Doha, the capital of Qatar, once nicknamed "the world's most boring city," is now at the center of change. Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the entire city has transformed into a massive construction site, and despite economic sanctions due to conflicts with neighboring countries, the Qatari government and people are striding towards self-reliance.

Qatar, a small country in the Middle East, is a nation on the Arabian Peninsula located on the Persian Gulf. With an area slightly smaller than South Jeolla Province in South Korea, at 11,427 km², it is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas and a wealthy country with high per capita income. Despite this, it has not been able to shake off the stigma of being a "boring city" due to its lack of tourist resources and a majority of its residents being foreign workers.

However, Doha has been undergoing rapid changes recently. Ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, construction of various infrastructure projects, including stadiums, subways, hotels, residential facilities, and roads, is in full swing. This is part of an effort to attract more tourists and provide diverse cultural experiences in conjunction with the World Cup.

Moreover, the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and neighboring countries, which began in 2017, has also had a significant impact on these changes. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and others have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, leading to economic sanctions and disruptions in logistics. However, this has prompted Qatar to seek self-sufficiency in key industries such as energy, food, and logistics.

Doha, once somewhat closed off, is now opening up to the world. The city is actively promoting tourist attractions like the old market, Souq Waqif, while also striving to strengthen national branding through hosting international sporting events like the World Cup. Meanwhile, diverse Arabic cuisine catering to different tastes has become available, and sports and cultural activities for everyday enjoyment have become more abundant.

Of course, the influence of conservative Islamic culture remains strong, and natural environmental constraints, such as the climate, make it challenging to truly enjoy Doha. However, the Qatari government and people are working to change the country's image and embrace diversity.

The winds of change are blowing slowly, but their direction is towards an open society. The changes in Qatar could potentially steer the entire Middle East onto a new trajectory. Doha stands at the heart of this journey.