How do people in the Middle East find freelance opportunities? Do you know any useful resources?

Most people I know get opportunities through their connections. Some uses social media sites and some get recommended based on tehir skills that other know through these sites. Still the freelancing web directories are not providing real opportunities in the region

The best way to get freelance oppertunities are Odesk, eLance and PeoplePerhour.com. But if you want to work by directly communicaing the clients than PR is major factor. You will need to improve PR by help of you colleagues and by visiting different institution , Specially try to visit some schools and NGO offices where you can get some short term tasks. 

IN QATAR YOU CAN ADVERTISE IN QATARLIVING SITE -www.qatarliving.com

Friends is the great source for the freelance job and make your own portfolio its helpfull for getting freelance job.

Comunications

in such matter there is no resource. its just PR and some self effort with your connection 

I think most freelancers rely on freelance market places like elance.com odesk.com guru.com99designs.com etc

• your website to promote yourself
• A Cell phone number on which prospects can reach you
• A business card
• Ideally, a business address (such as a post office box or mail box service)
• A portfolio of your best work
• Ideally, a few references, but you will build those as you go along

COMMUNICATION WITH FRNDZ IN GILF,,,, LUCK IS THE ELEMENT WHICH DETERMINES YOUR FUTURE FATE OF PLACE .... GOOD LUCK

Connections and building a great portfolio and getting out there showing your portfolio to people. It's all about branding yourself. If someone hired you for work and got a fine work and fine price and great communication, most probably he/she'll get your name spread among their circles and most probably that will work for your side.