Doha: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) reminded merchants or shopping malls from trading or displaying goods that are non-compliant with Islamic values. It added that authorities could levy a fine of up to one million Qatari Riyals, issue a closure notice or cancel their commercial license if found violating.
It called on all commercial suppliers to respect religious values, customs and traditions, by not displaying any goods, images, or visual or audio materials that may violate Islamic values, public morals, customs and traditions.
On their official account on Twitter, MOCI pointed out that Clause No. 4 of Article No. 2 of Law No. 8 of 2008 stipulates consumer protection which includes "the right to respect religious values, materials and traditions."
The ministry indicated that all merchants and major shopping centres operating in the country must abide by the following:
1- Not to publish any images, audio clips, visuals or other materials with immoral content and contrary to public morals.
2- Not to display any goods on the storefronts which might violate public morals and tradition of the state and not to use gifts and unsuitable packaging materials or promotional sentences that might hold symbols or phrases with immoral connotations affecting the religious and cultural values of the community.
3- Coordinating with import sources before supplying any products for the purpose of trading in the Qatari market, and ensuring that they do not promote or carry slogans, designs, symbols or expressions that are contrary to the teachings of the Islamic religion.
MOCI also warned that any violation or negligence in the implementation of these obligations will refer its owners to the competent authorities to take the appropriate measures as follows:
1- Cancellation of the commercial license, and banning the violator from practising any commercial activity.
2- Administrative closure for a period of three months.
3- A fine of up to one million Qatari riyals.
MOCI called upon all consumers to report any goods bearing slogans or designs contrary to customs and traditions and to specify their locations so that the ministry's inspectors can take necessary measures.
