Qatar Image

QATAR image

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Welcome to Qatar

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Q ATA R i m a g e

Contents

FACTS AND MAPS

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Geography, Climate and Demography 4 Map of Qatar 5 The Flag and National Day 6 Currency and Stamps 7

QATAR NOW

The Al Thani Family

Looking to the Future

Human Development

The Development of Education

Qatar University

Qatar Foundation

Qatar Science & Technology Park Healthcare

8 10 12 14 15 16 17 19 20

Sport 22 SOCIAL INITIATIVES 26 ECONOMIC STRATEGY 28

Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality 29

Hotels and Restaurants 32

Shopping – Souqs and Shops 34

Shopping the 21st Century Way 35

Images of Qatar 36

Spectacular Buildings 38

New Developments 40 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Green Building 42

Recycling 44 QATAR’S HYDROCARBONS Development 46

Hydrocarbons Now 47 THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE 48

PICTURED Al Dafna in Doha, a modern business district with stunning ultramodern buildings set against the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

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MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART 52

Islamic Design 56 MATHAF: MUSEUM MODERN ARAB ART 58 VCUarts QATAR 62 SHEIKH FAISAL’S MUSEUM 64 SOUQ WAQIF ART CENTER 67 FIRE STATION: ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE 68 THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR 69 KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE 70 DOHA FILM INSTITUTE 74

LANDSCAPE 78 DESERT AND COAST

Nature and Nurture 79

Desert and Coast 80

Desert Vegetation 82

Coast – The Mangrove Swamps 83

Desert Flowers 84

Wildlife – Adaption and Survival 85

The Oryx and Gazelle 88 Birds 89 SEA

Marine Conservation 92

Sea Creatures 93 Fishing 95 Images 96 AGRICULTURE

Development 98

Dates and Date Farming 100 PARKS AND BEACHES

The Corniche 102

Parks and Green Areas 104

Flowers and The Quranic Garden 106 Beaches 108

© MARHABA marhaba.qa

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HERITAGE

110

The Shape of History 111 THE PAST

Times of Strife 112

Watch Towers and Forts 113

Friend or Foe? 114

Al Khor Island 115

Al Zubara – Fortified Capital 116 ISLAM

Beliefs and State Mosque 118

Mosques and Cultural Centre 120 Ramadan 122 ARABIC

The Language 124

Names and Proverbs 125

HERITAGE

126

Life 127 HOSPITALITY

Hospitality and Etiquette 128

Majlis and Coffee 129 THE DESERT LIFESTYLE

Tradition – Tents and Camels 130

Bedouin Jewellery 131

Hunting – Then and Now 132

The Arabian and Al Shaqab 133 LIFE ON THE COAST

Tradition – Urban Structure 134

Doors and Gates 135

Pearl Fishing 136 Dhow 138 COMMUNITY

Childhood 140

Sweet Celebrations 141 Marriage 142

Lifestyle From The Past 143 Dress 144

Trades and Traders – The Souq 146

Celebrating Heritage 148

National Day 150

Marhaba endeavours to quote accurate information.

However, no liability is accepted in the case of unintentional errors.

© 2018 Qatar Image All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form, without written permission of the publishers.

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Q ATA R i m a g e

Facts and Maps Geography

• Qatar is a peninsula of 11,521 sq km located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf.

• The territory includes several islands such as Haloul, Sheraouh, Al Beshairiya, Al Safliya and Al Aaliya.

• The coastline extends over 563 km with many coves and inlets; coastal waters are very shallow in most areas.

• The terrain is flat and rocky, with sandy areas as well as extensive and impressive dunes in the southwest culminating in the awesome spectacle of Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea. There are some exceptional low-rising limestone outcrops in the north and northwest.

• The country is centrally placed among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups it with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.

Climate

• The country has a moderate desert climate with mild winters and hot summers. Winter nights can be cool, but temperatures rarely drop below 7°C, while in summer they can reach over 45°C. • Temperatures and humidity rise during summer, felt especially in coastal cities and towns.

• Rainfall is scarce (average 70 mm per year), falling on isolated days mainly between October and March.

Demography

• Estimates released by the Qatar Statistics Authority put Qatar’s population as regularly over 2.2 million, with approximately 12% being Qataris and 75% being male.

• Almost 50% of the population resides in the city of Doha, which is the business and administrative capital.

• Other population centres include the former pearl and fishing centres of Al Khor in the north and Al Wakra, which is now a virtual suburb of Doha. Cities which developed in response to the discovery of oil and natural gas include Dukhan on the west coast and Mesaieed in the southeast. Ras Laffan Industrial City, north of Doha, is purpose built and has the largest gas exportation seaport and gas liquification plants in the world, while Mesaieed Industrial City is the hub for petrochemicals, chemical fertiilsers, oil refining and metallurgical industries in Qatar.

PICTURED East-west / West-east by Richard Serra Traditional dhow at Al Wakra beach

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State of

Map prepared by Al Ruwais Madinat Al Shamal

Qatar

Al Mafjar

in cooperation with Khidaj Fort

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Al Jemail Fort

QATAR

Al Rekayat Fort

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Al Thaghab Fort Al Zubara Fort Al Zubara Umrair Fort

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Simsima Umm Birka

1

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Al Daayen Municipality

Simaisma Losail Circuit

Umm Al Amad Al Dosari Game Reserve

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Al Otouriya

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Lebsayyer Al Shaihaniya

Al Salamiya Sheikh Faisal Farm & Museum

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Industrial Area

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The Pearl Qatar

Education City

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Madinat Al Mawater

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Lusail City Golf

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Al Wajba

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Al Ruwaidat

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Al Khor Airfield

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Sealine Beach Resort

Naqa Umm Salama

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SAUDI ARABIA

Sawda Natheel

Sand Dunes

Khor Al Adaid Inland Sea

5 Non-stop Superhighway 39 Upgraded Highway Highway Route 1A is closed Qatar Heritage Site Population Centre Vegetation No part of this map may be reproduced or copied without the written permission of the publishers marhaba.qa This map is intended as a guide only.

Feedback is appreciated.

09.2018

PICTURED Map of Qatar Hamad International Airport

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Q ATA R i m a g e

The Flag

The flags of the emirates along the Arabian Gulf remained solid red until the mid-19th century. No records exist, but it is believed that a distinctive Qatari flag was born during a treaty signed between Qatar and Britain in 1868. What is clear is that the change from solid red to the present white-and-maroon flag took more than 100 years, and before the uniformity provided by automation, each national flag was handmade and varied in colour, proportion and sometimes even in design. The first change was the addition of a white stripe close to the hoist (the side of the flag nearest the flagpole). The early 20th century brought a major change when the red portion was changed first to dark violet, and finally to maroon in 1936.

By the 1930s the flag had a nine-point, serrated edge separating it from the maroon. The name of the state was sometimes written in white. The nine points are symbolic of Qatar as the ninth member of the ‘reconciled Emirates’ of the Arabian Gulf, after the conclusion of the 1916 Qatar-British Treaty in which Qatar became a British protectorate.

The white, according to the government, is a symbol of peace, the maroon a reminder of the wars in which Qatar defended itself. Upon independence in 1971, the current flag was adopted. Qatar’s flag is unique amongst flags, as it is exceptionally long in relation to its height.

National Day

Celebrated on 18 December, Qatar’s National Day is an annual public holiday when Qataris invite expatriate residents and visitors to join them in celebrating the country’s culture, heritage and arts with displays of traditional dancing and music, culinary experiences, poetry and drama.

December 18th is the date in 1878 that Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father as ruler, establishing one nation on the whole of the peninsula. Sheikh Qassim (sometimes also written as Jassim) became the first national hero of Qatar by throwing off the influence of the Ottoman Empire at the battle of Al Wajba, and establishing for the first time a unified and national State under his leadership.

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Currency

Coins and banknotes have provided not only the structure of modern society, but also a record of its history, and Qatar is no exception.

Qatar is the inheritor of a long tradition of Islamic coins, which started with silver dirhams struck in the reign of the third Khalif (Islamic ruler) named Uthman (reigned 644 – 656 CE). The name is still used for the coins of Qatar.

The currency today is the Qatari Riyal (QAR) divided into 100 dirhams.

Bank notes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 100, and 500 riyals; coins as 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 dirhams. The exchange rate of the Qatari Riyal against one US Dollar is officially pegged at QAR3.64.

Stamps

The advent of stamps added another strand to the record of Qatar’s progress with the commemoration of major events and developments, culture, and flora and fauna. While Qatar’s postal services have been in existence since 1950, initially its stamps were from India. The first official Qatari stamp was issued for the State in 1961.

Qatar’s General Postal Corporation (Qatar Post) has a state-of-theart Philatelic Bureau located at the General Post Office that offers numerous facilities to local philatelists and hobbyists, while there is also a stamp museum at Katara, the cultural village located in West Bay. The active promotion of philately as an educational hobby in schools by the Qatar Philatelic Club has paid rich dividends by increasing the number of stamp collectors in the country.

PICTURED The fourth issue of banknotes and coins combine intricate Islamic patterns with local icons.

Qatar Post issued a stamp set to mark its new brand identity.

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Q ATA R i m a g e

QATAR NOW

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THE EMERGENCE OF A MODERN STATE From its beginnings as a region of pearl fishers and bedouin tribes, Qatar is forging its own path to modernity while not forgetting its roots.

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The Al Thani Family FOUNDING FATHERS

Qatar is officially described as a hereditary constitutional monarchy, with succession within the Al Thani family. The nation’s legislative authority is vested in an Advisory Council and executive authority is vested in the Amir, assisted by a Council of Ministers.

The Al Thani presence in the land dates from the 18th century, when they arrived from the Gebrin Oasis in the southern Nejd in Saudi Arabia.

The family is named after Sheikh Thani bin Mohammed, the father of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, the first to rule the peninsula in the mid 19th century.

The family initially settled in the north of Qatar, but moved south in the mid 19th century under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed. His capital was Al Bida’a on Doha Bay, now the centre of the city of Doha.

Sheikh Mohamed ruled from there until his death in 1878.

Born in about 1825, Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father, and is regarded as the founding father of modern Qatar. He ruled the country from an early age, steering it through complex events and changes. At the local level he sought to turn Qatar into a unified and independent country. Under his leadership, Qatar emerged as a coherent and stable country whose tribes he assembled to usher it into the future, thus consolidating its existence and borders.

His reign was characterised by security and justice, and greater prosperity as Qatar became a major exporter and trader in pearls.

Sheikh Qassim (also referred to as Sheikh Jassim) was succeeded by his son, Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim, who ruled from 1913 until 1949. Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani ruled from 1949 to 1960, followed by Sheikh Abdullah’s grandson, Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani who filled the role until 1972, during which time (on 3 September 1971) Qatar gained full independence. In 1972 Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (cousin of Sheikh Ahmad) became Amir. He had previously taken an active role while Heir Apparent, serving as Prime Minister, as well as heading various ministries. HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani succeeded his father on 27 June 1995.

THE CURRENT AMIR

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became Amir of the State of Qatar on 25 June 2013. In a televised address, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially handed over the reins of power to his son and Heir Apparent after 18 years in charge. In the address he said: ‘The time has come to turn a new leaf in the history of our nation, where a new generation steps forward.’

Sheikh Tamim was born 3 June 1980, and is the second son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. He was educated at Sherborne and Harrow in the UK, and attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He became Heir Apparent 5 August 2003, since which time Qatar’s international profile has been greatly enhanced. At the age of just 33, he became one of the youngest rulers in the Gulf region. In his first day of power, Sheikh Tamim addressed the country in a speech confirming he would continue to follow his father’s path.

DEMOCRATIC CHANGES

Before handing over power, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani extended the term of the Advisory (or Shura) Council. The Permanent Constitution, announced in 2003, provides that the Council will have 45 seats, with 30 elected members and 15 appointed by The Amir. At present, it can discuss and pass some laws with final approval by The Amir.

The country’s first direct elections – for a Central Municipal Council (CMC), with a purely advisory role – were held in March 1999 with the participation of 248 candidates, including six women. Almost 22,000 eligible Qatari men and women registered to vote. CMC elections have since been held in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

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HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar

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Q ATA R i m a g e

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE As arguably the world’s fastest-growing economy, Qatar recognises the importance of diversification and sustainability. It also acknowledges the inherent challenges of a rapidly-increasing population, further industrialisation, and the resultant need for an ever-expanding infrastructure.

The aim is to transform Qatar into an advanced, vibrant, caring and prosperous nation by the year 2030. Crucial considerations include balancing the needs of this generation with those of the future; managing growth to prevent uncontrolled expansion; and moulding the nature and size of an appropriate expatriate workforce.

To confront and manage those challenges in an effective manner, an ambitious and far-sighted policy document, Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, was first published in 2008. Based on the guiding principles of the Permanent Constitution, it defined the nation’s medium-to-long-term objectives and created a framework for sustainable national strategies. The first wave of specific actions and targets in the next chapter of Qatar’s transformation were defined in the Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011–2016.

QNV 2030 rests on four pillars – Human, Social, Economic and Environmental Development – each with clearly defined individual long-term outcomes yet important inter-relationships.

It is that unique ability to move forward without losing sight of its heritage that make Qatar the powerhouse that it is today, and will be in the decades ahead.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Lusail City extends across an area of 38 square kilometres and includes four exclusive islands and 19 multi-purpose residential, mixed use, entertainment and commercial districts. The city can accommodate 200,000 residents once finished.

The National Anthem is played during the parade along the Corniche to celebrate National Day.

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The new National Anthem of Qatar was adopted on 7 December 1996.

It replaced a wordless anthem that had been called ‘the shortest in the world’.

The first part of the National Anthem urges Qatari citizens to uphold the values of their forefathers, who were honourable, respectable, knowledgeable, religious, empowered by wisdom and vision; and to follow the guidance of the prophets and their preaching about righteousness, good deeds and beauty.

In the second and final part, the Anthem reaffirms that the Qataris of today are defenders of the land and its dignity, that they are the descendents of those who defended it in the past and created its wonderful history and they will continue in that tradition. It closes by reaffirming that Qatar and its people will always remain free, dignified, glorious and noble, raised high by the souls of the faithful and sincere.

The words of the National Anthem were written (in Arabic) by HE Sheikh Mubarak bin Saïf Al Thani and the music by Abdul Aziz Nasser Obaidan. An officially accepted English translation is: Swearing by God who erected the sky Swearing by God who spread the light Qatar will always be free Sublimed by the souls of the sincere Proceed on the manners of the ascendants And advance on the Prophet’s guidance.

In my heart Qatar is an epic of glory and dignity Qatar is the land of the early men Who protect us at time of distress Doves they can be at times of peace Warriors they are at times of sacrifice

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Human Development

Qatar’s human capital is recognised as its greatest asset.

Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 stresses the important roles of education, health and sport in expanding the opportunities and capabilities of all the people of Qatar, enabling them to develop and sustain a prosperous knowledge-driven society.

EDUCATION

Qatar spends a hefty portion of its substantial GDP on education.

Over and above the State outlay on buildings, school equipment and transport, the government devotes over QAR30,000 (USD8,241) annually to the pre-university education of each of its Qatari students.

Statistics published in the Fourth Human Development Report suggest that this the highest spending on education in the region.

Recommendations within QNV and National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011–2016 and NDS 2017–2022 emphasise the need for the country’s education and training programmes to be both comprehensive and fully integrated at all levels, and to embrace the concept of life-long learning.

According to the Global Competitiveness Index 2017–8, released by the World Economic Forum, Qatar ranks consistently high in the Middle East and is 25th among 138 countries globally, and 6th for its quality of education.

The continued development and implementation of an extensive reform programme has expanded educational opportunities at all levels, providing individuals with the skills to live in a complex and globalised world. The active participation of all stakeholders has been encouraged: students, parents and guardians, teachers and faculty, administrators, employers and the community as a whole.

Determined to be a leader, model and hub for educational excellence, innovative education and research throughout the Gulf and Middle East, Qatar is also helping nurture learning opportunities in other parts of the world.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The award-winning building of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies at Education City.

Aspire Zone is a unique sport, sports medicine, research and education destination for the international sports industry.

Young footballers at Aspire Academy celebrate a goal.

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THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION

Looking at the current range of educational options, it is hard to believe that until the middle of the 20th century, Qatari children had few opportunities for secondary or tertiary studies without travelling overseas. Initially the basics of literacy had been provided at small preschool institutions based in mosques or homes, which taught reading, writing and Quran recitation, primarily to boys. However by the mid 1950s, the number of small schools teaching a modern curriculum had grown and formed the core of a public school system supervised by a ‘Department of Education’. Now, the country’s education system is guided and shaped by the the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

The country’s integrated K–12 (Kindergarten to 12th grade) system of public and privately funded schools is based on the principles of variety, autonomy, accountability and choice, with national professional standards for schoolteachers and leaders. In 2004, a complete overhaul of the curriculum and methods of teaching in public schools created what came to be known as ‘Independent Schools’. A phased transition has now converted all government schools to the new system. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, these schools have the freedom to employ their own staff and design their own curriculums, but are also responsible for meeting a rigorous set of standards for mathematics, science, and Arabic and English, based on global benchmarks – the Qatar Comprehensive Educational Assessment.

A thriving private sector serves both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers through commercially operated and community schools with facilities from kindergarten to tertiary education.

The education system also offers facilities for students of all ages who are educationally and/or physically challenged, recognising the valued contribution they can make to society and their inalienable right to an education which maximises their potential.

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QATAR UNIVERSITY

A reform project at Qatar University – the nation’s only public (State) university – has helped redefine its structure and mission in line with QNV 2030, NDS 2011–2016, NDS 2017–2022 and current global developments.

The University has nine colleges (Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Law; Medicine; Pharmacy; and Sharia and Islamic Studies); and the recently opened College of Health Sciences. and a number of research units including the Environmental Studies Centre; Gas Processing Centre; and Materials Technology Unit.

It also has its own marine research vessel. Qatar University’s aims are to enrich the people and advance the Qatari nation. It offers 31 Bachelor’s Degree courses as well as 26 Masters, four diplomas and six Doctoral programmes.

150 students to more than 13,000. Although nearly 60% of students are Qatari nationals, intake also includes students from almost 30 other countries in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Far East.

Some non-Arabic speakers applying to the university from overseas for programmes taught in Arabic opt to begin their language studies in a hybrid programme conducted in Spain and London before moving to Doha.

Qatar University maintains strong ties with the local community and industries, forming strategic partnerships and contributing to all areas of the country’s development. Its vision is to develop as a ‘model’ national university boasting top-quality, learning-centred education with an eye to the requirements of Qatari society and its labour market.

Since its inception in 1973 as Qatar’s first national College of Education and becoming Qatar University in 1977, the entity has grown from just

PICTURED FROM LEFT Since its inception in 1973, Qatar University has become the country’s major institution of higher education.

Qatar Foundation continues to build on more than two decades of accomplishment, and launched the QF+ programme in 2015, a project for, about and driven by QF people.

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QATAR FOUNDATION

The non-profit Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (Qatar Foundation or QF) was established in 1995, and is chaired by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, consort of HH The Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with HH Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani as Vice Chairman and CEO. It provides educational opportunities at every level, from elementary school through to university and post-graduate research, and currently serves some 4,000 students, representing around 90 different nationalities. Its visionary campus is transforming Qatari society by educating the rising generation to the highest standards and by encouraging and conducting ground-breaking international research.

The entire project will eventually comprise more than 30 buildings.

At QF’s site in Education City, the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) sits alongside branch campuses of renowned international universities: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar; Texas A&M University at Qatar;

Georgetown University in Qatar; Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar; Northwestern University in Qatar; HEC Paris in Qatar; University College London in Qatar; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, and the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies.

Education City is also home to research and development institutes such as the Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Center for the Middle East and the Qatar National Research Fund, in addition to a number of schools and the Qatar Science and Technology Park.

Qatar Academy caters to students from preschool to the end of secondary education. It is an authorised International Baccalaureate World School. The Awsaj Academy is a specialist school offering services to students with learning difficulties and is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA) .

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Qatar Leadership Academy, a joint initiative between QF and the Qatar Armed Forces, is a boarding school for boys in Grades 6 – 12 currently situated in Al Khor. Programmes in athletics, personal development and leadership augment the academic International Baccalaureate programme.

Qatar National Library opened in December 2017 and is a 45,000 square metre state‑of‑the‑art building, mandated to be a research, academic, national and public library with both print and digital resources. It was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. With an initial collection of 150,000 items, the library is ultimately planning to house 1.2 million books, magazines and audio-visual materials, as well as provide access to a vast ebook collection.

Qscience.com is the innovative and collaborative, peer-reviewed, online publishing platform from Hamad bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press). The site provides the opportunity for authors to bring their research results to a global audience, with reports and reviews available in a variety of topics.

The spectacular Qatar National Convention Centre opened its doors for the first time in 2011 to host the 20th World Petroleum Congress. The equally impressive Sidra Medicine is an ultramodern, all‑digital academic medical centre setting new standards in patient care for women and children in Qatar, the Gulf region and internationally.

QF’s Qatar National Research Fund, established in 2006, fosters and funds collaborative research projects in the fields of engineering, technology, medical health, and social sciences and humanities. Its flagship National Priorities Research Programme promotes research of national interest.

Qatar Foundation has also encouraged research in astronomy, most notably with the Qatar Exoplanet Survey (QES), which identified the planet ‘Qatar-1b’ in 2010 followed by ‘Qatar-2b’ and ‘Qatar 2c’ in 2011. The multi-million dollar programme, based in New Mexico, searches for potentially life-supporting planets in orbit around distant stars. Its team is made up of experts from universities including Harvard, St Andrew’s, Leicester, Keele and other institutions.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Qatar National Library.

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) promotes and uses green building principles.

Beautiful buildings like the Texas A&M University in Qatar library welcome students to tertiary education.

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QATAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PARK Initiated in 2004, QSTP’s core function is to foster technology development in Qatar by providing a supportive environment for applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

There are more than 45 operations at QSTP in the fields of engineering, the environment, health sciences, information and communications technology, maximising the potential to share international knowledge and expertise with local enterprises and the academic institutions, faculty and student body at Qatar Foundation.

Total, Rolls-Royce, Microsoft, Cisco, Siemens, and GE are just some of the diverse members at QSTP, alongside Virgin Health Bank QSTP LLC, which has established the region’s first cord blood banking facility.

Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre is a training, demonstration and development facility for the use of medical robots in minimally invasive complex surgery.

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec), a joint venture between Qatar Solar (a wholly owned subsidiary of QF), SolarWorld AG and Qatar Development Bank, is building a USD1billion polysilicon production facility in Qatar to promote the use of solar energy technology.

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HEALTHCARE

Qatar’s aim is to develop a world-class healthcare system throughout the country with the expansion of facilities at every level. The National Health Strategy (NHS) 2011-2016 achieved over 80% completion, and work is continuing under NHS 2017-2022. Aims of the NHS include improvements across the health system and strengthening the health sectors regulatory and policy framework, while also addressing such challenges as the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases driven by lifestyle.

The Ministry of Public Health oversees the nation’s health services, and is reponsible for the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation.

Run by HMC, Hamad General Hospital, the Women’s Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, and the Heart Hospital in Doha offer excellent specialised care.

Rumailah Hospital has a range of rehabilitation and therapeutic services

for adults and children, in addition to plastic surgery, ENT surgery, ophthalmology, and day care surgery. It also includes Enaya Specialized Care Center, offering long-term care for patients requiring constant treatment.

Medical services in other areas of Qatar include Al Khor Hospital, and the largest general hospital in the country at Al Wakra, which has outpatient clinics for obstetrics/gynaecology, paediatric emergency, ear, nose and throat and ophthalmology. The Cuban Hospital in Dukhan serves the residents of the western part of the country.

The ‘Doha Model’ Organ Donation and Transplantation Center has a national donation programme supporting the vision of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of ‘Healthcare for All’. The Donor Registry is unique in its design and includes 108 nationalities.

The state health service has been government-funded since its

PICTURED FROM LEFT Students from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar have published the first and most comprehensive systematic review of e-health in the GCC. The region’s first CyberKnife M6 FIM Robotic Radiosurgery System at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research.

Sidra Medicine.

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the heart of Doha will include a number of specialised facilities, including: the Ambulatory Care Center; Qatar Rehabilitation Institute; Women’s Wellness and Research Center; Communicable Disease Center; Hamad bin Khalifa Translational Research Institute; Hamad General Hospital operating theatre expansion; Simulation Center for Professional Education; Specialist Clinical Center for Dentristy, Dermatology and Diabetes; and Hamad General Hospital Trauma and Emergency Department expansion.

Sidra Medicine in Education City and part of Qatar Foundation is designed as a centre of excellence for women’s and children’s health.

Designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli, Sidra features a main hospital building and a separate outpatient clinic. The main hospital will initially have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase. Sidra encompasses three essential missions: world-class patient care; medical education; and biomedical research. The facility will work closely with Weill Cornell MedicineQatar, Hamad Medical Corporation and Qatar Biobank to raise standards of healthcare throughout the country and provide research and educational opportunities.

inception, and health coverage has been provided for the whole population through the Hamad Medical Corporation. The response to the pressure of a burgeoning population, increasing at an unusually high rate with the influx of expatriate workers, has seen initiatives across the range of medical services. In 2005, the creation of the National Health Authority saw a body mandated to improve the current system, regulate the public and private sectors and prepare the sector for the shift towards privatisation.

According to the 2016 GCC Healthcare Report by Alpen Capital, a leading investment bank in the Gulf and Asia, since 2009, the total healthcare expenditure in the country soared to reach USD4.4 billion in 2013, 80% of which was financed by the government.

The ambitious QAR1.5 billion Hamad Medical City project in

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SPORT

Qatar has emerged as a major host of world-class sporting events, the jewel in its crown emerging as it was named host to the 2022 FIFA World CupTM. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy will act as an overseeing agency between the various government entities in Qatar whose domains include projects related to Qatar 2022; the Local Organising Committee will benefit from the Supreme Committee’s overseeing role. CH2M HILL has been appointed as Programme Management Consultants with a mandate to assist in developing a master schedule encompassing stadiums, infrastructure and all 2022-related projects.

It will also develop mechanisms to minimise risk and ensure that any obstacles on the path to 2022 are dealt with in an efficient and timely manner. CH2M HILL’s role will continue for two years after the tournament to ensure implementation of the Committee’s legacy commitments.

The venues will feature innovative air-conditioned stadiums in which carbon-neutral, solar-based systems will produce chilled air, producing an atmosphere for players and spectators at least 20 degrees cooler than the surrounding area, allowing the venues to be used in the future for events throughtout the year. Six of the eight stadiums will be built with modular components, so that after the tournament, Qatar will donate 170,000 seats to countries in need of sporting infrastructure, as part of its 2022 legacy.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, which will be completely dismantled and repurposed after the 2022 FIFA World CupTM. Al Wakra Stadium, designed by the late Zaha Hadid.

Khalifa International Stadium reopened to the public in May 2017 with an opening match using climate control delivered by advanced cooling technologies.

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Firmly committed to promoting the enjoyment of sporting events by both spectators and participants, Qatar has opened the majority of its sporting venues to the general public in an effort to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise. Schools have enhanced their sports programmes and exercise facilities have been introduced on Doha’s Corniche and Aspire Park as well as at new Olympic Parks. Qatar’s first annual National Sport Day was held in 2012 and declared a Public Holiday. Celebrated on the second Tuesday of February each year, it provides the opportunity for nationals and expatriates to take part in a wide range of sporting activities accompanied by lectures and symposia.

The nation has won praise in recent years for hosting a number of prestigious international sporting events, including the 15th Asian Games in 2006, the 24th Men’s Handball World Championships, the AIBA World Boxing Championships in 2015, and 2017 FINA Swimming World Cup. Annual international events include the Qatar Masters golf tournament, the Qatar ExxonMobil Open men’s tennis tournament, the Qatar Ladies Open, the Qatar MotoGP and World Superbike Championships, the FIA World Touring Car Championship, Qatar Fencing Grand Prix, the Qatar Table Tennis Open, and the Qatar International Sailing Championship (also known as ‘Sail the Gulf’).

PICTURED FROM TOP Some of the younger participants of National Sport Day! The Qatar MotoGP at Losail International Circuit.

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The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), formed in 1979, is the coordinating body for sport in Qatar and the country has participated in the Olympic, Asian and Arab Games. QOC sent their largest team to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, with 38 athletes across 10 sports. They competed in shooting, athletics, swimming and table tennis, winning two bronze medals.

Team Qatar was launched in 2017 by QOC as a means of engaging all citizens and residents in local sport and fitness, under the motto ‘Sport for Life’.

Qatar has 27 government sponsored sporting federations, covering a wide variety of sports from shooting and archery to marine sports and weightlifting. Popular local sports include camel racing, and racing and showjumping events for Arabian and Thoroughbred horses.

ASPIRE

Having begun in 2004 with the vision of identifying and transforming promising student athletes into champions, Aspire Academy disciplines include football, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, fencing, golf, rowing, squash, judo and taekwondo.

Student athletes are provided with a fully rounded programme of learning through a special profile Academic Curriculum, the Champions’ Education Programme, and Career Management.

They are selected from the country’s schools through a rigorous annual talent identification programme and stay at the Academy through their entire secondary education (Grades 7 – 12). The Academy also plays a prominent role in the promotion of health and fitness for Qatari society in general.

Aspire are achieving international success in Olympic sports.

One of their most successful protégés is Mutaz Essa Barshim who specialises in the high jump: he is the current world champion, and won the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. One of the Academy’s longer term goals is for graduates to represent Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World CupTM.

PICTURED FROM TOP Qatar sharp shooter Nasser Al Attiyah attended his sixth Games in Rio de Janiero. In his other day job, he races in the World Rally Championship and Middle East Rally Championship, and is the only driver from the Middle East to have won the Dakar Rally twice.

Mutaz Essa Barshim was named male athlete of the year in 2017 after an extraordinary season of achievements.

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Social Initiatives

According to Qatar National Vision 2030, social development revolves around the development of a just and caring society based on high moral standards and supportive social policies, and where Qatar plays a significant role in the global partnership for development.

Qatar Foundation is also reaching out to individual sectors of the community and addressing social issues through initiatives such as Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) and The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), which is based on the practical awareness that the challenges in education are no longer confined by countries’ political boundaries. Its mandate is, therefore, international. WISE annually brings together over 1,000 global thought leaders and pioneering practitioners to foster new collaborations, develop innovative solutions and inspire creative change in education.

Reach Out To Asia highlights the contribution of its youth empowerment and community service projects in helping to achieve the social development goals of QNV 2030. ROTA’s youth development strategy,

involving over 40 secondary schools and nine universities, empowers Qatar’s young people to be active agents of change through a Youth Service Club Network, an annual EMPOWER youth conference; a series of four-day Leadership Training workshops; and a Corporate Mentorship programme called the Youth Advisory Board.

Education Above All is another Qatar Foundation initiative. The Qatarbased international NGO focuses on the protection of education throughout the world in times of armed conflict and insecurity.

CHARITY PROJECTS

Qatar Charity (QC) is an NGO founded in 1992 to support the neediest groups both in Qatar and overseas. Since 1997, it has held consultancy status with the UN ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council).

QC works in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Best Buddies Qatar was founded with the support of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, under the umbrella of the Shafallah Center for children with special needs. It pairs with colleges and schools to promote the participation of those with intellectual disabilities in the community.

A teacher in Afghanistan opens a school with help from ROTA. Volunteers from The Youth Company (TYC), the first social enterprise for youth in Qatar. TYC operates sustainable services and facilities, which integrate environmental, social and economic factors for the benefit of young people aged 3 to 29 in Qatar. The mission of Youth Empowerment and Success Services (YESS) is to empower youth through various training schemes, seminars, lectures and leadership programmes.

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Qatar Charity has projects including Rofaqa, a global humanitarian initiative focusing on the needs of orphans and children, and Tayef, a charity programme collecting donated clothes, shoes, toys and other items.

QC has built water plants in Sudan, organised winter camps in Syria, sponsored orphans in Bosnia, and sent aid to affected Yemenis.

Meanwhile companies in Qatar are encouraged to develop and expand their social responsibility programmes, and the Zakat Fund Foundation Qatar is an independent public authority working to collect and distribute zakat in accordance with sharia. One annual programme for the fund is the provision of an iftar (fast-breaking) meal for around 240,000 people during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the provision of food packages for around 1,800 needy families during the same period.

E-GOV

With the nation’s emphasis on information technology, Hukoomi is the Qatar government’s one-stop e-portal; an official gateway for information, services and payments. With one single log-in, users can access government websites, request information, make applications or settle payments using secure Smart Cards.

For private individuals without internet access at home or work, Hukoomi can be accessed through the Ministry of Interior’s self-service machines dotted across Doha and its suburbs to check expiry dates on ID cards, passports, residence permits and driving licences; for the renewal of certain residence permits; for some visa transfers; exit permits; Medical Commission procedures; vehicle travel permits; and the payment of traffic fines. Mobile Hukoomi allows access to the e-gov services via smartphones and tablets.

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Economic Strategy

Qatar’s economic development plans aim to create and sustain a competitive and diversified economy capable of meeting the needs of, and securing a high standard of living for, its population now and in the future. According to the International Monetary Fund, Qatar is making good progress towards its aim of achieving 100% budget financing through revenues from the non-hydrocarbon sectors by 2020.

The ‘Qatar Economic Outlook 2015–17’ released by the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics notes that the non-hydrocarbon sector will continue to account for most of the country’s expansion, representing around 56% of total income.

Ashghal, the Public Works Authority, has a number of projects underway, including the Doha North Sewage treatment works, major roads and expressways, and redevelopment of the suburbs of Al Wakra and Mesaieed. Meanwhile The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) is building the country’s largest water reservoir, and a plant for the production and desalination of water using reverse osmosis.

Having pressed forward with its public bus network and expanded taxi services, the nation is now developing a metro and rail system.

The project began in 2011 with the establishment of Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail). Priority has been given to the Doha Metro project, which will have four lines. The budget for the entire Qatar Rail Development Program is estimated to be in excess of USD37.5 billion (QAR136.5 billion).

Qatar’s economy has understandably been boosted by its oil, gas and petrochemicals developments. However the government has taken positive steps to diversify economic development outside those sectors. Education, sports, medical and cultural tourism are being developed and Qatar is emerging as a major player in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Qatar’s new metro stations will expand and improve the public transport network.

Hamad Port continues to introduce new shipping lines to its manifest.

Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of the latest Airbus and Boeing aircraft, both passenger and freight. The airline currently operates one of the longest flights in the world, 16 hours and 23 minutes to Auckland, New Zealand.

The latest addition to the Qatar Airways fleet, the A380, is the largest passenger jet in the world and features a three-class configuration of seating in First, Business and Economy Class, over two decks.

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LEISURE, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

Already attracting cultural, health, education and sports visitors in addition to the many business travellers who extend their stay to see more of the country, Qatar’s tourism sector is expected to expand significantly in the run up to, during and after, the 2022 FIFA World CupTM. That alone is expected to see the construction of 77 new hotels and 42 new hotel apartment buildings, raising room availability in Qatar to between 80,000 – 100,000.

Always a popular destination for travellers from the rest of the region, Qatar is attracting visitors from further afield, aided by the rapid expansion of national carrier, Qatar Airways. Hamad International Airport in 2014 replaced the former Doha International Airport as Qatar’s main international airport, when it welcomed its first flight, a Qatar Airways Airbus A320 carrying 130 high-profile guests on board.

When fully completed the airport will be able to service six A380800 superjumbos simultaneously. The airport is the first in the world purpose-built to accommodate these aircraft.

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With an increasing number of prestigious and highly acclaimed museums housing world-class collections, the country is attracting specialist tour groups and individual visitors. Its forts, towers and archaeological sites appeal to historians, while the spectacular Khor Al Adaid (Inland Sea) is a destination for environmentalists, sports enthusiasts and photographers. Uniquely blending old and new, Doha shows off its most modern aspects, and also showcases its traditions and culture at venues such as Katara and Souq Waqif as well as during Qatar’s various festivals.

As an increasingly influential player in the region’s MICE market, Qatar opened a major new facility in 2011. The Qatar National Convention Centre, a member of Qatar Foundation, is an iconic venue in terms of both design and green technology. The Centre, which meets the standards for Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), operates efficiently with 3,676 sq m of solar panels that provide 12.5% of QNCC’s energy needs. Its exhibition halls have energy‑efficient LED lighting and QNCC offers the latest in communications technology.

Its sheer size offers 40,000 sq m of exhibition space and a conference hall for 4,000 delegates. There is a 2,300‑seat theatre, three additional tiered auditoriums, and banqueting space for up to 10,000 people.

The stunning design by Arata Isozaki features a three‑dimensional representation of the Sidra tree, symbol of Qatar Foundation.

QNCC has been named the Best Convention and Conference Venue

by World Tourism Awards, and the Middle East’s Leading Exhibition and Convention Centre by World Travel Awards.

Qatar’s newest events venue, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, opened its doors in 2015. The impressive world-class building sits on a 47,700 sq m site, and includes a state-of-the-art exhibition hall, modular wall system, high-tech meeting and conference rooms, a VIP hosting suite, a vast underground parking system and direct access to the new Metro network.

Located in Al Dafna, Qatar’s commercial district, the venue boasts five exhibition halls ranging between 5,368 sq m to 7,160 sq m with the capability to use the space in its entirety as one exhibition hall totaling 29,000 sq m, thanks to a unique wall partition system. The impressive 18-metre high ceiling is the highest in the Middle East and is supported by a revolutionary cantilever roof meaning the whole space is pillar-free making it more versatile than many other standard exhibition halls.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT The lobby of the Qatar National Convention Centre is home to Louise Bourgeois’ sculpture, Maman. The spider’s protection of her eggs is a tribute to conservation and eco responsibility shown in the green building principles of the Centre. The exterior references the sidra tree, the symbol for Qatar Foundation.

The Doha Exhibition and Convention Center is the first purpose-built city-centre venue of its kind in Qatar.

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HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Hotels continue to experience strong performance with occupancy rates increasing across all classes of hotels. Arrivals from the GCC, Qatar’s largest source market, are growing substantially there is also an increase in visitors from other primary markets from outside of the GCC, namely France, China and the US. Overall, the number of visitors have doubled over the last few years.

Qatar is home to over 30,000 hotel and hotel apartment rooms. Fivestar properties lead the way with hotel apartments showing strength in the rapidly growing tourism sector.

With such a mix of nationalities in its resident population, it is hardly surprising that Qatar is gastronomically sophisticated, offering menus from across the globe. Some of the most famous names in the business have opened establishments, including Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Richard Sandoval, Alain Ducasse, Sanjeev Kapoor and Jean‑Georges Vongerichten. However, once again the diversity is apparent: fine dining, family restaurants, fast food outlets, coffee shops, cafés, snack bars, juice stalls and tiny tea shops all have their loyal clientele.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The world’s first La Liga Lounge, located at Hotel Park near the iconic Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, one of the country’s first hotels.

The St. Regis Doha sits on the waters of the Gulf, and is home to two restaurants in association with Gordon Ramsay.

The Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel glitters in the afternoon sun.

Spice Market at W Doha Hotel & Residences, one of two restaurants inspired by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

The world’s largest Nobu restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha.

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SOUQS AND SHOPS

For a geographically small country, Qatar offers its residents and visitors a wealth of alternative shopping experiences and an incredible range of local, regional, international and designer products. With everything from traditional-style souqs and bazaars to elaborate malls and trend-setting boutiques, and from old-guard spice traders to international hypermarkets plying their wares, the only problem is making a final choice. And with no sales tax to pay in Qatar, travellers find the prices seriously competitive.

SOUQ WAQIF

Souq Waqif is one of many souqs dotted around the Gulf and it has served the population of Qatar for over a century, dating from the time when Doha was just a small village. However, a major programme, launched in 2004, restored the souq using traditional materials, retaining its original layout and pedestrianising the whole area.

Apart from functioning as traditional bazaars and meeting places, souqs have always contained that other essential to life besides the flow of

commerce: sustenance. Souq Waqif – a major tourist attraction – is no exception. Many culinary delights from around the region and beyond are available at its numerous traditional coffee shops and restaurants.

They provide the chance to sample dishes not only from Qatar, but also other Islamic countries including Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco and Malaysia, as well as China, Italy and more.

Historically, small family workshops were located in the souqs, with goods made and sold on the premises. It’s a tradition that continues to this day in Souq Waqif as young Qatari artisans are encouraged to open businesses there. Many of the sculptors, painters, weavers, perfumers and other craftsmen and women will accept commissions.

There is also an area in which falcons and falconry equipment are traded. The burgeoning interest in art has allowed galleries in Qatar’s oldest souq to add yet another dimension to the lively atmosphere.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Souq Waqif’s main walkway seen from a shaded alleyway.

A selection of traditional style bangles on display in the Gold Souq.

The Pearl-Qatar provides beautiful marina views from the boardwalk as well as luxury shopping outlets.

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SHOPPING THE 21ST CENTURY WAY

Today, Qatar’s modern shopping malls are the 21st century versions of the traditional self-contained souqs, complete with retail and entertainment areas. They are true meeting places with much more on offer than just shopping, though the opportunities for that are extensive.

Located at Aspire Zone, Villaggio mall features an interior that mimics a Venetian street under a trompe l’oeil sky. The architectural design of different areas reflect different times of day – even night time with representative ‘street lights’. Villaggio has a Milan-inspired luxury extension, as well as an Olympic-size skating rink and an indoor canal offering gondola rides.

Landmark, designed to resemble a traditional fort from the outside, has already been expanded twice and sits at the junction of Al Shamal (North) Road and Al Markhiya Street.

When City Center-Doha opened in 2001 it was as the largest shopping centre. The five-level mall has an ice skating rink, amusement park,

bowling alley and a 14-screen cinema complex. Sky-bridge links offer guests immediate access to the mall from the prestigious hotels sited on its corners.

The recently-opened Mall of Qatar is close to Education City and Qatar National Convention Centre, and with over 500 stores is now one of the largest malls. An in-house theatre company keep shoppers entertained throughout the day, alongside one of the world’s largest IMAX Laser 3D cinemas. Also relatively new in town is Doha Festival City, located north of Doha and with anchor tenants IKEA, Harvey Nichols and Monoprix.

Visitors can enjoy indoor snow dunes, outdoor leisure activities, and Juniverse, a city in space created by children for children.

The Pearl-Qatar comprises a string of man-made islands off the coast of Doha’s West Bay. This USD2.5 billion project was the first development offering expatriates the opportunity to purchase freehold property in Qatar. Potentially home to over 35,000 people, it covers 400 hectares with 8,000 residential units, ranging from apartment towers to detached villas. The development, which has a Mediterranean ambience, has a boardwalk of restaurants and exclusive shops, a marina and watersports available.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT Dhows anchored along Doha’s Corniche are brightly lit for National Day celebrations.

The line of camels in Souq Waqif recalls a time when this animal was both a means of transport for the Bedouin tribes moving to new pastures and also an important addition to the local defences, when the riders would be wearing swords and daggers as well as carrying rifles.

Souq Waqif is filled with Arab artefacts and meandering through the alleyways provides plenty of choice for souvenir hunters, although household goods are also popular with local residents.

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SPECTACULAR BUILDINGS

Dramatic changes to Doha’s skyline seem to occur in the blink of an eye. Exotically sculpted glass and concrete towers, built with materials imported from all over the world, reach skywards in many areas of the city. A forest of skyscrapers has created a mini-Manhattan skyline on the capital’s northern shore, each new design more daring or eccentric than its immediate predecessor.

The population of the country is regularly over 2.5 million. By contrast, just 50 years ago the then 20,000-strong population of Doha lived and worked in single or two-storey structures bordering the narrow streets of what was just a small town on the southern shore of Doha Bay. In the 1970s, as the country began to morph from a nation of fishermen and pearl divers to one of oil production and export, the decision was taken to reshape Doha Bay, extend the waterfront and expand the town area by reclaiming land. In effect, the area now known as Al Dafna was dredged from the sea and the first building, standing alone on its far tip, was the pyramidal Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel – an iconic structure at the time and one which dwarfed the small offices and apartments which began to appear nearby.

As the demand for prime town centre real estate has grown, and the population seeks ever-more luxurious living and working environments, the city has been forced upwards. Old Doha’s traditional inward-looking, small-windowed, courtyard dwellings have been replaced by multi-storey office, residential, and mixed-use blocks as building technology has developed. The old stone houses of the 19th century – cooled naturally or sometimes with the help of a wind-tower and ingeniously vented walls – reflected the limitations of building materials and affordable or available technology at the time. The huge glass walls on many of the new edifices reflect global developments in glass technology and energy-efficient, eco-friendly air-conditioning as Qatar dedicates itself to ‘green’ building.

Local and international architects vie to create the most eye-catching structures, with totally modern international designs alongside those that reflect and incorporate some features of Qatar’s past.

PICTURED A glittering night view of some of Doha’s towers – photograph courtesy of A Asergeev.

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Qatar is undertaking a number of megaprojects to satisfy Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, as well as the much talked about football event.

Qatar will not rest on its laurels in the next few years to achieve its goals. According to MEED, there are an estimated USD22 billion of schemes currently in the bidding phase in Qatar.

All this construction is good news for both local and international businesses. Overall, the government plans to spend an estimated USD182 billion on both existing and future projects.

Under QNV 2030, all new projects should provide a high standard of living for future generations, with investments in education and research, healthcare, transport and industry. This will enable Qatar to sustain its own development by 2030. Qatar has laid out plans for a bold new future with the construction of an integrated transport system, a major overhaul of roads and highways, drainage and sewage, and the renovation of downtown Doha.

Other types of construction projects both planned and underway include projects in the following sectors: health; leisure; sport; hospitality; commercial and residential; oil, gas and petrochemicals; education; heritage and culture; and government.

The 2022 FIFA World CupTM No list would be complete without mentioning the enormity of the proposed sporting event coming to Qatar. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy have issued assurances that the country’s preparations are on track, and the country is able to conclude all infrastructure projects by 2022.

In order to allow extra visitors to move around the country in a swift manner with little or no disruption, Ashghal will introduce more expressways and interchanges; all its road projects should be completed by 2020. There is also the new Metro network.

PICTURED FROM LEFT An artist’s impression of Katara Towers in the heart of Lusail City, which is inspired by the crossed-swords insignia of Qatar, and which will include a five-star hotel for business travellers, a six-star hotel and apartment block plus restaurants, entertainment outlets and conference facilities.

An artist’s impression of the Msheireb project.

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Lusail City One of the largest projects in Qatar, costing an estimated USD45 billion, Lusail City is developed by Lusail Real Estate Development Company (LREDC), a subsidiary of the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, itself a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority.

water’ in Arabic, and is the historical name of the downtown area of Doha. The Master Plan comprises five phases: • Phase 1A: Known as the Amiri Diwan Quarter, with the Diwan Annexe, residences for the Amiri Guard, and the Qatar National Archive. The preservation of four ‘Heritage Houses’ is an important aspect of Phase 1A, and they have been converted into museums.

Spanning 38 sq km north of Doha, Lusail City is master planned to accommodate 200,000 residents, 170,000 workers and 80,000 daily visitors. Lusail City is mixed‑use, with residential and commercial districts, retail, hospitality and leisure amenities. Energy City will be the country’s centre for government ministries, and public and private company headquarters. Fox Hills district will cover 1.6 million sq m with housing for 40,000 residents, a 200‑bed hospital, 36 schools and 35 mosques. Having launched in 2004, the first marina is now open to the public. The expected completion date for the entire project is 2020.

• Phase 1B and C: Includes the larger part of the Al Baraha and Al Kahraba areas, and is considered the heart of the development, with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Cultural Forum, and a residential component with townhouses, apartments, cultural centres, mosques and schools.

Msheireb Downtown Doha Msheireb Properties’ flagship project, Msheireb Downtown Doha, is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, the restoration of a USD5.5 billion, 31 hectare site. Msheireb means ‘a place to drink

• Phase 2: This will focus predominantly on retail‑based mixed‑use activities and features the Al Wadi Hotel (M Gallery Collection by Accor).

• Phase 3: This will be a mostly residential community, with a retail court, restaurants and Park Hyatt Doha.

• Phase 4: The Nakheel Square will serve as a transportation hub, and have more retail and dining outlets, as well as amenities, a post office and a medical clinic..

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Environmental Awareness

GREEN BUILDING Qatar aims to manage its environment in such a way that there is harmony between economic growth, social development and environmental protection – the three dimensions of sustainable development.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment have implemented several new projects throughout Qatar in recent years, turning the country ever more green. The projects aim to plant more trees and develop areas across the country to achieve a ratio of 20-26 metres of green space per person.

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), a member of Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Research Institutes, aims to mitigate climate change and contaminants harmful to the environment as well as contaminants affecting humans. QEERI’s environmental work focuses on Qatar’s desert and marine ecologies, plant and animal life, and air quality.

Eco-friendly construction and sustainability are key to Qatar’s infrastructural plans. Since 2011, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has required schools, mosques, hospitals, government buildings, towers with a built up area of more than 10,000 sq m and residential complexes with a built-up area of over 20,000 sq m to implement the standards laid out by the Qatar Building Standards of 2010 (QBS) and the Qatar Sustainable Assessment System (QSAS).

QSAS aims to create a sustainably built environment in Qatar, which minimises environmental impact yet addresses the specific environmental and regional needs of the State. The Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD) developed the system in partnership with the TC Chan Centre for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. It is administered by GORD which aims, as a research, consultancy and training institute, to position Qatar as the region’s leader in the field of sustainable development, design and construction.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Sahara Forest Project uses solar power and recycled seawater to grow food in the desert, an environmentally-friendly way for Qatar to improve its food security and reduce its ‘food miles’.

Light in the interior of Doha Tower, a high-rise tower on the Corniche designed by Jean Nouvel, is filtered by an Islamic motif lattice inspired by the traditional wooden mashrabiya found in old houses.

The exterior of Doha Tower.

Al Shamal stadium has a 45,120 capacity and is located in the north of Qatar. It has been inspired by ‘dhows’, the traditional local fishing boats of the Gulf.

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The Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is a non-profit, membership-driven organisation, leading and promoting environmentally sustainable practices for green building design and development in Qatar.

The new Lusail City has been planned specifically with sustainability in mind and in conformity with QSAS standards. Apart from construction methods and materials, the ‘neighbourhood friendly’ layout places amenities such as shops and mosques within walking distance of homes while alternative transport, such as buses, the Lusail Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and public bicycles will reduce the need to use private cars. Eco-friendly alternatives also aim to reduce household energy bills, with provisions such as district cooling for air-conditioning, and piped natural gas for cooking. The city’s landscaping will be based on water-sensitive planting.

Tawar Mall in the Umm Lekhba area of Doha is a three-level mall built to QSAS standards, promoted by the QGBC. It is being promoted as the country’s first ‘green mall’.

RECYCLING

Recycling is not a new concept in Qatar – companies collecting and recycling vehicle and cooking oil, paper, cardboard, aluminium cans and plastic have been registered in the State for decades. However, when the population was small, any such waste that was separated and collected was sent abroad for processing.

Now that the population has grown, the amount of waste generated has become a major environmental and logistical problem. But equally, the economics of recycling have become more viable.

Paper, cardboard and plastics recycling facilities were the first to be established in the country and more recently, a private facility to recycle the vast number of vehicle tyres previously abandoned in towns and across the desert. Steel components in the tyres are stripped out mechanically and the rubber shredded into strips, then granules and finally powder which can be used for new rubber products, synthetic surfaces, or as an additive to asphalt.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Qatar Green Building Council holds an annual Sustainability Week to increase awareness.

More recycling banks are being installed in and around Qatar, like these bins at Qatar Foundation.

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A number of companies in Qatar have established their own recycling programmes, either in-company or for the public at large, the latter sometimes offering financial incentives.

There are more and more recycling points, for example at Katara and outside some malls, and supermarkets are actively encouraging shoppers to use fewer plastic carrier bags, and instead take their own reusable bags.

The Dahl Al Hammam park has seven large recycling banks, offering residents the chance to recycle paper, metal, plastic, glass and unwanted clothing. All the waste is sent to the Domestic Solid Waste Management centre.

Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2011–2016 included plans for the establishment of a nationwide solid waste management plan. An integrated Domestic Solid Waste Management (DSWM) centre was inaugurated in Mesaieed in 2011, aiming to reduce the amount of domestic waste sent to landfill to 3-5%. Five transfer stations around the country will collect and separate recyclables such as glass, paper, aluminium and plastic. The facility will treat, process and recycle domestic waste to produce raw materials for local industries. Organic and green waste will be used to create biogas and fertiliser. The centre is expected to generate enough power to run the plant’s machinery, yet still supply a surplus of electricity daily to the national power grid.

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Qatar’s Hydrocarbons DEVELOPMENT

As part of an agreement between the English-Persian Corporation and the Amir at the time, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassem Al Thani, early oil exploration in Qatar began in 1935. However, due to border problems with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, exploration was suspended until 1938. Two years later oil was discovered in the Dukhan field on the west coast of Qatar, at a depth of just over 1,700 m. Production averaged 5,000 barrels a day. Exploration was once again put on hold for the duration of World War II, resuming again in 1946. By 1952, the State of Qatar was producing 0.05% of the world’s oil – 67,700 barrels a day.

Qatar began exploration for oil beneath its regional waters in November 1952, in agreement with the Dutch corporation Shell (later renamed Qatar Shell). Offshore production started in 1966, on the first discovered oil field, Al Idd Al Sharqi, which was discovered in 1960. Production at Maydan Mahzam began in 1963, followed by Abu Al Hanine, the largest field in both production and reservoir. The products of the fields are shipped to the island of Halul, from where they are exported.

In 1977, six years after independence, Qatar nationalised all oil companies and handed over petroleum investment to two main companies, Qatar Shell and General Petroleum Corporation, now known as Qatar Petroleum (QP).

Wintershall discovered the North Gas Field – the largest single field in the world for natural non-associated gas – in 1971. Production began in 1992, with 800,000 cubic feet of natural gas being produced for local use, and 50,000 barrels of condensate. In 1994 factories were established in Ras Laffan Industrial City, in the northeast of the country.

Qatargas Company was established to produce around six million tons of liquefied gas annually for export to Japan. Ras Laffan Company for Natural Gas (RasGas) was established in 1993, and actual production started in 1996, with a production capacity of 10 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be exported to Asian markets.

Qatar has undertaken a number of steps, including technological development, to minimise gas flaring and thereby drastically reduce the country’s emission rate. Being the world’s largest LNG and GTL (gas-to-liquid) producer comes at a cost in terms of carbon emissions, and Qatar is keen to reduce its carbon footprint wherever possible.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Ras Laffan Industrial City.

LNG tanker Al Areesh.

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HYDROCARBONS NOW

It is no secret that Qatar’s remarkable growth has been funded by the carefully planned and controlled development of its massive hydrocarbon reserves. The state has the third-largest proven gas reserves in the world and, to date, the world’s largest single non-associated gas field.

There is a high local demand for gas to fuel the country’s industries and latest developments have done much to increase pipeline delivery through initiatives such as the Barzan project, while pipeline gas is already exported to energy-hungry nations such as the United Arab Emirates.

During the last 25 years, Qatar Petroleum has signed Exploration and Production Sharing Agreements (EPSA) and Development and Production Sharing Agreements (DPSA) with the following major international oil and gas companies: Elf Aquitaine/Total, Anadarko Qatar, Maersk Oil Qatar, Occidental Petroleum Qatar, Qatar Petroleum Development, Talisman Energy Qatar, Wintershall Consortium, GDF Suez, China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) and Shell. These agreements have boosted Qatar’s oil and gas reserves through new discoveries and the development of existing fields. Some of the fields which were discovered and/or developed through these agreements are Idd Al Shargi Dome (North and South), Al Shaheen Field, Al Khaleej Field, Al Rayyan Field, Al Karkara and A Structure.

Qatar has two massive operational gas-to-liquids (GTL) plants, ORYX GTL and Pearl GTL, which process raw gas into readily marketable fuels including ‘green’ diesel. GTL technology is the most exciting development in the global energy industry, and Qatar is considered to be the largest producer of GTL products in the world.

The nation’s production of chemicals and petrochemicals is also expected to more than double by 2020, reaching 23 million tonnes per year – up from the current 9.3 million. To that end, Qatar is expected to invest USD25 billion to expand and develop the industry over the coming years.

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The International Stage

Since 2004, Qatar has played an increasingly high-profile role in international conflict mediation and post-conflict recovery.

Those have included mediation between: Morocco and the Polisario in the Western Sahara in 2004; between Hamas and Israel (2006-7); between Hamas and Fatah (2006 and 2009); between Bulgaria and Libya in 2007 for the successful release of Bulgarian nurses held in Libya; between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels in 2007; in Somalia (2006-2008); in Lebanon (2008) when, after 18 months the political factions there had failed to agree on the selection of a President and factional representation in the government; for a ceasefire in Sudan/Darfur in 2009-10; in 2011 in Libya; and currently as an intermediary between the Afghan government, the US and the Taliban. Again, in 2012, Qatar mediated between Hamas and Fatah for the establishment of a Palestinian unity government.

There is no doubt that Qatar’s considerable financial resources and global energy-provider supremacy have brought the nation to the world’s attention. In that light, its role as a non-aligned international mediator has been readily accepted. Through niche diplomacy and conflict mediation Qatar has considerably raised its international profile.

In September 2011, veteran Qatari diplomat Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser took over as President of the UN General Assembly. Following his unanimous election for one term, he told the Assembly that he would act as a bridge among developed, developing and least-developed nations, underlining the United Nations’ central role in building world peace through dialogue and consensus by bringing countries together to find common solutions for problems that face humanity.

The state has also raised its profile through the hosting of major international conferences and events in the economic, business, political and social domains, as well as hosting the headquarters of significant international organisations. Qatar regularly hosts major inter-faith dialogue conventions and global education conferences.

A diplomatic crisis began 5 June 2017 with the severing of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Yemen, The Maldives and Egypt. The blockade led to logistical implications, with the rerouting of shipping and air cargos, and also new business ventures.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, addressing the UN General Assembly in the US. The English news desk of the Qatar headquarters of Al Jazeera television – now a truly international broadcasting network – that has reaped public acclaim globally for its frank and independent global coverage. Broadcasting to over 220 million households in over 100 countries, award-winning Al Jazeera’s staff of more than 60 nationalities is equally diverse. Outspoken against global atrocities and with wide coverage of the current situation in the Arab world, Al Jazeera has sent reporters and cameramen to cover protests and conflicts worldwide.

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Baya Mahieddine, title unknown, 1992, gouache and graphite on paper, 75 x 100 cm. Featured in Summary, Part 1, a permanent exhibition of 100 artists at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.

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MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTRES Arts and culture continue to flourish in Qatar as the addition of new and exciting venues and events provides an ever-widening choice of artistic expression to appreciate and personally explore. The country’s transformation into a global capital of culture proceeds swiftly with the continuing expansion of the museum sector and Katara, a cultural centre which is home to the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. The already famous Museum of Islamic Art continues its well-established tradition to provide exciting exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection in the Islamic galleries.

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Museum of Islamic Art

DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN

The Museum of Islamic Art rises majestically out of the waters off Doha’s Corniche to emerge as one of the most significant museums in the region. Designed by Pritzker Prize laureate and world-renowned architect, I M Pei, the 35,500 sq m museum is situated on an island of reclaimed land 60 metres from the shore. Before designing the fivestorey main building and the two-storey education wing, which are linked by a central courtyard, I M Pei spent a year travelling around the Middle East, and drew his inspiration from the 13th century sabil (ablutions fountain) of the 9th century mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Cairo, Egypt. The inauguration took place on 22 November 2008.

The main building’s geometric forms rise up around a 50 metre high central domed atrium, the desert sun transforming the cuboid forms into an interaction of light and shadow. The central dome is concealed from outside view by the walls of the tower in the middle of the building. On the north side, the entire atrium area is encased in glazed glass, offering spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and West Bay area of Doha from all five floors.

Led by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute and Reach Out to Asia, the project lays the foundation stone to transform the State of Qatar into a global capital of culture.

PICTURED Geometric shapes and Islamic patterns like the eight-pointed star are incorporated in various architectural and decorative details. The rather austere facade contrasts with the rich decorative interior.

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Obviously the highlight of a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art is the museum’s exhibition galleries which were designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte & AssociÊs, Paris, and encircle the atrium of the museum.

There are two floors of permanent exhibition space, as well as a temporary gallery.

Incorporated amongst the five public levels of the museum is a stateof-the-art auditorium which seats 200, a gift shop, an Alan Ducasse restaurant, prayer halls for men and women, and a world-class conservation laboratory. Two outdoor courtyards flanking a vast open atrium area are available for the hosting of official and social functions.

Included in the education wing is a research library (with a rare book study section) and a suite of classrooms where the next generation of Qatar will be inspired through the treasures passed down from their predecessors. The education facilities will not only cater for school-aged students and the local community, but will also serve the needs of both visiting research scholars and national and international universities, as more of the collection is available online.

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THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

The galleries housing the permanent collection are designed with a simplicity to better display the intricacy of the often small objects within them. These priceless relics have been collected from three continents including countries across the Middle East, and as far afield as Spain and India. Dating from the 7th through to the 19th century, the museum’s artworks represent the full scope of Islamic art. The galleries have been dedicated to themes of historical periods and dynastic groups, inviting the visitor to journey through both the ancient and contemporary Islamic world, and across cultures and regions.

The collection encompasses architectural decoration, costumes and textiles, weapons and armour, paintings and calligraphy, photography, ceramics, coins, dhows, metal, jewellery, glass and ivory.

ONLINE VIEWING

The partnership with the Google Art Project, an online collaboration between Google and the finest museums in the world, allows users to explore a wide range of artworks at brushstroke level, take a virtual tour of the Museum of Islamic Art, and even build their own collections to share.

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PICTURED FROM TOP This finely engraved brass candlestick from Iran dated from 1341–56 is inlaid with gold and silver.

The 50 metre high domed atrium, and below it, the museum’s walkways and terraces have spectacular views across Doha Bay and the Gulf.

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EXHIBITIONS

The museum promotes national, Islamic and international exhibitions on a temporary basis at its galleries in the main building.

Internationally-curated short-term exhibitions provide a unique opportunity for visitors to view collections and objects from some of the world’s leading museums, art galleries and private collections. These have included such varied subjects as ‘Pearls’, ‘The Ottomans’, ‘The Golden Age of Dutch Masters’ and ‘The Dream of a King – Dresden’s Green Vault’.

The MIA Park connects to the museum along the lagoon and is highlighted by a 60 metre high sculpture by Richard Serra. It is designed to accommodate creative activities, as well containing a childrens’ play area and paddle boats.

Al Riwaq, located adjacent to MIA, is a temporary art area, providing a venue for exhibitions by Qatar Museums and their associated galleries, featuring international artists and collections.

PICTURED FROM LEFT A ninth century earthenware bowl from Iraq decorated with blue calligraphy.

Qajar Women: Images of Women in 19th Century Iran, a recent exhibition.

A display of Arab and Islamic astrolabes, an important navigation device developed to correctly establish the direction of the Ka’aba in Mecca.

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ISLAMIC DESIGN

The designs seen in Qatar’s museums show all the beauty, grace and vibrancy of Islamic pattern. It is the inheritor of a unique artistic tradition that combines both the linear precision of geometric shapes with the flowing lines of vegetal forms. These patterns often complement a third element in the design, calligraphy, the most highly esteemed art form in Islam, since it records the word of God in the Quran.

Patterns are an integral feature of Islamic art, particularly since there are religious restrictions on depicting the human and animal form.

Intricate, symmetrical and repetitive, the forms have the ability to draw the observer along the endless lines to contemplate a vision outside the ‘frame’ of other artistic traditions.

There is no distinction between crafts and fine arts in Islamic tradition as art seeks to embellish an object rather than dominate it. Artists sought to produce work that glorified God rather than the individual.

Both geometric and vegetal patterns were extensively used to decorate buildings, manuscripts, ceramics, metal, leather and textiles. Differing in the cost and richness of materials, they decorated objects from the mundane to the exquisite and remain popular today. Examples in Qatar

range from coverings for the humble air-conditioner to cladding for the latest high-rise towers.

Islam spread quickly in the Middle East during the 7th – 9th centuries allowing Muslim scholars to embrace, disseminate and build upon the philosophy and mathematics of the Classical world, India and the Sassanians in Iran. Simple geometric patterns from the Classical period proved a popular form of decoration and the designs passed with the spread of Islamic culture to Africa, Europe and Asia.

Vegetal patterns and motifs existing in the art of Byzantium and Sassanian Iran were incorporated early into Islamic design. Gradually becoming more abstract, by the 10th – 12th centuries a distinct Islamic style had emerged. Vegetation was rendered flattened, without light or shadow. Parts of the plant would be chosen, repeated and rearranged into an interlacing design, growing by the laws of geometry rather than nature. These ‘arabesque’ patterns were widely admired and copied in Western art. Formal balance and symmetry was a major component of the vegetal style. Both halves of the well known ‘Tree of Life’, for instance, are mirror images. Alternatively, a basic pattern is constantly repeated across an expanse or around a central medallion, as shown in the carpet from the MIA collection far right.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Art embellished many objects but was not considered an object in itself with the exception of calligraphy. This heritage has influenced the continuing interest in form and abstraction in modern art including huroufiyah, modern experimentation with Arabic letters and text. This example is a detail of ‘The Letter Noon’.

Bands of flowing pattern decorate this inlaid metal pen box in the Museum of Islamic Art.

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PICTURED An adaption of the famous star-and-polygon girih patterns in the Museum of Islamic Art central atrium. They seem to have developed under the Abbassid Caliphate in 10th century Baghdad. The patterns were originally laid down using a compass and straightedge, but by the 13th century the patterns were conceived as a special set of tessellations, and artisans began producing them using a small set of regularly shaped tiles seen above. This method led to an important breakthrough in the 15th century, the production of the now famous ‘quasicrystalline’ designs, discovered by physicist Peter Lu on buildings in central Asia in 2007. These reflect mathematical procedures not understood in the West, until Penrose patterns were discovered in the 1970s.

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Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art

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DESIGN

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art has assembled a collection of works showing not only the breadth and vibrancy of the modern art scene, but also a unique look at the development of the genre over the past 150 years.

The collection itself pays tribute to the vision and tenacity of one man, HE Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, who started his collection in the 1980s. An early patron of modern and contemporary art in the Gulf and now Vice Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), Sheikh Hassan provided the public with an opportunity to view some of his collection at a villa in Doha during the 1990s, which also included an art residency programme. This has particularly benefitted artists who had been displaced from war-torn countries like Iraq.

Mathaf had its official opening in December 2010. Exhibitions curated

by Mathaf are designed to promote modern and contemporary art, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa, with an emphasis on works by Arab artists. The collection is the largest of its kind in the world and provides an exceptional resource for study, research, and – its primary purpose – pure enjoyment. Mathaf also features exhibitions of international modern and contemporary artists and runs an outreach programme for the community.

With the collection’s growth came the inevitable question of where and how to best display it. Qatar Foundation (QF) provided four years of guardianship; the Mathaf Collection is now co-owned by QM and QF under the aegis of QM Chairperson, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Today there are over 9,000 works, making it the world’s largest specialised collection of its kind. Pressure from art lovers and artists has led to the present solution – a temporary home located in a converted school, originally built in a traditional architectural style, at Qatar Foundation.

From this shell, French architect Jean-François Bodin has produced a design which transforms the building into a sleek, minimalist background for the works of art. Seizing upon the transitory nature of the site, the original building uses recycled architecture as its theme. Enclosed in a silver mesh of fine high‑tech scaffolding, the open courtyard of the school is now covered to provide a striking double‑volume entrance leading to 12 galleries. Packing cases make up the reception desk, while the book shop and café opposite are housed in a freight container. The brilliant white background used throughout the building provides a continuity of space, while the contrast in lighting between the entrance and galleries allows the separation of activity and contemplation.

PICTURED Victim’s Rose (Detail) by Dia Azzawi, acrylic on canvas, triptych, 180 × 330 cm.

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MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ARAB ART QATARI ARTISTS The increasing exposure to Western art and ideas during the late 19th and 20th centuries opened up new techniques and ideas for burgeoning Arab artists but posed the question of how they should portray their own ideas and culture. Artists responded in many ways and to some extent were freer than their Western counterparts, since modern art was for them a form of portrayal unencumbered by a classical heritage. Major centres like Egypt and Iraq sent young artists on scholarships abroad.

Politics and war have had a profound effect on modern art as increasing areas of the Arab world fought for what was often a bloody independence followed by periods of instability. And yet during the 1950s and 60s this was a time of vibrant artistic expansion and interaction as new governments, wanting change, encouraged the establishment of artistic societies, expanded existing colleges, supported exhibitions at both local and international level, and commissioned works of art, particularly sculptures, for public places. More recently, artists have had the constraints of dictatorship to circumvent as well as international sanctions and the increasing realisation that many of them will continue to work in a country that is not their own as the Arab diaspora increases.

The contemporary art scene in Qatar with its many exhibitions, lectures and workshops has inspired a wider appreciation by both artists and the public of the enormous range of artistic expression. It has inspired and encouraged many new artists at professional and amateur levels to experiment with new techniques and ideas from their interaction with peers and critics throughout the world.

The older generation worked in a smaller community, which drew strongly on its national roots and used scenes from everyday life in Qatar as its inspiration, although the style was sometimes influenced

by Western artists.

The Gulf palette was a distinctive one inspired by the muted exterior environment of browns, beige, black and white contrasting with a hidden brightness. Bedouin tents and urban houses burst into colour internally with bright red cushions, and when a woman took off the stark black abaya she revealed flowers of every colour printed on the thobe (dress) beneath, as well as the propitious turquoise stones in her jewellery, a colour reflected in the brilliant sea.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Features from Qatar by Jassim Zaini.

Detail from Silent Image by Faraj Daham,1999.

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VCUarts QATAR

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS IN QATAR

Located at Qatar Foundation and more commonly referred to as VCUarts Qatar, the university provides the opportunity to create, learn about and appreciate a wide range of artistic fields. It offers its students degree courses in Design Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Painting and Print Making, while reaching out to the general public with the chance to improve their creative abilities at year-long community classes. VCUarts Qatar also holds a series of public lectures throughout the year.

Many graduates use their knowledge to open commercial enterprises in Qatar giving a fresh look to the local art and design scene, as is evidenced by Qatar’s blossoming fashion and graphic design industry.

VCUarts QATAR GALLERY

The gallery is located within the main building of the university and allows the general public to see not only the work of faculty and students but also a wide range of exhibitions displaying the creativity of international artists and designers. Exhibitions have included such diverse subjects as ‘Traditional Clothing in the Modern World: Contemporary Kimonos from Kyoto’ and ‘The Bauhous Interior’.

TASMEEM DOHA

This major biennial event at VCUarts Qatar comprises a series of lectures, presentations, workshops and exhibitions, bringing together experts from around the world to explore relevant themes in art and design. It provides a platform for local artists and designers to interact with the global artistic community aiming to forge dynamic links between students, creative problem solvers, local community members, community stakeholders and VCU. Conference activities are designed to generate awareness, raise important questions and provide meaningful, realisable solutions.

PICTURED Students at VCUarts Qatar enjoy a wide variety of opportunities to exercise their creativity in a stimulating environment.

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Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

BUILDINGS AND THE COLLECTION

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani inherited a large portion of the splendid private collection of artefacts and archaeological remains that is housed in the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum from his late father. He was encouraged from childhood to collect and, as a result, Sheikh Faisal has added extensively to his father’s original collection.

Sheikh Faisal’s interest in the history of this region was his motivation for building a specialised museum – a place where visitors could take a step back in time and gain insight into the richness of Qatari and other Arab cultures. Located 20 km west of Doha visitors can also enjoy the delights of the Sheikh’s farm with its surprising variety of fauna and flora.

The rough-hewn limestone walls and turrets of the museum give it the appearance of an Arabian building from a bygone era.

Structured with less formality than many other museums, and with the quirks of an individual collector’s taste, it provides many interesting byways for young and old to wander along physically and mentally in an atmosphere redolent of the past.

In 2013 Sheikh Faisal officially opened his new museum at Al Dafna (West Bay) under the patronage of HE Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari,the then Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage.

The museum houses a wide range of unique carpets, ceramics, furniture and other items. The collection complements Sheikh Faisal’s much more extensive museum at Al Samriya Farm. The museum, which is on the sixth floor of City Tower, part of the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel complex in Al Dafna, is designed to offer business travellers and tourists a taste of Arab, Iranian and Qatari culture.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Vintage cars, bikes, and pick-ups form a major part of the collection.

Many privately owned trucks and buses in the Middle East are richly decorated as this painting of Bedouins shows.

Sheikh Faisal stands in front of his car collection.

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Antiquities not only abound in the massive halls but spill out into the courtyard – old boats, wagons, antique doors and doorframes are showcased in the shaded passages alongside the open-air quadrangle. The collection includes weapons, Bedouin jewellery, displays of traditional Qatari life in both city and desert, and coins and Islamic artefacts, which include a fine collection of Qurans and manuscripts. The museum also houses a collection of around 200 vintage cars and bikes.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT This ceremonial 19th century heavy brocade cover with magnificent embroidery in gold thread was placed on a camel at the head of the Egyptian caravan at the start of the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. It contained the kiswa, a beautiful gold-embroidered cover for the kaa’ba sewn in Egypt and renewed each year.

Each country in the Middle East had its own caravan and, in the days when this perilous journey took many months, there was safety in numbers.

The Museum has interesting displays and artefacts of life in Qatar before the discovery of oil in the 1930s. This unglazed clay pot was used to store, cool and filter water collected as it dripped into a container below. Pottery items range from pre-Islamic pieces to those of the 20th century.

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Souq Waqif Art Center

ARCHITECTURE AND ART

The Center takes advantage of its location in an old building in the middle of Qatar’s traditional souq to provide a striking background for the art galleries at ground level and to inspire students taking art classes on the upper floor. The building renovation has retained several original features, like the woven palm frond roof, and embellished other aspects of the traditional architecture. The arches are now covered with mosaic tiles in the richly intricate Islamic patterns reminiscent of North Africa.

The galleries provide the opportunity to view and purchase works of art including photographs and ceramics, and the art classes available for Arabic speakers include painting and drawing, pottery and calligraphy.

The Center also has an extensive library and reading room, which is open to the public.

PICTURED A detail of a student’s glazed ceramic.

The main walkway taken from the upper floor and looking towards the busy souq beyond.

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Fire Station Artist in Residence

THE COLLECTION

The façade of the old Civil Defence building has been left untouched – including the symbolic red fire pole – and the interior has been stripped and repurposed to create galleries, art spaces, and studios with a raw, industrial and minimalist vibe.

Care was taken to preserve the original form of the fire station tower outside, which will be used as a way for artists and management to broadcast messages to the public. An authentic fire truck has been parked outside.

The ground floor serves as a gallery space, where the inaugural 555 exhibition – a nod to the ‘999’ emergency line for fires in Qatar – was hosted. The 555 is both a play on the year that the residency programme first commenced, and the number 999 that was dialled by residents of Qatar to contact the Fire Station. As such, the facility also pays homage to the Civil Defence community for their years of service to the people of Qatar.

The building’s other floors are dedicated to 20 studio spaces for artists in residence, and four others reserved for visiting international artists who will attend the programme for a few months at a time. There are several art residency programmes including Artists in Residence and Paris Art Residency. It is also home to Cass Art, an art supplies shop, and Café#999.

The Garage Gallery is a spacious 700 sq m space, housed in the original garage of the building. It’s a platform for a range of exhibitions, and resident artists can also curate their own shows in the Garage throughout their stay. It is open to students and professors from universities in Qatar and the region.

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The National Museum of Qatar

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF QATAR

To be built around the historic Fariq Al Salatah Palace, which had served as a heritage museum since 1975, the National Museum of Qatar is conceived and designed to display three interrelated themes: the natural history of the Qatar peninsula, the social and cultural history of Qatar, and the history of Qatar as a nation from the 18th century onwards. The Museum is currently under construction.

Prominently located on a site at the south end of Doha’s Corniche, where it will be the first landmark seen by travellers arriving from the airport, the building takes the form of a ring of low-lying, interlocking pavilions, which encircle a large courtyard area. The tilting, interpenetrating discs that define the pavilions’ floors, walls and roofs suggest the blade-like petals of the desert rose (a mineral formation of crystallised sand found just beneath the desert’s surface). In its organisation, the building suggests the image of a caravanserai – the traditional resting place that supported the flow of commerce,

information and people across desert trade routes – and so gives concrete expression to the identity of a nation in movement.

The architect, Jean Nouvel stated, ‘This museum is a modern-day caravanserai. From here you leave the desert behind, returning with treasured images that remain engraved on your memory. The National Museum of Qatar will become the voice of a culture, delivering a message of modernity, metamorphosis and the beauty that happens when the desert meets the sea.’

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Katara Cultural Village

A CENTRE FOR CULTURES

Katara Cultural Village has been built out of a desire to make Qatar the foremost centre in the Middle East for arts, music and literature.

Education and learning about other cultures is a priority.

Katara plays host to cultural events throughout the year to build a new generation of creative and innovative people aware of their surroundings and knowledgeable about their own and other global civilisations.

The project is divided into different areas, the first of which houses societies and institutions. Visitors are free to meander around the main Katara area which has been built in the style of the traditional Qatari alleyways, called al fereej. Thirty seven traditional style buildings are home to various societies and associations with cultural and heritage links including: The Qatar Photographic Society; The Arab Postal Stamp Museum; The Visual Arts Centre; Qatar Music Academy; Qatar Fine Arts Society; The Childhood Cultural Center; The Drama Theatre; The Poetry Society; The Falconry Centre; and Al Jazeera Broadcasting. It also includes a media centre, various academic facilities, a handicrafts souq, book market, cafés and coffee shops, green areas and information centres, as well as access to the beach.

The second area features several themed restaurants including cuisines from India, the Gulf, Egypt, Armenia, Turkey and Qatar. The third and fourth areas incorporate retail and residential buildings. The present buildings include architecture reflecting the historical influences in the region. The amphitheatre, which seats 5,000 people, recalls Greco-Roman influence in the Levant and North Africa. The nearby mosque, extensively decorated with striking coloured mosaic tiles, reflects the splendid colours of Central Asia and Iran.

A multipurpose meeting hall holds 1,500 people and the indoor theatre and cinema is the largest in Qatar, seating 450 people next door to the opera house, home to the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

Outside features include two birdhouses – magnificent cone-shaped buildings, which act as giant bird feeders, attracting a wealth of different species. Further along is the falcon centre, Al Ganas, the design this time a massive falcon’s hood called a burqa. Trees from Iran, Australia and Italy grace the complex, which is situated along the beautiful Gulf waters, with a public beach and a large children’s play area.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The amphitheatre overlooks the sea.

Traditional local architecture is the inspiration for many of the buildings, which are used to house exhibitions by local and international artists and organisations.

An artist’s impression of Katara Plaza.

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QATAR PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Resident in the Opera House at Katara, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra has set high standards in orchestral performance to shape the artistic life of Qatar and the Gulf. Music and theatre lovers can simultaneously enjoy not only the entertainment but the sumptuous décor of the opera house.

The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra is the flagship orchestra for the State of Qatar and is a core contributor to Qatar Foundation’s goals of education, science and research, and community development. It was founded by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2007.

Containing 101 musicians, chosen by a jury of international music professionals from more than 3,000 applicants through auditions held in European and Arab countries, the Philharmonic held its inaugural concert in 2008. Its repertoire contains a wide spectrum of orchestral pieces including works by Arab composers.

PICTURED A final curtain call for the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in the Katara Opera House. Touring looms large in the orchestra’s activities. Venues have included the Syrian Opera House in Damascus, Royal Albert Hall in London, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, and the Kennedy Center in Washington.

The QPO playing at a premier, VIP performance of music by Vangelis.

The orchestra promotes music appreciation for all ages, as Philharmonic violinist Lorena Manescu offers her violin to a student at the Shafallah Centre, an institution for children with special needs.

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QATAR MUSIC ACADEMY

Qatar Music Academy, a member of Qatar Foundation, focuses wholly on furthering musical excellence in Qatar and the wider region combining Arab and Western music in one location. The faculty comprises the world’s music elite, handpicked to impart their exceptional talents in both play and performance. Situated in the heart of Katara, the campus design incorporates Islamic architecture with elegant archways leading to airy, open grounds, dedicated music practice rooms and performance space. Surrounded by an amphitheatre and an opera house, students at the Academy have the opportunity to enjoy musical creativity and drama at its best.

The Academy is open to all. The Academic Music Programme targets students of all ages offering an intensive series of one-to-one music lessons, conveniently scheduled after school hours, helping children to discover a variety of Arab and Western instruments. The General Community Music Programme runs a series of classes for the general public, from toddler to adult, including musical appreciation, theory, composition, ensembles and choirs.

PICTURED A student at Qatar Music Academy enjoys making music.

Traditional Arab instruments include various types of drum, the lute and a version of the zither (kanoon).

Celebrations at a Qatari wedding are accompanied by hand drums, used in the traditional dances of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula.

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DOHA FILM INSTITUTE

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is Qatar’s first international organisation dedicated to film appreciation, film education and to building a sustainable film industry in Qatar. With culture, community, education and entertainment at its heart DFI is an all-encompassing film hub and a resource for the region and the world.

The Institute’s main focus areas are education, culture, community and entertainment. It is dedicated to building a dynamic film industry in Qatar and the region, serving as both a regional and a global film hub.

DFI support regional filmmakers for the rest of the world to see. Their motto is ‘Film is Life’, believing that films have the power to change hearts and minds.

DFI has cultural partnerships with Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation, which has an agreement with DFI to restore and preserve international films of cultural significance. DFI is also collaborating with renowned director Mira Nair’s Maisha Film Lab, with Qatari residents taking part in this cross-cultural exchange with filmmakers and students

from East Africa and South Asia to access professional training and production resources.

DFI’s year-round education programme is a vital commitment to develop local talent and to support Doha’s growth as an international cultural hub. It works across the community for professionals and amateurs, ensuring that anyone interested in film, at any level, can be involved. Programmes accessible to the general public include interactive panel discussions, animation classes in schools, and workshops for enthusiasts who simply wish to learn more about the cinema and its technicalities. These, and other activities, find and nurture talent in Qatar and across the region.

DFI has showings of local and international movies at several locations, including at Katara and at the Museum of Islamic Art Park.

PICTURED The magnificent indoor cinema at Katara.

Mira Nair in attendance at a DFI press conference.

A Doha Film Institute film shoot.

The equally spectacular setting for open air showings.

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DFI FESTIVAL

The Ajyal Youth Film Festival builds on the Doha Film Institute’s history of community-based programming. Ajyal, meaning ‘generations’ in Arabic, invites people of all ages to come together to discuss cinema through events that inspire creative interaction, opening up a fun, collaborative environment where young people can express themselves. Driven by the goal to inspire and create, Ajyal has been designed to empower the region’s youth and to inspire film enthusiasts of all ages in Qatar and the region.

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FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Katara Cultural Village is the centre for a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. The Dhow Festival showcases Qatari traditions and maritime heritage in an innovative, spectacular cultural celebration, A more detailed account of pearl diving can be found in ‘Heritage’.

Events from local and other cultures include opera and dancing as well as a wide range of art and photographic exhibitions.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Katara Cultural Village has hosted a number of events and international festivals throughout the year including a kite festival, where 0’s location on the coast provides a strong breeze to assist participants in keeping their kites aloft. Flamenco and classical Indian dancing provide an international flavour.

Katara Cultural Village celebrates Garangaou children’s festival in Ramadan, keeping alive another old tradition.

Qatar’s heritage can be seen in festivals celebrating the sea.

The Qatar Fine Arts Society celebrates the first Qatari Sculptors Exhibition displayed in the Katara Art Center.

A scene from the opera Aida performed at Katara.

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LANDSCAPE

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NATURE AND NURTURE Qatar’s geography is a contrast of sand and sea and both played an important part in the lifestyles of previous generations. They are deceptively empty of life on the surface but, on closer inspection, each supports a complex variety of living organisms. The presence of fossilised sea-creatures in Qatar’s sedimentary rocks reveals that the country originated from beneath the waters of the Arabian Gulf, emerging at the beginning of the Miocene period some 24 million years ago with the rest of the land that forms the present day Arabian peninsula.

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Desert and Coast

SAND AND ROCKS

The strange low-pitched sounds heard in the desert were attributed by Qataris to mischievous spirits or djinn. This fascinating natural phenomenon is a result of friction from a thin layer of sand, fed from the top by the wind. Amplified by the crescent shape of the barchan dunes (this type of dune possesses two ‘horns’ that face downwind), it may be heard up to 10 km away – a deep and resonant humming in an otherwise silent desert landscape. There are relatively few areas in the world where the sand is capable of producing such sounds – one is the area to the southwest of Doha, some 40 km away from the city, known to residents as the ‘Singing Dunes’. It is a popular picnic and barbecue venue, particularly during December. Although the phenomenon of the ‘singing’ occurs naturally, it can be triggered by sliding slowly down the face of the dune or by running along its crest: each footstep creates a humming, which rather than heard is felt as a vibration through the feet.

Although Qatar’s interior is mainly flat, gravel terrain, there is an area to the northwest of the peninsula mainly around the village of Bir Zekreet where white cliffs of Miocene limestone have been sculpted over centuries by the relentless onslaught of wind-driven sand. The hills or jebel, their sides hollowed by erosion, are topped by a harder layer of sand and gravel, leaving many freestanding mushroom-shaped ‘pillars’ dotting the countryside and giving the landscape a rather surreal character.

FOSSILS AND ROSES

In Qatar there are several different areas in which fossils can be found.

Situated 25 km west of Al Shaihaniya, close to a sweet water well, lie the remains of an ancient Arabian landscape. Exposed rock faces form the sides of what was once a river bed – complete with a now-dry waterfall. In the same area are low fossil-bearing cliffs separating the stony plateau from the lower-lying salt flats or sabkha. In the south-west of the peninsula, ventifacts – perfectly smooth and polished stones

PICTURED FROM LEFT Fossils, often complete and uneroded, lie on the desert floor or embedded in rocks. The fossil shown is on display at the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum.

Rock formations at Zekreet – these have been used as a backdrop to a number of film and TV productions. The desert floor limestone cliffs are sometimes eroded into fantastic shapes while caves and sinkholes can be found below the surface.

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with one or more flattened facets – can be found on the exposed low hills. They come in a variety of colours pink, white, black and green.

Areas of shale found especially on the western side of the peninsula are rich in fossilised shark teeth. Gastropod (usually single shell) fossils – complete, uneroded and sometimes as large as 15 cm in circumference – lie exposed on the desert floor or embedded in rocks.

Desert roses are found in areas of sabkha, either lying on the surface or between the layers of wet and dry sand. These roses are intricate, petal-like clusters of crystals, mostly composed of gypsum. Most are quite small although occasionally they measure up to one metre across.

Jean Nouvel, the architect of the new National Museum, uses them as the basis for his design, which you can see in Museums and Culture.

INLAND SEA APP

The Inland Sea application, created by Qatar’s national telecommunications company Ooredoo, aims to help people navigate through the desert dunes. The app is the first ever for navigation around the Qatar desert, and will provide users with important information such as geography and terrain, camping sites, emergency numbers and Supernet signal towers, so that desert visitors can stay connected.

To ensure families stay safe in the desert, the app also has a direct contact button to ‘fazat mawater’ – a team of trained professional desert drivers, who volunteer to rescue people from the desert in situations such as marooned cars, trapped wheels or being lost.

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DESERT – VEGETATION

Qatar’s low-lying rocky desert landscape and coastal flats contain a beauty that is often as elusive as a mirage, and quite as deceptive, for innumerable species of delicately structured plants survive in this harsh environment. There are nearly 400 species of wild flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees in the Qatari desert of which 270 are truly native to their habitat. For some, their transient displays of leaf and colour are quickly banished until the following spring. Others defy heat, humidity and drought throughout the year to provide an unexpected delight for the beholder.

The deeper rooted perennials are visible in the forms of bushes, low scrub and the occasional tree. A closer inspection shows the existence of a vast range of the more shallow rooted ephemerals – the plants that only appear after the rain. These ephemerals have two seasons, with some appearing in December after the early rains, coming into full bloom in early spring; the other group appears in March after later rains, flowering late spring. Camping in the desert during this season when the land is green is still a popular pastime for Qatari families.

The first rains in October are generally very light and known as wasmi – ‘the rain that spots the desert’. Many of the plants which had thrived during the previous spring will have lived out their cycle and, after releasing their seeds into the desert sand, will have turned brown and shrivelled under the harsh sun. However, those seeds can lie dormant for years and, in fertile depressions in the land, only need 10 mm of rainfall to enable them to germinate.

PICTURED, FROM TOP Acacia ehrenbergiana (Al Salem) can grow to a height of about 4 metres, and blossoms in April and May. Its ball-shaped yellow flowers attract honeybees; the shiny peeling bark was used in traditional medicine and the bark fibres to make rope. The leaves, flowers and seedpods are valued as fodder for camels, sheep and goats.

Among the most unusual flowers is the yellow Cistanche phelypaea, known locally as dhanoun and colloquially as the desert hyacinth. It is, in fact, an allflower-bearing parasitic plant which was used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhoea. The host plant is a halophyte (a plant particularly adapted to living in highly saline environments) and the desert hyacinth literally carpets some of the salt flats from March to May.

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Many of these plants grow in communities. The dominant plant will frequently trap both water and wind-borne material around it, forming a mound or nabk, which has high water retention properties and is able to support a variety of plant life. Other plants abound in the shallow depressions in the desert known as rawdat, which fill with fine sediment blown in from surrounding areas – hence many seeds will collect there.

treat the skin of smallpox patients; the leaves as a poultice; unripe seeds speeded up the suppuration of boils and ulcers; and the roots were considered an aphrodisiac.

The rich variety of flora, some barely apparent in the heat of summer, has long provided the country’s permanent and transient inhabitants with food, natural medicines, fabric dyes, fuel for their campfires and even shelter. The natural vegetation also plays a significant role in protecting the environment from degradation and desertification.

Mangroves are in serious decline globally, and to our knowledge, Qatar is no exception. The UNESCO Office in Doha has formulated a proposal to develop prototypes of innovative floating mangroves, and measure their ecological capacity for carbon sequestration, uptake of marine pollutants, and economic feasibility. A small scale trial of this highly important project is now under development, in order to see if floating mangroves will actually grow under the hyper-saline and hyper-arid conditions in the Gulf.

COAST – THE MANGROVE SWAMPS

A FLOWER EACH SPRING

Avicennia marina (qurm) is found predominantly on the eastern shores, particularly Al Thakhira, Umm Al Hul and Al Wakra. The spreading aerobic roots are characterised by numerous spikes which appear above the sand. The wood was used to support the palm matting and gypsum ceilings beneath the roofs of traditional houses; the bark to

Supervised field trips introduce schoolchildren and others to the beauties and bounties of the desert and an extensive publicity campaign promotes its objectives in the media.

Levels of salinity are even higher in coastal areas and salt tolerance is another survival factor. The Avicennia marina mangrove trees in the coastal swamps seen below survive inundation by salt water twice a day by excluding salt from their roots and leaves. Their sap tolerates salt to one tenth the strength of sea water. The roots not only provide support in unstable soils but breathe air from a system of shallow cable roots which penetrate the atmosphere.

To remind younger generations of the importance of the desert heritage, its conservation and to preserve it, the ‘Flower for Each Spring’ campaign was launched in 1999. Organised by the Friends of the Environment Center under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, it focuses on one plant each year. The programme won the Ford Grants Award in 2003, in recognition of its role in creating environmental awareness, the grant jury having selected it from 11 projects presented by seven countries across the Gulf and Middle East.

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DESERT FLOWERS PICTURED FROM LEFT Alhagi maurorum (Al Aaqool), despite its lethal thorns, is a favourite of camels.

Known in English as Camel Thorn it grows to a maximum height of 70 cm and bears reddish-purple flowers which grow out of the thorns.

Anagallis arvensis – Ain Al Qot or Eye of the Cat – has an unusual (for the desert) blue flower and takes its local name from the appearance of its seeds. Found mainly in the north and northeast, in the shade of the Acacia and Ziziphus trees, it grows to a height of 10 –15 cm. An anti-rheumatic, it was also used to treat urinary tract problems, toothache and skin problems.

Capparis spinosa (Shafallah) is a perennial shrub with runners that can extend over five metres. The delicate-looking flower appears between March and May. Found mostly in the north of the country, Shafallah was used to treat rheumatism, toothache, sciatica, ulcers and female sterility. Shafallah is the name and logo for Qatar’s centre for children with special needs, and a Shafallah perfume was created for its first major fundraising campaign.

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WILDLIFE – ADAPTATION AND SURVIVAL

The barren landscape of the peninsula is home to a microcosm of indigenous creatures and a spectrum of species from the more commonly found rodents and mammals to the exotic Blue-headed Agama.

A great deal of work is being done to record the wildlife of the area, and newly discovered species are frequently announced – like the Blandford’s Fox which was first recorded in 1996. Unfortunately, the rapidly increasing population and the building programmes pose a threat to the continuation of many species in the wild. The Supreme Council for Environment & Natural Reserves (SCENR) and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment are engaged in the nurturing, protection and reintroduction of endangered species including the national animal of Qatar, the oryx.

One thing all species have in common is a natural survival mechanism through adaptation to the climate. Many of the animals and reptiles are nocturnal, thus avoiding the high summer temperatures during the day, while others show features to regulate their own body temperatures.

Small mammals have oversized ears to assist with heat loss as the blood circulating through the fine capillaries is cooled by the breeze.

PICTURED FROM TOP The Lesser Jerboa (Jaculus jaculus vocator) commonly known as ‘kangaroo rats’ feed on seeds, leaves, stems, buds, fruits and insects. A nocturnal mammal, kangaroo rats follow an ant-like system of storing excess food in caches and burrows. They have developed large cheek pockets for food storage. Jerboas are able to survive with very little water. Those long back legs can make hops of one metre when fleeing on their three-toed feet as the coarse hair between the toes grips the sand and the flat tail pushes off.

Desert hares (Lepus capensis) are widespread and can be seen in areas where there is some vegetation resting in a shady depression during the day. They have adapted to the harsh conditions by decreasing the amount of food required to maintain their metabolic weight by 25%, compared to European hares, through superior digestive capacity. Their lower critical temperature is higher and they are able to cope with the increase in the salinity of water.

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PICTURED FROM TOP Ruppell’s Sand Fox is a small and rare nocturnal fox living in the far south of Qatar preferring the remoteness of the sand dunes. This timid creature weighs little more than 1.4 kg. The distinctive oversized ears assist with heat loss.

The Ethiopian hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus dorsalis) lives a nocturnal lifestyle, spending its day inside a small burrow that it digs to avoid the heat, and coming out at night to hunt for food. It will eat invertebrates, baby snakes, and bird’s eggs, but its favourite food source is scorpions from which it will nip the stinger off before eating. Due to generations of desert living, these small survivors have highly adapted kidneys and can go for long periods of time without water. Recent research in Qatar has shown that this tiny animal is fast on its feet: one animal travelled 1,500 metres in 15 minutes.

Reptiles include the Blue-headed Agama which changes its body colours to match its moods and surroundings. The Spiny-tailed Agama known by the Arabic name of dhub (not shown) is a common desert reptile which, despite its dragon-like appearance, is a peaceful animal that prefers to flee rather than enter into conflict. It never drinks water as it has special glands which help its body to dispose of uric acid and is found in shrubby areas which allow for burrowing. They can survive body temperatures of 46°C and display chameleon-like qualities, changing colour in response to changes in temperature. Reaching 80 cm they are hunted for game and supposed medical properties and unfortunately the numbers of this lizard are decreasing.

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PICTURED FROM TOP The Sand Snake (Psammaophis schokari) is the most commonly found snake, feeding on small mammals and lizards. An elegant, fast moving reptile with black and white streaks on a grey-brown body, it grows to 155 cm and is found during daylight in cultivated areas as well as open desert. Its thin body allows it to travel easily over the sandy terrain. Its bite is mildly toxic to humans.

Other snakes include the Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes gasperetti) which can develop an astonishing speed undulating sideways on the soft surface. Strictly nocturnal, it’s rarely seen, burying itself in the sand when threatened. Although not aggressive, if accidentally stepped on, it is potentially dangerous. Jayakar’s Sand Boa is the only Arabian snake that kills its prey – geckos and small rodents – by constriction. They move quickly out of danger and are rarely seen.

The Desert Monitor Lizard is more aggressive and can inflict a nasty scratch or bite if handled inappropriately. Although it has a forked tongue it is not venomous. Living in sandy areas with moderate bush cover, these lizards grow up to one metre in length, feeding on small lizards, snakes, scorpions, rats, and birds or turtle eggs. They are easily identified by their distinctive brownish-yellow colour crossed with bands of black.

The Trident Leaf-nosed-Bat and Hemprich’s Long-eared Bat are found in the caves, ruins and old-established date palms on the outskirts of Doha. The Trident has a noseleaf made up of three parts with the nostrils located in the front. They are frequently observed at dusk, flying low among palm groves, although the larger Long-eared Bat is less common. They can fly for long periods across the desert searching for food.

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THE ORYX

A living legend and the emblem of Qatar – this beautiful creature is reputed to have given rise to the legend of the mythical unicorn. When viewed in profile, the two long annulated horns of the Arabian white oryx (Oryx leucoryx) appear as one. The cream coloured oryx with the striking black and white markings on its face is called maha in Arabic, and sometimes referred to as al wadhah (the clear) because of its whiteness. Its natural habitat is the area between Saudi Arabia and Oman. Almost hunted into extinction by the 1960s, the farsighted creation of two herds in Qatar and a carefully structured breeding programme has kept the oryx alive. Similar programmes have also been established in other GCC states, and they have now been reintroduced to the wild again.

The Arabian Oryx is a gregarious antelope, browsing and grazing amongst the sparse vegetation of the arid Arabian peninsula. In fact it can cover 20 – 25 km a night to reach its favourite grazing areas. Its average life-span is around 25 years, it stands up to 102 cm at the shoulder, and weighs between 100 – 150 kg.

The oryx’s horns are used as weapons of self-defence against their enemies. The male is fiercely protective towards the females at mating time, allowing nothing to approach them – even the suckling calves!

It has adapted remarkably well to the harsh desert environment, going for long periods without water, and it can tolerate dehydration of up to 20% of its body weight. The Bedouin say that the colouration of the oryx helps it cope with the heat and cold. The white coat of the body reflects solar radiation and helps the animals cope with the summer temperatures – which can reach a blistering 54º Celsius. In winter when the temperature can drop below 10 degrees they say the darker hair on the legs absorbs the heat from the desert sand. Their splayed hooves, dark but with a characteristic white stripe, make movement easy over the soft desert sand.

GAZELLES

Although Qatar is not well known for its indigenous wildlife beyond the camel and the oryx, it is home to more than 3,500 gazelles. While many of the gazelle’s natural predators (such as the Arabian Leopard

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Arabian Oryx is the national symbol of Qatar. The national carrier Qatar Airways displays the oryx on the tail of its aircraft. The Gazelle is a shy and elusive animal slowly being released into the wild from captive breeding programmes after near extinction.

A European Bee-eater

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and Arabian Wolf) are now almost extinct in the wild, three main threats to it still remain: the shrinkage of suitable habitats; overgrazing by camels and goats; and hunting. Hence, most of Qatar’s gazelles – known locally as reem – still live under protection on government and private farms.

An animal that was almost hunted to extinction in the 1970s, gazelles have also been released into the wild by the Supreme Council for the Environment & Natural Reserves (SCENR). The project, which hopes to create a safe environment, saw 100 gazelles – 60 males and 40 females – being set free in the northwestern and southern parts of Qatar in 2003. To ensure the safety of these gazelles from hunters and predators, and to monitor their adaptation to the new surroundings in the early stages of the project, a team of more that 100 SCENR officials took turns to conduct daily patrols. Officials also constructed water reservoirs for the herds and provided them with supplementary food. The project has yielded encouraging results as the population in the wild continues to rise.

BIRDS

The greening of wide patches of Qatar in recent years has created a welcoming environment for large numbers of migratory birds and a permanent home for many other species. Areas that were once hostile to many species of wildlife have been transformed into safe havens and many migratory birds, which would previously have overflown the country, are now returning year after year.

Some species which had previously been reported as scarce in the country are now present in large and ever-increasing numbers. They vary tremendously – from the insignificant plumage of the humble House Sparrow to the pink Flamingos, the vivid green wild Parrots and the spectacularly multi-coloured European Bee-eaters. Some can be seen in town, whilst others may be sighted on excursions to the desert or beach.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT A heron is well camouflaged in an area of mangrove trees.

The one riyal note depicts popular birds seen in the country.

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November, December and January are the cooler months in Qatar, and as such represent ‘winter’. Along the extended shores of the peninsula, you’ll see hundreds of different kinds of gulls at this time of year and many of the jetties and breakwaters will have a resident cormorant sitting sagely on a post! The all-black Socotra cormorants are residents while the white breasted Great Cormorants are just passing through.

There are numerous different waders such as the winter-visiting Greenshanks, Oyster Catchers and Plovers. The Kentish Plover is a resident breeder as is the majestic eagle-like Osprey. Most of the ducks, geese, mallard, stilt and teal that are found around effluent ponds and in the reeds are winter visitors, but the chestnut brown Ferruginous Duck is a resident breeder. If you visit any of the out‑of‑town farms at this time of year you’re likely to find larks and wheatears.

THE OSTRICH

By February, more migratory birds appear – this time on their way from Africa and countries such as India to western Asia and Europe.

Further species of larks and wheatears appear, as well as ducks, terns and the occasional harrier or kestrel. March and April are the prime birdwatching months here. By May the temperatures are rising and the migratory birds will have mostly departed. However, fledgelings of the resident breeders such as sparrows, collared doves, bulbuls and raucous mynahs begin to appear. June, July and August are the hottest months but, by the end of August and on into September, some of the migratory birds will be anxious to escape the early onset of northern winters and will be found either passing through on their way south or arriving early for winter in Qatar.

Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA of the Arabian Ostrich and other subspecies of ostrich confirmed a close relationship between the Arabian ostrich and the North African red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus), and it was chosen as a replacement for the extinct Arabian ostrich. And so, many years after extinction, pioneering reintroduction projects using the North African red-necked ostrich were undertaken in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where the Supreme Council for the Environment & Natural Reserves introduced the ostriches into the Ras Abrouq nature reserve, situated near Bir Zekreet in the northwest of the Qatari Peninsula. Stay in your vehicle if you see one as they are an aggressive bird.

The Arabian or Middle Eastern Ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) has a history in the region spanning thousands of years. Its range was extensive in prehistoric times, with ostrich shell being discovered at archaeological sites across the Middle East. It had a significant place in the culture of the region and in Mesopotamia it was used as a sacrificial animal. After the rise of Islam, the Arabian Ostrich came to epitomise wealth and elegance, and ostrich hunting became a popular pastime for the nobility.

The Arabian Ostrich was fairly common until the 1920s – the availability of firearms and the introduction of motor vehicles into the region meant hunters were able to pursue them to extinction.

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Sea

MARINE CONSERVATION

Caring for the environment now tops many countries’ agendas, including those that border on the Arabian Gulf, which houses a fragile ecosystem and a number of marine species on the endangered list. The Supreme Council for the Environment & Natural Reserves (SCENR – now under the auspices of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment) was set up in 2000 with a view to protecting the environment and conserving the endangered species and their habitats. Various initiatives have been set in place to address issues such as toxic waste and raw sewage disposal, oil pollution, land reclamation, desalination waste and over-fishing.

The myriad species of life in the seas surrounding Qatar reflect the rich bio-diversity of these temperate waters where some of the rarest sea mammals and reptiles make their home. Qatar’s strenuous efforts to ensure their survival with a series of conservation measures are often funded by the oil and gas sectors which now share the fertile waters of the Arabian Gulf. SCENR works alongside Qatar’s oil and gas companies to monitor the local environment and minimise any damage.

Qatar also adheres to the Kyoto Protocol and places a great deal of importance on abiding by its rules and regulations. As one of the main suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) products to the world’s energy sector, Qatar is committed to environmentally friendly policies. Also, Qatar’s gas to liquids (GTL) products are now delivering cleaner fuel to the world market.

Qatargas successfully relocated over 4,500 coral colonies from prospective pipeline corridors in Qatar’s waters, in one of the largest coral protection efforts seen in the region, to new safe and sustainable locations southeast of Al Khor.

Buses, tyres, bidets, old building materials and even a bulletproof car dropped onto a pristine sandy sea bed may sound like an ecological tragedy but, when carefully managed and executed, such actions draw marine life back into an otherwise barren seascape. Over the last 20 years the reefs created by such objects at Mesaieed have matured, and both the number and diversity of marine life in the area has increased enormously.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Qatar University’s research vessel ‘Janan’ is used for extensive teaching and research projects.

The Whale Shark Research Project undertakes regular analysis to record the numbers and wellbeing of these majestic creatures in local waters.

A Hawksbill Turtle swims in Gulf waters.

A mature female Hawksbill Turtle returns to the sea with a small transmitter on her back to track her progress by satellite.

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SEA CREATURES

In addition to the creation of the man-made reefs, the Qatar Scientific Club began a project in 1997 to create safe and environmentally friendly artificial reefs using concrete structures called ‘reef balls’. Qatar University also has an ongoing project to introduce the balls around the coast which is achieving considerable success.

The Hawksbill Turtle is on the critical WWF list of endangered species.

One of its habitats is in Qatari waters where it lays its eggs on the sandy beaches of the mainland and on some of the islands. Although Qatar is doing its best to safeguard the turtle nesting beaches, and to create awareness of the need to protect this endangered species, curious onlookers easily damage the nests and eggs. Fortunately, a number of the nesting beaches on the Qatari mainland fall within the boundaries of Ras Laffan Industrial City and other protected areas.

Tiny hatchlings can be found in areas of sea plants where they are protected from predators, but will head for open waters once they are

bigger. As they approach adulthood they re-enter coastal waters. The juvenile Hawksbills are often found near stone jetties, and a number have been seen around the natural stone walls of Ras Laffan Port. They also inhabit the mangrove-fringed bays on Qatar’s eastern shores.

Other joint initiatives include a project with the Emirates Wildlife Society and the WWF to monitor up to 75 post-nesting female turtles from the region using satellite tracking.

The Supreme Council for the Environment & Natural Reserves, now under the auspices of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, organises regular awareness campaigns to promote conservation among the general public. It works with local, regional and international environmental groups, in the public or private sector, in order to preserve the environment for future generations. It has created a number of national parks and nature reserves throughout Qatar.

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Qatar’s shallow shores are home to the Bottlenose Dolphin, one of the more common species of dolphin, while the long-nosed Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis) dwells in the deeper waters of the Arabian Gulf.

in the Arabian Gulf. Measures are now underway throughout the Gulf region to preserve the dugongs and Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have all introduced legislation designed to protect this endangered species.

The Arabian Gulf is also home to the dugong, a large, slow moving, and shy creature. The dugong is the only living species of the family Dugongidae and their closest aquatic relatives are the manatees of the Atlantic Ocean. Surprisingly, neither of these creatures is related to whales or dolphins and their closest relative is the elephant.

Dugongs, or Sea Cows, are known in Qatar and Bahrain as arous al bahr – the bride of the sea – and it is thought they are the creatures sailors referred to as ‘mermaids’. They are herbivorous, and stay submerged for up to 15 minutes while grazing on sea grass, the mainstay of their diet. They usually rest during the day and feed mainly at night.

The dugong population in the Arabian Gulf is the second largest in the world after Australia, but their numbers are declining, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has listed them as vulnerable. Their natural predators are sharks and killer whales but humans are their greatest threat.

While some hunting occurs, the main danger is net capture (where accidents can take place) and the destruction of their habitat. Coastal development, land reclamation, dredging of the seabed, pollution and increased salinity of the water have drastically affected their numbers

Adult dugongs average 2.5 – 4 m in length, and can weigh up to 900 kg. They have a streamlined body, a fluke-like two-pointed tail used for locomotion, and flippers at the front of the body for steering.

Their muscular upper lip protrudes over the down-turned mouth whilst the lower lip and parts of the palate have horny pads used to grasp vegetation. They can live for up to 70 years; however, they take nine to 10 years to reach maturity and then give birth to a single calf every three to seven years.

PICTURED FROM LEFT A close look at a dugong.

Fishing dhows loaded with gargoor and nets sail daily from Al Khor to find a catch (photographed by A Asergeev).

A demonstration of traditional net making by retired fishermen during the Dhow Festival.

Qatar’s Wholesale Fish Market has an enormous choice of seafood and fish on offer. The atmosphere is almost frenetic as the crowd haggles for the fish and seafood on display. Qatar has some of the best seafood and fish in the Middle East, displayed at its best in the refurbished market.

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FISHING

Fishing has always been an important part of Qatari life and for the fishermen in the small coastal villages it provided both a nutritious food source and an income. Fish still forms an important part of the Qatari diet, and while the dhows now have a motor, they still sail on a daily basis from harbours around Qatar, such as those in Al Wakra and Al Khor, to bring home a catch that will be on the table the same day.

The variety is enormous as fish and shellfish abound in the waters of the Gulf and discriminating buyers accept nothing but the best.

Qataris use many different fishing techniques: gargoor (domed inter-tidal fish traps now made from galvanised pipe and netting but originally made from palm leaf ribs) are lowered onto the seabed close to the shore and left overnight, while saliyeh (throw nets) are often used to cover small areas teeming with fish, and long nets are staked out in the shallows. Maskar (traps with low stone walls) built with narrow, maze-like entrances allow fish to enter at high tide but leave them stranded as the water recedes. Further out to sea, dragnets are commonly used.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT Blue Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus) are found mainly around coral reefs and shallow rocky areas.

The Long Spined Sea Urchin has an internal skeleton and small sense organs.

A Sea Squirt (Ciona intestinalis) is firmly attached to the hard substrate. Food particles are picked up during the passage of water inside the body.

The Surgeon Fish (Acanthurus sohal) is an inhabitant of the coral reef where its flat body enables it to manoeuvre easily between crevices.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT The Blue-spotted Sting Ray (Dasyatis kuhlii) can mostly be found in sandy patches among the coral.

The large polyps of Daisy Coral trap small organisms using their tentacles. Each polyp secretes a hard skeleton giving structure to the colony.

Cuttlefish are fast moving and carnivorous. When alarmed they emit a cloud of black ink in which they lie hidden.

Ghost crabs (Ocypode saratan) are a pale, whitish colour which provides protection on sandy beaches where they have their burrows.

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Agriculture DEVELOPMENT Qatar’s government has long supported agricultural development in a country where a severe lack of water resources, an arid climate and high salinity levels limit the levels of food sufficiency that can be achieved.

The announcement by the then Amir, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, of the creation of the Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) at the World Summit in Rome in 2009 was a direct response to this problem. It was first established in November 2008 on a directive from the then Heir Apparent, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and is seen as an integral part of Qatar National Vision 2030, to achieve tangible results by 2013.

At the formal announcement during the summit the Amir stated that the programme’s main objective was to increase domestic food production by tapping into advanced technology. It was also to secure supplies of imported food under a comprehensive food security programme.

QNFSP was first and foremost a model for sustainable and environmentally friendly water use and agriculture in Qatar and other arid regions. This expertise was shared with other countries in the Gulf and around the world. Qatar would also provide ‘best-practice’ methods in shared-benefits schemes to develop agricultural land in partnership with other countries.

Relying on a knowledge-based economy, QNFSP provided an overall initiative for the country with specific aims and objectives for the problems of each area of food production. Broad-based research programmes in collaboration with international institutes and experts in various fields addressed a wide range of issues from water supply to marketing. The master plan, announced in 2010, included extensive irrigation work in the agrarian region on the outskirts of Doha, research for better seeds, scientific cultivation methods, product marketing strategies and agricultural education.

The Sahara Forest Project is an environmental solution to create re-vegetation and green jobs through profitable production of food, water, clean electricity and biomass in desert areas. This is done by combining already existing and proven environmental technologies, including saltwater-cooled greenhouses, concentrated solar power (CSP) and technologies for desert revegetation around a saltwater infrastructure.

PICTURED FROM TOP The wholesale vegetable market is full of Qatari vegetables, particularly during the cooler winter season when many varieties are grown outdoors.

Qatar’s dairy farms (with fully air-conditioned cow sheds) produce a wide range of products including milk, yogurt and cheese.

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In 2011 The Sahara Forest Project AS entered into cooperation with Yara ASA, the world’s largest supplier of fertiliser, and Qafco, the world’s largest single site producer of urea and ammonia. After successfully completing a comprehensive feasibility study, the parties signed an agreement to build the first fully operational Sahara Forest Project Pilot Plant in Qatar. The Sahara Forest Project Facility became operational in December 2012 and provides a unique research platform to demonstrate and optimise environmental technologies that will enable restorative growth in desert areas around the world.

Animal pastoralists in an arid climate have traditionally maintained a delicate balance between their herds and a stable vegetation density.

Qatar now imports 60,000 tons a year of green fodder for animals.

Hassad Qatar, a division of Hassad Food, Qatari Investment Authority’s arm to oversee agricultural investment, aims to increase fodder production using a tripartite treated water system.

particularly when the cost of ‘hidden water’ is included in the price of any exports.

Thanks to initiatives by the government giving grants and allocating farmland, farmers markets are becoming increasingly popular with a wide range of foodstuffs available to the general consumer. Yards at Al Wakra, Al Mazrooah (near Umm Slal stadium) and Al Khor-Al Thakhira sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, all under the remit of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME). Up to 80 Qatari farms, 10 fishermen and 40 livestock producers all sell their wares at reasonable prices. Major supermarkets, and some of the neighbourhood grocery stores, sell local produce, much of which is produced without the need of pesticides.

The fishing industry is another area where techniques such as fish farming will expand the catch of Gulf varieties like hamour to meet the demands of the local population at reasonable prices. Providing produce for the local markets in all sectors is the primary aim,

PICTURED Hydroponics is used to grow a wide range of produce including bananas and better packaging ensures not only high quality but also higher prices for the farmer.

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DATES

DATE FARMING

The date palm is said to be one of the oldest species of fruit tree in the world and is mentioned in the Quran. Archaeological records bear witness to the cultivation of date palms as far back as 4000 BCE in Mesopotamia (part of present day Iraq).

Date palms are either male or female. Hence, pollination is a complicated process. Palm groves were traditionally planted in the ratio of one male to seven female trees for wind-assisted pollination. Date pollen is sold in Doha’s Omani Souq for private gardeners who don’t have any male trees. Today, with this age-old method refined through modern applications, yields are constantly being improved.

Like the camel, the date palm and its fruit are an intrinsic feature of the Arab ethos. A traditional welcome in any Qatari home involves offering the guest qahwa (Arabic coffee) and sweet, succulent dates (tamar).

Muslims throughout the world break their Ramadan fast by consuming a few dates and sipping water.

Dates have long been part of the Arab diet and doctors attest to their therapeutic properties for a number of conditions. The Bedouin learned how to make use of every part of the tree, from the dates which were dried and eaten throughout the year, to the leaves and the trunk. There is an old Arabic saying which states: ‘The palm follows a man from the cradle to his grave.’

According to international estimates, there are 100 million date palms in the world. Of these, over 60 million are grown in Arab countries – which produce 2 million tonnes of dates between them each year!

Date palms, which have an average lifespan of 100 years, usually blossom and begin giving fruit after about five years and are fully mature at twelve years. Each tree can produce between five and ten clusters of dates – with a single cluster containing more than a thousand dates and weighing as much as 8 kg. The date harvesting season here takes place from late summer, although dates can be bought from any supermarket throughout the year.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The dried fronds of the date palm are dyed and woven to produce a variety of useful items including baskets, small boxes and fans.

Bunches of dates are ready for picking; beautifully boxed premium dates make a delightful gift.

A Qatari craftsman weaving baskets.

Sweet lovers will find a wide variety of date-filled fresh pastries to enjoy – look out for maamoul in Middle Eastern pastry shops and in packages on supermarket shelves.

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Dates continue to ripen after they are picked and each stage has a distinctive name. Unripe dates are green (khadrawi) but when they ripen and turn their distinctive colour (yellow, red, black, or pink) dates are said to be in the khalal stage. They mature into the rutab stage when they turn light brown and become soft and moist, with a subtle caramel flavour. Dates are finally said to be in the tamar stage when they are dark brown, fully cured, and more blistered in appearance.

There are several hundred kinds of dates and popular varieties include barhi, halawy, zahidy, saqi, khalas, khidri, and the ‘king of dates’ medjool. Some varieties of dates can be boiled to make dibis, a date syrup similar to honey, and dates can now be purchased rather like expensive chocolates. Beautifully boxed, and stuffed with a variety of fillings like almonds, they are sometimes combined with chocolate.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has a laboratory and plant nursery in the Al Dafna area of Doha where they clone date palms, using tissue from shoots to create hundreds of tiny plants which all share the same genetic characteristics. In common with the other Gulf States, Qatar has a fairly high level of salinity in its soil, which means

that the most successful date palms must be salt tolerant and cloning is the most satisfactory way to ensure that the strongest and fittest plants are grown.

The Ministry purchases date palm seedlings from local nurseries and, as part of the government’s beautification drive, buys mature date palms which are transplanted to new areas.

Whether they are grown for decorative purposes or for their fruit, the date palms are carefully tended and trimmed each year. The dying lower fronds are cut away close to the trunk, and the small side-shoots removed and established as separate palms.

Date palm farmers might soon be able to increase their crop yield by up to 100%, thanks to research from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. The researchers managed to assemble a draft of the date palm genome and then identified gene sequences linked to gender inheritance.

Instead of waiting five years for the plant to mature to see its gender breeders will be able to determine the gender of the date palm as a seedling, as DNA can be extracted from the leaves.

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Parks and beaches

THE CORNICHE

Al Corniche, created in the 1970s by extending the shoreline around Doha’s magnificent bay, has proved a favourite spot for visitors and residents ever since. It runs from Hotel Park, next to the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, to Ras Bu Abboud. Users can walk, jog, or even rollerblade along the promenade, or just relax and enjoy a picnic under the palm trees. Moored by the park is the Msheireb Enrichment Centre which has an interesting exhibition about old Doha and the new Msheireb development.

The Corniche is a combination of well-tended gardens and walkways along the seafront combined with sites of interest. These include the Amiri Diwan, HH the Amir’s palace, which serves as a centre for both work and state occasions. Beside it sits an old clock tower and the Grand Mosque.

Further along is the palace built for a previous ruler in 1912, which is a fine example of early local architecture. This will be at the heart of the new National Museum of Qatar, an iconic building by Jean Nouvel

featuring an interlocking disc design inspired by the desert rose. Other reminders of Qatar’s heritage can be found in the small statues and murals of Qatar’s past dotted along the seafront.

Dhow trips around the bay provide a closer look at the sparkling skyline with its many towers, and the striking modern architecture along Al Bidda Street. Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, built on reclaimed land lies at the south end of the bay. Designed by I M Pei it holds one of the foremost collections of Islamic art in the world. The Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center (also known as Fanar) building’s spiral minaret has also added a distinctive Islamic touch to this area.

Doha’s heritage as a fishing port is recalled at the Dhow Harbour where fishing dhows still ply their trade. It sits immediately beside Doha Port and a small marina for private boats, which reflects the popularity of boating in Qatar as a hobby. A little further on, fresh fish can be purchased directly from the fishing boats.

The Al Mourjan Corniche restaurant situated in the middle of the Corniche provides striking views across Doha Bay.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Amiri Diwan on the Corniche.

The Corniche promenade looking north with a dhow waiting for visitors to take a trip around the bay.

The striking architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art is complemented by the sculpture ‘7’ by Richard Serra.

Enjoy the eclectic mix of stalls at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar.

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PARKS AND GREEN AREAS

Qatar’s numerous parks and gardens provide a wonderful setting for an outing or picnic, particularly during winter, with its temperate sunny days much appreciated after the long, hot summer. The ever-increasing population, with its corresponding rise in demand for leisure activities, has seen newer parks incorporate open-air theatres, rollerblade rinks and games pitches.

The first public park was opened in Doha in the early 1970s. This modest beginning has expanded considerably over the past four decades, and Qatar now has nearly 90 public parks throughout the country, with dozens more planned for the future.

Al Legtaifiya Family Public Park has the first inclusive playground in the region and was opened 3 December 2017 to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A collaboration between The Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Sasol chemicals and energy company, the modified playground equipment includes a slide and a swing for wheelchair users. The Inclusive Playground is part of Accessible Qatar, a Sasol initiative designed to support inclusion and accessibility in the local community.

Other notable parks in the country include Hotel Park, next to the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, and Al Bidda Park, now open to the public again after undergoing extensive renovations and extension to provide even more green space and activities.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment continues to open parks in Doha, as well as Al Rayyan, Al Wakra, Al Khor, Al Daayen, Al Thakira, Umm Slal, and Al Shamal.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Barzan Olympic Park lies just off the North Road near Umm Slal and, with its sister park at Simaisma, is designed to promote an enjoyable healthy lifestyle for areas outside the capital under Qatar Olympic Committee’s slogan ‘Sport for Life’.

The park at Al Wakra provides a quiet and picturesque haven for families.

The Inclusive Playground at Al Legtaifiya Family Public Park was developed after reading an article in a local newspaper by a young disabled boy who was unhappy he could not play with his friends.

Aspire Park has extensive landscaping with plants, trees, a lake and water features.

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The parks are a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the Parks department at the Ministry. They have overcome an arid climate and lack of water resources to produce some of the loveliest gardens in the Middle East. The department has its own nurseries, which contain more than two and a half million plants and reliance on foreign imports has decreased so that now only two or three varieties are imported.

Propagation is by cuttings, seeds and grafting. The Agricultural Research Station also utilises tissue culture (cloning) for palm trees.

The non-native plants grown in Qatar are chosen for their ability to adapt to the climate and the salinity of the soil. The arid climate and lack of groundwater are major challenges and public gardens are irrigated with wastewater. The system is fully integrated and computerised, using plastic pipe drips and taps for plants and trees, and sprinklers for grass. Plants are watered once a day on average, and consumption has been cut with the introduction of more thorny-leafed plants, which need less water.

The department aims to constantly improve the beauty and services of its parks and, at the same time, respect and conserve the environment.

New flowering varieties of perennial plants and trees have been introduced, which are less labour-intensive than relying solely on winter annuals for flowers. Salination in the soil is a recurring constraint and many of the new varieties will be salt-resistant trees. More areas of landscaping have a patio-like environment of alternating plants and paving.

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FLOWERS AND THE QURANIC GARDEN Qatar’s gardens, patios and parks reflect the changing seasons, although many plants provide all year colour and variety through their leaves rather than flowers.

Annuals such as marigolds (bottom centre) and petunias flower in the cooler winter months between October and May. Certain grasses and other plants adapted to a hot dry climate are now being planted in greater numbers and varieties (top right). The beautiful bougainvillea (bottom right) can be seen hanging over many garden walls in a variety of colours throughout the year.

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THE QURANIC BOTANIC GARDEN

The complete Quranic Botanic Garden comprises all the plant species mentioned in the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the Sunnah. These include cultivated and wild species.

The garden has been established by Qatar Foundation (QF) – their chairperson, HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, inaugurated the garden with the planting of a sidra tree, symbol for QF. The garden’s purpose is to bring wider awareness of the plants mentioned in the Quran, via education and conservation. The information centre is particularly aimed at children and families to learn more, with displays and interactive screens.

Spreading over 24 hectares of land, the garden will include about 350 species of local flora, apart from some of the 51 plants mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. Climatic constraints preclude the inclusion of all the plants mentioned. The garden aims to identify such plants and highlight their characteristics in the fields of environmental conservation, scientific research, education and recreation.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Tamarisk tree (Tamarix aphylla) known in Arabic as athl or tarfa.

The fig (al teen) is widely eaten across the Middle East in its fresh and dry forms.

The Sidra (ziziphus spina-christi) is a well-loved tree in Qatar and features in the elevation of the Qatar National Convention Centre. It also features in the logo of Qatar Foundation. The tree was prized for its welcoming shade in the desert and for the medicinal properties of its leaves, fruit and flowers.

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BEACHES

The coastline of the peninsula, extending over 560 km, provides Qatar’s residents and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of activities or simply relax and enjoy the vista of sun, sea and sand. The usually calm and warm waters of the Gulf are a delight to swim in with the opportunity to see the desert landscape on the way.

Many of the beaches are completely unspoiled and need a four-wheel-drive and accurate directions to find them. Fuwairit beach has a long sandy stretch with interesting rock formations of eroded jebel (cliffs) running down to the water’s edge. Other beaches like those near Al Wakra, now a virtual suburb of Doha, not only make a pleasant place to spend a day on the sands or simply go for an afternoon stroll, but can be combined with a visit to the harbour and its fishing dhows.

barbecue platforms, play areas, beach umbrellas and toilets.

Beach resorts with a wide range of watersports and other activities offer other opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Sealine Beach Resort in Mesaieed has beach sports and camel and horse rides. Katara Beach in the cultural village at the north end of Doha has a 1.5 km sandy shore. It has play areas for children and activities such as windsurfing, boat rides and sailing.

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment in conjunction with Ashghal have developed the facilities at beaches in Al Wakra, Simaisma, Fuwairit, Al Kharaij at Umm Bab and Al Farkiya at Al Khor. These include

PICTURED FROM LEFT Dhows on the shore at Al Wakra.

Many of the beaches are completely unspoiled – a four-wheel-drive and accurate directions are essential.

The camel provides an interesting ride along the sands just after the gates to Sealine Beach Resort, at the base of the dunes.

The beach at Katara provides a wide range of activities including water sports.

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HERITAGE

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THE SHAPE OF HISTORY Like its nomadic tribes, history has ebbed and flowed across the peninsula and stretches from evidence of occupation many thousands of years ago at Al Jassasiya to the far more visible forts and towers that still dot the landscape. Dangerous journeys across sea or desert saw a continued struggle to survive in the often uncertain conditions that prevailed along the coast or in the desert.

And pervading both the history and the culture, Islam.

Today, Qatar’s towers and forts ring with the click of cameras rather than gunfire. Yet, on a quiet day with the soft sound of the wind over the sand, it is still possible to search the distant horizon and tense with a sense of expectancy.

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The Past

TIMES OF STRIFE

The warlike nature of the area has long been reflected in its international value as a commodities and trade route. Five hundred years ago the Portuguese enhanced their power over the Gulf after establishing control over the Strait of Hormuz in the16th century. The Portuguese Empire traded in many Gulf harbours, including Qatar, where it exported gold, silver, textiles, pearls, amber and horses.

Arabian Peninsula, migrated into the southern part of Qatar in the early 1800s and by the middle of the century had moved into the northern part of Qatar including Al Zubara, Ruwais and Fuwairit. As Britain’s influence in the area expanded, Qatar was included in the British-backed Maritime Truce of 1835, which outlawed all warfare during the pearl fishing season. In 1868, after conflict within the area, Britain recognised the independence of Qatar with a treaty signed by the British Resident.

In the first half of the 1700s Arabs, under the leadership of the Bani Khalid who dominated eastern Arabia, seized power and extended their dominance from Qatar to Kuwait. Al Zubarah which had already emerged as an important sea port in the Gulf in view of the increased exportation of pearls to the different parts of the world became the headquarters of the Bani Khalid administration in Qatar.

In 1871, as a result of an old alliance with the Turks to expel the Portuguese from the region, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, the ruler of Qatar, made a request to the Ottomans for protection against any external attack. In the following year the Ottomans’ entry into Doha had been completed.

Qatar’s present ruling family, the Al Thani, who originated from a branch of the Bani Tamim tribe of Ushaiqir in the province of Nejd in the

During the 1880s the Ottomans attempted to increase their power in Qatar by appointing their own officials and by establishing a customs house and strengthening their garrison in Doha. Al Koot

PICTURED FROM LEFT The two watch towers in the Umm Slal Mohammed area.

Al Zubara Fort.

This rather more modern Arab fortified village near Bir Zekreet, which was used as a film set, contains many features of local architecture.

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Fort dates from this period. This led to open war with the new ruler HH Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. In March 1893 at Al Wajba, 15 km west of Doha, the Ottomans were defeated by Sheikh Jassim and his forces. This Ottoman defeat was a landmark in the modern history of Qatar and Sheikh Jassim is regarded as the founder of the modern State of Qatar.

WATCH TOWERS

The tall fingers of the two towers erected in the Umm Slal Mohammed area in the late 19th century were designed to watch over sea and land.

Barzan Tower (the ‘high place’) in the west and Al Borj Al Shargi (East Tower) are 16 metres high. They have been used as a platform to look out for approaching ships, to track pearl divers, and as an observatory to scrutinise the moon’s phases for the lunar-based Hijri calendar.

They also form part of the defensive system established in the late 19th century, including the nearby Umm Slal Mohammed fortress, to protect the nearby oasis and rawdah, the depression where precious top soils and rainwater collect from higher ground. Beautiful palm tree groves, fed by traditional irrigation canals called aflaj, are still cultivated.

Barzan Tower, with its unique ‘T’ shape, has three levels and an external staircase. The towers were built for strength with walls one metre thick at the base and further strengthened by buttresses. These were constructed as cones in one tower and as massive staircases in the other. There is also a majlis (a room to receive guests), and a mosque

used as a madrassa, a school for teaching children the Holy Quran.

FORTS

Qal’at Al Zubarah (Al Zubara Fort), built around 1938 on the ruins of an older building near Al Zubara town, retains the design of a typical Arab fort in spite of its late date of construction. Built by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani, it was used as a garrison by soldiers until the mid-1980s, when it was turned into a museum to display some of the finds uncovered in the nearby Al Zubara town.

Central to the design is a square courtyard enclosed by massive one metre-thick walls. Three of the corners have circular towers topped with crenellated battlements while the fourth contains a rectangular tower, a common design fof old forts in the Gulf. Around the courtyard run several rooms and a 15 metre-deep well, the fort’s water supply.

The second floor has a wide promenade with rooms inside the corner towers. The walls of these rooms, and the promenade, feature gunfire holes angled in different directions allowing the soldiers to shoot at the enemy from all sides. Visitors can still see the wooden ladders that enabled the men to climb up to the roof for an unimpeded view.

The Al Zubarah Archaeological Site is Qatar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 2009 this protected area has been under investigation by an international team of archaeologists and scientists led by Qatar Museums. Through archaeology, historical research and working with the local communities the project aims to document and understand the rise and fall of this unique site and the important role it played in the development of the modern Gulf.

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FRIEND OR FOE?

In the early years of the 19th century piracy was at its peak in the Arabian Gulf, with about 19,000 coastal inhabitants preying on local shipping. The southern stretch of the Gulf region was then known as the ‘Pirate Coast’ and pearling dhows were in constant danger.

great number of his crew, who used mutinous expressions, into a tank on board in which they usually kept water, and this being shut close at the top, the poor wretches were all suffocated and afterwards thrown overboard.’

From his base at Khor Hassan at the northern tip of the Qatari peninsula, Rahmah bin Jabir, head of the Al Jalahima tribe, held sway over much of the Arabian Gulf. To his people, he was a brave and courageous protector. He harboured resentment for the Al Utub tribe based on the neighbouring island of Bahrain, whom he felt had betrayed the Al Jalahima in the past.

After years of various alliances with conflicting results, support from previous allies was in short supply and when, in 1826, the Bahrainis laid siege to Rahmah’s fortress at Dammam, he was in no position to deflect any attack.

The European traveller, Buckingham, who met with an ageing Rahmah, wrote in his book ‘Travels in Assyria’: ‘Rahmah ben Jeber’s figure presented a meager trunk, with four lank members, each of them cut and hacked, and pierced with wounds of sabers, spears and bullets, in every part, to the number perhaps of more than twenty wounds. He had, besides, a face naturally ferocious and ugly, and now rendered still more so by several scars there, and by the loss of one eye. An instance is related of his having recently put

A report by the Assistant British Resident in the Gulf, described an eyewitness account of the climax of the bloody battle: ‘Having, therefore, given orders for his vessel to grapple with the enemy, he took his youngest son (a fine boy about eight years old) in his arms, and seizing a lighted match, directed his attendants lead him down to the magazine. Although acquainted with the determined character of their chief, and of course aware of the inevitable destruction which awaited them, his commands were instantly obeyed, and in a few seconds the sea was covered with the scattered timbers of the exploded vessel, and the miserable remains of Rahmah bin Jabir and his devoted followers.’

PICTURED Dhow Festival at Katara Cultural Village.

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AL KHOR ISLAND

Jazirat Bin Ghannam, more popularly known as Purple or Al Khor island, is joined to the mainland by a shallow causeway which, although broken in two places, provides easy access. Fishing and pearling were the mainstays of early coastal communities. However, close ties to inland farming communities were also maintained and many of the smaller coastal settlements were occupied seasonally, their inhabitants travelling inland to seek work or to farm outside the pearling season.

It appears that parts of Al Khor Island were used as temporary campsites during the Bronze Age (2000 – 1000 BCE) and finds of pottery and other artefacts have provided conclusive evidence that the island was incorporated into an extensive Bronze Age trading network which encompassed the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean at around the start of the second millennium BCE. Perhaps its most famous inhabitant was a species of small marine snail that made it a centre for a particularly valuable commodity over 3,500 years ago – the dye known elsewhere as Tyrian purple. Large-scale production at the ancient city of Tyre, in what is now Lebanon, gave the colour its name and at present Purple Island is the only known site for its manufacture in the Gulf.

PICTURED FROM TOP The causeway at Jazirat Bin Ghannam Island.

Middens of shattered shells containing the remains of 3,000,000 snails, as well as remnants of large vats used in the dye production, indicate a thriving trade on the island. It is believed that it took approximately 12,000 crushed snails to extract 1.5 grams of the pure dye. Coarse Kassite pottery found on the island shows that the likely purchasers, or even producers, were the Kassite rulers of Babylonia where scarlet and purple-dyed cloth was much used as a prerogative of power by immediate members of the royal family and important religious figures.

Another inhabitant, appropriately purple, is the salt-loving qataf (sea lavender).

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AL ZUBARAH – FORTIFIED CAPITAL

The ancient city of Al Zubarah was established in 1765 and was once a thriving and prosperous settlement. Between 1775 and 1780, an attack by the Persians on Basra, coupled with an outbreak of the plague, forced many merchant families to flee the southern Iraqi city, and Zubarah began to feature as the region’s major focal point for trading. One contemporary map labels the entire Qatari peninsula as Al Zubarah, which indicates its strategic importance for the wider region.

It is estimated that the settlement housed between 5,000 and 6,000 people at its prime, with many of the inhabitants involved in fishing, pearl harvesting and merchant trading. Most of the dwellings uncovered so far are thought to be of a residential nature, with some semi-industrial sites and signs of ‘cottage industries’ including the mudbasa (date press), which was used to produce dibs (date syrup), for export.

Treasures unearthed have included heavy silver coins from Turkey, Persia, India, Zanzibar and East Africa; gold jewellery, incense burners, tobacco pipes and fine porcelain from the Far East. Such rich finds indicate that the city’s inhabitants were relatively wealthy and it was for this reason that Al Zubarah’s inner walls were built in 1768. The remains of these walls still surround the site today. A three kilometre‑long inland canal was dug in 1769 to Murair Fort and other small towns in the area, providing a sea link for trade into the Qatari peninsula – a major achievement without the luxury of today’s mechanical digging equipment. A series of attacks forced the population to migrate further south and the city was finally abandoned in 1878.

In June 2013 the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Archaeological excavations at the site of Al Zubarah.

Petroglyphs on the ridge of Jabal Al Jassasiya shows cup-marks, possibly used for games, and the image of a boat.

Qatar’s many abandoned sites enjoy a new lease of life as visitors explore them on desert excursions.

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JABAL AL JASSASIYA CARVINGS

The rocky ridge at Al Jassasiya near Fuwairit is the site of some of the mysterious petroglyphs – a collection of facinating signs carved into the stone. Shapes vary from geometric patterns to representations of animals and boats found on two parallel jebels, which are outcrops of rock. These carvings, while not unique to Qatar, are considered extraordinary in terms of both quality and state of preservation.

The most common type of the over 900 carvings is a double row of cup-marks. They are believed to have been used for a game involving two people distributing counters into the cups.

The origins and age of these carvings are still under discussion. Ruins of old settlements and dwellings dating back to the 15th century have been uncovered around the outcrops at Al Jassasiya. The softness of the rocks, which can be eroded quite easily, suggest that the carvings might be more recent – the work of fishermen, pearl divers and merchants produced while waiting for boats to arrive at Al Jassasiya, probably, a major port in the pearling industry. A recent scientific study found samples to be no more than 250 years old.

The most unusual carvings are those of thick-finned fish fossils, boats with numerous oars, scorpions walking on the rocks, donkeys and those depicting the outlines of turtles. In total, these carvings number more than 100. These bas-relief drawings were engraved using a system of dots cut with a pointed metal tool.

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BELIEFS

Allah revealed the holy book of Islam, the Quran, to the Prophet Mohammed and the Islamic era is dated from the time Mohammed and his family moved from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE, known as the Hijrah. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. It recognises the prophets of Judaism and Christianity (called the religions and peoples of the book) with Adam as the first prophet, and Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) as the last. Muslims believe that Islam is the perfection of the religion first revealed to the Jews and Christians.

The religion recognises that all men are born free from sin and are equal and that the colour of a person’s skin, their physique or their financial status have no bearing on their character as far as God is concerned.

Islam encourages respect for others and regards children as a blessing from God. The frequent use of the word Inshallah – meaning God Willing – reflects the belief that everything which comes to pass in this world will only come to fruition with God’s blessing. However, Islam is not fatalistic in its beliefs and acknowledges that God has given us the gift of free will.

In addition to the Quran, religious scholars quote from the Sunna, the guidelines of the religion given in the words and actions of the Prophet

Mohammed, and the Hadith, the body of tradition about Mohammed and his followers.

IMAM MUHAMMAD IBN ABDUL WAHHAB M0SQUE (AKA STATE MOSQUE)

Mosques quickly sprang up outside the Arabian Peninsula as Islam spread and newer mosques in Qatar often show influences from other Islamic countries. The design of the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in the Lejbailat area of Doha, and used for state occasions, reflects local architecture. It was inspired by the historic Bo Al Qobaib mosque, which was built 130 years ago by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani as a mark of respect for his newly deceased father. The internal air-conditioned prayer hall for men can accommodate about 10,000 people and the air-conditioned prayer hall for ladies accommodates about 1,200. More than 30,000 people are able to pray in the open area at the front of the mosque. The most striking feature is its 99 domes, which recall the 99 names of Allah.

Domes are seen in many mosques and have been in general use since the 7th century. They usually sit over the main prayer hall.

PICTURED FROM LEFT An Islamic motif from Mus’haf Qatar.

The Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, exterior and interior. All mosques contain a square or rectangular prayer hall (mussala) covered in carpets for worshippers to sit and pray upon. Small prayer rugs are used at home. Since prayers are gender segregated, provision is made for women to pray separately. Children start to pray when seven years old. Wath’u (washing) facilities are water fountains found in entryways and courtyards, allowing the worshipper to complete the ritual ablutions before prayers.

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THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM

The foundations of the religion are the beliefs encapsulated within what are called The Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadatayn – the oral confession of the two testimonies: ‘There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his prophet’. These are the first words whispered into a new-born child’s ear and are used by non-Muslims to formally convert to Islam.

Salat – the duty for Muslims to pray five times a day: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and in the evening.

Soum – the requirement to fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Zakat – the duty for each Muslim to render 2.5% of his excess income as alms to the poor and needy. This has to be paid annually, whenever there is money left after attending to the needs of the family.

Haj – the duty for each person to try to perform Haj, a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, at least once during their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able. This event occurs during the month of Thul Hijjah, and is the ultimate act of worship for Muslims. Pilgrimages at other times of the year, such as during Ramadan, are called Ummrah.

Friday is the ‘day of assembly’ (jum’a), with congregational prayers in the mosques and a sermon at midday.

MUS’HAF QATAR

The importance attached to the release of Qatar’s first printing of the Holy Quran (Mus’haf Qatar) in March 2010 reflects its stature as the sacred scripture of Islam, and the primary authority in the way Muslims understand their faith. The 800,000 copies of the edition were distributed free.

The word mus’haf refers to a collection of sheets or bound book.

Taking over 10 years to bring the QAR30 million project to fruition, and an international competition between the Islamic world’s most famous calligraphers to decide who would have the privilege of writing the manuscript, the new edition continues a unique tradition of producing a text in absolute conformity to its original 1,400 year old predecessor.

The Mus’haf Qatar project included three phases: writing, editing and printing. The competition to pen the text started with 121 calligraphers and ended with just two finalists, who were each asked to produce a copy of the Quran. The importance attached in the Islamic world to the accuracy and art of calligraphy can be seen by the fact that scribing the book took two years and the final copy was proofread 14 times.

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MOSQUES

The most obvious evidence of Islam on Qatar’s skyline can be found in the innumerable mosques (masajid) dotted about the country, ranging from large and imposing edifices to those so small that, tucked between other buildings, they are often passed by without a second glance. The word masjid simply means ‘place of worship.’ This close physical proximity between the mosque and community is important since it allows all Muslims the opportunity to use the mosque with little disruption to their daily lives.

According to Islamic beliefs, Allah ordained a place of worship on earth before the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed, and this is the Ka’aba in Mecca, a large building in the shape of a cube, whose construction pre-dates Islam. It is in this direction that Muslims pray. It should be clearly understood that Muslims are not praying to the physical structure but to the fact that it symbolises God’s house on earth as a place of worship.

Many mosques in Qatar have borrowed aspects of local building techniques and heritage as well as influences from other Muslim areas, but all mosques will have certain features in common. The prohibition of images or depictions of God and the human form has led to the development of complex patterns and calligraphy as a major form of decoration.

Ordinary daily prayers can be performed at any location, either at home or outside in a mosque, but all adult men should endeavour to attend Friday midday prayers in a mosque. Shoes are removed before prayers.

Prayers can be led by any male Muslim with sufficient education to carry out this function, but mosques have a regular incumbent (Imam) who is learned in religious matters. Friday prayers are accompanied by a sermon (khutbah) given either by the local Imam or a visiting religious leader. Special prayers also take place during Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The mosque at Katara Cultural Village is decorated in glazed mosaic tiles in the tradition of old mosques in Iran and Central Asia. Minarets are designed to help call the faithful to prayer from their topmost level and make the mosque visible. The adhan or call to prayer is now mostly broadcast from the top of the minarets by loudspeakers. The mihrab is a niche in one of the main prayer hall walls of the mosque, which indicates the qibla (direction of prayer towards the Ka’aba in Mecca). It can be seen above at Katara as an extrusion from the wall.

This older mosque is typical of the simple and clean form of earlier Qatari architecture.

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CULTURAL CENTRE

The recognition that a true and moderate interpretation of Islam needs a voice has resulted in the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre (also known as Fanar). The striking building sits near Souq Waqif and overlooks the Corniche. Its name is aptly reflected in its architecture since fanar means lighthouse or beacon. The central feature is a tall spiral minaret that dominates the old souq area and recalls Qatar’s long association with the sea, as well as beckoning visitors by its light at night.

The centre is an independent entity under the direction and patronage of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. It was designed to provide a wide range of activities to cover the many aspects of Islam for non-Muslims, non-Arabic-speaking Muslims and new converts alike. These include a permanent display of photographs and facts about Islam, the family tree of the Prophet Mohammed, as well as other exhibitions and workshops of Islamic art. It is also active in promoting Islamic culture through visits from foreign students, and classes in the Arabic language and Islamic thought and religion as well as guided tours of local mosques.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Visitors to the centre can have their names written in beautiful Arabic calligraphy with a reed pen.

The distinctive spiral minaret of the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre (Fanar) contrasts with the Museum of Islamic Art’s rectangular style as they face each other across the Corniche.

Misbah prayer beads, seen here on sale at Souq Waqif, have been carried by Muslims in the Middle East for centuries and are often seen in use during Ramadan. The name misbah, or subha in classical Arabic, means to praise and exalt God, and a Muslim will use a string of 99, 66 or 33 beads on which to recite the names or attributes of Allah, or repeat the words of the call to prayer. Many Arabs today, particularly the men, have adopted the misbah as an essential part of their wardrobe.

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RAMADAN

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the Holy Month of Ramadan, during which God revealed the Holy Quran to the Prophet Mohammed, represents a very special time for Muslims around the world. One of the Five Pillars of Islam requires Muslims to fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan. It is also a time for extra devotion and worship, intensive study of the Quran, extra charity and self-discipline. Muslims radiate genuine warmth at this time, both to one another and non-Muslims alike.

Two of the most important aspects of Ramadan are prayer and charity.

Extra prayers called tarawih are held in the mosques every night of the month, as seen in Mecca above, and Muslims donate generously to charitable organisations.

All Muslims who have reached the age of puberty and discretion – usually given as around 14 – and who are mentally and physically sound are expected to fast but exceptions are made for those who are unable to fast for health reasons.

For the non-Muslim in an Islamic country such as Qatar, Ramadan seems an intriguing month of unusual business hours, daytime fasting, late night and early morning shopping, street stalls selling unusual delicacies, sunsets marked by the sound of cannon fire, sumptuous mouthwatering evening meals, family visits, and numerous social gatherings during the evenings.

Cafés, restaurants, juice stalls and fastfood outlets close during the day, and only open to sell food from sunset onwards. Hotels will serve food in private during the day for non-Muslim guests. Eating, drinking or smoking in public is against the law. Men and women will not shake hands during fasting hours, and a modest dress code is required for non-Muslims.

Reflecting the days when few people had access to accurate clocks, a cannon is fired to mark the end of fasting. Five minutes later, the roads are completely silent, and the city resembles a ghost town!

Many Muslims prefer to break their fast with the traditional dates and yogurt or milk, which would at one time have constituted a major

PICTURED Ramadan prayers around the Ka’aba in the Masjid Al Haram, Mecca.

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GARANGAO

Children celebrate this traditional festival on the 15th day of Ramadan in Qatar and the Gulf. Dressed in national costumes and with large bags hanging from their necks they spend the evening marching from door to door chanting, ‘Give us something and Allah will bless you.’ Every family fills the bags with sweets and nuts.

SHOPPING

Malls and shops are brilliantly lit and decorated for the month with stars, moons and lanterns as popular decorations. Ramadan souqs sell a wide range of specialities including sweet treats, and shops have a wide range of clothing for all ages. Traditionally all the family will wear new outfits as the Eid Festival approaches and husbands may give their wives a piece of jewellery.

HOSPITALITY

Ramadan tents, found in many of Qatar’s major hotels, provide a way to literally enjoy a taste of Ramadan with the wide variety of special foods on offer during this month. The tents open for iftar at sunset, stay open throughout the night and also offer a sohour (final meal) buffet. ecorated with a different theme each year, the tents also provide everyone with a chance to enjoy Muslim hospitality.

part of the Ramadan evening meal or iftar. Prayers follow, and then the family gathers for the main meal, which is noted for its warm and loving atmosphere. This is a time to rebuild ties with family and friends, forget old enmities and share with others the satisfaction of completing another day of fasting. The ladies of the house have spent much of their day preparing the special, elaborate dishes, including enough for neighbours and unexpected visitors. Qatari families usually break the fast separately with the men in the majlis (guest room) and the women in their own quarters.

Night is now turned into day, as after completing a leisurely iftar people go visiting, shopping or stay home and watch special Ramadan TV programmes. Little snacks, juices, tea and coffee fill the evening until the sohour, or final meal, taken just before dawn in preparation for a new day of fasting. The traditional musaher beats his drum to remind people to eat before sunrise, but he now does it in a four-wheel drive!

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Arabic ALPHABET AND WRITING

Arabic is written from right to left and has 28 basic letter forms. The Quran is written in this alphabet and the spread of Islam has resulted in the adoption of the alphabet for non-Semitic languages, such as modern Persian (Farsi) and Urdu.

The writing of Arabic is unicase (that is, there is no concept of uppercase and lowercase letters), and there is no difference between handwritten and printed letters since most of the letters must be written in a cursive style and cannot be separated. Letters vary in form, according to whether they stand alone or fall at the start, middle or end of a word.

The classical language uses harakat (diacritic markers) placed above or below the word) to indicate three short vowels and other modifications of pronunciation. Harakat literally means ‘movement’ and they are seen not only as clarification of the pronunciation but as adding a liveliness and tension to the script. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) widely used in books and newspapers has dispensed with their use. When reading MSA, for example, Arabs have to decide on the pronunciation and the meaning of many words from the context.

THE LANGUAGE

Modern Arabic belongs to the Semitic language family, which can trace some of its roots back thousands of years, although scholars are still debating Arabic’s inception – believed to be in either the Near East or North Africa.

work simultaneously to change the language as a whole in both spoken and written forms. However, in Arabic, the two forces seemed to have worked separately until the 20th century, and this has resulted in the normal use of two separate varieties of the same language (diglossia).

Arabic has not only survived but also enlarged the area in which it is spoken due, in large part, to the expansion of Islam. The first documented record of written Arabic dates from the 4th century CE and was found in the Arabian Peninsula where, 300 years later, the language of the Quran spread throughout the newly converted Islamic world.

Arabic is the language of prayer, hence many non-Arabic-speaking Muslims around the world know some phrases in the language; conversely, non-Muslims in the Arab world are native speakers.

Classical Arabic, preserving the form found in the Quran and used neither in conversation nor in most non-religious writing, and its close descendant Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), used in reading, writing and formal speech today, make up the first form of the language. The main difference between Classical Arabic and MSA lies in the degree of eloquence and in their use of diacritics. Arabs call this formal version fuss’ha. These are primarily learned languages taught in schools, since nearly all Arabs grow up at home learning a colloquial form of the language, which has more than 30 different variations.

All languages have within them the two opposing principles of continuity and change: an adherence to the past form, and change to incorporate present usage. In most languages, these two aspects

Today MSA provides a type of Arabic universally understood in both its spoken and written forms across most of the Arabic-speaking world.

Arabs switch easily between colloquial and the more formal varieties.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Development of a modern font designed for Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art by Tarek Atrissi Design.

The detail from an early Quran manuscript at the Museum of Islamic Art on the top has no diacritc ‘markers’ unlike those used in the classical Arabic of the richly decorative calligraphy underneath, which is designed to be displayed as a work of art.

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NABATI POETRY AND RIDDLES

Oral poetry is a living form among Arabic-speaking people and in Qatar nabati poetry, also known as ‘the people’s poetry’, has been in existence for more than 1,000 years. Originating from Saudi Arabia it uses a fusion of classical Arabic and tribal Bedouin dialect.

When struck by inspiration, the poet would sit, drink his coffee, consider his words, and when the poem was to be recited to someone far away, the poet would mount his camel to deliver it personally. If he could not make the journey himself, he would have a courier memorise the poem and deliver it for him.

Riddles have been regarded as a separate genre, but most poets have made use of them at one time or another. It is said that the Bedouin poet rarely answered a question directly in moments of danger or inspiration. A direct answer would imply that he had a limited intellect or was spiritually shallow. Therefore, his answer took the form of a line in a verse, a story or a parable. It was then up to the person asking the question to interpret the answer.

NAMES

PROVERBS

The name is divided into three parts, the given name (ism), the father’s name and the grandfather’s name (nasb). Thus Mohammed bin Faris bin Hamad shows that Mohammed is the son (bin) of Faris and grandson of Hamad. Modern usage often omits bin or bint (daughter).

Another common theme in Arab proverbs is the camel. ‘He ate us out of house and home’ becomes ‘he ate the camel and all it carried’. If someone has a problem seeing himself as others see him, it is said of him ‘the camel can’t see its hump’. Some proverbs aptly reflect certain facets of the Arab character. Arab mothers, famed for their devotion to their sons, might hear the comment ‘in the eyes of a mother, a monkey is a gazelle’ from less besotted observers.

Genealogy plays an important part in Arab culture and a person’s name always gives a clue to their social relationships. Name-decoding skills, honed since childhood, allow instant recognition and important family decisions like marriage often depend on a person’s lineage. Arabs can easily remember many generations of their family’s names and families are careful to preserve this oral heritage. According to religious observance, a child is named by the seventh day after birth.

Some Arabs have a separate family name (nisba) at the end which indicates a person’s original tribe, family origin or current residence, title or profession. They are often prefixed by Al which has the connotation ‘the’. Women keep their full original names when married to preserve the record of their lineage but any children will take their father’s names.

The Arabic language has a particularly rich heritage of proverbs and sayings, some of which date from the pre-Islamic era. In the Gulf, maritime images are strong. ‘Too many captains sink the ship’ parallels the English ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’.

Many proverbs show the use of rhyme, a device widely employed – often together with alliteration – to make a proverb more memorable.

Last but not least, in the face of difficulty, remind yourself that ‘all sunshine makes a desert’!

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HERITAGE

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LIFE The ties of community dominated life in the country as people struggled to make a living in a harsh environment. Communities depended on the strength of cultural cohesion as they roamed the desert or worked as pearl divers or fishermen. The sparsity of the landscape was compensated for with an embellishment of home and dress and a rich oral tradition. Milestones in life, such as marriage, were a cause for unstinted celebration and a chance to show the famed hospitality of the region on a grand scale while, during daily life, small courtesies and help were equally appreciated.

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Hospitality HOSPITALITY

First-time visitors to the Middle East are often overwhelmed by the friendly and generous welcome of the Arabs, for whom hospitality lies at the very core of their identity. Among the most highly admired of virtues, hospitality is a trait necessitated to a certain extent by the harshness of the desert landscape; to refuse a man refreshment in such a place was to let him die and hospitality became a necessity enshrined in religion.

Menus are carefully planned by the hostess and tradition plays an important role in the selection of food. Meals usually consist of some foods that have been prepared and stored well in advance to help increase the variety on offer for unexpected guests. The fine lamb and mutton raised in the Middle East is a traditional favourite meal.

Many varieties of fish are also available along with beef and chicken.

Milk from cows or goats is usually converted into yogurt or made into cream cheese. Olives, nuts, raisins, salted chickpeas and toasted pumpkin seeds are always on hand as appetisers.

Eating habits vary with the lifestyle and the nature of the occasion.

Informally, the Arabs traditionally eat sitting on the floor using their right hand to fold food into khubz (the local flat bread).

ETIQUETTE

It takes more than spices to conjure up Middle Eastern cuisine – add in good manners, wit, hospitality and a very specific type of etiquette.

The presentation of particular dishes expresses subtle social distinctions and the amount of food offered is both a compliment to the guest and an indication of his importance. Traditionally, a whole lamb is cooked for invited guests and the specific portion and in what order it is served is directly related to status. At the table the host puts himself fully at the disposal of his guests and it is considered uncouth to ask whether they would like food or drink. Refreshments come automatically and refusals are usually met with repeated entreaties. In addition to the meal, the host is traditionally required to provide entertainment, light gossip and jokes. Only when the guest has stopped eating will the plate no longer be refilled. A platter of fresh fruits usually signals the end of a sumptuous meal followed by the traditional Arabic coffee – qahwa.

Tradition also determines how long or short a visit should be and it is considered normal for Arabs to leave almost as soon as their meal is finished. A guest should leave blessing the host and keep in mind he is now under obligation to speak well of him to others.

PICTURED The majlis and Arab coffee served with dates, nuts and dried apricots in a traditional setting.

A luxurious majlis in the Royal Villa at the Sharq Village & Spa hotel.

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MAJLIS

COFFEE

Wealthy individuals will have a large establishment near their homes, often with a kitchen and guest rooms. Families sometimes share a communal majlis and will often spend considerable time and money on its construction. Ladies usually receive their friends and relatives in their homes and have a special room set aside for this purpose.

Green coffee beans are roasted on an iron pan (mihmas) and once cooled are ground; traditionally with a brass pestle and mortar but today an electric grinder is often used. Cardamom seeds, ginger and a pinch of saffron are added and the qahwa is boiled and then served in the dallah (coffee pot). Qahwa is never sweetened, instead the fresh dates that are offered as the standard accompaniment to the aromatic brew sweeten the palate before each sip.

The majlis is an important feature of socialising in Qatar and every house has a room where the host can greet his guests, relatives and friends without disturbing the female part of the household. The host will ‘sit’ in the early evening and visitors receive traditional coffee and dates. The majlis is a place to discuss current affairs, gossip or perhaps acknowledge your wish to know the host by asking a friend of his to take you. Senior colleagues or employees may occasionally visit as a sign of respect. During the Eid celebrations the first morning is given over to congratulating the Emir in what is the equivalent of a public majlis.

Down the centuries, the Arabs in this area have refined the process of coffee-making and drinking into an art form. Legend has it that coffeedrinking began in Arabia almost 12 centuries ago. In Qatar, coffee is a treasured sign of a sense of occasion – hospitality to one’s guests – and an essential accompaniment to births, weddings and to get through funerals. Arab coffee is always served in the majlis. Each guest is duty bound to accept at least the first serving of qahwa or risk insulting the host. The actual preparation of the coffee is traditionally a precise practice which has changed little over the last century.

Equally important as the preparation is the ritual serving of the qahwa.

Guests are served in order of seniority. The coffee maker approaches the guests with a pile of porcelain cups without handles in his right hand and the dallah in his left. Etiquette demands that an odd number of cups be accepted but once the guest has had enough, he tilts the cup rapidly from side to side to indicate he is replete.

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The Desert Lifestyle

TRADITION – TENT AND CAMEL

With the advent of oil-generated wealth in the region, many Bedouin (badawi) live a more settled existence while preserving elements of their culture.

Although it is more common to see ready-made white canvas tents, beit sha’er, a house of hair, is the traditional Bedouin shelter that has provided comfort and protection for generations of nomadic tribes. The most important woven product, it not only served as a portable home but also provided a place in which the family could entertain guests.

The exterior walls were made to be functional and to withstand the wear and tear of constant relocation in harsh desert conditions. By contrast, the red, white and beige interior walls were often beautifully decorated.

In particular, the tent divider separating the women’s section from that of the men’s majlis, or guest room, would be highly ornamented with geometric patterns which reflected Islamic traditions. Usually owned by the oldest woman in the family, the size of the tent was directly related to the importance of its occupants. The men’s area was used for entertaining visitors and the women’s for domestic purposes and, when necessary, sheltering the livestock from the elements.

The tent still has an important place in society and is synonymous with hospitality, and many large events like weddings are held in enormous and, in summer, fully air-conditioned tents. The association is also seen in the ‘Ramadan Tents’ in hotels where the Iftar meal is usually served in the banqueting room. Many Qataris enjoy a spring break camping in the desert but now, of course, with modern amenities.

Historically, the Bedouin of Qatar used camels extensively as pack animals as well as for their meat, milk and hair. It was an animal of tremendous value. Camels migrated from the North American continent about three to four million years ago.

The camel is still a prized animal but it is the racing camels which draw most attention as there has been a tremendous surge in the popularity of camel racing in the Middle East. The breeding of racing camels is an art in which the traditions and the experience of the Bedouin are being combined with the latest biological and genetic know-how. With the help of Swiss technology, the remote controlled robotic camel jockey was developed. The device is made of titanium and is designed to look like a small human armed with an electronic whip and is controlled by an armchair jockey manning a joystick and computer screen.

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BEDOUIN JEWELLERY

A Bedouin woman of the Arabian Peninsula, resplendent from head to toe in her silver jewellery, combines its magnificent adornment with three other important aspects of her life – wealth and social standing, heritage and protection.

Discoveries in the area have revealed rock face carvings that show human forms lavishly adorned with bracelets, anklets, earrings, pendants and head ornaments. Although these rock sketches are more than seven thousand years old, they portray styles bearing a strong resemblance to the bold distinctive designs of today’s Bedouin jewellery.

Bedouin women received their jewellery as a wedding present.

Customarily, a prospective bridegroom pays the bride’s father a dowry, part of which he uses to buy jewellery for his daughter.

If she were the proud possessor of a full suite of jewellery, the Bedouin woman would be covered almost literally from head to toe at her wedding with ornaments around her head, in her hair, chains around the neck and covering the chest, earrings, wide bracelets, finger rings and anklets. The entire bridal collection, including the ones she didn’t wear, could easily weigh a staggering 10 kg. Tribal and regional affiliations can be attributed to many pieces of jewellery as they carry designs unique to their area of origin or tribe of the owner.

Dating back to pre-Islamic times, one of the most important reasons for wearing certain items of jewellery was as a charm against evil spirits (djinns) and to ward off the ‘evil eye’. Amulets were a popular form of protection from djinns in the form of a ‘charm case’ that holds verses from the Holy Quran, religious sayings and prayers for the safety of the wearer.

PICTURED FROM TOP Traditional bedouin jewellery.

Protection agains the ‘evil eye’ remains popular to this day, featuring on everything from jewellery (seen here with the hamsa hand, a palm-shaped amulet), to wall hangings and keyrings.

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HUNTING – THEN AND NOW

Hunting once provided an important source of food with the falcon and the saluki hound working together to flush out larger game such as gazelles. By nature a bird of prey, the beautiful falcon is one of the fastest creatures alive and can swoop to kill at speeds of up to 240 kph.

It can fly at speeds of well over 100 kph and has incredible eyesight, able to see for miles ahead.

In preparation for the hunting season which is from October to March, falconers spend hours dedicated to the training of the birds. The two species most favoured by the Qatari falconer are the Saker (al hurr) and the Peregrine or shaheen. The females are larger birds, which can often be trained more easily and are generally preferred by the falconers.

Traditionally, Qatari falconers trained birds born wild; however, due to conservation laws, a number of the Gulf states breed the birds in captivity. Some birds are still trapped under licence and imported to Qatar.

A small leather hood, the burqa, is used to cover the birds’ eyes to keep it calm when being transported and when the birds are indoors they are settled on a padded domed perch.

The Bedouin had many names for their faithful saluki, but none captures the essence of the hound so perfectly as ‘Wind Drinker’. They were allowed to share their owner’s tents and were the only dogs not seen as unclean in Islam. The Bedouin, requiring speed and endurance in their hunting companions, carefully bred salukis for thousands of years.

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THE ARABIAN

The Arabian horse has been a treasured possession of the Bedouin tribes for the past 5,000 years. With remarkable intelligence, outstanding stamina and powerful devotion to its master, this beautiful creature is ranked as highly as the falcon, camel and saluki by the people of its land. For centuries the Bedouin tracked the ancestry of each horse; the purest were known as asil and cross-breeding with non-asil horses was forbidden.

AL SHAQAB

HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir established AL SHAQAB in 1992. In honour of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the Arabian breeding farm is located at the landmark Al Shaqab battle site where more than a century ago the Bedouins fought a pivotal battle that led to Qatar’s independence.

The academy forms part of Qatar Foundation, a 2,500 acre campus that hosts branch campuses of some of the world’s leading universities.

Within AL SHAQAB is a veterinary clinic and equine hospital, together with breeding facilities which have seen three World Champion stallions born in Qatar. There is an Olympic standard arena, entertainment facilities and a museum.

The Arabian horse is a beautiful and versatile athlete, always cheerful and willing when competing in a variety of equine sports including endurance riding. The Endurance Center at AL SHAQAB, dedicated to this growing international sport, is designed to train and condition highly competitive endurance horses and their riders. The Center’s equine research unit plans to increase knowledge of equine physiology, training and nutrition for both sport and endurance horses.

PICTURED LEFT A falcon makes a kill in the Qatari desert.

A young boy trains his falcon with a lure.

These days Qataris still use the saluki as a hunting dog, but more as a symbolic gesture towards maintaining the customary role of the beautiful animal. Saluki races have become very popular and continue the art of training. Despite its hunting background, the saluki is a very good-natured and friendly dog.

PICTURED RIGHT AL SHAQAB old stables and an Arabian ‘Star of Antigua’.

AL SHAQAB Equestrian Arena.

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Life on the Coast

TRADITION – URBAN STRUCTURE

The mobility of the tent and the permanency of the traditional house have long co-existed in Qatar. With a population of about 30,000 by 1930, many small urban settlements had developed, particularly on the coast where pearl diving and fishing were major industries. All this changed with the discovery of oil and gas in the 1940s, and by the 1970s the resulting economic development and population explosion, combined with the effect of modern construction techniques, saw the decline of both the houses and the techniques used to build them.

Aerial photographs of Doha from the 1950s show an informal lattice of narrow, shady streets (orientated to catch the northwesterly sea breeze) criss-crossed by small passageways (siqqa) and enclosed by one- or two-storey courtyard houses and buildings. Winding streets sometimes passed a cluster of houses around a fereej, a wider open space used as a place for children to play and social interaction within the community.

The area connected directly with the waterfront before the construction of the Corniche allowed vehicular access and, as today, abutted Souq Waqif with the route of the old wadi running between them to the sea.

This wadi, which provided a welcome source of cooling fresh water, has given its name musheireb (water channel) to the area as a whole,

which follows its course. Its location provided perfect access to the commercial sea trade of pearling and fishing.

The new development of central Doha, appropriately named Msheireb, combines many elements of traditional urban layouts and architecture with 21st century technology.

Traditional architecture in Qatar was shaped by three major factors: topography, climate and culture. Topography dictated the building materials, climate shaped their use, and culture imposed the overall building plan. Hence, traditional homes were extremely homogenous in all their major features, with most homes having one storey, although the larger homes of wealthier families sometimes had a second floor.

Internally there were two permanently interlinked spaces: a series of rooms sitting side by side surrounding a square or rectangular courtyard. Moving between the two spaces, one private and one communal, was a continuous process for the inhabitants of the house on a seasonal and daily basis. The primary relationship in daily living was not between the internal rooms of the house, but between each room and the courtyard which was often shaded with a liwan (veranda) and used as a place to work or relax as circumstances dictated.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Doha City in the 1940s.

A decorative lock.

An old house in Doha is the subject of a survey and preservation order.

High walls provided privacy.

A heavy door provided security while gypsum plaster (jus), commonly used for decorative panels on old houses, as well as to make incense burners and picture frames, added a lighter touch.

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DOORS AND GATES

When invasion and occupation were very real threats, walled cities, fortified homes and watchtowers needed a strong door. The basic design had many common features and the difference between domestic and military doors was often one of size rather than detail.

Entranceways to forts were necessarily large – wide enough for horses and loaded carts – so that it was usually necessary to fit two, rather than one gate. The impressive designs and sizes of these gates quelled most attacks and a solid timber central beam – commonly known as alf al bab – provided a strong bracing for the gate and was often ornately carved.

For convenience, a small door, approximately 1 metre x 60 cm in size, and known as ‘the eye of the needle’ was fitted into the central part of one gate, its limited size permitting the entry of only one person at a time. This had the added advantage of forcing visitors to stoop and raise one leg to enter – putting them at a disadvantage should

they have hostile intentions. Both these features are found on many domestic doors. And it was here that the local craftsmen could demonstrate their flair and creativity by adding decorative and practical elements. Craftsmen looked to their surroundings for inspiration, creating floral, geometric or arabesque designs. Doors were not only finely carved but also decorated with brass sheets and brass stud nails in intricate patterns and in some areas painted in vivid colours.

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PEARL FISHING

When the first oil was exported from Qatar more than 60 years ago, it brought immense wealth to the tiny Gulf state and changed a lifestyle that had existed for hundreds of years. Previously, one of Qatar’s main sources of revenue came from pearl trading, as the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf sheltered numerous oyster beds.

This trade also provided a major impetus for the construction of the elegant dhows, which transported the intrepid divers on their hazardous quest each season and, hopefully, returned them home to their waiting families. Pearls are sometimes known by the name ‘Angel’s Tears’ and have long been a source of wealth and also sorrow in the Gulf as some divers never returned from the voyage.

The lives and livelihoods of thousands were compressed into the six months from April to September – pearl diving season. If the oyster beds produced a good harvest, there would be sufficient money for the rest of the year. A bad season meant hunger and poverty for all but a few.

Each pearling dhow would carry a crew of about 40 people, headed by the nakhuda (captain), whose skill and experience in navigation was essential in locating the oyster beds. The nakhuda would choose where the crew would dive according to the skill and daring of his divers – 15 metres was the normal depth at which the average diver could comfortably work, while exceptionally talented divers could harvest oysters as deep as 26 metres, which is deep, even by today’s modern scuba diving standards. Irrespective of experience, pearl diving always carried great risk to the health and safety of the divers.

The divers made use of very basic equipment: nose clips made from turtle shell; rope baskets in which to collect the oysters; curved-blade knives to open the oyster shells; leather finger-tip covers to protect the fingers from cuts; weights tied to their waists to help them sink to the sea bed; and two ropes to the surface – one to hoist the full baskets of oysters, and the other the diver’s safety line to the dhow. The diver’s life depended on his saib (partner), who would man the safety rope, pulling him to the surface the minute he tugged on the rope.

PICTURED Diving for pearls.

Dancing and singing to the accompaniment of drums.

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Harvested oysters were left on deck overnight, making the shells easier to prise open. Hundreds of oysters would be opened before one pearl was discovered, and all pearls were given to the ship’s captain for safekeeping. Pearls were sorted according to size using a set of brass sieves, each with a different size hole. The tawwash (pearl trader) would visit the numerous dhows at sea to purchase the harvested pearls.

There was a great sense of community on the pearling dhows – the nahham led the singing that accompanied the different aspects of the work and the musally led the daily prayers. Each man on board was later allocated a share in the total proceeds from the sale of the pearls.

PEARLS

The local name for a pearl is lulu, but there are different names that describe the pearls according to their size, shape, colour and degree of perfection. A large, superior, perfect pearl is called dana.

The value of a pearl is determined by several factors, the most important of which is lustre. An experienced tawwash will look for imperfections on the pearl using a magnifying glass, but will also roll the pearl gently beneath his fingertips to find any irregularities. If the lustre, colour and clarity of the pearl are good, then its value will increase if it is also of a good shape. The perfect pearl is spherical, and large.

The pearl has been a treasure sought after by the earliest civilisations, and its magical lustre has always captivated the wealthy and the powerful. Pearl dealers of New York, London, Geneva and the Arabian Gulf still regularly try to out-bid each other at international auctions in an attempt to buy some of the remaining natural pearls before they disappear off the market.

The history of pearl diving in Qatar has been recorded for posterity by naming the oil and gas fields off the Qatari peninsula after the pearl beds beneath which they lie. The Marine and Dhow Festivals, which take place at Katara, recall long-lost days with a pearl diving competition and exhibitions. More information can be found in ‘Katara’ in the ‘Museums and Culture’ section.

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DHOW

The dhow is an integral part of the region’s culture, having played a major role in the prosperity of Qatar’s maritime communities – it was in these magnificent vessels that mariners traded with Africa, India and beyond, and fish and pearls were harvested. Today, despite the oil-rich economy and gloomy predictions of the demise of traditional dhows in the Middle East, it continues to play its part in the transport of commodities, in the harvesting of the Gulf’s abundant fish, and in more recent years, as a leisure craft.

Boat builders (qalaleef) of today still use, for the most part, the simple hand tools which their forefathers used centuries ago, preferring to rely on traditional methods of hacking, sawing and chiselling, rather than on power tools. Architectural plans and designs play no part in the construction of even the largest of dhows. The giant timbers that make up the ribs of the body of the vessel are painstakingly fashioned without regard to conventional measurement, taking advantage of any natural twists and bends in the wood. Internal ribs and beams are sculpted

with small adzes and planes. The Arab method of fitting planks first, and then the ribs, is in direct contrast to the European method of boat building.

In addition to the traditional lateen sails and rigging, the modern-day dhow is now fitted with an inboard diesel engine. It has a broad transom stern with a raised deck over the living quarters in the aft, and a low freeboard at the bow end. The engine is placed amidship leaving storage space in the bow.

Concern has been expressed that the ancient art of boat building may be lost to the Gulf and moved to countries such as India. Most Arab boatyards already consist of a skilled workforce of mostly Indian or Pakistani craftsmen, and only a few elderly Arab master-craftsmen remain. With this in mind, a large workshop for the construction of traditional dhows was erected by the government.

PICTURED FROM LEFT A dhow race across Doha Bay. These traditional sailing boats have been resurrected in an exciting new sport that sees participants from Qatar and around the Gulf putting their sailing skills to the test. Qatar Marine Sports Federation owns six 22-foot dhows, which are raced annually. More sedate dhow trips around Doha bay run daily, and voyages are available around the islands and coast of Doha.

Fishing dhows piled with nets lie at anchor at Al Wakra.

Dhow builders use traditional techniques.

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Community CHILDHOOD

Past and present intertwine in modern day Qatar, and many traditions still influence its society. Striving to maintain a balance between the roots of the culture, while assimilating global influences, is a delicate balancing act. Many organisations are actively involved in providing a glimpse of a previous era with events at Katara and other venues, but it is in daily life that the fabric of the past is seemlessly woven into the present.

An Arab proverb states that ‘the men are the wool of the tribe, the women weave the pattern’, and no more so than in the process of raising children. Families in the Arab world remain the backbone of society, even if the numbers within each family are now smaller. While the extended family may be more geographically dispersed, sons are often the main supporters of elderly parents or less fortunate relatives.

Children were, and still are, of prime importance in a Qatari marriage.

In past generations, with restricted access to the workplace, having children was a married woman’s sole gateway to social recognition and status. Once pregnant, women took precautions against the perceived ‘evil eye’ or hassad (envy) and were advised to attract as little attention as possible.

Much of the pregnancy was fortunately related to more enjoyable matters but preparing for the infant’s arrival did not take place until after the seventh month, when a successful birth could reasonably be assured. It was customary for a woman to return to the house of her family for her delivery, particularly for her first-born child. She would stay there 40 days, which is the period of her nafas (confinement).

Celebrations followed the birth of a child. The announcement of the good news to the father by his female relatives was greeted with a gift, and a new mother kept sweets and nuts under her bed to distribute to children. On the seventh day, as a token of thanks to Allah, more celebrations were held. Many babies were also named on this day and a tameemah (sacrificial animal) slaughtered. Newborns had their head shaved in the belief it would strengthen the hair’s growth. A personal gift or tla’ah was offered by a husband to his wife on the 40th day to celebrate her safe recovery and return to normal life and boys were often circumcised at this time.

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PICTURED Many events like Garangao have special songs associated with them and rhymes form part of several games. Dedicated to the collection of sweets and nuts, the celebration takes place on the 15th night of the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting. Children in traditional dress go from door to door singing to fill their small bags.

A baby sleeps with verses from the Quran and a turquoise bead pinned to his chest.

Brightly coloured beads pinned to the shoulder or tinkling anklets of bells were thought to keep the child spiritually and physically safe. Turquoise, amber, coral and carnelian were favourite stones. A visit to the Gold Souq or Souq Waqif shows just how popular the turquoise blue charm has become.

A memento celebrating the birth of a boy – in addition to sweets there is a tiny Quran below which is an engraved cartouche with his name and date of birth.

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SWEET CELEBRATIONS

In Qatar, people traditionally give out sweets to relatives and friends to celebrate any joyful occasion, such as the birth of a child. While these sweets have now become literally pieces of art, they were originally very simple concoctions, including mulabis (sugared chickpeas) and boiled sweets. Wealthier families might buy sugared almonds, or halkoum.

Many shops in Qatar now design speciality confections for births and weddings. The idea is not just to give a sweet, but also a permanent memento. Chocolates are beautifully decorated and wrapped in delicate tulle and they lie in containers as varied as their confections.

Like births, weddings are celebrated with an equal amount of joy and chocolates. Wedding favours, traditionally just sugared almonds, are given to female guests during the bride’s celebrations. Many will have the name of the couple incorporated in the design and are sure to match the colour scheme of the wedding decorations and flowers.

Eid celebrations require that every visitor is given something sweet, and since one is required to pay respects to all family members and friends, this can be a daunting task even for the most ardent chocolate lover!

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MARRIAGE

Even today local marriages put the cohesiveness of the family and its position in society high on the list of objectives. Close relatives were once the preferred choice but now there are more marriages outside the immediate family.

Since getting married in Qatar is extremely expensive and the bridegroom must pay a hefty dowry, men need to qualify and start work as early as possible to save towards the cost of their wedding.

Prospective husbands and their families often start saving long before a bride is found. Women, on the other hand, are free to concentrate on their education and many delay marrying to complete their studies.

The wedding is planned with the precision of a military campaign.

Once the partners and families agree, negotiations begin to settle the amount of the bride’s dowry, or maher. Paid by the husband, the dowry is a personal gift to the bride and she can dispose of it as she wishes.

Today, the maher is usually spent on clothes and jewellery.

The marriage ceremony itself, the milsha, is a very simple, private affair that takes place either at the local Sharia court or, more rarely, at home if the judge agrees. The occasion reflects the contractual nature of marriage in Islam. The contract can be quite detailed and will usually specify financial arrangements between the bride and groom.

There may be some time between signing the contract and the actual wedding celebration. The bride and groom continue to live with their families and can meet with a chaperone present. This period is used by the partners to really get to know each other and discuss their future.

Two or three days before the wedding, the women hold the laylat al henna, or henna night. The houses of both the bride and groom will be covered with chains of lights lit every night until seven days after the event. The bride and groom have separate parties on the day, with the men’s gathering often held near the groom’s house in a large tent.

Well-wishers and friends enjoy the gathering to the accompaniment of traditional dancing and music. The bride, wearing a white wedding gown, arrives at her party to music and drums called the zeffa, and walks slowly down a central aisle to take her place on the dais. Friends and family then move forward to congratulate her, and at the end of the evening her husband joins her before they leave for their honeymoon.

PICTURED Qatari brides also receive the shebka as part of the dowry – a set of matching jewellery specially made for this event and elaborately boxed for the occasion.

Portable and easily convertible to cash, the shebka provides the bride with security later in life, should she ever be in financial need. Originally ornate silver and then gold jewellery, it is now designer gold and diamond pieces. The Gold Souq has an extensive display of both.

Women in Qatar still enhance their eyes with kohl (kuhul) by drawing a line either inside or around the perimeter of the eye. This fine black powder was

once believed to have value as a protection against eye ailments. Its blackness helps alleviate the sun’s glare in the desert where it is still used by both men and women. The fact that kohl makes the eyes look larger and brighter has seen its popularity continue to this day as a cosmetic.

During the pre-wedding henna night (laylat al henna), the bride’s hands, arms and feet are decorated with intricate henna patterns by female relatives and friends.

She wears the thobe al nashal, a heavily embroidered long robe once worn for the wedding itself.

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LIFESTYLE FROM THE PAST

In Qatari homes, the burning of incense is still a sign of welcome, and traditional mabkhara (incense burners) are passed around from guest to guest so that they can waft the smoke through their headdresses and clothes. The design of the mabkhara has evolved from a simple, clay, goblet-like dish to an often elaborate and expensive item and, though purists may shudder, electrically heated mabkharas are now available in addition to charcoal ones.

Bokhur (incense) comes in a variety of fragrances from an assortment of prized plants, and is often a mixture of gums and resins combined with aromatic spices, traditionally burnt over hot charcoal. Some of the most popular types of incense in Qatar are frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood and oud, the latter highly favoured by the women of the Gulf. It comes from the Agar trees of Asia. High-quality oud breaks easily; the scent is similar to sandalwood and is very long-lasting. Due to its widespread use in Arabia, the price for one kilogramme of oud in the form of oil or wood has risen as high as USD10,000 and it is sometimes given as a

gift. In Qatar incense is sold both in the modern shopping malls as well as traditional souqs. A good place to find incense and its accessories is the Omani Souq.

To this day, freshly laundered clothes are aired on small, pyramidshaped wooden racks that are placed over burning oud to catch its fragrance.

In the Gulf region, there is little distinction between men’s and women’s fragrances, with most traditional fragrances being used equally by both.

Fragrances are oil-based and can be individually blended by the traditional perfume sellers found in the souqs. Qatari ladies are skilled at mixing western perfumes with oils to create their own unique blend.

Trays of perfumes including rose attar, sandalwood, jasmine and ambergris are passed around amongst female guests in Qatari homes at the end of a gathering, together with long-necked brass or silver sprinklers (marash) filled with rosewater.

PICTURED FROM LEFT Pearls were a source of wealth and adornment.

A traditional mabkhara, an incense burner.

Exotically decorated perfume bottles have rods in the lid used to put just a little of the oil-based fragrance on the skin.

A richly embossed marash, a rosewater sprinkler.

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DRESS

the ghutra, a large square of white or red-and-white checked fabric which is folded into a triangle and held in place by a black coiled rope-like headdress, the agaal. The use of such head coverings is adopted at puberty as a sign of passing into manhood but has practical significance in the harsh desert climate. They protect the wearer from direct sunlight, and during sandstorms or cold weather, the ghutra can be wrapped around the face to protect the nose and mouth.

The national dress of a Qatari woman took various forms throughout her life from infancy to adulthood, but while the outer black abbaya and head coverings are still worn on a daily basis, the traditional ‘dress’ underneath is now likely to be jeans and a t-shirt.

White is the dominant colour of the thobe as it reflects the intense heat of the sun during the summer months. Darker-coloured, heavier thobes are sometimes worn in winter.

There is no fixed standard as to the type of clothing or style of dress that Muslims must wear to comply with the Quranic verses. However, in Qatar convention dictates a particular form of dress when in public, and this has become more noticeable in the past few years as the expatriate population continues to grow. The traditional dress has become an easily distinguished way of keeping the national identity.

From early childhood, boys wear the thobe or dishdasha, a long, usually white garment worn over the sirwal, light loose-fitting trousers.

This garment allows air to circulate, which helps cool the body during the hot summer days. On the head, boys and men wear al taqiyah, a small white crocheted skull cap. On reaching adolescence, boys add

Bisht are the cloaks worn by men for any official or ceremonial occasions. They are usually made from fine black, brown or white camel hair, embroidered with gold thread around the neck and chest edges. Usually handcrafted, these expensive items take many hours of skilled labour to complete. Brocade surcoats with long sleeves are sometimes worn for traditional dancing.

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PICTURED FROM LEFT A lady wears the rarely seen gold-coloured batula on her face. This type of face-covering has now virtually disappeared, while the soft black burqaa, a fine face veil leaving the eyes exposed, is still popular with ladies who cover their faces.

The rich gold-and-silver-thread embroidery of a bisht.

Agaal on sale at Souq Waqif.

Immaculate throughout the year, a young Qatari man enjoys wearing his comfortable and practical national dress.

Accessories take priority for men and women and, for those who can afford them, designer watches and sunglasses are essential. This lady sports an Hermès bag and jewellery by Cartier.

A modern abaya at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) fashion show. Women’s abayas, like Western dress, follow the dictates of fashion with different styles and motifs each season.

VCUarts Qatar students and graduates designed a range of garments and looks shown at the exhibition ‘Ayaba’ based on the more traditional, less fitted, abaya once worn by all women in Qatar.

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TRADES AND TRADERS – SOUQ

One of the links between the nomadic tribes and the more settled coastal populations was the souq. In Doha, the extensive market at Souq Waqif was the hub of urban life. It dates from the time when Doha was a small village divided in two by the Wadi Musheireb, a small depression which let in the sea. As the Bedouin brought in camel meat, milk and dates to sell, the merchants were forced to waqif (stand up) in the water near the small boats containing trade goods, giving the souq its name. Restored and renewed it allows the visitor to glimpse a little of its past.

The 20th century saw the continued expansion of trade with east Africa, India and Basra, when houses on the banks of the wadi were converted into shops. Further changes took place in the 1970s when the Corniche was built along the sea front, pushing Souq Waqif inland.

Souqs also had many small family workshops where the goods were both made and sold on the premises. Larger souqs were divided into quarters, each devoted to selling a specific item and that tradition continues to this day in Souq Waqif. Demonstrations of many of these crafts can still be seen.

Some professions were also practiced in the souq. Barbers were always busy and apothecaries sold medicinal herbs – and still do. An indispensable service was that provided by the katib, or scribe. In the days when literacy was limited, he provided an essential service by reading and writing any correspondence for the local residents.

Traditionally, men shop in the Arab world, and while things are fast changing, one thing is certain, both sexes enjoy buying in bulk. Large families previously encouraged large shopping expeditions and this, combined with traditional Arab hospitality, has left its mark. It was not unusual in wealthier families for the man of the house to fill a small store-room with china and glass for his wife, and every family who could afford it would keep a room near the kitchen to store large quantities of essentials such as rice and oil. Traditional gifts for people returning from the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca included rice, cooking oil, sugar and soap powder.

The enormous cooking pots (jidder) and gas rings still to be seen in the souq are a testimony to the enduring legacy of largesse in an Arab family. Traditional staples of Qatari cuisine were local lamb and fish.

The basis of many dishes was dried grains and pulses, which stored well for long periods and added substance to the main ingredient.

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PICTURED A major refurbishment to restore the Souq Waqif using traditional materials began in 2004. It has retained the original layout, while pedestrianising the major thoroughfare to provide a spacious central walkway. This is now lined with restaurants to provide a lively al fresco dining area.

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Trading in pearls with India and Southeast Asia added the richness of spices to the local food, and the scent of cardamom, cloves and cinnamon still fill the air in Souq Waqif, as they vie with many others in colourful displays.

SOUVENIRS

While wandering about the many tourist stalls and shops in Souq Waqif it is worth remembering that what is now an attractive gift or memento commemorates a once vital part of life in Qatar that often continues to this day. Bedouin weaving, gypsum carvings, models of dhows, silver and gold jewellery, spices, guns, chests and boxes, lanterns, coffee pots and embroidered dresses mix past and present in a kaleidoscope of colour and pattern thrown haphazardly on shelves and floors.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS

The souq still performs its primary function of providing all manner of goods to the local population. A walk down its narrow back alleyways provides an interesting glimpse of daily life today.

CHESTS

Doha is home to an amazing array of boxes and chests, known locally as sanduq. Available in a variety of materials including wood and brass, silver and mother-of-pearl or just plain metal. They are far more than just containers.

The sanduk mubayyat or storage box is the most traditional of chests and has an interesting background. It is a very distinctive-looking large piece of furniture, usually made from teak or rosewood, with intricate brasswork patterning the top and sides. It is studded with large brass tacks and has a unique filigree clasp. Often resting on four short legs, this chest has small storage drawers at its base.

This was the place in which the women would keep their finery – the clothes they used for special occasions such as weddings and the ornate silver or gold jewellery that completed an outfit. Everyday wear would be folded in a large basket or sella, and kept on top of the sanduq. These chests once played an integral part in the marriage process, being used during marriage negotiations to hold gifts from the bride-to-be’s family to her future husband’s parents. Once the head of the family accepted these gifts, it was a signal that the wedding would go ahead.

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CELEBRATING HERITAGE

An important part of any celebration is music, song and chants.

Traditional songs are generally quite distinctive according to whether they are of Bedouin or maritime origin.

Pearl diving was always accompanied by singing: sad songs as the divers left home; lively songs to hoist the sail; quiet, narrative songs when they opened the oysters; and songs of joy at homecoming are all recalled at the Marine Festival held at Katara.

The most popular dance – and the one most frequently performed at male wedding celebrations – is al ardha. A presentation of strength and power, it is also performed in public by male dance troupes during religious holidays, such as Eid, and on other special occasions, like National Day. With traditional lyrics of horsemanship and chivalry, its purpose is to display unity and as a demonstration of allegiance to the Emir and the country.

Al sameri is a wedding dance for women that begins slowly, followed by a fast tempo. The women move rhythmically around the floor, gracefully sliding their heads from side to side tossing their long, thick hair. More experienced dancers will twirl their hair around their heads as they spin, faster and faster.

The distinctive quality of Arabic music owes much to the type of instruments used, and percussion – either the clapping of hands or the beating of drums with sticks or fingers – is paramount.

Modern performances of old songs often include the daf, a large, tambourine-style instrument.

PICTURED FROM LEFT The Ardha is performed with swords and drums to show the power of the dancers.

Girls in national dress chant a traditional rhyme.

Drummers – image courtesy of Qatar Digital Library.

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NATIONAL DAY

PICTURED FROM LEFT A National Day spectacular – planes fly over the Corniche and fireworks glow above the Museum of Islamic Art.

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marhaba Managing Editor Hilary Bainbridge Editorial Sarah Palmer (Editor) Ola Diab (Deputy Editor) Terry Sutcliffe Gina Coleman Online Lubuna Jeffin Digital Andrea Buenafe Lalaine Turqueza

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