Expat Social Clubs & Groups | ExpatWoman.com
 

Expat Social Clubs & Groups

In order to immerse yourself into the life of Qatar you can find yourself a social circle so you can understand the life better.

Posted on

22 July 2013

Last updated on 14 June 2017
Expat Social Clubs & Groups

When you move to a new county it's really important to start building your social network, find friends and have some hobbies- don't want you feeling lonely or bored! There are so many clubs and groups in Qatar that you can join- from country societies to gardening clubs and everything in between... we've got them all here for you...

Women's groups 
Kid's Groups
Country Groups 
Support Groups
Other groups


Women's Groups


American Women’s Association
As one of the independent organizations, the AWA in Qatar consists of a group of women who meet regularly to share experiences, make new acquaintances, provide a resource for those new to Qatar and learn more about the culture of our host country, Qatar. Throughout the year, AWA hosts a number of activities to accomplish these goals. 

Website: www.awaqatar.com

Qatar Quilt Guild
We hold monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of the month at 4:00 PM. Yearly membership is 120 QR and gives you the privilege of entering all contests, drawings, classes, and being able to check out quilt books from our library. Come join the fun! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/QatarQuiltGuild?fref=ts

Qatar Professional Women’s Network
Qatar Professional Women’s Network (QPWN) is an informal networking group for Qatari and expatriate professional women. QPWN was launched in 2010 by several professional women living and working in Doha.
QPWN aims to support the development and advancement of women and contribute to the sustainability of the local community QPWN offers regular events around Doha and participation in QPWN events is on a pay-by-event basis (no membership fees).

Facebook: www.facebook.com/QPWNQatar
Website: www.qpwn.org

Indian Women's Association Qatar
The Indian Women Association aim to enhance the contribution of Indian women to society.The main aim of the Association is to bring the Indian ladies and families together and organize periodical meetings of the members to exchange expertise in various cultural social fields.

Website: www.iwa-qatar.com

Woman's Association Qatar

Women's Association - Qatar, is a network developed by Women for Women to enable sharing their views, ideas, routine, work and home management, kitchen management, encouraging stories more and more, come on ladies start sharing. We are Smart!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IndianProfessionalWomensAssociation

Tuesday Ladies Group
We are a group of ex-patriate ladies from over 26 different countries. We meet at The Ramada Plaza Hotel, Doha on alternate Tuesdays from September until June, for coffee with breakfast, a chat and an interesting speaker, usually from a local business, or one of our members, or about health issues. We support projects in and outside of Doha with our time and resources.

Website: www.tlgdoha.com

Qatar Expat Women
Relocating and starting a new life in a new country can be hard and overwhelming. Qatar Expat Women is a group of volunteers who are dedicated to helping women settle into their new lives in Qatar. 

South African Ladies Group
South African Ladies in Qatar: Organizing get-togethers for non-working South African Ladies. Events vary from informal coffee mornings to learning new skills (i.e. line dancing, scrapbooking, etc) and much, much more.
For more information, please visit our website at southafricansinqatar.netfirms.com and check the "Coffee Shoppe" tab.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/44783257415

Doha Garden Club
We are an international and culturally diverse group of ladies, willing to learn and expand skills in all aspects of gardening, specifically pertaining to the Gulf region.Our regular meetings have proved that when a group of inspired and great minds get together, the flow of knowledge and the sharing of ideas leads to fun, good gardening, and social interaction.

Website: www.dohagardenclub.com


Kids Groups


Guiding & Scouting
For information about beavers, brownies, guides and scouts at Doha English Speaking School visit:

Website: http://www.dess.org/

For information about boy scouts and girl scouts at the American School Of Doha visit:

Website: www.asd.edu.qa/page.cfm?p=795

Girl Scouts (US)
Since 1925, USA Girl Scouts Overseas has been serving American girls living overseas and girls attending American or international schools. USAGSO members enjoy the same excitement, fun and adventures in Girl Scouting as their stateside Girl Scout sisters. Girls relocating to another country will find that USAGSO provides them with the security of knowing that they’ll have an instant group of friends when they reach their new home.
If you are interested in becoming a leader or if you have an interested daughter, grades KG - 12, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Cub Scouts Pack 3947 (US)
Cub Scouts is for boys between the ages of 7 and 10 or between the 1st and 5th grades in the American school system (2nd year through 6th year in the British system). Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting programs are found worldwide and all have a common mission to promote character development of young boys. Cub Scouting in Qatar is represented by Pack 3947 which is chartered to the Direct Service Council of the Boys Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations in the world. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibility of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

Contact: The Cubmaster at [email protected]

Scouts (UK)
The 1st Doha Scout Troop is part of British Scouts Overseas and meets weekly at DESS in the small gym at 5.00pm on Tuesdays during term time. The Troop has vacancies for boys and girls aged between 10½ to 14 years old; no previous scouting experience is required. We cover a wide range of activities aimed at developing young people with pursuits they might not necessarily encounter at school or elsewhere. The onus is on the troop members themselves to take the initiative and plan their own activities, supervised by our two qualified Scout Leaders. If your son or daughter is interested in joining the Worldwide Family of Scouting (currently at 28 million members), then please get in contact with the Scout Leader, Colin Tye, known as Skip, at [email protected] with their name and date of birth. There is lots of fun to be had, friends to be made and challenges to accomplish.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishScoutingQatar
Website: http://www.1st-doha-scout-group.org/


Country Groups


ANZBIQ
ANZBIQ is a group of Australian and New Zealanders working to promote Qatari- Australian and Qatari- New Zealand relations and display to the local community and others the interest of Australian and New Zealand business in Qatar.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Qatar-Australia-and-New-Zealand-Business-Association/208296079206031
Website: www.anzbiq.org

Canadians In Qatar
Welcome to the vibrant community for all Canadians and people who just want to be around Canadians in Qatar! We are our your resource for all things Red & White in the desert, including social events, general information and that little bit of home.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/canadiansinqatar

Dutch Speaking Association in Qatar (DSA)
Very active association. At the core of DSA is organizing events around holidays that are important to the Dutch community e.g. Christmas, Easter and Queen celebrations.
The DSA has monthly activities such as coffee mornings, film nights, jazz and bridge evenings and infant and toddler mornings.

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dsaqatar.org

French In Qatar
This a great, well- updated website in French with lots of news, updates and events.

Website: www.vivreauqatar.com

German Ladies Coffee Morning
A good morning for chatting, making friends and getting information

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/German-Coffee-Morning-Doha/277796835565488
Website: www.doha.diplo.de - German embassy with extra info.

Indian Business and Professional Network
To promote trade and commerce and formation of manufacturing and trading joint ventures between India and Qatar and promoting investment in either country on a bilateral basis.
The Indian Business and Professionals Network Qatar (IBPN) works under the aegis of the Embassy of India Qatar for the purpose of enhancing and supporting business and professional interests of India and Qatar in both these countries. It's members are people of repute living in Qatar engaged in either key positions in business or successful professionals.

Website: www.ibpnqatar.com

Qatar Irish Society
The Qatar Irish Society is a non-political, non-denominational and non-profit association which co-ordinates various Irish cultural events, for the benefit of Irish people and the friends of Ireland in Qatar.

Website:http://qataririshsociety.com

Irish GAA
Oryx na hEireann was first founded back in 2004 and since then it has gone on to become one of the best clubs in Asia and the Middle East. The reason why it has been so successful is that the club has never lost the sense of community that comes with being a member of the GAA in Ireland. It's not just about the football but about the people and the lifelong friendships that are made when joining a club like ours.
We are always on the lookout for new people to join our club so if you're thinking of heading to Qatar, or have just arrived, please make sure and get in touch; whether it is to make new friends, get fit, or to taste the serious action on the field, all are welcome!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Qatar-Ladies-GAA/142424859134811 - Qatar Ladies GAA

South African Social Committee
SASCOM is the "Official" South African Social Community in Qatar. Our aim is to create opportunities for fellow South Africans residing in Qatar to meet up and have fun together. A variety of events are organized throughout the year for this purpose. 

Facebook:www.facebook.com/groups/51606502670/?fref=ts

Qatar Expats
A place for Expats & Newcomers in Qatar to meet up for activities & social events such as Shooting, Horseback riding, Boat trips, Safari, coffee, dinner, pub, beach, BBQ's in the evenings and weekends and so many other ideas.

Swedish Association of Qatar
This websitsite is for the Swedish Association of Qatar and the information is only available in Swedish. 

Website: www.saq.nu

The Qatar Caledonians
The Qatar Caledonians was formed in 1974 and is one of Qatar’s oldest social groups. We welcome people of all nationalities to join our annual events, and encourage participation even if you have never had the chance to "Strip the Willow" before! As well as the annual functions we host to mark Scottish holidays and traditions, various other events are held throughout the year. The three biggest dates on our events calendar are the St Andrew's Ball (held at the end of November), The Burns Supper (early February) and the more informal summer ceilidh (held in June) for all you "Dashing White Sergeants" out there!

Email [email protected]
Website: www.scotsinqatar.com

Doha Scottish Country Dancing Club
For those of you interested in learning the intricacies of Scottish Country Dancing, keeping fit or just having a good time, let the Doha Scottish Country Dancing Club help you do all three at once.
Our sessions are informal and we dance traditional favourites to suit beginners and the more experienced dancer. Not only do your calves get a good work out it's ideal preparation for the Qatar Caledonian Society events thoughout the year. We dance most weeks of the year, subject to school and local holidays, and beginners are most welcome as tuition will be provided.

For further details, contact Richard Henderson on [email protected]


Support Groups


Over Eaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who are recovering from compulsively overeating. There are no dues or fees for members; we are self-supporting. OA is not affiliated with any public or private organisation. Our primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive eating and to carry the message of recovery through the Twelve Steps of OA to those who still suffer. 
Our members include people who are extremely or moderately overweight, average weight, underweight, anorexic or bulimic.

Meeting: Overeaters Anonymous meets every Sunday evening at 7PM in the Conference room at  Hamad Psychiatric Hospital, Doha (in IBM Seena St off Salwa Rd)
Contact: Pamela +974 6 697 3611
Email: [email protected]

Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aaqatar.org

Al Anon Support Group
For family and friends affected by alcoholism. Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not.

Website: www.aaqatar.org/al-anon-in-qatar

Qatar Cancer Society
The Society is one of the leading humanitarian organizations in Qatar which pledges to work towards increasing public awareness about cancer and cancer prevention at local, regional as well as international levels whenever possible.

Website: www.qatarcancersociety.org

Qatar Diabetes Association
The Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) is a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and with support from H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and under the auspices of H.H. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser the Chairperson of QF, QDA provides useful and up to date information that will help patients understand the reality of diabetes, ways of living with it and abidance with proper care.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/QatarDiabetes
Website: www.qda.org.qa/about


Other Groups


Doha Sub Aqua Club
DSAC operates in Doha, State of Qatar, and has a number of active diving members from different nationalities. We meet every Tuesday evening at our clubhouse to talk about what's going on at the club, to arrange the weekend's diving and generally socialize.

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dohasubaquaclub/info
Website: www.dohasubaquaclub.com

Talking Matters Toastmasters Club
Talking Matters Toastmasters Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at the Oryx Rotana Hotel (Old Airport Road) at 7:00 pm. It is a friendly place where people of different nationalities come together to sharpen their communication and leadership skills.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Talking-Matters-Toastmasters-CLUB/305091672871452?bookmark_t=page%20

Qatar Natural History Group
The Qatar Natural History Group (QNHG) was founded more than 30 years ago in November 1978 to 'bring together people with an interest in the natural history of Qatar and the Gulf', and the inaugural meeting was held in the grounds of the National Museum. The QNHG has an international membership. Its annual subscription of QR 50 per adult and QR 100 per family (including any children under the age of 18) is the lowest of any of the natural history groups in the Arabian Gulf states. Its interests cover not only all aspects of natural history but also the culture, history and archaeology of Qatar, and talks are sometimes given on other places of interest to members.

Website: www.qnhg.org

Doha Community Orchestra
The Doha Community Orchestra is a full size symphony orchestra and wind symphony for amateur musicians with members either working or studying in Qatar. We are always open to new members of all ages and nationalities. Every year is always bigger and better than the last and this year there are no exceptions. With performances at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and of the children’s classic ‘The Snowman’, this season is set to be our biggest ever.

Website: www.dohaorchestra.com

Doha Singers
Qatar's largest and most established amateur choir, the Doha Singers. The choir has been in existence for over 20 years, bringing a wide range of choral music to members and audience alike. After four very successful years under the directorship of Bob Krebs from the American School in Doha, we began the 2011-12 season in September with a new director Liz Thomas, the Founding Director of Music at Sherborne School, Qatar.

The Doha Singers is a 4 part adult choir (SATB) and usually consists of about 60 - 70 singers. Our repertoire is a wide one, with a mixture of modern and older pieces, both sacred and secular. We give several concerts per year and often perform in joint concerts with the Doha Community Orchestra.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DohaSingers?ref=hl
Website: www.dohasingers.com

Qatar Chess Association
The Qatar Chess Association is part of the QOC (Qatar Olympic Committee) and is also a member federation in FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), also called the World Chess Federation. The Qatar Chess Association is the organiser of all tournaments taking place in Qatar and has trained many skillful national chess players who have gained international recognition.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qatarchesscom
Website: www.qatarchess.com

Qatar ToastMasters
Al Khor Toastmasters was established in 2002 and is now celebrating 10th year of its inception. With members from different countries, cultures and from various walks of life, our meetings make it an interesting and learning experience.

If you run a club, group or society for expats in Doha and would like it added to this list, please drop an email with all then details to editor at expatwoman dot com and we'd be happy to feature it here for you.
Page last updated July 2014