MANY MINDS
ONE THOUGHT
For our first issue of the New Year, Qatar Today wants to bring to focus the trend setters and the boundary pushers of 2014, who talk to us about the year they had and their hopes for the one to come. There is sheer unbridled energy in the air and it’s infectious. There is a stirring among the youth, a yearning for greater things, an urge to leave a mark. It’s almost a movement, a revolution. And it’s just the beginning.
The list that follows (which is in no particular order) is not complete. Not by a long shot. And we are happy to say, it’ll never be complete.
Those we have spoken to here are some of the best, most passionate and energetic minds in the country, each working towards their own calling, but together they weave a story that hasn’t been told before.
Qatar Today congratulates them on their successful year and wishes them more of the same in the days to come. Compiled by Ayswarya Murthy
affairs The Trend > local Setters
Mohammed Al Housani “It all starts with a question.
From an early age, my curiosity was encouraged and I was taught to ask questions. About everything. Asking questions makes you think, which makes you search for the answer, and that answer is usually found in science.�
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The media-shy winner of the latest edition of Stars of Science has his finger on the country’s pulse.
This year especially, Qatar has made a tangible and substantial push towards solar energy, both in the private and public sectors. And Mohammed Al Housani’sTaqatech hybrid solar system couldn’t have come at a better time.
Looking back Texas A&M University in Qatar graduate Mohammed Al Housani entered into the service of Rasgas soon after his academic stint in petroleum engineering came to an end, all the while honing his technical knowledge, critical thinking and research skills. It is curious how those in the hydrocarbon sector take an active interest in renewables (case in point being Green Gulf CEO, Omran Al Kuwari). Al Housani had a spark of an idea after his participation in COP18, which raised his energy and environment awareness. “So I came up with Taqatech, a hybrid solar system that harvests both thermal and light energy from the sun in order to reach higher productivity of energy, in less area and with less cost,” he says. His participation in Stars of Science helped him develop this idea into a
viable product. But the road to success was by no means easy. “Taqatech is a complicated product that required a large number of tests and trials, but with limited time because we can only work in daylight as the product and tests needed the sun. My progress was slower than the others and while the Engineering and Design Primes were getting closer and closer, I was not even close to finishing the product,” he remembers. But as history would note, Al Housani was indeed able to complete his tasks and went on to win, edging out other innovations like the zucchini corer and Wudu cleaner. He says modestly that even though his invention would have the greatest impact on the global scale, each had their own audience and it was difficult to predict the winner. But win he did and, like him, the jury and audience too saw the high
potential of Taqatech, given that the solar industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world right now. It has finally managed to break free from the dark cloud that has been hovering over it since its early years and is finally ready to go mainstream. “Solar power is getting more and more efficient and cost effective and therefore it is becoming more applicable,” he says. “In addition to that, countries are becoming more environmentally aware and their increasing environmental obligations are pushing them to use more solar.” Zooming back in, for now Al Housani is intent on commercialising his invention. This competition, he says, changed his life by providing him with the skill box and the process of thinking required to turn a simple idea into a product. From now on, it’s solely his show. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 43
The Trend Setters
Mohamed Fakroo “I find navigating the challenges of the NGO sector extremely rewarding.” 44 > QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015
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Mohamed Fakroo, backed by HH Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, stepped into a battlefield that has seen the fall of even mighty education think tanks. His focus – how to get the brightest minds of our generation invested in the nurturing of the next. In its first year of operations, Teach for Qatar has taken small, measured steps. But Fakroo’s passion for the work is intense and will very likely rub off on the impressionable and talented young people that his organisation is dispatching across schools in the city.
Looking back “This was the year in which all the effort that went into planning Teach for Qatar, which is essentially a part of the solution to Qatar’s educational challenges, bore fruit,” says Mohammed Fakroo. Now, at the end of the year, he and his 20 staff members continue their journey of growth into 2015. “Our first cohort of Fellows only began teaching in our partner schools in September 2014; however their achievements and the positive change they are enacting have been visible from day one,” he says. “As our talent pool of Fellows continues to grow we see increasing interest from additional sponsors and partner schools. Additionally, some of our Fellows have already received positive feedback from their students’ parents, while others have been officially recognised with awards.
It is all these achievements combined that bring me not only great professional satisfaction, but personal fulfillment as well.” Some of Qatar’s biggest organisations, which partnered with Teach for Qatar as part of their CSR initiatives, have taken their involvement a notch higher. An agreement with Maersk Oil Qatar, which attracts some of the brightest talents in the country, saw one of their employees take up a two-year full-time teaching position with one of Teach for Qatar's independent partner schools. The year has also brought much into perspective for Fakroo, a native of the corporate world. “It was actually surprising to discover that the NGO sector is a lot more challenging because results are driven by long-term goals and achievements through gradual change, which are therefore less immediate
and tangible in the short term,” he says. Crystal gazing Since teaching is not currently considered as a top profession of choice in Qatar and is somewhat undervalued within society, it stands in the way of reinvestment of top talent into the education system. “From the first day we wanted to work to address this,” Fakroo says. “This shift in societal mindset is obviously not going to happen overnight, which is where the challenge lies.” Fakroo hopes a new year means more Fellows and more partnerships with schools. “I also hope to gain further support from corporations regarding the secondment of their employees, which offers them the opportunity to give back to Qatar through a two-year teaching placement in one of our partner schools,” he says. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 45
The Trend Setters
Dana Al Fardan “My influences have been in a constant state of change –
from classical music and musicals to classic rock and, in my university years, Eric Clapton, BB King and the Blues (Not a real shocker that I named my daughter Layla).”
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Dana Al Fardan, with her distinctive voice, compelling lyrics and razor-sharp wit,
who had pioneered the nascent music scene in Qatar, had been showing signs of winding down her singing career. But this, by no means, spells her departure. In fact, now she is determined to give someone else a chance on the platform she has painstakingly created for herself over the years.
Looking back “This has been the most sporadic year of my life,” Dana Al Fardan says."I have experienced more changes this year than the whole of my life and it has been great! I decided to quit singing to work on my songwriting and to set up my label, DNA.” Singing was loads of fun but she realised that it was not what she wanted to do ultimately. “What’s been great about this year was the fact that I got to work with different artists, be they vocalists singing my songs, or the composer I collaborated with on some songs, or the artists I signed to my label. Music for me is not a solitary domain. I feel it is difficult to grow as a musician when you are not interacting with other artists and feeding off their talent.”
Though the decision to set up a label was intimidating, Al Fardan was immovably certain that this was how she wanted her career in singing to progress. “I decided to take a couple of days off to figure things out.” Two days is a long time for the spontaneous Al Fardan but by the end of it she knew that this was the best way for her to transmit music, even if it wasn’t her own. “It was never about me, it was always about getting quality sounds and writing out there.” From thinking to doing was but a small step for her, and very soon she found herself signing the Ryan O’Reilly Band. “I have been a big fan since I was first sent a link to their music three years ago,” she says. And it is as simple as that when you are Dana Al Fardan.
Crystal gazing Al Fardan is gleeful about the New Year because it means the realisation of one of her dearest dreams. “I have always wanted to hear my music represented by an orchestral arrangement, and we might be putting on a concert with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, who will be playing my composition.” She is tremendously excited about the event, both as a composer and a huge fan of classical music, a genre that has been the cornerstone of her inspiration. She has another emerging talent to manage, this one right at home. “My daughter appears to have a real passion for music (the word “passion” may be strong as she is only a year and a half ) and that has created a beautiful space for us to grow together,” she smiles. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 47
The Trend Setters
Hend, Ghada and Maha Al Subaey “Quality execution is key to enable us to compete internationally." 48 > QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015
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Their campaign images made their appearance on Instagram in mid-2012, and heralded the debut of the label The Kayys the photographed Ramadan 2012 collection was a soldout success, with client-label communication all done via social media. Fast forward to a hundred thousand followers and five collections later, The Kayys have now established stockists and a far-reaching sales medium beyond its initial online guerilla sales tactics.
Looking Back The label – run by the three Qatari sisters Hend, Ghada and Maha Al Subaey - remains an undeniable case study in the power of social media not only to promote but to conduct commercial transactions; a unique approach that is widespread only in the Gulf countries. It is, nonetheless, less simple than just uploading images and waiting for the likes to pour in. The Kayys portrayed lifestyle imageries that were highly relatable to women in the Gulf, and created clothing that were appropriately aspirational to these ideals. Every post is calculated and produced, “It is a
very personal space to communicate what is inspiring us and to express the vision of the brand,” says one of the designers behind the label, Hend Al Subaey, “It was a lengthy process but was important to create the exact image that we envisioned for the brand.” The Kayys certainly have found the magic formula in capturing the spirit of the modern Arab woman in their demi-couture offerings. “Quality execution is key to enable us to compete internationally. Social media has introduced us to the world beyond this region and we must show what Qatar is made of,” Hend explains. She also mentions the overwhelming
support they have had from the community. “A lot of our sales come from local girls who make it a point to wear regional designers,” she says. Ghada bagged the prestigious Young Designer award as part of The Kayys at the 2013 Qatar Arab Woman Awards, while Maha graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar last year with a final collection that quickly caught the attention of local fashion retailers. “I like imperfections; I like the tension, and my designs walk the line between drama and discipline,” Maha says of her creative vision. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 49
The Trend Setters
Alanoud Al Buainain
“Change is inevitable; it can’t be stopped. But it’s nice to see this being documented through art.”
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“Alanoud Al Buainain is part of two of Qatar Museums’ biggest exhibitions this year – Yousef Ahmad: Story of Ingenuity and Here There;
one is a solo show in Katara featuring the works of one of Qatar’s most respected artists, and the other gave voice to 19 established and emerging Qatar artists, in dialogue with 24 Brazilian artists. This unassuming young curator now finds herself tasked with discovering Qatar’s hidden talents and deciphering their message to their fellow countrymen and the world, in addition to exploring her own artistic style.
Looking back After acquiring a degree in art, design (and some elements of art history) in Boston three years ago, Alanoud Al Buainain returned to Doha and began working with Qatar Museums. Since then she has submerged herself in the local art scene, getting reacquainted with older artists and finding exciting new ones. “What are our artists trying to tell us? What are they about? Where are they?” are some of the questions she tries to answer. “Some of the art I’m finding in Qatar revolve around the theme of change in different aspects within the society,” she says. The tone is primarily positive, with a tinge of nostalgia. “Change is inevitable; it can’t be stopped. But it’s nice to see this being documented through art.” She points at one of the works in ‘Here There’: Maryam Al Homaid’s tribute to Doha’s vanishing roundabouts. The digital art
installation brings to life in all their 3D glory some of Doha’s most iconic roundabouts. This is a great example of the current commentary on change in the art world. “The removal of the roundabouts might have made a positive impact but nevertheless they evoke certain sentiments in the viewer. The structures on these roundabouts were landmarks themselves, helping us navigate the city. So there is this sense of trying to keep the memory of these elements alive, even though they are long gone,” she says. Crystal gazing “The strong sense of privacy within the Qatari society doesn’t mean that there is no communication,” Al Buainain points out. “There are many artists who put their work out there through social media, many who are introduced to me through other artists. They have studied together or learnt about
one another through others. So there is a dialogue going on even though it’s not so much out there.” Often, her mission is to uncover the links between the different perspectives and bring out their coalescent meaning. This involves a lot of research, discussions with the artists, visiting their studios and writing about it. “I certainly want to work on more exhibitions this year and create long-term collaborations with local artists.” Meanwhile, she continues to dabble in art on her own, experimenting with her artistic voice and different mediums and materials. Al Buainain’s own Chronophobia, Chromophobia, a pair of all black and all white pieces that is part of Here There, explores how confusion in visualisation can completely alter a meaning. “I am still learning,” she says modestly, “and will continue creating art at a pace that I am confident with.” QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 51
The Trend Setters
Dana Al Anzy It was not Dana Al Anzy who reached the top of Kilimanjaro, it was Qatar.
It was every school girl in Doha who stepped up to support her climb. It was every young person who has a dream that seems too far away. And she wanted them to see themselves in her.
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Dana Al Anzy is the kind of person who makes you involuntarily reflect on your past and wonder what you were up to when you were her age.
And it doesn’t compare well. Yes, we chose her because she was among the first Qatari women to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But a short conversation with her makes it obvious that that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Looking back A ROTA Youth Advisory board member and second-year student at Georgetown University, Dana Al Anzy meets us at the Torch Hotel where she and her fellow climbers trained for weeks, climbing up and down the stuffy, oxygen-deprived fire exit wearing heavy backpacks. When consummate adventurer and mountaineer Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani put together a team to ascend Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise funds for ROTA, Al Anzy was one of the first to sign up. “Personally I wanted to do it for the cause. I am a strong believer in education because it has given me so much. I wouldn’t have been so confident or vocal about my beliefs and thoughts if I didn’t have the education or intellect needed to support me. And I want the youth out there to have that chance as well. Those who are victims, misplaced, traumatised or just have a dream they think isn’t realistic, every child deserves access to education; it is their right,” she says. Mind-numbing gym sessions and a “boring” diet that was in direct conflict with her personal philosophy of never denying food cravings were just the beginning. Anxiety attacks, claustrophobic tents, fainting
spells, biting winds, hail, sub-zero temperature, frostbites and sunburns were still to come. Having trained independently (“Although we were supported to a certain extent, we were all adults. If we wanted to get up a mountain, we knew how to Google it and prepare ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally.”), Al Anzy was not prepared for how distorted time would seem the higher she climbed. “At one point, you couldn’t keep up with time. What you understood as one hour had to be expanded. We walked for eight to nine hours a day for five days to reach the peak. Sometimes it's just you and the silence of the mountain. Imagine, you are aching everywhere, hungry and frustrated but you couldn’t sleep well because it was really cold. And rest was still five hours away. And no matter where you are, the guides tell you that you are just one hour away from the finish,” she outlines the scenario. Crystal gazing Each of the climbers was charged with raising QR50,000 towards ROTA. Al Anzy gave herself a new target - QR200,000. But she wasn’t going to down the usual route of corporate sponsorship. “I wanted the youth to mobilise and so enlisted three schools.”
The reaction she received has given her new impetus to create projects through ROTA that bridge the gap between NGOs and the youth. “When I reached out to the students, they responded with so much energy and passion. They did whatever they could - carnivals, bake sales, selling roses and Karak, at one point - to raise the money within the month.” And each of the schools was able to contribute in excess of QR50,000 by themselves. “These efforts started spilling over into their academics, and volunteering, to be specific. Here they were raising money to help children gain access to education, but what were they doing with the education they were receiving? They started asking themselves these questions and it had a positive impact on how they valued their education,” she says. Al Anzy is also part of the WISE Learners programme that is charged with finding innovative solutions to today’s educational problems. “I also am a youth advocate with Sheikha Moza’s Education Above All and want to create a ripple effect in raising awareness in Qatar about the number of out of school children.” So with one thing or the other, Al Anzy has another packed year ahead and she says she’s looking forward to a few more adventures. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 53
The Trend Setters
Hamad Al Amari “Haven’t you seen a man and his camel before?” 54 > QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015
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Each time we clapped eyes on Hamad Al Amari last year, he was at his hilarious best –
irrespective of whether he was riding a camel through a drive-thru or being bested by the Ice Bucket Challenge. And he is a gregarious and charismatic sum of contradictions – from his clean pressed thobe and nerdy glasses to his jokes on the misuse of inshallah delivered with a slight Irish twang.
Looking back Hamad Al Amari can’t believe how quickly 2014 went by; neither can we. It feels like it was barely a few weeks ago that the World Cup was on in Brazil and Al Amari was playing host in the Fan Zone in Katara and quizzing innocent bystanders in the audience about their favourite teams. “I was very lucky to be part of that,” he says. “Being able to MC for one the biggest sporting events, watching football and getting crowds cheering, it was amazing. I did a standup routine once during half time and when I saw a group of Germans laughing, I knew I was doing it right,” he laughs. Not only did the stint help endear him to the thousands of fans who were part of the experience but it also made Ramadan much easier for him. What brought this opportunity to his doorstep was the ingenious camel drive-thru video in which Al Amari, sitting gingerly atop a camel, bobbed into a Burger King drive-thru to order a cheeseburger. “We had only one shot to do it right,” he remembers. “The shock element would have been lost if we had to do it again and people would have thought there was a parade on. I remember telling the team to get this from all angles.
We did it and got out of there as quickly as we could.” (But not before a couple of confused cops showed up). The idea had long been lurking in this mind and when he eventually uploaded the sketch on YouTube, it went viral in a hurry. Hundreds of thousands of hits later, people in the US and UK were talking about the video, which was being translated into Dutch and German.” I loved it and was very proud of it. Now I just want to do more.” And he did. In addition to a radio show of QFRadio, he is a regular fixture on the QTips and Klmat Ras videos on Youtube. The latter is an Arabic show by Jassim Al Ali, more than nine episodes of which are now up, that comments on social behaviours they observe here. All of Al Amari’s material is “sourced locally” and there is plenty to poke fun about people in Doha. And Al Amari, who is also celebrating his first year as a married man, has another endless source of inspiration right at home (married comedians owe a wealth of material to their long-suffering wives). This is probably why he is itching to get back to his stand up roots and do more live performance.
“Anywhere else in the world you could just walk into a club, ask to do six minutes and they’ll let you. There is a huge shortage of that here, the whole concept of performance arts,” he says. Crystal gazing Al Amari was happy to be part of the breast cancer awareness campaign along with some other influential Qataris. “Everyone tells me they have seen me on the TV or in the theatre but I want to ask them, did they listen? A lot can be changed with just a good campaign that is focused. Social attitudes involving driving or giving back to the society, for example.” That’s on his wishlist for the year – to be involved in effecting change. As comedy giants have showed us in the past, laughter is sometimes the most efficient way to deliver a message. And though he loves to make fun of Doha, he also knows there is no place like it. “It’s special. It doesn’t work like the rest of the world. And the soil in the country is crying for seeds, asking us to plant something. I feel I am privileged enough to have the opportunity.” Finally, he says, he is in the right place at the right time. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 55
The Trend Setters
Mohamed Farid Despite an unrelentingly busy year,
he achieved the elusive work-life balance and has been able to denote more time to his family. 56 > QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015
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Every time we attend one of The Youth Company’s events, we come away with one of their disproportionately large maroon paper bags stuffed with their press materials. Thankfully our annual spring cleaning is not too far away because we are knee-deep in these bags. And we squarely blame Mohamed Farid and the very busy year he has had.
Looking back The only way to get your head around what The Youth Company does is to disregard its name. It’s not a company at all; it’s a movement and it has been since it started four years ago. But this year things at TYC took a rather interesting turn. “It’s becoming more of an umbrella organisation,” Mohamed Farid says. “2014 has been about diversification, with the launch of 7ayak Hub, 7asanat Olympics and Karak Time, and the hosting of two brand new events - Talk Dirty, to coincide with the World Environment Day and the first-ever Arab Hip Hop Festival.” As a result they have seen some of the highest levels of youth engagement this year and the backing of many more partners, sponsors and supporters, he says.
Farid’s focus is now on “solidifying all these diversifications and establishing their own individual style, brand and direction”. “We are starting to gather the fruits of what we invested in and developed since 2010, becoming a one-stop shop for youth empowerment and development.” And with so many young people now active in so many different sectors from environment to entrepreneurship, Farid wanted to highlight their stories to get more people to start contributing to the Qatar National Vision. And that’s how Karak Time was born. “We felt that if we are not able to maintain a recording of the growth and development the country is going through to try and inspire the next generation, this won’t be sustainable.”
Crystal gazing We expect it is pretty difficult to be able to talk about what you want for the year ahead when you are actually looking far into the future. “The Youth Company has always been a long-term project, because we are investing and nurturing people as young as 14,” he says. None of is what they do are expected to yield immediate results. The Arab Hip Hop festival, for example, is going to be an important platform in the region to develop talent in that genre of music, but the first international hit from the region is probably many years and chain reactions away. For Farid, the wait is worth it. “Young people are so dynamic, innovative and ready for change and working with them is rewarding in itself.” QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 57
The Trend Setters
Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon We asked him to tell us about the new business he started this year. He asks,
“Which one?” 58 > QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015
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“After a year of seeing Khalifa Al Haroon in all manner of events, from award ceremonies and press briefings to launches and festivals, it’s obvious Mr Q’s appeal goes beyond the fact that he runs a hugely popular community portal. His stamp of approval, or mere presence, has come to lend a certain 'certificate of authenticity' to any endeavour; he is the hidden ‘godfather’ behind many a business/initiative.”
Looking back It’s clearly difficult for Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon to pick his personal highlights of the year gone by, considering the diverse range of projects he has come to be involved in this year. But ILoveQatar’s five-year evolutionary journey is on top of the list. “That ILoveQatar has expanded with over 15 million impressions a month is something I am very excited about,” he says. And he is equally thrilled (and surely, so are all the fans) for the portal’s enthusiasm in creating more original content. For a while now, the network has been creating, curating and hosting some clever, funny and informative videos like QTips, Karak Time and KlmatRas, IgnitionME and more. The company, he says, continues to be on the lookout for fresh and interesting YouTube vloggers, and is actively auditioning for talent they can promote. QTips, which Al Haroon often hosts, are bite-sized vid-
eos that answer questions people always had about Qataris but never asked (What’s underneath the thobe? Do Qataris always travel business class? What do Qataris do in a Majlis?) and their popularity is indicative of the Qatari community’s efforts to reach out to expats. This concept has in fact gained a lot of traction this year with the launch of initiatives like SeeMyCulture and Embrace Doha. Crystal gazing Al Haroon’s newest business venture, Shake Shake, is so completely representative of what he is all about. With the first outlet of this “healthier” fast food concept to open any time soon, he hopes to give the population that is grappling with obesityand diabetes-related issues an alternative to greasy, fried foods. Based on an innovative centrifuge that reduces fat, combined with quirky, custom flavours like Majboos
and topped with the whimsical “Shake Shake” required to bring them all together, Shake Shake is the kind of venture that he hopes will start to emerge out of Qatar. “It’s fun, relatively cheap to get off the ground and attempts to solve a pressing societal issue. “Entrepreneurs tend to ask themselves different types of questions. Mine is always the same - How do I make something better?” he says. “Everything I do has one common thread: How to make Qatar a better place? I want Qatar to be the most admired country in the world. When people think of Qatar, I want them to feel proud and also a little envious to the point that they want to be part of the growth in the country.” Ultimately, it’s not the multi-million dollar projects that are going to "win people over", it’s going to be people like Al Haroon and the “small things” they do to in helping export what Qatar really is about. QATAR TODAY > JANUARY 2015 > 59