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All the world a stage for Qatar’s Souq Waqif bangle maker

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Chantelle D'mello

For Mohammed Aslam Maniyar, the world is literally a stage. The 45-year-old spends his days performing atop a short platform in the heart of Qatar’s Souq Waqif, twirling copper, resin and glitter over hot coals.

Especially on weekends, a rapt audience of locals, tourists, aged hamalis, and inquisitive children watch in awe as he weaves the elements together into a thick, colorful bangle.

Legendary Indian poet Sarojini Naidu once described bangles as “delicate, bright rainbow-tinted circles of light,” adorning the hands of mothers and maidens across India. But for Maniyar, these brittle bracelets are more than that – they’re his livelihood.

“I eat in this, I sleep in this, and I was born in this,” he said during a recent interview in Hindi, tinged with a native Rajasthani dialect.

Maniyar sings while he works, calling people to marvel at his crisp “tandoori” bangles, made on the same charcoal fire as the delicacies served inside the Royal Tandoor restaurant behind him.

The lyrics of his songs, infused with Arabic, Nepalese, Rajasthani and Hindi, are universal, and the message is simple – buy my bangles, buy a little bit of happiness.

“I do this to make people smile. Once I see the smile on my customer’s face, it’s all worth it,” he said.

Learning his craft

Maniyar began his career three decades ago in Jaipur, Rajasthan, a western Indian state known for its rich heritage and architecture. He said his grandfather began teaching him how to make bangles, a craft passed down for generations in his family, when he was 15 years old.

Once his training was complete, Maniyar began selling his bangles wholesale in Jaipur, before relocating to Mumbai in search of better opportunities. There, he spent over 20 years working in malls, hotels and restaurants.

Maniyar said he has also played an extra in the 2005 Bollywood film Paheli, made bangles for the wedding of Aishwarya Rai, and has met the likes of Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee, both renowned Indian movie stars.

Chantelle D'mello

His move to Qatar in 2007 was sudden, prompted in large part by the better benefits that a job here offered.

“I was working at the Orchid Hotel (in Mumbai) when Mr. William Aranha (the owner of the Royal Tandoor) walked in for dinner. He saw me, he liked me, I liked him, we fell in love, and I came here,” he said jokingly.

A job offer on the table, Maniyar left his wife and six children to begin anew here – though his 21-year-old son has recently joined him in Qatar also as a bangle-maker, albeit in a different store.

During his seven years here, Maniyar’s work has drawn the attention of several local newspapers and magazines. Laminated copies of the articles remain stacked in the corner of his makeshift booth as evidence of his years of dedicated work.

In Qatar, Maniyar works from 6pm to 1am each day, on commission. His housing, laundry and food are all taken care off by the owner of Royal Tandoor, but he receives no salary.

Instead, he collects 60 percent of all sales from bangles and other artifacts that he imports from Jaipur – earnings that he called “sufficient.”

Behind the scenes

Maniyar’s wife, a stay-at-home mother in Mumbai, helps Maniyar with his business remotely.

Born at a time when child marriage in India was the norm, Maniyar said he married his wife in 1982 – when he was 12, and she was nine years old. He explained:

“It was common in our time. Our parents chose our partner, and we got married. But we didn’t live together until much later. My wife came to me in 1992, not before. Now we can’t do this anymore. The government has all these rules – the guy has to be 21, and the girl 18, but in those days, this is what happened. Our culture is very strict.”

Natural-colored lac.

Design Source

Natural-colored lac.

In charge of buying raw lac, the resin needed for the bangles, his wife processes it, colors it and ships it to Maniyar to use.

Lac is a resinous substance secreted by tiny insects who feed on the peepul or bodhi tree, considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.

The insects deposit the substance on the tree’s branches and trunk, where it is then scraped off and washed several times to remove impurities.

It is then melted; during this process, impurities in the lac settle down while the purer substance remains at the top. Once collected, it is then often infused with wax to increase the cohesiveness of the substance.

“The original color for this substance (lac) is red,” Maniyar said, pulling a thick saffron-colored cylindrical object from a bag.

“(My wife) buys the raw materials and then puts it in a kadai (a big steel pot) and put water over it. It is then melted and becomes like water…After you put it in the kadai and melt it, it spreads on the top. We collect it and put in colored powder. This powder is the same used to dyed clothes. It is then left to dry where it becomes….tight.”

The process

To make the bangles, Maniyar asks customers to choose the color, design and size of their choice.

Chantelle D'mello

He then melts different pieces of colored lac around a central stick, flattens and rolls it, and cuts it into a long rope-like piece. The long piece is then rolled around in glitter and joined into a seamless loop.

After that, he heats a thin wire bangle over the fire before pressing it onto the inside of the lac bangle. The bangle is then fitted over thick wooden stick to ensure uniformity of the finished product.

He finally pokes and pushes the substance into different designs. The entire process takes around five to seven minutes, and each piece costs about QR40 to 100.

When asked about the fruits of his labor, Maniyar said he has been proud to work in Qatar and represent his Indian craft.

“I’m pleased. I’ve made my name shine, my country shine, and my people shine. That’s enough for me.”

Thoughts?

(The post All the world a stage for Qatar’s Souq Waqif bangle maker is from Doha News.)


Souq Waqif in Al Wakrah nearing completion ahead of Qatar National Day

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Souq Waqif Al Wakrah Souq Waqif Al Wakrah 5 Souq Waqif Al Wakrah 9 Souq Waqif Al Wakrah 7 Souq Waqif Al Wakrah 6 EDIT

All photos by Lesley Walker

Construction of a second Souq Waqif location – this time in Al Wakrah – is wrapping up as developers prepare to open the new market on Dec. 18, in time for Qatar National Day celebrations.

Situated behind Al Wakrah petrol station, next to Al Wakrah port, the development stretches for 3km along the town’s coast, with an esplanade running down the open beach-side.

Cafes, restaurants and shops will be housed in the existing buildings. Designed to reflect the town’s fishing village heritage, the souq features mock-aged walls and brightly painted wooden doors. It is also set to have outdoor seating areas with views out across the bay.

Souq Waqif Al Wakrah 10

Lesley Walker

A view of the nearly completed Souq Waqif-Al Wakrah.

It will eventually feature hundreds of shops and eating establishments in a style that blends the existing commercial bustle of Doha’s Souq Waqif with the winding alleyways of Katara.

Part of the large parking area on the town side of the development has been finished, and the buildings themselves have been erected. However, significant construction is still underway throughout the site in an attempt to meet the National Day deadline.

Earlier today, hundreds of workers could be seen laying walkways, installing street lights and finishing off the exterior renderings of buildings.

Several hoardings for stores including Dareen Sweets were already up. Other food outlets expected to open soon include Al Aker Sweets and The Royal Tandoor restaurant.

Doha blogger and photographer Brian Candy has captured some of the latest development on a recent post, with images.

Concept

Overseeing the development is the Private Engineering Office, a government agency with direct links to the Emiri Diwan that provides development, project management and property management services for sites that are of interest to the Emir.

Souq Waqif -Al Wakrah

Brian Candy

Souq Waqif -Al Wakrah

Other projects under the oversight of the PEO include the Doha Grand Park and Al Messila VIP Resort & Spa.

The Al Wakrah property has been used for several events in the past, including the Souq Waqif Spring Festival in January this year.

Talk of establishing a Souq Waqif in the municipality go back to at least 2007 and features in the Al Wakrah masterplan to transform the town.

In 2008, the planners outlined their vision of turning the former fishing village into a “sparking south coast city,” re-establishing Al Wakrah’s historic core to reflect Arabic values.

Plans for water parks, more residential development as well as recreation and leisure facilities have all been mooted in the past. The progress on these projects is not known.

Town expansion

However, several new amenities have recently been established in the town and, with more planned, Al Wakrah is becoming an increasingly attractive place to live for people wanting to escape Doha’s congestion.

International schools including the Doha British School and GEMS American Academy opened at the beginning of this academic year, while Hamad Medical Corp.’s Al Wakrah Hospital officially opened its doors in December 2012 after nearly two years of delays.

Al Wakrah Stadium

2022 Supreme Committee

Al Wakrah Stadium

Earlier this year, the Qatar Tourism Authority said it wanted to increase the number of attractions outside of Doha as part of its long-term plan to attract more visitors to the country.

Additionally, matches for the 2022 World Cup will be played in currently under-construction Al Wakrah stadium, which was designed by ECOM and Zaha Hadid Architects in the shape of a dhow fishing boat.

Meanwhile, Doha Metro’s Red Line is planned to run to Al Wakrah, with three stations planned in the area, at Barwa Village, Al Wakrah and the Qatar Economic Zone, just outside the town.

Thoughts?

(The post Souq Waqif in Al Wakrah nearing completion ahead of Qatar National Day is from Doha News.)

Souq Waqif in Al Wakrah soft opens to the public

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Souq Waqif Al Wakrah

Lesley Walker

Souq Waqif Al Wakrah

A new massive souq in Al Wakrah has partially opened to visitors, providing a new hangout for Qatar residents who feel like taking a stroll, relaxing or shopping.

The market, which is behind the Al Wakrah petrol station, next to the port, stretches some 3km along the town’s cost, with a Corniche for people to walk along.

So far, about a dozen shops and restaurants have opened to the public, according to the Peninsula. A full opening is apparently set for January.

Souq Waqif Al Wakrah

Ameer Abdul Razak/Flickr

Souq Waqif Al Wakrah

There is also a mosque and ample parking.

Set to look like a cross between Qatar’s original Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village, the Al Wakrah market will eventually be home to hundreds of shops and eateries, and includes Al Aker Sweets and Royal Tandoor restaurant.

The project has been in the works for at least seven years, and is part of a master plan to transform the former south coast fishing village of Al Wakrah to include more recreational, leisure and heritage offerings.

According to the Peninsula, restaurants and shops at the souq are open between 10am and 11pm daily.

Have you seen the market yet? Thoughts?

(The post Souq Waqif in Al Wakrah soft opens to the public is from Doha News.)

UCC races to complete new Souq Waqif car park ahead of Qatar festival

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Souq Waqif parking Souq Waqif parking Souq Waqif parking

All photos by Peter Kovessy

A new parking garage and underground pedestrian passage that connects Qatar’s Souq Waqif to the Corniche are expected to open later this week, before the launch of the 2015 Spring Festival.

A handful of signs stating that the new north Souq Waqif parking lot is already open were prematurely set up around the ramps leading to the three-story underground lot this morning.

Souq Waqif parking

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif parking

And several daily newspapers also reported that the project would be completed by today.

However, the lot, which has some 2,000 spots, was still closed when Doha News visited the site this morning.

While one security guard said he was expecting it to open later in the day, a construction site supervisor said Wednesday was a more likely target.

The project is being led by local construction firm UrbaCon Trading & Contracting.

Organizers of Souq Waqif’s popular Spring Festival are counting on work to be largely wrapped up by the time performances start on Friday. Pre-published maps direct visitors arriving by car to the new north parking garage, among other lots in the vicinity.

Features

The new parking lot will likely help to alleviate some of the traffic headaches in the area during peak hours, when surface parking lots around the popular tourist attraction are frequently stretched to capacity.

Souq Waqif parking

Peter Kovessy

The new park across from Souq Waqif

There are several entrances and exits to the parking garage off the Corniche and Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, which is currently closed to traffic and runs along the north edge of Souq Waqif.

Above the parking garage, crews are also working to complete a landscaped park with benches, playgrounds, a refreshment stand and an outdoor amphitheater.

Hundreds of laborers could be seen working on the site today.

While some appeared to be putting the finishing touches on parts of the site by painting railings and mopping decorative tiles, others were seen carrying additional construction materials underground and installing window frames around the structures housing the elevators.

Spring festival

Souq Waqif’s fourth annual Spring Festival starts on Friday, Jan. 23, and runs for two weeks, through Feb. 6.

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Ameer Abdul Razak/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Many of the activities start in the mid-afternoon and run until late in the evening. Daily attractions for children include pony and camel rides, art workshops and Shaun the Sheep performances.

Additionally, clowns, drummers and other entertainers will be wandering the souq’s streets, while trained dolphins will be putting on two shows daily.

Thoughts?

(The post UCC races to complete new Souq Waqif car park ahead of Qatar festival is from Doha News.)

Calls for Souq Waqif dolphin show to be closed after animal falls ill

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Meri the dolphin

Qatar Veterinary Center/Facebook

Meri the dolphin

A popular dolphin show that is being held at Souq Waqif as part of the ongoing 2015 Spring Festival has sparked anger among some Qatar residents who have criticized the event in the name of animal cruelty.

Calls to close the show grew louder this week after one of the dolphins got sick from eating construction waste.

On Wednesday, the Qatar Veterinary Center put a call out on Facebook for a volunteer “who is not squeamish with a freakishly long arm” to help remove a yellow plastic object lodged in Meri the dolphin’s stomach.

This morning the center announced that it would use custom-made tools to treat the dolphin today, and asked everyone to keep their “fins and flippers crossed.”

Criticism

As well wishes poured in for Meri, anger at the dolphin’s plight was also clear. On the center’s Facebook page, commenter Corinne Sharp said:

“They shouldn’t even be here in the first place. Poor thing. The yellow thing she (swallowed) is probably from a toy that some child watching the show chucked in the water. So sad she is having to go through all that. You want to see dolphins go on holiday to a country that has dolphins swimming freely in the sea and hire a boat!!”

And commenting on a Doha News Facebook post about weekend events, some residents compared the dolphin show to other local issues like the mistreatment of animals in the souq, saying:

“I can’t believe Qatar has brought performing animals here, a nation awash with the abandoned and abused animals, many from the same Souk. How about parading the occupants of QAWS, PAWS, and all the other rescue Centres through Souk Wakif- certainly more educational than captured sentients jumping through hoops.”

In response to the criticism, a show manager said that every effort has been made to ensure that the animals, which also include a walrus and a seal, are well cared for.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

Speaking to Doha News, Natalia Naumochkina, who works for the events firm organizing the show, Lana Group International, said:

“We have a technical rider that we have to adhere to, which includes dimensions for the pool, temperature of the water, and the type of sea water that needs to be there for the animals. All of this has been sent from the troupe itself, and we have built this venue from November to accommodate all their requirements.”

Addressing questions about the dolphin who became ill, Svetlana Levitskaya, Lana Group chairperson, told Doha News:

“One of our dolphins has taken sick, probably from ingesting a remnant of the construction work that has been going on since November. We have taken every measure to ensure that the animal receives the best care, and have spared no expense in treating it.”

She added that the 3m-deep pool, which was deemed too shallow by some residents, was adequate for the dolphins, who, along with other performing animals also swim in separate pools behind the stage.

The one-and-half-hour-long dolphin show is held at a specially constructed venue behind the Al Rayyan Channel at the periphery of the souq.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

The troupe performs twice a day at 3:30 and 6:30 pm, and tickets to the show cost QR50 and QR100. Residents who attend can watch the troupe’s dolphins, aqua ballerinas, seal and walrus perform.

Earlier this week, children who attended the show appeared enthralled with the high-jumping, pirouetting, waltzing and mambo and tango-dancing dolphins.

Kids are also offered the opportunity to interact with the dolphins and be taken for a ride in a boat by the sea mammals.

Weighing 200kgs each, the animals were flown from Russia in a specially chartered plane in large baths made for their transportation.

The show also features a massive 650kg walrus named Mr. Poof who sings, plays the trumpet, exercises and consumes some 50kg of fish per day, as well as a group of five aqua ballet performers.

Though many residents were upset about the animal entertainment, those who attended the performances seemed pleased, and people could be seen photographing and video-taping the various acts.

Spring festival

Despite being scaled back following the passing of Saudi’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the festival has still drawn in large crowds, as residents take advantage of both the great weather and events on offer.

The festival runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6, but due to the king’s demise all music-related activities and a Rayyan FM-sponsored concert have been canceled.

Spread out over the entire souq, the festival is divided into numerous zones dedicated to specific activities.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif Spring Festival

Opposite Fanar, the Al-Ahmad Square has been converted into a massive games zone, complete with food and game stalls, and amusement park rides. Rides cost QR10 each, and tickets can be bought from booths outside the arena.

There are also camel and pony rides available, and various stilt and costumed performers can be seen walking through the crowd at the game zone.

A few meters into the souq at the Al Rayyan Theatre housed in the Al Mirqab Hotel is a production featuring the members of Kharameesh, a famous Arab musical band for children, held daily at 4 and 7pm. Tickets to the show cost QR100, QR150, QR200 and QR300.

Shaun the Sheep performances concluded yesterday.

Have you visited the festival? Thoughts?

(The post Calls for Souq Waqif dolphin show to be closed after animal falls ill is from Doha News.)

Wrestlers to compete for Qatar title during Souq Waqif festival

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Souq Waqif Spring Festival from January

Souq Waqif / Facebook

Souq Waqif Spring Festival from January

Starting Friday, Souq Waqif will kick off a weeklong festival with entertainment, acrobatics, shows, musical performances, and, for the first time, an international wrestling championship.

The latter, dubbed the “Souq Waqif Storm,” will see former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstars and other regional champions compete for the title of victor, during celebrations that run from April 10 to 17.

Over that time period, there will be five distinct entertainment options spread out over the Souq, according to the festival’s online schedule.

At the Majlis Al Dama, a “Dama” competition will take place daily from 4 to 9pm. Also known as draughts or checkers, the game is a popular local strategy board game, where participants compete on a checkered board with moves similar to that of chess.

Magician Alfonso Rios

Alfonso Rios/Facebook

Magician Alfonso Rios

Meanwhile, a variety of magic shows and street performers, including famous illusionist Alfonso Rios, will entertain audiences alongside stilt walkers and mirror men from 4 to 9pm daily in the Souq Alley, which spans the length of the market.

Rios, who has performed for celebrity clients like Paul McCartney, Prince Charles, Will Smith and Madonna, will showcase musical telepathy, mind reading and archery skills to Doha residents.

The Souq Waqif Arts Center will also host art workshops and other sessions open to the public from 4 to 9pm.

Elsewhere, at the Al Rayyan Theater, childhood canine favorite Scooby Doo and his gang will feature in a new live show titled, The Mystery of the Pyramid.

Shows will be held twice on April 11, 12, and 16 at 3:30 and 6:30pm, and once from April 13 to 15 at 6:30pm. Tickets cost QR50, QR100, QR150, and QR300, and can be bought online here.

Wrestling

For the first time, the Souq will also host a WWE-style wrestling championship, featuring several of the franchise’s most popular and well-known stars.

That includes 50-year-old, 6’3 heavyweight Booker T, who will headline the opening match on Friday, April 10, at 6:30 pm, while fellow WWE ex-superstars Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio will take to the ring on the last day of the championship.

Rey Mysterio

serafino forciniti/Flickr

Rey Mysterio

Over 20 wrestlers will take part in the five-day event, with 16 officially competing for the Souq Waqif Storm title.

According to organizers Qatar Pro Wrestling (QPW), a local wrestling event management company that opened in 2011, the two-hour long daily event will feature between five to six scripted and choreographed matches in different formats and for different titles from April 10 to 14.

Tickets to the matches are available online and cost QR50, QR100 and QR300/person for each day. All wrestling will take place at a specially constructed arena at the Al-Ahmed Square facing Fanar.

Growing audience

Speaking to Doha News, QPW co-founder Ali Maarifi said that the event aimed to capitalize on a growing interest for WWE among local audiences.

“We were part of the WWE event that happened here in 2011, which was an enormous success. The show was entirely sold out, people were lining up at the door. It was crazy. When we had our first event in October 2013 at Hyatt Plaza, we saw a similar response.

We didn’t expect the positive feedback and reaction that we got. It was because of that itself that Souq Waqif called us for this event. It’s not just in Qatar, but there’s an interest for wrestling in the entire GCC.”

Other wrestlers will take part in the QPW War Title Matches on April 11 and 14, where current champion Chris Raaber will have to defend his title.

Setting up for “Souq Waqif Storm"

QPW/Facebook

Setting up for “Souq Waqif Storm”

Additionally, on April 14, four wrestlers will compete in a match called “King of Ladders,” climbing ladders and fighting against each other to obtain a belt suspended at a height.

The grand finale of the Souq Waqif Storm Title will take place on the same day, and with the two top qualifiers taking on each other for the grand championship belt.

Afterwards, a special celebrity match between ex-WWE-superstars Alberto del Rio and Rey Mysterio will round up the celebrations.

Interspersed between daily matches will be talk shows and other wrestling-related entertainment segments aimed at introducing the crowd to the sport.

Do you plan to visit the Souq festival? Thoughts?

(The post Wrestlers to compete for Qatar title during Souq Waqif festival is from Doha News.)

Wrestling, stilt-walkers and more draw crowds to Qatar’s Souq Waqif

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Wrestling at Souq Waqif Souq Waqif festival Wrestling at Souq Waqif Wrestling at Souq Waqif Wrestling at Souq Waqif Souq Waqif festival Wrestling at Souq Waqif Wrestling at Souq Waqif Souq Waqif festival Wrestling at Souq Waqif

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Thousands of Qatar residents thronged Souq Waqif last night during the opening of a weeklong festival that includes a wrestling competition, musical performances and circus-like antics.

Crowds of passersby gathered at a specially constructed arena at the Souq’s Al Ahmed Square, where renowned World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) performers and superstars threw down.

"Omen"

Chantelle D'mello

“Omen”

Inside the arena, six-time wrestling world champion Booker T introduced several of the night’s competitors, including current Qatar Pro Wrestling champion Chris Rabber, and demonic-looking Irish wrestler Luther Ward, also known as “Omen.”

Wrestlers took part in numerous scripted and choreographed matches, mimicking the style of the widely famous and televised WWE bouts, while the audience cheered them on.

Last night’s opener saw tag teams and one-on-one matches in a two-hour show complete with drama, lights, smoke and action. Subsequent shows will be held daily from 6:30 to 8:30pm until April 14, and will feature different performances each day.

Tickets to the event can be bought online or at the venue, and cost QR50, QR100 and QR300 per day.

Other entertainment

Adjacent to the arena, a traditional performance featuring young Qatari men singing Arabic songs, dancing and playing traditional instruments took place. Last night, residents quickly filled the sparse ground-level seats and the raised seating area behind it to take pictures, participate and enjoy the show.

Souq Waqif festival

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif festival

Elsewhere in the souq, several street performers took to the alley on stilts and in elaborate costumes. Breakdancers moved to a marching jazz band of clown performers in a makeshift performance space in front of the Village, while other gymnasts and entertainers interacted with the crowd.

The performances are expected to continue through April 17 from 4pm to 9pm.

Meanwhile, at Al Rayyan theater, childhood favorites Scooby Doo and the gang put on an Egyptian-themed live show. Tickets to the shows, which run twice on April 11, 12, and 16 at 3:30 and 6:30pm, and once from April 13 to 15 at 6:30pm, cost QR50, QR100, QR150, and QR300, and can be bought online here.

Notably, when Doha News visited last night, parking seemed to be scarce.

Souq Waqif parking

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif parking

Both of the Souq’s original above-ground parking spots have now been closed due to renovations and expansion.

Residents can instead park underground in the new Souq lot, or at the nearby Shioukh Mosque, and walk through the tunnel to get to the market.

There is also a paid parking lot next to Fanar, and another paid underground space a few buildings behind.

Have you checked out the festival yet? Thoughts?

(The post Wrestling, stilt-walkers and more draw crowds to Qatar’s Souq Waqif is from Doha News.)

Painting with cooking oil: Renowned Qatar artist recalls early challenges

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Al Shraim's work Al Shraim's work Al Mozayyen's work Al Mozayyen's work

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

A new art exhibition depicting the iconic Arabian horse, as seen through the eyes of two of the region’s most acclaimed female artists, has opened at the Souq Waqif Art Center.

The installation – titled Asalat Khail, or Thoroughbred – features veteran Qatari artist Jameela Al Shraim and renowned Palestinian painter Rima Al Mozayyen.

In total, 34 paintings are showcased in two of the center’s galleries, focusing on horses as both a reflection of local society and as representations of peace and progress.

Shraim's work

Chantelle D'mello

Al Shraim’s work

Al Shraim, an art graduate from Qatar University, is best known for her sculptures and paintings illustrating the country’s long-standing equine culture.

After finishing school in 1988, she taught art for 22 years and became well known both in Qatar and abroad, showcasing her work at numerous international and regional exhibitions.

Speaking to Doha News, Al Shraim said that the installation – which was originally part of a 2014 exhibition at the Porta Coeli International Art Gallery in Italy – was based on her fondness for horses, which began as a child.

“I love watching the horses at Shaqab and when I paint, I paint emotions and feelings as horses. I see horses as people, and (project) these emotions and issues onto them, and onto my paintings,” she said.

Qatari attitudes toward art

Al Shraim said she launched her career at a time when the country was much more conservative and lacked an arts scene.

“When I started painting, there were no materials here. I had to paint on wood because they had no canvas. We didn’t have oil paints, so I would mix cooking oil with other colors to make my paints.

(Back then), society was different, people were more closed minded. It was difficult for Qatari artists to market themselves … People didn’t know about us. We didn’t even write our names on our artwork,” she said.

She added that in recent years, Qatari social attitudes have shifted to become more accepting of women in public spheres. Today’s artists, she said, are encouraged and supported by numerous local organizations.

Al Shraim’s daughter echoed her mother’s views on the changing cultural landscape, saying:

“Today my mom is seen. She’s on Al Rayyan TV and in the newspapers. Everything is changing. The way men are thinking is changing, and they are becoming more supportive of their own family members – like wives or sisters – becoming artists. Women are slowly being allowed to follow their passions, and my mother is an example of that.”

The exhibition also features the work of Palestinian contemporary artist Al Mozayyen.

Al Mozayyen's work

Chantelle D'mello

Al Mozayyen’s work

In her most recent exhibition in Cairo, titled I’m Not a Doll, Al Mozayyen tackled heavyweight issues such as female genital mutilation, rape, child marriage and domestic violence.

For the purposes of the display at the Souq Waqif Art Center, however, her mixed-medium works focuses on the themes of Arab identity and courage through the lens of the Arabian horse.

Both artists’ paintings are for sale. Al Shraim’s paintings retail from between QR1,000 and QR25,000, while Al Mozayyen’s work is priced between QR15,000 to QR35,000.

The exhibition is open daily from 8am to 10pm.

Thoughts?

(The post Painting with cooking oil: Renowned Qatar artist recalls early challenges is from Doha News.)


Amid modernization push, souq shop owner a link to Qatar’s pearling past

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Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Surrounded by strings of pearls and precious stones, one of Qatar’s last living connections to the country’s oldest industry shows up each day to work behind a cluttered red-topped counter in the heart of Souq Waqif.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim, a 75-year-old Qatari, is regarded by some as the country’s oldest surviving pearl diver – a profession that provided a significant source of the peninsula’s wealth up until the mid-20th century.

Jewelry sold by former Pearl diver

Chantelle D'mello

Jewelry sold by former Pearl diver

“Times are different (now),” Al Jassim told Doha News during a recent interview. “No one dives anymore. Why would we do it? We have oil and gas now.”

But as the pace of modernization in Qatar quickens, some people are trying to revive the country’s ancient traditions in the form of educational tours, competitions and efforts to cultivate new pearl farms in the Gulf.

While many are quick to celebrate the country’s history, Al Jassim cautions that there was historically little glamour in pearl diving.

“We did it because we had to make money,” he said, adding:

“There was nothing else here. No oil, no cars, no roads or AC, not even water. Nothing. So we had to make our money somehow. It didn’t matter if it was hot or cold, we had to dive and sell our pearls. We had to hold our breath because there was no other (sources of) income.”

Relying on luck

Born into humble beginnings, Al Jassim started diving at the age of 15 and trained under some of the country’s top divers.

“We used to eat very little. Just dates and water in the morning, and a sweet rice cooked with date syrup and fish for dinner. If we ate too much, we wouldn’t have space for air when we dove,” he said.

For illustrative purposes only

Richard / Flickr

For illustrative purposes only

A typical dive would last around two minutes, or however long the diver – equipped with only a nose clip, basket and weights to help stay underwater – could hold his breath.

Divers would often stay at sea for months at a time, scouring the seabed off Qatar’s coasts and relying heavily on luck.

“We never knew what we would find … We would just pick up as many oysters as we could and then come up to open them and check for pearls,” Al Jassim recalled.

However, he was entering the laborious industry just as it was going into decline. Al Jassim said he moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 16 to work part-time at oil giant Aramco and complete his education.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim as young bodybuilder.

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim as young bodybuilder.

Al Jassim took up bodybuilding in his spare time, placing second in the annual Mr. Dhahran competition held in 1958. Old portraits, showing a younger and more muscular Al Jassim draped in an animal print textile, are displayed in his shop.

He later returned to Qatar, where he worked in various government jobs in addition to serving as a Civil Defense officer for nearly three decades.

After his retirement, Al Jassim said he was presented with his shop in the Souq Waqif by his childhood friend, Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

“We grew up together. I used to go over to his house all the time and perform tricks. At the time, I was interested in magic, and I would do things like walk on hot stones and lie on a bed of nails. I’ve (since) given that up, but that’s how we used to be,” he said.

Seated behind the counter, Al Jassim fashions prayer beads out of thread and turquoise, tiger eye, amethyst, lapis and other semi-precious stones.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Most of his pearls are cultured and imported from China, Japan and Dubai, and retail for about QR15 for a pair of earrings and QR40 for a bracelet.

Perhaps ironically, Japan’s intensive cultivation of cultured pearls flooded international markets in the early 20th century and hastened the decline of Qatar’s pearling industry.

Reviving the tradition

In an effort to preserve Qatar’s connection to its past, several organizations are putting modern twists on the centuries-old practice.

That includes pearling contests for children and adults, as well as a reality TV competition:

Elsewhere, Qatar Foundation along with the Qatar Luxury Group and Tahitian pearl brand Robert Wan have collaborated in a pearl farming project, according to a recent article in The National.

The Qatar Pearl Legacy projects got underway some six years ago and consists of an offshore pearl farm with some 200,000 oysters, as well as various cultural and educational programs throughout the GCC.

The group has also begun cultivating cultured pearls and presented its first batch of harvested pearls at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition earlier this year.

According to the National, the project is also hoping to engage Qataris with the pearl farming process, and has flown students to Tahiti to learn more about pearls.

Al Jassim said he’s happy to hear that there’s more interest in his former vocation, which he worried was at risk of being forgotten.

“For years no one remembered pearls. It’s nice to see that they’re doing it now,” he said.

Thoughts?

(The post Amid modernization push, souq shop owner a link to Qatar’s pearling past is from Doha News.)

New underground car park under construction at Souq Waqif in Qatar

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Souq Waqif west car park

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif west car park

Construction crews have started to excavate sand and rocks from the western edge of the Souq Waqif, opposite the Msheireb Downtown Doha project, to add more capacity for vehicles carrying visitors to the popular attraction.

The new two-story underground car park will be on the site of an old surface lot at the end of Al Rayyan Road, across from the Falcon Souq.

Souq Waqif west car park

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif west car park

A spokesperson for Arabian MEP Contracting, which is one of the firms working on the project, said the car park will have capacity for 819 vehicles. He added that the project is scheduled to be completed and handed over to Souq Waqif officials in May 2016.

However, it’s not clear when it will actually open to the public.

Motorists using Al Rayyan Road or Al Asmakh Street can still drop passengers off at the souq’s western entrance, but police officers had ticketed several vehicles parked on the entrance road next to the construction site late this morning.

Signs direct drivers to use the new north parking garage instead.

Congestion easing

Earlier this year, construction crews completed a new 2,000-stall underground parking garage accessible via the Corniche and Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, which runs along the north edge of Souq Waqif.

Souq Waqif parking

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif parking

The new lot also acts as an underground pedestrian passage connecting the traditional market to the Corniche

Shortly after it opened, however, several of the smaller surface lots elsewhere along the Souq Waqif’s perimeter closed.

Nevertheless, the new underground car parks will help to alleviate some of the traffic headaches in the area during peak hours, when surface lots in the area are frequently stretched to capacity.

The final landscaping of the under-construction west parking garage is not known. The new north lot was topped with a new outdoor park complete with grass, playground equipment benches, a refreshment stand and an outdoor amphitheater.

Thoughts?

(The post New underground car park under construction at Souq Waqif in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Qatar’s Katara, Souq Waqif to hold spring festivals

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Souq Waqif festival 2015

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif festival 2015

Two of Qatar’s most popular recreational destinations – Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village – will be hosting their annual festivals at the end of January.

The fourth Souq Waqif Spring Festival will take place over two weeks, starting this Friday, Jan. 22 and running through Feb. 4.

Meanwhile, Katara’s third Winter Festival will run over five days, from Jan. 24 until Jan. 28, to coincide with the mid-term break for schools in Qatar and also academic holidays in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Both festivals are free and open to the public, and will hold family-friendly performances, activities and shows during the late afternoon and evenings.

In line with previous years’ events, Souq Waqif plans to have street entertainment such as stilt walkers and performers who will wind their way throughout the Souq’s streets at regular intervals, starting around 3:30pm and going until 10pm.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

There will also be regular shows for children and families in a new area above the newly-created North parking lot, between the Souq and Corniche, organizers said.

This area will have acrobats, stilt-walkers a “nature parade show” and “pigeons show” during the first week of the festival, and a “cybers show” and “candy parade show” during the second week.

Meanwhile a “giant fountain circus show” is slated to take place twice daily, from 4:30 until 5:40pm, then again from 7:30 until 8:40pm in a performance space behind Al Rayyan TV, according to the festival schedule.

Map of events for Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Souq Waqif

Map of events for Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Festival visitors can park in the underground car park near the Corniche. Above-ground parking has been closed off for months, as work is still underway to construct a second underground parking lot near the Falcon Souq.

The two-story facility should have space for more than 800 vehicles and is expected to be handed over to Souq management in May this year.

Full details about the festival can be found on the Souq Waqif website here.

Katara events

Festivities at Katara’s esplanade are being promoted as having a cultural theme, with activities, games and entertainment focusing on the state’s heritage and folklore.

Events run from 4pm until 10pm daily and include participation from a number of ministries and public institutions, as well as private ventures.

The Childhood Cultural Center will host competitions and activities for little ones while the Qatar Center for Heritage and Identity will put on a theatrical show about winter and run events and giveaways with a “traditional cultural twist.”

Katara Winter Festival 2016 schedule

Katara

Katara Winter Festival 2016 schedule

Traditional methods of hunting using falcons and saluki dogs, particularly for younger hunters, will be promoted in events organized by Al Gannas Society, while one of the biggest hunting tournaments in the region, Al Galayal, will also host its own activities.

And green thumbs can get gardening tips from the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP/Baladiya), which runs the state’s parks.

A “birds and animals gallery” by Canary World, health workshops by a number of private medical clinics, traditional ardah (sword) dances, handicraft displays and singing and beach games will also be on offer.

More information can be found on Katara’s website here.

Katara will also host “The Magical Festival Village” from Feb. 1.

Located on the empty land across from the St. Regis Hotel, the development will stay open for three months and include exhibitions, shows, shops, restaurants, a dancing fountain and an outdoor “ice-skating” rink.

Do you plan to check the festivals out? Thoughts?

(The post Qatar’s Katara, Souq Waqif to hold spring festivals is from Doha News.)

Crowds throng Qatar’s Souq Waqif for opening of spring festival

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Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Thousands of visitors and residents gathered at Souq Waqif last night as the second day of the annual Spring Festival kicked off.

With circus-like attractions and performers from all over the world showcasing their artistry alongside local singers and dancers, the festival brings together a cultural hodgepodge of talent over a period of two weeks.

This year’s line up includes daily performances by street artists on stilts, while “Stilt Butterflies, The Pigeons, Jumping Acrobats, Harlequin, Nature Parade” entertain audiences at the nearby Souq Park zone at regular intervals from 3:30 to 10pm daily.

The venue’s other main attractions include several cultural performances held at various stages erected at the large paved area in front of Fanar, and in several smaller spaces throughout the souq.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

At last night’s show, female dancers and musicians took to the stage at one end of the souq, while a troupe of some 40 male dancers performed at a makeshift arena outside the Village restaurant.

In other areas, children gathered around to ride tiny Shetland ponies, or pose with monkeys, iguanas and snakes.

Several others gathered at a large domed tent to watch films – Pangea, The Alchemist’s Letter, Tuurngait, and Ruin – on screens that spanned 360 degrees.

The nearby Al Rayyan tent hosted an Arab singer last night, drawing large audiences inside the tent, and several hundred more outside, huddled around large screens to catch a glimpse of the action inside.

The festival will continue through Feb. 4. Here’s the full schedule:

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

Have you checked it out yet? Thoughts?

(The post Crowds throng Qatar’s Souq Waqif for opening of spring festival is from Doha News.)

New ‘Circus of Fountains’ opens at Qatar’s Souq Waqif

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Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

As part of the ongoing spring festival at Souq Waqif, a new circus act has opened that includes a troupe of acrobats, performing animals such as bears, monkeys and cats and colorful “dancing” fountains.

Dubbed the “Circus of Fountains,” the one-hour show is being performed daily at 4:30pm and 7:30 pm until Feb. 5.

Tickets cost QR30, QR50 and QR100, and can be bought from booths outside the venue located in front of the Al Jasra Boutique Hotel.

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Chantelle D'mello

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Drawn from talent across Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, the three-year old show is an abridged version of its original European counterpart.

The 29-odd member crew includes four bears, nine monkeys, 14 cats and 10 dogs, all of whom were flown in via a charter flight into Doha, and are now housed in a series of tents behind the main arena.

During the show, the animals perform a variety of acts. The bears jump over dogs, balance themselves on rolling barrels and ride scooters; the cats jump from heights and tip toe across raised platforms; and the monkeys tightrope across metal bars, play pranks on each other and roll over.

Animal rights concerns

Last night, the show elicited squeals of delight from many who attended. The audience especially seemed to enjoy the interactive parts of the show during which members were pulled from the crowd to participate in activities on stage.

However, the use of animals in performances has also alarmed some Qatar residents.

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Chantelle D'mello

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

In an email, one expat told Doha News:

“(The festival is) a wonderful idea as the souq is vibrant, old and new at the same time, a place of relaxation for citizens and a hub for tourists. However there is no need for these festivals to include animals…

This is animal misuse and cruelty – and for what purpose, to show off and hurt a noble form of life created by God that we as humans were given the great honor and duty to protect, look after and preserve?”

In response to complaints, a representative from the events firm organizing the show said that the company was working to ensure the animals’ well-being, adding that the circus has even hired a chef to prepare their meals.

Natalia Naumochkina from Lana Group International told Doha News that the animals were an integral part of the concept of a Russian circus, and so had to be flown in to complete the troupe.

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Chantelle D'mello

Circus of Fountains at Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

“Because of the wind, some of the animals – like the monkeys – refuse to work, so we had to cut some of the acts short,” she conceded.

However, she added, “The animals were bred for the circus. The bears were born into the circus, are 14 years old and have been trained (since they were) young.”

Past controversy

During last year’s spring festival, a dolphin show organized by the same events company drew significant ire from many residents after one of the performing dolphins fell sick.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2015

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2015

The animal had apparently swallowed a yellow plastic object that got lodged in its stomach.

At the time, several commenters expressed their displeasure at the event on the center’s Facebook page, saying dolphins should instead be viewed in their natural habitats.

At the time, Naumochkina said that every effort had been made to ensure the animals’ safety.

“One of our dolphins has taken sick, probably from ingesting a remnant of the construction work that has been going on since November. We have taken every measure to ensure that the animal receives the best care, and have spared no expense in treating it,” she said.

Thoughts?

(The post New ‘Circus of Fountains’ opens at Qatar’s Souq Waqif is from Doha News.)

Profile: Mohammed the baker, at Qatar’s Souq Waqif

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Souq baker Souq Baker Souq baker Souq baker Kabob Al Tayab Souq baker Souq baker Souq baker

All photos by Baba Tamim

In a hidden corner in one of the corridors of Souq Waqif, an old man spends 12-16 hours of his day making money to support his family while smiling at passersby.

Mohammed Abdul Aziz Durbar was 16 years old when he moved to Qatar from Iran. The 57-year-old works as a baker at “Kabab Al Tayeb,” an Iranian restaurant at the Souq.

Durbar’s day begins at 7am, when he mixes flour in a machine to prepare dough for the large flat bread served at the eatery.

“The process of making bread is time consuming, so a lot of steps are involved,” he told Doha News this week. “And when I am finally done making over a 1,000 loafs of bread a day, I get sound sleep.”

Bread making

Baba Tamim

Bread making

The restaurant is next to a mosque, which makes it easy for Durbar to be close to his creator, he said.

In addition to being dedicated to his prayers, Durbar is also steadfast about his work, something that inspires many of his colleagues and customers alike.

Speaking to Doha News, one of his longtime co-workers said:

“What’s so unique about Mohammad is that he doesn’t take any breaks from the work other than prayers. While most of us would pass time here and there, and take appropriate breaks to not feel burdened, he stays mostly in the corner of the restaurant working tirelessly.”

Durbar is married with six kids, whom he travels to see in Iran every six months.

Souq baker

Baba Tamim

Souq baker

He explained, “I save QR2,000 a month after free food and accommodation. So the savings go for the studies of my kids’, except the eldest boy who works as a salesman at a perfume shop in Iran. It’s tough but thanks to the Almighty I am happy about my life.”

Kabab Al Tayeb has a limited menu but delicious offerings, according to customers.

The restaurant serves chicken, kofta, liver kababs, as well as salad and grilled vegetables. Prices range from two pieces of bread for QR1 to QR20 for a kabob platter that includes bread.

Because most of the seating is outside, the baker’s corner is an attraction for many. Many people take pictures of Durbar as he works, which he said he likes.

“People visiting from different countries come and take pictures of me, some eat some don’t eat – it doesn’t matter.”

Thoughts?


This entire feature was shot on an iPhone. To learn how to tell your own photo-stories on your mobile, consider signing up for our upcoming photography workshop, which will be taught by Baba Tamim. More information can be found here. Doha News members are entitled to a 20 percent discount.

(The post Profile: Mohammed the baker, at Qatar’s Souq Waqif is from Doha News.)

High-tech paid parking being expanded across Qatar

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General post office car park

Lesley Walker / Doha News

General post office car park

Many motorists will find themselves paying to park more frequently in Qatar as businesses try to discourage residents from using spaces reserved for customers for long periods of time.

But as parking lot owners roll out changes, at least one technology firm is adding new features allowing payment via mobile phone and assistance finding one’s vehicle to make the process less cumbersome.

One of the first facilities to be affected is the multi-story car park at Qatar’s general post office on the Corniche. It will introduce fees at the end of this month, according to the company installing the new system for Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post).

The four-level lot on the edge of the busy West Bay/Dafna business district currently offers free parking, but this has led to it being “abused” by commuters and others doing business in West Bay and customers are often unable to park easily, the head of Computer Station Co. – which is installing the new pay parking technology – told Doha News.

By the end of April, new fees will be charged for anyone wanting to park there. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) is approving the proposed new tariff, but – in line with the new government regulations for all car parks – the first 30 minutes will be free for customers.

“It is a busy area but people were parking there who were not customers. It (the parking) was being abused.

(Q-Post) brought in parking charges to provide a better service for post office customers, to increase turnaround. They can park there, pick up parcels or do business then leave again and if they do it within 30 minutes, it will be free,” Elie Elkhoury, chief operating officer of Computer Station told Doha News.

To keep traffic flowing in the area, the entrance to the car park will not have a barrier and the system will be ticket-less.

Automatic number plate recognition technology will log each vehicle’s registration plate when it enters the car park and again when it approaches the exit gate. It will calculate how long the vehicle has been there and so what the parking charge will be (if any).

Fess will be able to be paid by cash or card, and the machines will also accept coins, the company’s chief executive Hashim Gumma added.

Charging at Gulf Mall car park in Al Gharafa will also resume, after reconfiguration of the parking lot to improve the flow of traffic, Elkhoury said.

Gulf Mall traffic

Peter Kovessy

Gulf Mall traffic

The mall introduced parking fees last September. However, congestion in the area led them to temporarily suspend the service until the lot was redesigned.

Charges are expected to be re-introduced in the coming months, “around Ramadan”, Gumma confirmed, pending government confirmation of the tariff.

New Souq car park

A new, two-story car park at Souq Waqif is set to open this August, with a number of gadgets designed to make it easier for visitors to park, find their car and pay.

Souq Waqif west car park under construction - July 2015

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif west car park under construction – July 2015

The underground car park,  on the site of an old surface lot at the end of Al Rayyan Road, across from the Falcon Souq, will also do away with tickets and entrance barriers, and will use the same licence plate-reading technology to make it quicker to get into the car park.

The inside of the car park is installed with an extensive CCTV system, with one camera fitted for every two-to-four parking spaces.

The “park eyes” cameras will read the licence plates of every vehicle and will also record everything which takes place on that spot, with the aim of improving security.

“If someone opens their front door and it hits into your car or scratches it, everything is recorded. There is no dead area – you can track everything and it is easy to monitor.

The focus is on security. The camera is pointed to the licence plate,” Elkhoury added, arguing there would be no intrusion on individuals’ privacy.

The new car park will also feature “find my car” technology, to help visitors who have forgotten where they have parked. Kiosks will have devices in which a visitor can enter their licence plate number, and they will be given the exact location of their vehicle.

To further assist motorists, the light above their parked vehicle will start blinking to attract attention.

And in addition to being able to pay for parking by cash or card, near-field communications (NFC) will mean visitors can also pay using their mobile phone after registering their credit card with the system, Elkhoury said.

The firm, which operates the parking at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), has also been brought on board to introduce parking systems for three, staff-only car parks for Ashghal and for the QP District, all in Dafna/West Bay.

It is also set to install charged parking at the under-construction Tawar Mall, near Landmark Mall, and at Mirqab Mall in Al Sadd.

Parking facilities will also be paid-for in Lusail City, with at least eight car parks set to be installed with the new payment technology.

The future

As Qatar’s population continues to increase and its roads get more congested, paid-for parking is going to become more prevalent as a way of better managing the traffic, Elkhoury said.

“The traffic is increasing every day. (Qatar authorities) need to regulate the car parks in order to regulate the traffic flow. Charging for car parks is a necessity, just like in Europe or anywhere else,” he continued, adding that the parking charges were low compared to other world cities.

To reduce congestion in busy areas such as West Bay, options such as on-street parking meters could be an option in the future.

“This is the next step for Qatar,” Elkhoury added.

How will the new parking arrangements affect you? Thoughts?

(The post High-tech paid parking being expanded across Qatar is from Doha News.)


Photos: Souq festival opens with amusement park rides, art workshops

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DSC07291 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016 Souq Festival 2016

All photos by Ray Toh

An expanded two-week festival at Souq Waqif kicked off last night with children’s rides, games and preparations for art workshops.

While the crowds on the main pedestrian streets appeared to outnumber the number of visitors to the special attractions, many families could be seen at the amusement park, which is temporarily set up at Al-Ahmed Square.

Meanwhile, easels and other painting equipment were set up at the Souq Waqif Art Center, part of the educational art workshops for children that are scheduled to be held daily.

The two-week festival runs until April 18 and also includes some 30 Qatari, Arab and Western artists drawing paintings about Qatar’s environment live in front of the crowds.

There will also be entertainment from local groups, as well as stilt walkers and performers who will wind their way through the souq’s streets.

Additional details can be found on the souq’s website here.

Who’s planning to check out the festivities? Thoughts?

(The post Photos: Souq festival opens with amusement park rides, art workshops is from Doha News.)

Qatar date festival a big draw at Souq Waqif

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Date Festival at Souq Waqif Date Festival at Souq Waqif Date Festival at Souq Waqif Date Festival at Souq Waqif Date Festival at Souq Waqif Date Festival at Souq Waqif

All photos by Reem Saad

Enticed by the frigid air and the free samples, hundreds of people crowded into an indoor tent at Souq Waqif yesterday to check out a new date festival.

The two-week long event, organized by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), kicked off over the weekend.

Some 20 varieties of dates, all picked from 22 local farms, are on display. Prices start at around QR6-QR8 for a small 1kg box.

Residents who attend are invited to taste the dates and learn more about their nutritional value.

Variety

Some of the varieties on display include Ikhlas, Shishi, Lulu, the red Khunaizi, Barhi, Razeez and Hibri. They differ in taste, color, size, thickness of skin, and carbohydrate and calorie count, among other specifications.

Known to many as rutab, most of the dates are ripe and soft, and will be in season until the end of August.

Date Festival at Souq Waqif

Reem Saad / Doha News

Date Festival at Souq Waqif

Some of the types on display are available for sale at hypermarkets around Qatar, but most are rare species that are not yet produced commercially, an MME spokesperson told Doha News.

She added:

“The benefit of holding the date festival is to introduce Qatar’s local dates… There are several kinds here that you wouldn’t find in regular stores.”

The festival will run daily until Aug. 14, with the tent opening from 4pm to 10pm.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar date festival a big draw at Souq Waqif is from Doha News.)

Amid modernization push, souq shop owner a link to Qatar’s pearling past

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Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Surrounded by strings of pearls and precious stones, one of Qatar’s last living connections to the country’s oldest industry shows up each day to work behind a cluttered red-topped counter in the heart of Souq Waqif.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim, a 75-year-old Qatari, is regarded by some as the country’s oldest surviving pearl diver – a profession that provided a significant source of the peninsula’s wealth up until the mid-20th century.

Jewelry sold by former Pearl diver

Chantelle D'mello

Jewelry sold by former Pearl diver

“Times are different (now),” Al Jassim told Doha News during a recent interview. “No one dives anymore. Why would we do it? We have oil and gas now.”

But as the pace of modernization in Qatar quickens, some people are trying to revive the country’s ancient traditions in the form of educational tours, competitions and efforts to cultivate new pearl farms in the Gulf.

While many are quick to celebrate the country’s history, Al Jassim cautions that there was historically little glamour in pearl diving.

“We did it because we had to make money,” he said, adding:

“There was nothing else here. No oil, no cars, no roads or AC, not even water. Nothing. So we had to make our money somehow. It didn’t matter if it was hot or cold, we had to dive and sell our pearls. We had to hold our breath because there was no other (sources of) income.”

Relying on luck

Born into humble beginnings, Al Jassim started diving at the age of 15 and trained under some of the country’s top divers.

“We used to eat very little. Just dates and water in the morning, and a sweet rice cooked with date syrup and fish for dinner. If we ate too much, we wouldn’t have space for air when we dove,” he said.

For illustrative purposes only

Richard / Flickr

For illustrative purposes only

A typical dive would last around two minutes, or however long the diver – equipped with only a nose clip, basket and weights to help stay underwater – could hold his breath.

Divers would often stay at sea for months at a time, scouring the seabed off Qatar’s coasts and relying heavily on luck.

“We never knew what we would find … We would just pick up as many oysters as we could and then come up to open them and check for pearls,” Al Jassim recalled.

However, he was entering the laborious industry just as it was going into decline. Al Jassim said he moved to Saudi Arabia at the age of 16 to work part-time at oil giant Aramco and complete his education.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim as young bodybuilder.

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim as young bodybuilder.

Al Jassim took up bodybuilding in his spare time, placing second in the annual Mr. Dhahran competition held in 1958. Old portraits, showing a younger and more muscular Al Jassim draped in an animal print textile, are displayed in his shop.

He later returned to Qatar, where he worked in various government jobs in addition to serving as a Civil Defense officer for nearly three decades.

After his retirement, Al Jassim said he was presented with his shop in the Souq Waqif by his childhood friend, Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

“We grew up together. I used to go over to his house all the time and perform tricks. At the time, I was interested in magic, and I would do things like walk on hot stones and lie on a bed of nails. I’ve (since) given that up, but that’s how we used to be,” he said.

Seated behind the counter, Al Jassim fashions prayer beads out of thread and turquoise, tiger eye, amethyst, lapis and other semi-precious stones.

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Chantelle D'mello

Saad Ismail Al Jassim

Most of his pearls are cultured and imported from China, Japan and Dubai, and retail for about QR15 for a pair of earrings and QR40 for a bracelet.

Perhaps ironically, Japan’s intensive cultivation of cultured pearls flooded international markets in the early 20th century and hastened the decline of Qatar’s pearling industry.

Reviving the tradition

In an effort to preserve Qatar’s connection to its past, several organizations are putting modern twists on the centuries-old practice.

That includes pearling contests for children and adults, as well as a reality TV competition:

Elsewhere, Qatar Foundation along with the Qatar Luxury Group and Tahitian pearl brand Robert Wan have collaborated in a pearl farming project, according to a recent article in The National.

The Qatar Pearl Legacy projects got underway some six years ago and consists of an offshore pearl farm with some 200,000 oysters, as well as various cultural and educational programs throughout the GCC.

The group has also begun cultivating cultured pearls and presented its first batch of harvested pearls at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition earlier this year.

According to the National, the project is also hoping to engage Qataris with the pearl farming process, and has flown students to Tahiti to learn more about pearls.

Al Jassim said he’s happy to hear that there’s more interest in his former vocation, which he worried was at risk of being forgotten.

“For years no one remembered pearls. It’s nice to see that they’re doing it now,” he said.

Thoughts?

(The post Amid modernization push, souq shop owner a link to Qatar’s pearling past is from Doha News.)

New underground car park under construction at Souq Waqif in Qatar

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Souq Waqif west car park

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif west car park

Construction crews have started to excavate sand and rocks from the western edge of the Souq Waqif, opposite the Msheireb Downtown Doha project, to add more capacity for vehicles carrying visitors to the popular attraction.

The new two-story underground car park will be on the site of an old surface lot at the end of Al Rayyan Road, across from the Falcon Souq.

Souq Waqif west car park

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif west car park

A spokesperson for Arabian MEP Contracting, which is one of the firms working on the project, said the car park will have capacity for 819 vehicles. He added that the project is scheduled to be completed and handed over to Souq Waqif officials in May 2016.

However, it’s not clear when it will actually open to the public.

Motorists using Al Rayyan Road or Al Asmakh Street can still drop passengers off at the souq’s western entrance, but police officers had ticketed several vehicles parked on the entrance road next to the construction site late this morning.

Signs direct drivers to use the new north parking garage instead.

Congestion easing

Earlier this year, construction crews completed a new 2,000-stall underground parking garage accessible via the Corniche and Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, which runs along the north edge of Souq Waqif.

Souq Waqif parking

Peter Kovessy

Souq Waqif parking

The new lot also acts as an underground pedestrian passage connecting the traditional market to the Corniche

Shortly after it opened, however, several of the smaller surface lots elsewhere along the Souq Waqif’s perimeter closed.

Nevertheless, the new underground car parks will help to alleviate some of the traffic headaches in the area during peak hours, when surface lots in the area are frequently stretched to capacity.

The final landscaping of the under-construction west parking garage is not known. The new north lot was topped with a new outdoor park complete with grass, playground equipment benches, a refreshment stand and an outdoor amphitheater.

Thoughts?

(The post New underground car park under construction at Souq Waqif in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Qatar’s Katara, Souq Waqif to hold spring festivals

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Souq Waqif festival 2015

Chantelle D'mello

Souq Waqif festival 2015

Two of Qatar’s most popular recreational destinations – Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village – will be hosting their annual festivals at the end of January.

The fourth Souq Waqif Spring Festival will take place over two weeks, starting this Friday, Jan. 22 and running through Feb. 4.

Meanwhile, Katara’s third Winter Festival will run over five days, from Jan. 24 until Jan. 28, to coincide with the mid-term break for schools in Qatar and also academic holidays in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Both festivals are free and open to the public, and will hold family-friendly performances, activities and shows during the late afternoon and evenings.

In line with previous years’ events, Souq Waqif plans to have street entertainment such as stilt walkers and performers who will wind their way throughout the Souq’s streets at regular intervals, starting around 3:30pm and going until 10pm.

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016 schedule

There will also be regular shows for children and families in a new area above the newly-created North parking lot, between the Souq and Corniche, organizers said.

This area will have acrobats, stilt-walkers a “nature parade show” and “pigeons show” during the first week of the festival, and a “cybers show” and “candy parade show” during the second week.

Meanwhile a “giant fountain circus show” is slated to take place twice daily, from 4:30 until 5:40pm, then again from 7:30 until 8:40pm in a performance space behind Al Rayyan TV, according to the festival schedule.

Map of events for Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Souq Waqif

Map of events for Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2016

Festival visitors can park in the underground car park near the Corniche. Above-ground parking has been closed off for months, as work is still underway to construct a second underground parking lot near the Falcon Souq.

The two-story facility should have space for more than 800 vehicles and is expected to be handed over to Souq management in May this year.

Full details about the festival can be found on the Souq Waqif website here.

Katara events

Festivities at Katara’s esplanade are being promoted as having a cultural theme, with activities, games and entertainment focusing on the state’s heritage and folklore.

Events run from 4pm until 10pm daily and include participation from a number of ministries and public institutions, as well as private ventures.

The Childhood Cultural Center will host competitions and activities for little ones while the Qatar Center for Heritage and Identity will put on a theatrical show about winter and run events and giveaways with a “traditional cultural twist.”

Katara Winter Festival 2016 schedule

Katara

Katara Winter Festival 2016 schedule

Traditional methods of hunting using falcons and saluki dogs, particularly for younger hunters, will be promoted in events organized by Al Gannas Society, while one of the biggest hunting tournaments in the region, Al Galayal, will also host its own activities.

And green thumbs can get gardening tips from the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP/Baladiya), which runs the state’s parks.

A “birds and animals gallery” by Canary World, health workshops by a number of private medical clinics, traditional ardah (sword) dances, handicraft displays and singing and beach games will also be on offer.

More information can be found on Katara’s website here.

Katara will also host “The Magical Festival Village” from Feb. 1.

Located on the empty land across from the St. Regis Hotel, the development will stay open for three months and include exhibitions, shows, shops, restaurants, a dancing fountain and an outdoor “ice-skating” rink.

Do you plan to check the festivals out? Thoughts?

(The post Qatar’s Katara, Souq Waqif to hold spring festivals is from Doha News.)

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