Some 25,000 Egyptian nationals live in Qatar, but hiring Egyptians was banned in 1996 when Egypt was accused by Qatari authorities of involvement in the failed coup that year. Some 500 Egyptians have been fired from government jobs since November 1997, when Egypt boycotted an economic conference attended by Israel in Doha. Women face social and legal discrimination in divorce and inheritance matters. A woman needs permission from a male relative to obtain a driver's license. A woman's right to refuse a marriage proposal is becoming widely accepted, whereas just five years ago it was not.
Women enjoy greater opportunity in employment and education than they did under the former emir.
The Wahabbi branch of Sunni Islam is the state religion. Non-Muslims may not worship publicly and face discrimination in employment. Workers may not form unions or bargain collectively. The government's Labor Conciliation Board mediates disputes. Workers, excepting those in government or domestic employment, may strike if mediation fails.