Transnational identity and the Gulf crisis: changing narratives of belonging in Qatar

Abstract What does the recent Gulf diplomatic crisis of June 2017 to January 2021 mean for future region's signature transnationalism: khal?j? [Gulf] identity? This identity narrative encompasses shared sociocultural backgrounds people region, but unprecedented separations, caused by regional crisis, may have shifted discourse belonging in Gulf. To investigate impact on narratives, this article explores new National Museum Qatar's presentation political history from 1848 1868, as well museum-goers' reactions presentation, through original fieldwork and ethnographic interviews with Qatari expatriate residents. The analysis highlights museum's purposeful portrayal parallels between intra-Gulf conflicts past a presentational choice that stands sharp contrast previous norms tactful diplomacy. Further, museum-goers recognized linguistic symbolic parallels, provoking both engagement rejection concept identity. In summary, suggests has region ways make social reconciliation difficult, even bonds resume. As moves forward policy-makers should reduce tension national transnational narratives creating space renewal ties.