Qatar Family Law (Law No. 22 of 2006) does not automatically apply to everyone in the same way. According to Article 4, the law primarily applies to those who follow the Hanbali School of Islamic thought. Non-Muslims are explicitly stated to be subject to their own provisions, meaning non-Muslim expats' family matters — such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance — are generally governed by their own religious or national laws.
In practice, this means that if both parties in a family dispute are non-Muslim, Qatari courts may look to the law of the parties' nationality or religion when adjudicating. However, this does not mean Qatari courts have no jurisdiction — they can and do hear cases involving expats, but they may apply different legal standards depending on the parties' backgrounds.
For non-Muslim expats, it is strongly advisable to have your marriage, divorce, or other family arrangements formally recognized both in Qatar and in your home country. Consulting with a lawyer familiar with both Qatari law and your home country's legal system is essential, especially for matters like child custody or asset division, where jurisdictional conflicts can arise.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Qatar.