you shared has nothing to do with visa. It only relates to Covid entry rules. Check the visa requirements first.
DeleteI know you don't belong to the categore of people, but they should be blamed for what we pass through abroad. I faced so many issued with my green passport, but I don't blame all those countries, the blame should be towards our countrymen
You may be one of the victims of Lufthansa flight cancellations/delays, as I have read earlier this morning on Alarabiya News. Anyway this is part of life experiences. Accept my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteDear Dr. Muhsin,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the bad experience! But, I guess apart from the poor handling of the situation by the immigration authorities you also missed out something important. You are expected to apply for the eTA prior to your departure, once it’s approved you can then obtain the 30 days visa on arrival from the immigration desk.
I suppose, this link might help clarify the situation: https://portal.moi.gov.qa/wps/portal/MOIInternet/departmentcommittees/ganationalborderexpatriateaffairs/!ut/p/a1/rZPPctowEMafJQcfhdb_wO7NoZmCSSCOYRL7wqxsGdRBsiMrJOR5-iR9shrKTCfTBpqZ6CJp5tO3u79d0Zw-0FzhVqzQiFrhZn_P-8tpCJEdzmAyG4ZX3TGazGejWyeNnE6QdYJxFHgjG-xJMIIAonQezy9nQwfAPvf-nuY0L5RpzJpmz4XcCEaEMlwrbghXFrRISt6gNpIrU9RSCmM4t2DFFde4wVIKJVqjDxnXlTpmLsyO1brkukVV8pcGjRZoOFYVCt1asBUtdpvX9wf7DJpClDSzA-4VHIBgaAPxWMUIOmVBKtsPQsawYqG3V9ul3P38YWhm9BP_XUJXZTz6OgY3hcm3677bQbi-GTrDBCDwj4JTlA4CeGdFQGOarzY1O7QkixRzgxXNNa-45rq3rltDH5paG9z0ZC16q3rbe8R_SZ9057A2pmm_WGDBX28seESD-oiHZl17B-_1Lxl4NP1Dj7muz8uwY-a7DvEcp09Cf2ATB6EC7Li6vDhnaH-24eDDhvGpkU3uHJpytVykpwOnyRs0_zVYZwztzzY8orkf3iyTxdVdp3471x8LFp_96Zc0j2936-qZNnIhA1cu0zHJ2c59nVdSLqdTkiALwPWb76-VTKKLi1_fhitW/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?1dmy¤t=true
Thanks and stay safe!
Thank you. Although I spoke with countless people before and during the transit, NOBODY (such as the booking agency, Qatar Airways and airport officials, etc) told me to do this. Moreover, my friends have not had this experience. How could anyone expect me to just know this? It's almost impossible.
DeleteSorry for the bad experience sir
ReplyDeleteIt is truly sympathetic alas, an anguish transit that arrest my sympathy. May the diabolical experience be a blessing in disguise.
ReplyDeleteIt's very horrible an experience to not only forget, but warn all to avert.
ReplyDeleteWe need a leadership that will really think and declare state of emergency on the situation at home. Life in our Nigeria today is very hard, and not all parts of the country are patient enough to seek solace in Qadr. We are in this because our environment here is not conducive for survival enough, and some are more desperate than others.
Hence the negative image abroad.
Sorry Sir, it's our leaders and some Nigerians around the world lead us to all this bad world recognition.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to perturbed that some comments here are blaming Nigerians for the kind of treatment Muhsin received from those arrogant, stupid and racist airports Arab workers.
ReplyDeleteHow can someone be given such treatment even if the visa is not going to be granted. Perhaps they ought to have being polite for their responses and not only that if there is any alternative way to let him have his wish they need to suggest even if is late to be granted. I see this treatment as racism and stand to be condemnable by any right thinking person. In fact there is need for the airport officials to apologise their actions. I don't expect anything less from the Qatar Airways officials. Allah ya Isa as you rightly wrote. They have lost not only a customer but a potential academics in one of their universities.
Thank you for your support. These are my thoughts, too.
DeleteDr Muhsin, were I in your company I would definitely be in jail already. For I couldn't control myself when the honour of our intellectuals is at stake. I don't care Arabs or whoever is involved. I bit my index finger too.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad, been treated this way just because you are carrying the Nigerian passport. How I wish we have a way to reprocicate them.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, I have ever travel neither Asia, nor other country even our thesame-father-thesame-mother neighbour country Niger republic, but, I might travel to abroad one day and I won't transit to Qatar.
ReplyDelete