Disentangling the Qatari Identity Discourse: Social Engineering and the Dialectics of Identity Formation
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Disentangling the Qatari Identity Discourse: Social Engineering and the Dialectics of Identity Formation Maryam Tariq Marzouq Al-Shamlan A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy of University College London UCL 1 ‘I, Maryam Tariq Marzouq Al-Shamlan confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis.' 2 Abstract This study starts with the premise that a complex identity discourse is forming in Qatar, which must be traced and deconstructed to enable an understanding of the processes and the social and cultural formations that constituted this discourse. Over the past three decades, a number of social engineering endeavours have been implemented in the Qatari nationalism project to consolidate a national identity and establish a hegemonic national culture. These endeavours have contributed to shaping the ‘question of identity’ and the dialectics and social contentions within the Qatari identity discourse. The aim of this research is to explore and understand the emergence of the ‘question of identity’ and what turned the Qatari identity discourse into a contemporary debate. The study is conducted through a Foucauldian genealogical inquiry, that involves the ‘problematization’ of the present Qatari reality, in order to approach the Qatari identity discourse and its dialectics and formation process outside and independently from the normative investigative parameters and theoretical lenses that currently define it. This is done using interviews with policy instigators and social influencers (of different age ranges and social and professional backgrounds), a set of two surveys conducted with the general public (pre and post blockade), as well as informal observations to understand the current socio-cultural capital, undercurrents and changes from the perspective of the local society. The multiple dimensions of the Qatari identity discourse are investigated in order to comprehend the society’s perceptions, understandings and dialectics – about the identity - during an era of rapid nation-state building and modernization. The thesis contends that the endeavours of the Qatari nationalism project along with processes of globalization and modernity, as well as the blockade imposed on Qatar have played a role in both challenging and re-articulating the Qatari identity discourse, in addition to enabling the cultivation of a hegemonic national Qatari culture. 3 Impact Statement This study endeavoured to deconstruct the present reality of the Qatari cultural experience and understand the dynamics and dialectics shaping the discourse on the Qatari identity and its formation process. The study focuses on the social engineering efforts of the Qatari nationalism project and the possible role they played in influencing the current discourse and local debates on the Qatari identity and its formation process amidst rapid modernization and nation-state building efforts. Through its theoretical framework and methodology, the thesis provides a new approach to studying the emergence of the question of identity in Qatar. This is done through tracing and deconstructing divergent local perceptions about the Qatari identity, its formation process and the efforts exerted to shape it. The research sought to map out local perceptions and socio-cultural discourses, dialectics and ideological struggles in order to understand what turned the Qatari identity into a contemporary problematic debate. Such a discursive outline of the Qatari present reality and cultural experience is beneficial for researchers and academics as its insights could provide useful points of departure for further research in the fields of social engineering, modernization and nation-state building within the context of Qatari identity formation. Outside academia, this research could be useful for general readers interested in learning more about the Qatari identity and its current socio- cultural dynamics through a local perspective and a different approach, away from the normative investigative parameters and theoretical lenses that currently define most literature on the topic. Moreover, the insights provided in this thesis of local perceptions, contentions and concerns can be beneficial both for social, educational and cultural institutions as well as for policy-makers as it outlines current issues in the local cultural experience which need to be addressed; and more importantly presents and deconstructs local perceptions of and reactions towards certain social engineering policies. 4 Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to my country Qatar. HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, said: “Qatar deserves the best from its citizens”. I have done my best in this thesis with an aim that it opens up paths for me to give back to my country what it deserves from its citizen. My words cannot express how grateful I am to my family for their immense love, patience and support throughout this academic journey. Thank you for always believing in me, encouraging me and pushing me towards achieving my goals. I am also deeply indebted to my advisors, Professor Robert Carter, Dr. Serena Iervolino and Dr. Mark Farha. The development and writing of this research was instrumentally facilitated and improved by your thoughtful comments and sincere guidance. Thank you for encouraging me, but more importantly challenging me and pushing me towards my potential. I also owe a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in the semi-structured interviews and online surveys conducted for this research. I am particularly indebted to: HE Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, former Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar (2007 – 2011), Minister of Energy and Industry (1999 – 2011), Former Chief of Amiri Diwan (2011) and President of the Qatar Administrative and Control Authority (2011), HE Dr. Hamad bin Abdualziz Al-Kuwari, currently State Minister with rank of Deputy Prime Minister and a former Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage (2008-2016), former Ambassador of Qatar to France, the United States, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the UN, and a candidate in the 2017 election of the Director-General of UNESCO, 5 HE Salah bin Ghanim Al-Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports, Board member of Qatar Museums and Doha Film Institute, and Head of the Qatar National Day Committee, HE Dr. Sheikha bint Abdullah Al-Misnad, currently holding State Minister rank, former President of Qatar University (2003-2015) and Member of the Supreme Education Council, for their valuable time during the interview sessions, the brilliant discussions and insightful thoughts and comments that not only enabled me to construct my arguments but also inspired further research. I would also like to extend my thanks to Fahad Buzwair, an intellectual and a social media influencer, for helping me distribute the online survey through his social media channels. 6 Table of Contents Chapter One Introduction (10) Chapter Two Literature review (20) Part one: Modernity (22) The Modernization Paradigm Problematized (23) Qatar: Modernization or Westernization? (28) Part Two: Nationalism (32) What is nationalism (33) The Birth of Nationalism in Arabia (34) Did Arab Nationalism Initiate the Nationalism Project in Qatar (38) Birth of Qatari Nationalism: State-building and Economic Centralization (44) Qatari Nationalism: A Contemporary Social Engineering Project (49) Reactions to Globalization and its Neo-Colonial Processes (49) Prevalence of Nationalism as an Ideology in a Globalized World (51) Social Engineering in Qatar: A Nationalism project of nation-State Building and Cohesion (57) Chapter Three Methodology (62) Theoretical Framework (63) Main Investigation (65) Research Questions (66) Sources and Data Gathering Approach (69) Semi-structured Interviews (69) Surveys (73) Note on Samples (76) 7 Observations (76) Sources, Documents and Archival Records (77) Data Analysis Approach (78) Chapter Four The Qatari Identity: Crisis, Change and Transition (81) General Overview of Polarized Perceptions (81) Temporary Crisis (89) Socio-Cultural Dislocation (92) Multiple Frames of Mind (98) Perceptions of Change and the Formations of the Identity Crisis Discourse (99) Chapter Five Qatari Collectivism: Social Collective Identity of Juxtaposed Constituents (102) Qatari identity vs. National identity (103) Cultural Sensitivities and Social Regulations (111) Indigenous vs. Newly Constructed (113) A Simple Issue or an Issue of Simplicity (118) Qatar National Vision: Between a Future Vision and a Social Discourse (129) ‘Wataniya’ and Belonging (134) Chapter Six The National Imagination and the Question of Identity: An Ideological Struggle (141) Narrating the Nation: The Traditional-Modern State and the Ideal Citizen (145) Social Change (152) The Foundational Myth: Reactions and Counter-Reactions (160) Qatar National Day: Inculcating Nationalism through a Cultural Spectacle (166) Chapter Seven On the Cusp of an Imagined Community? (173) 8 Qatari Modern Nationalism (174) A New ‘Assabiya (177) Broad-minded Perspectives of ‘Qatariness’ (188) Post-blockade Civic-Political Imagination (194) Chapter Eight Conclusion (204) Bibliography (214) Appendices Appendix One (234) Appendix Two (235) Appendix Three (240) Appendix Four (242) Appendix Five (246) 9 Chapter One Introduction Disentangling the Qatari Identity Discourse: Social Engineering and the Dialectics of Identity