Just to reiterate what others have said. QR have lower minimum requirements, the lowest of the big three, and amongst the lowest in the Middle East.
Another determining factor is how long it takes to move through the system, from application to interview to joining date. For the last few years, whenever a decent sized airline has gone bankrupt, QR has been the first to be on their doorstep to fast track the pilots through the selection process. Beggars can't be choosers, and the majority of these guys, if given the choice, would probably have chosen EK over QR.