You Can't Measure
What You Prevent

Hello Friends,

On Wednesday the 23 September at 9pm, I was relaxing in my hotel room in Doha, Qatar. I had just concluded an afternoon and evening of lectures there.

Just as I was getting into bed, there was a loud knock at my door. I walked over, opened the door and was confronted with approximately 8 men and a lady.

One man did the talking and announced he was from the CID. He demanded to know where my products were, and started to look through my luggage. When I questioned this, he said that he had a warrant and could do that.

There were a lot of harsh words said to me which were greatly upsetting. At one point there was a lot of loud shouting outside the room. I realized that it was my Middle East business partner they were yelling at, refusing her entry into my room. She was escorted to her room and locked in there.

The officer ordered me to dress and left me in the company of a female police officer. After changing out of my night clothes, I was escorted out of the hotel and placed in a car with a driver and the female police officer.

“Who was the man doing all the talking and in charge?” I asked her.
“He is the Captain,” was her response.
“Am I being taken to jail?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” came her reply.

It was about a 15 minute drive to the police station.

When we arrived at the police station, the interrogation became harsher with lots of allegations based on false media reports, and Wikipedia. I found it so horrible and I couldn’t stop crying.

“Why are you crying?” said the Captain. “We haven’t hurt you.”
“No one has ever treated me like this, and I have done nothing wrong,” was all I could say.

From then on, he softened his tone, and I was able to regain myself, and give answers.

“You are banned from health in Australia,” he accused.
“No, it is only one state in Australia,” I replied, “and there were no fines or charges laid against me at all. It was just a ruling by a government department, not law.” (You can read the facts of what happened to me in Australia in my husband Michael O’Neill’s book, Assassination of Barbara O’Neill (opens in a new tab).)

After a while the tone changed and it was decided that I would not be placed in a cell, but allowed to go back to my hotel and spend the night. I was thankful that the Captain had softened, and realized that he had been given incorrect information from outside Qatar. I am familiar with the vindictive nature of those that delight in having the truth suppressed.

I was told sternly that I had to be at the police station at 7am in the morning for further questioning, and that if I didn’t get there at 7am, it will be much worse for me.

I was taken back to my hotel room quite late and could not sleep. I think I may have fallen asleep for an hour.

At 7am I was at the police station with my team, and what a difference.

God graciously put it into the heart of a good man that had influence in Qatar to provide me with two lawyers.

I had some further questioning and was fingerprinted. The tone is very different now. I was scheduled to appear before the government prosecutor.

Eventually, I was taken to a room, and there was the head prosecutor, the two lawyers, a translator, and my Middle East partner. Their attitude was very nice. The questions were clear, and asked courteously. Just reasonable questions and non-accusatory.

I was asked on what authority I teach.
“I have been studying health for 50 years. It is my love and passion. I worked as a health director for various health and lifestyle retreats in Australia for 23 years,” was my response.

This seemed to impress them, and the interpreter remarked, “You are a genius.”

It was quickly determined that I had done nothing illegal. After this I was told that I was free to leave or continue to travel in Qatar.
“We have no problem with you sharing your experiences in health. If you return, just apply for a permit to lecture and all will be fine.”

The experience with the Qatar authorities after the first night was respectful, and their questions logical, so I was able to easily answer them. I understand the young Captain from the night before was acting on misinformation that he had received, and once he had heard the truth, he changed and I hold no malice to him at all.

My wonderful team then took me to the airport where I was put on a flight back to the United Arab Emirates.

I was very thankful to God, my Middle East partner and the people that organized and hosted me on the tour of Qatar. I have become used to attacks, as I know that what I teach conflicts with the big money corporations that only prosper in an environment of poor health.

I have received so many messages of love and goodwill. I would like to thank you all for that love, support and prayers from around the world. There are too many for me to reply personally, but I thank you from my heart.

May God bless you, and your health go from strength to strength.

With love and appreciation,
Barbara O’Neill