Arab Gulf Region Research Articles

The Stressful Implications of Remote E-Working: Evidence Based Literature Review Arab Gulf

Objectives: It is a cross-sectional study that intends to discover the stress consequences of remote e-working for the Arab Gulf region with consideration of the coronavirus pandemic. Theoretical Framework: This review is based on the literature review on remote work stressors, which considers the technological environment and, apart from that, gives consideration to the cultural and social context of the Arab Gulf. Method: A literature review was carried out, which involved distilling essential data from the local and international reports and articles on the stressors related to remote e-working in the context of the Arab Gulf. Results and Discussion: It is possible to disengage due to the following significant stresses: Technology difficulties, no experience a face-to-face communication, and the loss of the boundary line between work and family. They all cumulatively result in the enhancement of stress levels of the region’s remote workers. Research Implications: If stress factors are to be restricted and workers’ well-being improved in organizations embracing remote working fully, then it is essential to understand these stressors. Originality/Value: The current review isolates stressors of remote e-working in the Arab Gulf, which should help organizations improve the well-being of employees carrying out remote work.

Women academic leaders in Saudi universities: Educational and psychological vision

There is limited understanding of women's leadership roles in Saudi Arabian university education, leading to a gap in scholarly literature despite significant advancements made by Saudi women in this field. However, they encounter several obstacles when striving for leadership roles at universities. This study seeks to examine the state of women's academic leadership within Saudi universities from an educational and psychological perspective, pinpointing the key challenges they face in obtaining such positions. The findings reveal that women leaders face various challenges, with organizational obstacles being the most significant, receiving a high average score of 4. Additionally, cultural and social barriers scored an average of 3.51, also rated highly, followed by psychological barriers with an average score of 3.26, which received a medium rating. Participants suggested comprehensive reforms to mitigate these challenges, notably implementing Saudi Vision 2030 principles and initiatives, which advocate for women faculty members to take on leadership roles at universities. These insights could not only benefit Saudi Arabia but also the wider Arab Gulf region, the Middle East, and other areas with similar conditions.

Assessment of the effectiveness of hospital external disaster functional drills on health care receivers’ performance, using standardized patients and mass cards simulation: a pilot study from Saudi Arabia

BackgroundGiven the increasing frequency of disasters globally, it is critical that healthcare systems are prepared for these mass casualty events. The Saudi health system’s preparedness for mass casualty incidents needs to be more robust, potentially due to limited disaster drills and inadequate standardized patient (SP) simulation training. This study aims to (i) assess the performance of front-line hospital staff in Saudi Arabia through a functional drill and (ii) evaluate the drill’s effectiveness using SP and MAC-SIM cards, providing detailed insights into its design and execution.MethodsA functional drill was conducted at a government hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 19, 2022, using a cross-sectional approach with two phases. 141 healthcare receivers served as subjects, while 23 volunteers acted as SPs. The scenario simulated a building collapse to assess the emergency department (ED) response, interdepartmental communication, and surge capacity. Data were collected through direct observation of healthcare practitioners’ interactions with the SPs, analysis of SP data, and participant feedback. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative data were examined for patterns and themes related to simulation performance and effectiveness.ResultsThe hospital receivers’ performances demonstrated accurate triage categories. The ED team assessed most patients (67%) in less than 5 min. For patients requiring definitive care, such as intensive care unit, 95% spent less than 2.5 h in the ED. Most patients (65%) required ‘other treatments’. Communication was efficient in the triage zone and the yellow treatment area. Participants’ feedback on using MAC-SIM cards during the simulation was overwhelmingly positive with 82.61% reporting that MAC-SIM use helped them respond better. Experienced SPs (paramedics) with prior disaster knowledge and experience outperformed inexperienced SPs (nurses) in the functional exercise.ConclusionThis groundbreaking study is the first in the Arabic Gulf region to use SPs with MAC-SIM cards in functional drills. The findings highlight the potential of simulation exercises to improve hospital team knowledge and performance when responding to disasters. Multiple evaluation techniques can effectively identify participant strengths and weaknesses, informing future disaster improvement plans. This information is a valuable resource for Arabic and middle-income countries where disaster medicine is still developing.

The Impact of Corporate Governance on Bank Risk-taking: Evidence of Islamic Banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Purpose — This study investigates the impact of Islamic corporate governance variables on risk-taking within a sample of 31 Islamic banks (IBs) operating in six countries in the Arab Gulf region during the period 2013–2022. Design/Methodology/Approach — The study utilises content analysis and employs two econometric models: the random-effect generalised least squares (GLS) technique and the generalised method of moments (GMM) approach. Findings — The findings reveal that two characteristics of Sharīʿah supervisory boards (SSBs), namely cross membership and knowledge in accounting and finance, have a negative impact on bank risk. However, it is observed that SSB size demonstrates a positive correlation with bank risk-taking, indicating that SSBs face challenges in effectively performing their supervisory role. Furthermore, it is noted that during the pandemic period, banks demonstrated significantly higher levels of credit risk and global risk. Originality/Value — This research provides a valuable addition to the existing literature by conducting the inaugural analysis of the relationship between SSBs and bank risk-taking in the Arab Gulf region, adding to the understanding of Islamic corporate governance dynamics. Research Implications — The study suggests reinforcing the structure of SSBs in IBs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by appointing members with educational backgrounds in business, accounting, and finance. Furthermore, it supports the idea that the presence of shared scholars in IBs facilitates rational decision-making by SSBs and contributes to reduced risk-taking. Haut du formulaire

Eco-Feminism and Translation: A Critical Reading of Abdel Rahman Munif's Cities of Salt

The complexities of language, society, and artistic expressions make literary works like novels difficult to translate. Translators encounter several problems such as cultural subtleties, colloquial idioms, distinctive writing styles, and other poetic aspects. Literary translation is a challenging process that necessitates a profound comprehension of the cultural and contextual nuances of the source material in addition to language proficiency. The Arabic novel Cities of Salt was written by Abdelrahman Munif, and was successfully translated into several languages, including English. Peter Theroux completed the English translation that was initially released in 1987, and he is the one who paved the way for opening up Munif's writing to a wider English-speaking community. The translated version preserves the novel's exploration of the impact of the oil industry on an unnamed Arab Gulf state and its reflection on the profound social, economic, and cultural changes brought about by rapid industrialization. Cities of Salt by Abdul Rahman Munif is a rich exploration of environmental exploitation and gender dynamics in the context of the Arab Gulf region's transformation due to the oil industry. The novel offers a nuanced portrayal of the interconnected challenges faced by communities grappling with rapid industrialization and its far-reaching consequences on both the environment and societal structures, including gender roles. Moreover, this research paper reveals how the exploitation of land mirrors the exploitation of women. The destruction of the environment echoes the silencing and erasure of women's voices and agency. Through an eco-feminist lens, the paper exposes the interconnectedness between the oppression of nature and the oppression of women, both subjected to exploitation, commodification, and dispossession. Because this novel is a quintet, this paper examines excerpts from the first volume, Al-Teeh, which better fit the study’s argument.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Gulf Countries: A Narrative Review.

Gulf countries, like other parts of the world, were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Along with its biological effects, the pandemic has had serious psychological and social effects. The pandemic-associated general stress and the increased efforts of handwashing and general hygiene might trigger obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The objective of this narrative review was to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, severity of symptoms, and accessibility of treatment for OCD in Gulf countries. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to review and collect research and/or reports on the prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment adaptations and strategies of OCD during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in seven Arab Gulf countries. The search spanned from the onset of the crisis in 2020 to 2024. Peer-reviewed articles and reports were sourced from PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar, while abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congresses were also included in the review. A total of four studies from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates, and two from Qatar were retrieved for analysis. These studies focused on investigating the impact of the pandemic on OCD. Studies from Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain reported a negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, yet no specific data were provided. The studies highlighted an increased prevalence of OCD symptoms, both in terms of the incidence of new symptoms and the exacerbation of existing pre-pandemic manifestations. Furthermore, individuals with pre-existing psychological disorders or OCD were particularly susceptible to the negative impact of the pandemic. A review of local studies and reports from the Arab Gulf region reveals a striking paucity of research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OCD. The pandemic has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of OCD, the onset of new symptoms, and the worsening and exacerbation of existing pre-pandemic obsessions and compulsions.

Assessing the Economic Impact of IFRS Adoption on Financial Transparency and Growth in the Arab Gulf Countries

This paper examines the impact of adopting IFRS on economic growth and further development in the Arab Gulf countries, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. It, therefore, answers the research question of how IFRS adoption affects financial transparency, regulatory frameworks, and economic stability in general in oil-dependent economies. Using data from 2010 to 2020, the research uses regression models to test the influence of IFRS adoption on several key economic indicators. The results, thus, indicate that the adoption of IFRS considerably increases the level of transparency and, hence, enables the inflow of FDI as well, therefore ensuring economic growth. This result also sheds light on the critical roles that regulatory solid frameworks and political stability play in amplifying the benefits of IFRS adoption. However, family-based and state-owned enterprises’ resistance to increased demands for transparency is an issue that would provide a challenge. Implications for policy will be such that comprehensive reforms will be required with the countries’ regulatory frameworks, including more transparency and fitting the IFRS guidelines into local business practice and the cultural context. Future studies should also underscore sector-wise impact and go deeper into how cultural and institutional factors impact the effectiveness of implementing IFRS in the Arab Gulf region.

The Prevalence of Comorbidities Associated with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune mediated demyelinating illness of the central nervous system. This study looks at various comorbidities associated with MS, focusing on their impact on disease progression. Understanding comorbidities in MS is important as it can impact treatment selection and overall disease management and prognosis. Our aim is to show the prevalence of comorbidities along with MS. This research focuses on the comorbidities associated with MS and their impact on disease progression in the Arab Gulf region, with a special emphasis on Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A retrospective record review was conducted from July 2022 to July 2023. The study included 286 patients, selected based on a definitive MS diagnosis in accordance with McDonald's 2017 criteria. Data collected included demographic information, MS type, duration of diagnosis, type of disease modifying therapy (DMT) used, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and type of comorbidities. The majority of the patients were female (70%) with an average age of 36 years. Most patients had relapsing remitting MS, and the majority were on DMTs, with fingolimod being the most common. Nearly half of the patients had comorbidities, with mood disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM), migraine, and hypertension (HTN) being prevalent. A significant positive association was found between the EDSS scores and both DM and HTN, but there was no significant link with migraine. The findings indicate that individuals with MS have an increased risk of developing comorbidities such as migraine, DM, and HTN. Emphasizing a healthy lifestyle could potentially reduce the incidence of DM and HTN and their related vascular complications. The research also notes the prevalence of mood disorders among the MS population, although it remains inconclusive whether these are separate comorbid conditions or inherent symptoms of MS.

Recent Developments concerning the Rights of Migrant Workers and of Women: a Survey of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Abstract The survey of the Gulf Cooperation Council states reviews some key legislative and executive measures of particularly the governments of Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year 2023 (largely between December 2022–2023). It focuses mainly on the rights of the migrant workers. Further, and in less detail, it also notes some of the developments pertinent to the rights of women. More generally, these rights are less relevant to women who are not national citizens. The GCC comprises six member countries in the Arab-Gulf region: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the UAE (it is a federal state comprising seven emirates namely, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah), Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. These oil-producing countries have a significant proportion of foreign workforce in the population. At 88.1 per cent, the UAE has the highest proportion of migrants in its population among the GCC members (UN DESA, 2020). Foreign workers work mostly in the private sector and are also residents in the host countries. Therefore, a broader spectrum of governments’ measures relating to the issues like labour, entry and residence, and ownership of property or business touch the lives of the foreign/migrant workers or expatriates in the Gulf country. Governments’ initiatives targeting domestic workers are relevant also for women because they comprise the majority in this group. Apparently, the most prolific among the GCC countries in governmental initiatives during the surveyed period is the UAE, both concerning migrant workers and women. The Gulf states appear to have showed more responsiveness to their public image as a few important global events have happened in the region in the past year or discussion was in progress. For instance, the FIFA World Cup 2022 was hosted in Doha, Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. The 28th United Nations Climate Change conference or COP28 was hosted in Dubai, the UAE from 30 November to 12 December 2023. Announced at the conclusion of the competitive bidding process in November 2023, Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh from October 2030 to March 2031.

Nepal and the Middle East: Nonalignment and Economic Interests

Abstract: Nepal is a poor, nonaligned, landlocked country surrounded by India and China that has had good relations with both Israel and the Arab states due in large part to a foreign policy conducted on the basis of Panchasheel , composed of five principles: (1) mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, (2) noninterference in each other’s internal affairs, (3) respect for mutual equality, (4) nonaggression and peaceful settlements of disputes, and (5) cooperation for mutual benefit. This outlook has also motivated Nepal’s participation in many United Nations peacekeeping operations. Originally the object of a rivalry between Egypt and Israel, Nepal has attracted the attention of a number of other Middle Eastern states, particularly those in the Arab Gulf region, as witnessed by increasing diplomatic interactions and transportation connections with Nepal and/or its officials especially in recent years, while Nepalis provide much-needed labor for many of those same countries. Despite numbers of cases of worker abuse in the Middle East, Nepali laborers there provide remittances essential for families dealing with difficult living conditions in Nepal as well as a source of foreign revenue for that country.

Seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis in the state of Qatar

AbstractBackgroundBrucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide, with a significant economic and health burden. The disease is endemic in many regions around the world. Data regarding the disease in the Arabic Gulf region is scarce, and a limited number of studies have been conducted in Qatar. This study is the first to investigate the seroprevalence of small ruminant brucellosis in the state of Qatar.MethodsThe country was divided into three zones based on animal population (high, medium and low). A total of 494 blood samples from 57 small ruminant flocks were randomly collected from the three zones. Rose Bengal and competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were used to investigate the apparent and true seroprevalence at both the animal and flock levels. A regression model was used to investigate the potential risk factors, including geographic zone, sex and age.ResultsAt the animal level, the overall (sheep and goat) apparent and true seroprevalence were 9.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 7.3–12.5) and 8.4% (95% CI: 5.9–11.5), respectively. In sheep, the apparent seroprevalence was 16.7% (95% CI: 12.5–21.8), and the true seroprevalence was 16.1% (95% CI: 11.6–21.7), whereas in goats, the apparent seroprevalence was 2.4% (95% CI: 1.1–5.2), and the true seroprevalence was 0.7% (95% CI: −0.7 to 3.7). At the flock level, overall, apparent sheep and goat seroprevalence were 19.3% (95% CI: 11.1–31.3), 30.0% (95% CI: 16.1–49.8) and 7.4% (95% CI: 2.1–23.4) and true seroprevalence was 18.9% (95% CI: 10.1–31.9), 30.5% (95% CI: 16.1–49.8) and 6.1% (95% CI: 0.3–23.3) respectively. Univariable regression analysis revealed age as the only significant risk factor in the sampled population.ConclusionsBrucella appears to be endemic to small ruminants in Qatar. The findings of this study provide baseline data regarding small ruminant brucellosis in Qatar and will aid in plans to control and eradicate the disease.

Towards a ‘study at home’ education in the Arab Gulf region: Reterritorializing the ‘study abroad’ model

Drawing on the works of Deleuze and Guattari, which describe the constituent behaviour of cultural assemblages, this article argues that deterritorialization marks the twentieth-century Gulf educational landscape, which problematized Arab Gulf identity. What followed is characterized by what Gilles Deleuze describes as reterritorialization, specifically the proliferation of American and western institutions in the Arab Gulf countries. This article proposes Deleuze and Guattari’s concepts of deterritorialization and reterritorialization as lenses through which to observe and respond to the resulting Arab Gulf epistemic and identity crises that arose in part from the ‘study abroad’ model dominating twentieth-century higher education in the Gulf states. In contrast, the ‘study at home’ model becomes an example of reterritorialization, which serves as a local epistemic response to the hegemonic internationalization of education. Deleuze and Guattari’s notions of deterritorialization and reterritorialization provide helpful conceptual tools to examine the western impact on higher education and identity formation in the Arab Gulf region. These two conceptual paradigms characterize two directions in which higher education has progressed during the second half of the twentieth century and well into the beginning of the twenty-first, especially in their intellectual and identity-related aspects. How can Deleuze’s concepts help us characterize an epistemic uqdah that places Arab Gulf education between two antithetical realities: the push towards international education and a sense of adherence to tradition and culture? How does the move for the internationalization of education within the recent history of the Arab Gulf inform identity formation? This conceptual study explores the impact of internationalized education on the Gulf Arab identity from cultural and epistemological perspectives.

The China–GCC Partnership in Security, Energy, and Infrastructure

ABSTRACT: China’s growing global ambitions are increasingly shaping the Arab Gulf region, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council member states (GCC): Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Given the geopolitical and strategic importance of the region to the global community and China’s growing role in the region, relations between China and the GCC are of paramount importance. This article sheds light on China’s role in the GCC region. Based on the three fields of (security) political cooperation, energy partnership, and economic cooperation as well as infrastructure projects, the motives and interests of the actors for cooperation are highlighted. Both sides are pursuing a hedging strategy. Given its energy demand, China is interested in regional stability and prioritizes this in its 1+2+3 framework. Political and military power is used to a minimum. As oil exporters, the GCC states depend on the Chinese energy market and are attempting to use it to drive their desired economic diversification and modernization. The great power rivalry gives the Gulf states greater flexibility to adapt their foreign policy when it comes to choosing pragmatic alliances to achieve.

Phylogenetic monitoring of Escherichia coli in medical wastewater/Baghdad City

Clean drinking water access is a main factor that supports general health worldwide, where important investment is made to maintain water quality. The gene sequence of 16S rRNA was applied to study bacterial phylogenesis and classification. This studyaimed to isolate new bacterial strains from wastewater environments. Thisstudy collected water samples from differentwastewater sites for Baghdad Medical City’s Hospital. The results of Vitek 2Compact were with a probability of99% forEscherichia coli isolates .The bacterial isolates were identified using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the universaldiagnostic gene 16SrRNA, and the PCR product was obtained with a molecular weight of 1250bp. The PCR productsequencingshowed 166 isolates of E. coli different from the isolates registered in the NCBI database of E. coli after alignment between them.The present study reported 16 Iraqi isolates in NCBI with an accession number: OM032663.1; OM 032664.1; OM294659.2;ON724178.1; ON724264.1; ON724331.1; ON725076.1; ON725091.1; ON725139.1; ON725141.1; ON739200.1; ON739201.1;ON739207.1; ON739208.1; ON739209.1; ON739211.1. The identity was then observed(96-100%) with strains in Gene Bank.There were many different sequence position substitutions (transition, deletion, transversionfor the registered local isolates whenconducting multiple alignments and comparing themwith the isolates in the Gene Bank. According to the phylogenetic treebuilding by joining-the neighbor method, the local Iraqi isolates clustered into sub-descents. Moreover, local isolates of E.coliappeared more convergent to Saudi Arabia isolates (KY780347.1). This may be due to the geographical proximity of the two countries to the same Arab Gulf region .The present study identified 16 isolates of E. coli from the Iraqi aquatic environment (medical wastewater). The novelty of this study was represented to monitoring the evolution of E. coli in medical wastewater.

The Long Arm of the State: Transnational Repression against Exiled Activists from the Arab Gulf States

The Arab Spring was a period of intense activism demanding democracy and freedom that swept across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While previous research has focused on the role of diaspora communities in the uprisings and the strategies employed by regimes to suppress them, it has primarily centered on countries that experienced large-scale revolutions and endured severe consequences. Consequently, the current literature has failed to explore the situation of Arab Gulf dissidents living in exile, instead focusing on a few isolated incidents. This paper examines the transnational repression (TR) campaign of the Arab Gulf states (AGSs). Drawing on the literature about the long arm of authoritarianism and TR, this paper explores the various TR methods employed by the AGSs to silence activists living abroad. The paper finds that the nature of TR in the Arab Gulf region is unique when compared with other MENA countries. The TR campaign of AGSs is alarmingly expanding, using various mechanisms and resources, making the region one of the world’s leading perpetrators. The methods employed by the AGSs include travel bans as part of their coercion by proxy, digital transnational repression, and the use of multilateral organizations as tools of repression. Additionally, this paper highlights the AGSs’ support of other countries’ TR.

Perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness within multinational corporations in Saudi Arabia: The role of Islamic and Wasta values

AbstractThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) presents a promising yet volatile environment for international business. US‐centric models dominate management/leadership studies in the Arab Gulf Region, while emic, indigenous, and context‐specific studies remain scarce. To rectify this epistemic injustice, we have conducted a qualitative Type 3 (emic‐as‐emic) indigenous ‘critical incident' study of managerial behavior exhibited by expat and local managers within MNCs operating in Saudi Arabia. This has led to an emergent KSA‐related two‐factor taxonomy comprised of 15 behavioral dimensions (BDs) that differentiate effective managers from ineffective managers, as perceived by their Saudi colleague managers and staff. The positive (effective), and most of the negative (ineffective) BDs are endorsed by Islamic and tribal Wasta values, thus lending support to literature on culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories, while simultaneously calling for increased attention toward proximal cultural factors rather than distal national cultural dimensions. Comparing our findings against those of an equivalent study in the United Arab Emirates reveals significant similarities and interesting differences, thus challenging the notion of a homogenous ‘Arab culture'. The derived taxonomy offers an insightful, contextually relevant, and richly described understanding of specific types of managerial behavior that managers within MNCs in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps in other Arab Gulf desert countries, should strive to emulate or conversely avoid if they are to be perceived effective by their respective superiors, peers, and subordinates. After discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our findings, we outline the limitations of the study and suggest several directions for future research.

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities for Islamic Environmentalism

Abstract Islamic environmentalism has increased within the last several decades in the Muslim world and in Muslim-minority countries. The Arab Gulf is one of the regions in which environmentalism – let alone Islamic environmentalism – has been greatly understudied. This paper aims to partially fill this gap by exploring the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) in Qatar as an illustrative – albeit imperfect – example of Islamic environmentalism, combining environmental aspirations of many modern botanic gardens with religious and cultural aims. After briefly introducing Islamic environmentalism and the significance of environmentalism in the Arab Gulf region, I draw on field research conducted in Qatar to elucidate how the QBG utilizes Islamic scripture, beliefs, and values to articulate its vision and objectives. This paper also examines how QBG leaders’ religious and cultural views influence environmental advocacy within the QBG and beyond. Finally, this research critically explores the QBG’s potential impact on socio-environmental realities in Qatar. While the QBG may succeed in making intellectual advancements and promoting religious and ecological values, this paper posits that such a state-sponsored institution’s inability to politicize ecological degradation demonstrates the difficulty of reforming development models to achieve more socially just and sustainable ends. I conclude that the broader potential of Islamic environmentalism lies in its ability to unite Muslims and people in the Arab Gulf region behind a shared socio-environmental vision. Its efficacy also comes from mobilizing people to advocate alternative development models prioritizing the integrity of all people and honouring planetary boundaries over economic growth or political gain.

Adopting a gender quota policy in Qatar: a path to gender equity

PurposeSocietal barriers continue to cause gender disparities in women’s share of political authority. As a representative case study for the Arab Gulf region, this paper aims to investigate public opinion on adopting a nationwide quota for women’s participation in top government offices in the Qatar context. It gathers insights on the following question: How does public opinion respond to a proposed new political arrangement of implementing gender quota laws in Qatar?Design/methodology/approachData were collected via a national telephone survey of a representative sample of 660 Qatari nationals chosen by simple random sampling. A regression analysis was performed for the primary outcome: support for a gender quota system that guarantees a specific proportion of places for women in the government and executive positions.FindingsUnsurprisingly, the findings reveal gender variations in support for the three distinct types of egalitarian policy examined (i.e. a quota for women in top government positions; a quota for women in executive positions in public ministries; and equal wages), with women being more supportive than men.Research limitations/implicationsAssessing the public attitudes toward adopting legislative gender quotas is of interest to policy-makers and civil organizations alike that seek to advance women’s political status and democratic representation.Originality/valueThis study is among the very few to empirically examine public opinion on quotas as state-directed initiatives to promote the involvement of women in political power in Qatar.

Trade in the Ports of Bushire, Khorramshahr, Bandar Abbas, Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat in 1936 A Study Based on Frank Todd’s Report

This article deals with the commercial conditions in the Arab Gulf region in 1936 based on the report prepared by Frank Todd, the British Vice Consul in Bushire. This paper studied only six Gulf ports included in the report, three of which were on the eastern bank of the Arabian Gulf, namely Bushire, Khorramshahr, Bandar Abbas, and three Arab ports, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat. The study provides a clear and integrated picture of their commercial conditions, especially in terms of trade movement, participating countries, exchanged commodities, and financial statements related to exports and imports in terms of increase or decrease. The most prominent finding of this paper was the continuation of British trade in those ports, but not at the level desired by the British government, as its trade witnessed a decline in some ports due to international competition, especially from Japan.

Oman: Recent Developments in the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and of Women

Abstract This survey is a review listing some key legislative and executive measures of the government of Oman in the year 2021–2022, which have relevance to mainly the rights of the migrant workers. Further, and in less detail, this survey also refers to some of the developments pertinent to the rights of women living in Oman. However, more generally these rights are less relevant to women who are not Omani nationals. Oman is a member country of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC comprises six states in the Arab-Gulf region: Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These oil-producing states have a significant proportion of foreign workforce in the population. Foreign workers work mostly in the private sector and are also residents in the host countries. At 46.5 per cent, Oman has a relatively lower proportion of migrants in its population among the GCC members (UN DESA, 2020). Therefore, a broader spectrum of governments’ measures relating to the issues like labour, entry and residence, and ownership of property or business touch the lives of the foreign/migrant workers or expatriates in the Gulf country. Governments’ initiatives targeting domestic workers are relevant also for women because they comprise the majority in this group. The survey notes that most of the governmental activity in Oman in the past year largely concern new laws or amendments of the existing legislation and regulations linked to labour and residency matters. Some of the more relevant ones that the survey has selected here confirms this. It also marks the period post the pandemic, which had posed considerable economic challenge for the government. Hence, as also some neighbouring Gulf countries, Oman has shown a balance of measures. On the one hand, to revive its economic dynamism and competitiveness by facilitating more ease and benefits to attract and retain foreign labour and investment in the country. On the other hand, with measures such as increased nationalization effort and support expressly favouring the national workforce to boost their more active participation in the labour market. The new labour law declared by the Omani government and its signing of the Maritime Labour Convention are a few notable highlights. The survey has essentially drawn on the government’s documents and announcements as available in English or translated text, in addition to information in the press and other relevant sources.