Ahmed Bin Ali Al-Shahrani is an adaptive athlete, ambassador for Accessible Qatar, and member of Qatar 2022’s Accessibility Forum. An inspiration for many in the field of sport and beyond, he recently spoke to Q Life about his story and track record of breaking boundaries.
Ahmed has been an avid participant of sport from a young age; “from Karate and Kung Fu to football, basketball, track and field, I’ve always loved being active”. Ahmed has also more recently taken up fencing, and through his work with Accessible Qatar, he hopes to make it a more accessible sport to those with disabilities.
One of Ahmed’s most significant achievements is his 200-kilometre journey from the most southern point of Qatar, Abu Samra, to the furthest north, Al Ruwais. This was completed in 41 hours and 55 minutes, as part of Ahmed’s ambition to win the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to complete this journey in a wheelchair; “it was an accomplishment for myself and the Run The World team who supported me throughout the challenge.”
Ahmed has also competed in numerous domestic and international marathons, including a 90-kilometre ultra marathon, and continues to try new sports, such as hand biking. “I love sports that require challenging yourself. They offer something that you can transfer into your everyday life in some way. For example, shooting and fencing train you to practice your focus. I enjoy the challenges of becoming better at a skill day after day.”
Ahmed is incredibly proud of the growth he has seen of the wheelchair community in sports, and the role he has played in encouraging this development; “during the Ooredoo Marathon in 2018, I was the only individual taking part in a wheelchair. In 201,9 we became two, and in 2020, there were six of us. This shows how passion and taking part can become infectious. It shows that there is a way, and I hope this only continues to spread.”
As he continues to succeed across various sporting fields, Ahmed has become a powerful inspiration and advocate for the disabled community. “I represent individuals who are not stereotypically considered athletes, and I am proud to be an example that we can still take part and demonstrate to others that life doesn’t stop because of your disability. We all face difficulties in life, and we all have our own journeys from the starting point to the finish line. This is what makes everyone’s story so unique.”
Mubarak Shannan Zayid started playing tennis when he was only six years old. Nineteen years of training later, he is now a player on the Qatari national tennis team and has played in major tournaments around the world.
Mubarak recently competed in the 2021 Qatar ExxonMobil Open alongside some of the best players in the game, including Roger Federer.
“It’s a dream for any Qatari player to play this tournament. I was very happy to be chosen for this opportunity and to compete against very high-level players”.
Mubarak found his passion for tennis by watching his older brother Mousa play, working tirelessly until he made it to the national team. “This is when I realised that I love playing this sport and need to pursue it as a career,” he said.
Mubarak felt a tremendous amount of support from his country during the tournament, as one of the only Qatari players. “My fellow players and the community of Qatar have always been supportive of me,” says Mubarak. “We’re very lucky to have the Qatar Tennis Federation supporting us”.
The future of tennis in Qatar is bright, according to Mubarak. QTF’s Smash Tennis Academy offers extensive tennis programmes for people of all abilities to learn the sport. “I think tennis is growing really fast in Qatar. More players are entering the sport; more events are hosted in Doha, so even more people get to know the sport”.
“Every year, we have new top ten players coming to our tournaments. Many players are recognising Qatar as the main destination to play tennis”.
Mubarak’s personal targets for the future see him continuing to pursue greatness in tennis. “My goal is to be in the top 500. Hopefully I’ll be able to achieve this dream”.
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Her Excellency Sheikha Alya, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, shares with Q Life the causes that drive her and what gives her confidence in the future.
“This is where my heart is. This is exactly where I wanted to be 20, 30 years ago,” explains Her Excellency Sheikha Alya.
A day after the Qatar Mission to the United Nations hosted the UN’s 47th anniversary – sharing the achievements of Qatari women in the arts with the international community – and almost a year after the State of Qatar doubled its financial contributions to the United Nations, Her Excellency Sheikha Alya spoke about her multifaceted role representing the State of Qatar.
Having worked within the United Nations for nearly a decade as an Ambassador, HE Sheikha Alya demonstrates a clear vision for Qatar at the UN, as well as comfort in discussing the complex structure and issues that the organisation handles on a daily basis.
“The United Nations brings all countries together, big and small,” she describes. Whether a small island country being affected by climate change or a large economic state – HE Sheikha Alya believes that the UN is the right platform for finding solutions: “It is the only platform where we can really look eye to eye and find solutions together.”
This trust in the UN system is hardly surprising. Her late father, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, was one of Qatar’s most widely known diplomats. “He was a role model at home,” HE Sheikha Alya explains. “He encouraged me, but also said I needed a cause” – a cause to be passionate about and a cause to fight for.
While this need was rooted at home, it was discovered and nurtured in London. Enrolling in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), HE Sheikha Alya pursued a master’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy.
“This is where I decided to be a diplomat,” Her Excellency recalls. “I picked a topic of interest to pursue: human rights, particularly around women and children.” She then began working for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she rose quickly through the ranks. She was then well on her way towards becoming a diplomat.
Looking back on her career to date, HE Sheikha Alya can point to many achievements that bring her a sense of pride in herself and her country.
“There are a lot of beautiful moments during my career as a diplomat,” she says. This includes her participation in the State of Qatar’s successful initiative to establish World Autism Awareness Day, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.
More recently, HE Sheikha Alya shares the significance of the UN Day celebrations that took place only the day before. “Last night was about showcasing Qatar’s progress with the world, where elements of arts and film were combined with music.”
The event took place at the UN General Assembly Hall, which was packed with many of Qatar’s notable leaders, as well as UN Ambassadors from around the world.
“Last night for me was really a moment of glory,” she remarks. “It’s a proud moment for us.”
Her eyes light up with excitement as she describes the success of the event, which featured spectacular musical performances from some of Qatar’s most renowned artists. Her excitement should come as no surprise – “I love music,” HE Sheikha Alya reveals.
“I have played the piano since I was a child.” While she admits she no longer has the time to practice as much as she would like, it is clear that her passion for music gave the event the fuel to reach for the stars.
When asked about the future, HE Sheikha Alya considers the question carefully. “The world is going through a complex time,” she notes, “with the current the cycle of violence.”
Nonetheless, HE Sheikha Alya believes that the UN’s platform for multilateralism is the answer, with the international community working together towards a common goal. She proudly imparts these final words: “Multilateralism is relevant, and Qatar will be on the frontlines supporting the United Nations.”
The curtain drops and the crowd goes silent. Qatari pianist Hala Al Emadi takes to the stage and immerses the audience into what becomes an exquisite musical and cinematic experience.
At the UN Headquarters’ magnificent General Assembly in New York, honorary guests are gathered to celebrate the UN’s 74th birthday – widely known as United Nations Day.
The UN Day is an acknowledgement of the global efforts and achievements of the organisation since its founding in 1945.
Hosted by Qatar for the first time in history, this year’s UN Day Concert focused on the role of culture, sports, quality education and gender equality by showcasing women in leadership roles across the Middle East’s arts fields.
Composer Dana Al Fardan, pianist Hala Al Emadi, vocalist Aisha and conductor Eimear Noone led the concert together with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, symbolising the need for greater women’s empowerment and gender equality.
For HE Sheikha Alya, the show was indeed a proud moment. “The idea that the whole event was prepared and planned by young women in Qatar….it says a lot about how we’ve progressed.”
How do you know when you have a calling in life? Many feel as if they will never know, but for Khalifa AlMarri, his inspiration came early, and he has never looked back. It all began when his teacher gave him a video assignment at school.
AlMarri remembers the moment fondly: “The first time my film screened at the school’s theatre, all my friends and teachers gathered around me asking all kinds of questions about the film and how I managed to do it”. For AlMarri, this was the turning point that propelled his creative venture from the classroom to international film festivals. “I was always afraid of putting my work out there for people to judge, but in that moment, I knew that this is what I’m supposed to do.”
What makes his trajectory all the more impressive is the manner of his success. After winning an award at the 2015 Ajyal Film Festival, it was clear that AlMarri stood out from the crowd. “I was competing with big budget films with big crews, and I was a one-man crew. “That was when I gained recognition and appreciation for being able to manage all those aspects alone.”
Doha Film Institute (DFI), in its role as a platform for young Qatari artists, offered AlMarri crucial exposure and provided the filmmaker with formative experiences that remain with him today. “It’s different from showcasing your work on other online platforms because you receive direct feedback from industry professionals worldwide.”
Empowered, AlMarri actively acknowledges that DFI “guided me to where I am today.”
“Embodiment” is one of his films that has thrived thanks to DFI’s support. Screened at several international film festivals since 2017, the film continues to represent Qatar’s blossoming film industry in the global arena to this day. It recounts Qatar’s journey from “ancient wilderness to contemporary metropolis,” and as Qatar and India celebrated their joint Year of Culture last year, “Embodiment” won over further admirers at the prestigious 2019 Mumbai Film Festival.
The glitz and glamour of showbiz can entice many, however, AlMarri reveals that his greatest motivation is not the media coverage but that “everyone got to see my country [Qatar] the way I see it…I was extremely proud to see my country in the international spotlight.”
Q Life speaks to Noof Al Marri, entrepreneur and owner of Desert Rose Café, to learn about her journey, passion, and knowledge for food culture and gastronomy.
Noof is a specialist in local Qatari cuisine. “The food culture of Qatar has evolved and is strongly influenced by spices from India and food from the Levant. It started very humble but grew over the years into more of a sophisticated cuisine due to the expansion of Qatari society, and the international blend that happened here through the vast expatriate migration”.
Noof opened her Qatari fusion ‘Desert Rose Café’ at the National Museum of Qatar around 18 months ago. Chef Noof was ecstatic by the interest taken by tourists in her restaurant; “I was surprised at how fond foreigners are of Qatari dishes. I suppose people like variety and want to discover new flavours!”
The distinctive taste of the home-ground spices is the secret ingredient to the Qatari cuisine she serves. “I took my first step into the world of gastronomy 20 years ago. Spices are what distinguish the Qatari cuisine and make it special, they are the gateway to great tasting food”.
From a young age, Noof has always shown interest in the art of cooking and combining spices and flavours to create the perfect recipe.
“My passion started when I was a little girl, always trying my hardest to help my mother in the kitchen. A challenge I initially faced was trying to find high-quality spices to use. To solve this problem, I began handmaking my own for each dish. Now I own a line of spices called ‘Spices by Chef Noof’, that I am planning to expand and export internationally”.
“I’ve participated in local and international food expos in Doha, Germany, China, Turkey, India, among others, and taken classes and courses in the traditional cuisines of many countries”, allowing Noof to acquire a vast amount of knowledge on international gastronomy over her career.
Noof hopes to continue travelling the world to expand her mastery of what she loves most, bringing this back home to create dishes from the countries she has visited and, of course, incorporating her own wonderfully crafted spices.
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Discover the vibrant tapestry of Qatari culture with Embrace Doha, an independent cultural house dedicated to weaving authentic experiences where tradition meets innovation.
Embrace Doha is an independent cultural house that seeks to give visitors, expatriates, and locals alike the most memorable Qatari experiences. Qatar is a country with a rich cultural heritage, whether, through food, art, or innovation, Embrace Doha aims to introduce visitors to the most authentic aspects of what it has to offer. Those looking to truly immerse themselves in Qatari culture can gain the opportunity to connect with the community through cultural sessions, events, tours, and shopping experiences.
Amal Al Shammari is the founding director of Embrace Doha. She founded the company in 2014 after she realised that her expat colleagues had the desire to connect with Qatari culture in a more authentic way.
“I actually felt like my expat colleagues wanted to know more about the Qatari culture and I felt why don’t we create a majlis that can host them and also, we can answer all of their questions and introduce all of our Qatari culture to them,” she says.
The diverse Embrace Doha team is composed of ‘heritage specialists’ with an in-depth knowledge of the Arabian Gulf region and this is a major pride for the organisation. Through their efforts, they not only curate experiences but also support local artisans such as Sadu weavers and female artisans that specialise in hand crafted goods.
Al Shammari notes her excitement for visitors to experience the beauty of Qatar in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022. “Although we’re a small country, we have a big heart and we’re really excited to host you all here in Doha for the World Cup. Our home is your home,” she says.
Guests can participate in a variety of experiences through Embrace Doha. This includes cultural sessions for an introduction to the various cultural traditions that span from greetings and traditional clothing. Guests can also take various tours around the city of Doha or take part in different types of hands-on workshops, which include bakhoor mixing or hand-crafted leather sessions.
“I don’t think I could describe Qatar in one word. For me, Qatar is the people, how diverse it is, the amazing food and the hospitality,” says Shaima Sherif, managing director of Embrace Doha.
The organisation hopes to combat misunderstandings when interacting with Qatari people. In the greater scheme of their work, Embrace Doha hopes to encourage tourism in Qatar and hopes to continue to support the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
As an archeologist, Sherif has many favourite things about Qatari culture. “If I had to pick one thing, it would be the clothing. There is this huge misconception that Qatari women always wear black, and that’s not true. Thobe Al Nashal, which is the traditional dress is very colourful and beautiful.”
Embrace Doha was founded on the principle of ‘connecting cultures’ and ensuring that not only the authenticity of Qatari culture is protected, but also that those seeking to learn and truly immerse themselves in the country’s values and traditions, feel welcome and are provided accommodation to do so.
Q Life Spoke to Studio 5/6 project manager, Eng. Sabine El Kahi about their aim to nurture kids and youth by sharpening their 21st century learning skills and turning them into digital leaders as they develop in an everchanging digital world.
How did the idea of Studio 5/6 come to life?
“Studio 5/6 is the first Fabrication Lab and is one of the many community engagement tools being used to continue to build a Smart Qatar, by accelerating the country’s digital transformation and building towards the Qatar 2030 vision.
Studio 5/6 is envisaged as a community platform that offers technology and allied equipment support for hands-on learning opportunities in order for the youth to develop 5 skills using 6 different tools. At Studio 5/6 kids and youth can develop their creativity and innovation, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The platform will also develop young people’s knowledge of technology and help them become future creators of technology.”
Can you tell us more about the vision of Studio 5/6?
“We were started and built with the youth in mind. The goal of Studio 5/6 is to foster innovation, imagination and creativity through the exploration of cutting-edge technology in an inclusive and collaborative environment for those between the ages of 7 to 18. Studio 5/6 is where formal and casual learning meet outside of the traditional learning classroom to give the kids and youth in Qatar hands-on encounters that facilitate them to refine their thoughts, be progressively engaged with critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration; allowing them to become future creators of technology.”
In an increasingly digital world, why is it important for our youth to be knowledgeable when it comes to technology?
“We want to prepare the youth of Qatar for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Rapid developments in technology continue to emerge, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, data-driven decision making, virtual and augmented reality, robotics and coding. It is clear that the future workforce will need to be digitally capable.
How do we, as a nation, prepare our youth to best utilize and benefit from the unlimited potential of technology in their professional, social, and personal lives? Qatari youth should be prepared for the challenges of tomorrow, and be able to fully utilize the unlimited possibilities the future has to offer. Therefore, Studio 5/6 will facilitate the youth to become future creators of technology, instead of the mere consumers in society.”
Studio 5/6 focuses on hands-on learning in many of its workshops. Can you tell us the benefits of this?
“The majority of youth in Qatar tend to be advanced consumers of technology. There are major efforts underway to provide children and young adults with technological concepts to become creators of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and not simply consumers of technology. However, the approach is theory-based, and needs to be conceptualized and put into action. As a result, Studio 5/6 was established to be a space for exchanging ideas, creating and inspiring innovation, learning and designing prototypes, and producing and sharing products.”
What are some skills that Studio 5/6 hopes to instil in the youth through their workshops?
“Studio 5/6 aims to develop 5 Skills for the youth in Qatar (Electronics, Coding, Modelling, Digital Fabrication, Robotics), using 6 tools (Vinyl Cutter, Milling, Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, 3D Scanning, VR/AR), hence the name Studio 5/6. Our skills and tools are updated regularly as technology and skills evolve minute by minute.”
How is Studio 5/6 preparing the young generation in Qatar to become future creators of technology?
“For the kids in Qatar to be prepared to engage in a world alongside smart machines, they need to be educated differently than in the past. Studio 5/6 has a unique curriculum inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). This has worked on interlinking highly advanced digital fabrication technology into this curriculum to address global challenges and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Studio 5/6 works throughout the year to design and deliver free workshops in areas such as digital design and digital fabrication using various machinery and tools such as 3D printing, CNC milling, electronics, programming, VR/AR technology, mobile app development, and digital game development.”
How has the Qatar community reaction been to Studio 5/6 and its engagements?
“Parents were thrilled that their kids and youth started to build a solid technological foundation, because they understand that futuristic technology is what is going to determine the development and prosperity of both their kids and the county as a whole. Parents can see and feel the impact and appreciate the real benefits of living in a Smart Qatar.”
What are some relevant facts, figures and anecdotes that highlight the success of Studio 5/6?
“In the last 4 years and to date, Studio 5/6 has hosted more than 14,500 children and youth in more than 800 hands-on and online activities.
In fact, Studio 5/6 extended its contribution beyond Qatar by becoming the first digital fabrication lab in the Arab World to publish lessons in Arabic and English in the International Organization for Digital Fabrication Scopes-DF, an international platform that focuses on the curriculum in the digital fabrication field. This has a positive influence on Arab youth across the region. Studio 5/6 is also a member of the international fabrication lab network (FAB LAB) with members reaching over 2,000 Fab Labs in 126 countries around the world.”
What are some future plans for Studio 5/6?
“By providing a space for stimulating innovators’ creative energies in Qatar and developing their prototypes, Studio 5/6 aims to play a larger socio-economic role, which in turn is going to help launch futuristic projects in collaboration with various sectors in the country.
We are currently working with partners such as local organizations and schools to continue spreading the maker culture into communities. We are also planning to expand our reach to the community beyond the current 7-18 years old target group, to include age groups above 18 who supported us along the way and showed enthusiasm in being part of this technological movement.
We are also going to build on the success of previous years and move forward with new engaging programs full of challenges to be explored by the young makers in Smart Qatar, the builders of the future.”
Want the scoop on the best places to be this summer in Doha?
Q Life spoke to blogger Mariam, of The Small Print of Being a Mum, for her recommendations to guide us through this summer.
If you’re looking to enrich yourself with some culture here are the top destinations:
National Museum of Qatar
“A great family activity to escape the heat is the National museum of Qatar. It has free admission and has a little something for everyone as you walk through each space. My kids especially loved the Your brain to me, my brain to you exhibition, by walking through and playing around in the light exhibit. Make a day of the museum tour and stop off for some lunch at the restaurants on site too.”
321 Qatar Olympic and sports Museum
“For sports fans, and for those who aren’t even into sports, the newly opened 321 Museum will not disappoint. Every turn, there are fun activities, inspiring stories, and interactive exhibits for kids of all ages.”
Catch some sun with these outdoor activities:
Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park
“For the days when you just want a change of scenery, and get away with the family. Salwa Beach Resort is definitely one of our favourites. We don’t always have to do a night away as they do have day passes too. At the resort you can enjoy, Beaches, pools, the huge waterpark, go karting, laser tag and so much more. The boys describe days here as the ‘best ever’.”
Aqua sports – Paddle boarding/kayaking
“Living in Qatar, we can do so many unique things we may not always get to do as a family in other places. Kayaking through the mangroves (Purple Island) here in Qatar is such a unique and fulfilling experience and can be done with kids as young as 2 years old. (it’s also available at MIA Park) – I like that we incorporate exercise and family time in with such a fun activity.”
And finally, if you need an indoor/outdoor play area Mariam recommends:
Angry Birds world
“During the summer months, keeping kids entertained and burning off all that excess energy can be overwhelming! One place we visit over and over is Angry Birds world for our family can be an activity that ranges from 1 hour to multiple! There are 2 sections to the park (indoor and outdoor). It ranges from slow rides, to the extreme, to climbing walls, ziplines to a soft play area, there’s something for all ages!”
The Akhlaquna Award is an initiative introduced by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2017. As a Qatar Foundation initiative, Akhlaquna aims to encourage the practice of universal and inclusive moral behaviour. The annual award recognises those who exemplify great moral character through initiating projects that serve their community and beyond.
This year’s three finalists comprise of passionate, young people who are seeking to create real change rooted in values. Nutripedia is an educational platform that aims to enrich scientific content in the Arabic language, created by sisters Maha Ghassan Hommos, Rama Ghassan Hommos, and Dana Ghassan Hommos. QLA Plant Clinic & Research Center, created by Ibrahim Abdulrahman Al Hoori, Omar Hassan Al Naimi, and Sunny Joseph, aims to find innovative solutions to reduce global warming and pollution through research and awareness. Strong Muslim Girls App is a friendly and safe alternative to social networking sites that helps young girls enhance their values, created by Alaa Mohammed Altass, Maryam Saleh Alyafei, and Fatima Muhsin.
Q Life interviewed the three finalists to learn more about their experience creating their impactful projects.
Tell us the inspiration behind your project?
Nutripedia: I wanted to provide scientific evidence to help people improve their diets through an Instagram page, and to use Arabic articles as references instead of translating English articles. But, to my surprise, I could not find a single website that offered evidence-based articles in Arabic.
So, after I discovered this gap, the creation of this website came from the sense of duty I felt towards my community, and the fact I had the skills to do it.
Plant Clinic and Research Center: Our project intends to educate the people of Qatar and beyond about the importance of plants in our lives. We want people to understand that we rely on them for food, water, the air we breathe, our weather and climate, and so on. We want people to learn about the plants and their needs so that we can take care of them.
The QLA Plant Clinic and Research Center aims to give the plants the respect they deserve. We will treat them when they need attention. We will do surgery and treat their diseases as if they are humans.
It is one of the teachings of Islam that whoever plants a tree and takes care of it till it bears fruit will be rewarded. These are the words we go by.
Strong Muslim Girls App: We draw inspiration in our project from the values of our Islamic religion and the societal need to raise awareness of the importance of choosing useful content through social media sites and to avoid the negative effects that may be caused by excessive use of social media. We seek to promote Islamic values among students and spread awareness of the concept of electronic caution.
Strong Muslim Girls App founders.
How does it feel to be a finalist for the Akhlaquna Award?
Nutripedia: After all these years of hard work, it feels amazing to be seen, heard, and appreciated.
Plant Clinic and Research Center: We feel very proud of ourselves for taking this journey. It helped us to self-invent. Our way of life took a turn in a positive direction due to our Akhlaquna journey. We hope we are becoming role models for students from our school and throughout the country.
Strong Muslim Girls App: We feel proud to be in the finalists and we hope that our voice will reach the various segments of society and we look forward to publishing our application to be a safe alternative to social networking sites.
Nutripedia founders.
What has been the most challenging part of your experience? How were you able to overcome it?
Nutripedia: Since I’ve studied in English, the most challenging part was learning nutrition and scientific vocabulary in the Arabic language. I was able to overcome this with the help of my father, who studied medicine in both languages – Arabic and English – in addition to my own reading.
Plant Clinic and Research Center: Creating plans was much easier than implementing them. Conducting scientific research that leads to real-world solutions was very difficult. Our science teachers helped us by being so generous with their knowledge and time. We were also able to collaborate with Qatar University and QF’s Qur’anic Botanic Garden to achieve some of our research and activities.
Strong Muslim Girls App: The main challenge was how to transfer the students’ ideas and perceptions of the application from the idea stage to reality. We initially designed the application on the PowerPoint programme. We had several meetings with specialists to prepare application until we were able to program the application and it became ready for use and was published among the students.
What is something you hope people take away from your project?
Nutripedia: Believing in the power of knowledge can save lives.
Plant Clinic and Research Center: We hope that the people of Qatar and the world look at plants with respect and treat them as an integral part of our ecosystem. We hope that people end the culture of “use and throw away”.
Strong Muslim Girls App: We aspire to create a generation of strong girls powered with their Islamic faith, knowledge and work. We hope that the students will benefit from the application in all areas of their lives and use their time in a useful way by organising their daily tasks, performing religious duties, developing their talents, and promoting awareness of the concept of electronic caution and the use of smart devices in line with our Islamic values.
QLA Plant Clinic & Research Center founders.
If someone was thinking of applying for the Akhlaquna Award next year, what advice would you give them?
Nutripedia: I would advise them to truly believe in themselves, and to work hard.
Plant Clinic and Research Center: If you are part of Akhlaquna, you should work on projects that you believe in. You should consider yourself as change makers or agents of change. Start with a simple project that can have a great impact on young generations. “Be the change that you want to see in the world”.
Strong Muslim Girls App: We would like to tell them to take the initiative and present any idea they deem useful to the community. The presence of such awards contributes to creating a generation that is aware of its responsibility to bring about positive change and spread good morals among members of the community.
When looking for a book to read we can suggest a place that offers you more than just an escape from reality through reading. A place where when you arrive you feel transported to the future. The Qatar National Library (QNL), with its spacious high ceilings, gleaming lights, and massive book selection is an experience in itself.
As you arrive at the destination you are welcomed by a spaceship-like entrance, and immediately flooded by the sunlight as you make your way through the glass doors. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the opulent building has an odd and unexpected form. From the exterior, it looks like some kind of spaceship that landed in the middle of Education City at the heart of Qatar. This sci-fi feel runs through the inside with striking open spaces and distant shelves that look like they’ll lead you into an abyss.
The Qatar National Library is an iconic landmark inaugurated in 2018 as a modern facility that provides the people of Qatar access to nearly 1.2 million physical books and an unlimited library online. Not only is it a library but a cultural monument in and of itself. In its role as a research library with a preeminent heritage collection, QNL provides insight into the history and culture of the Arabian Gulf region.
If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, and feel the need to visit this magnificent masterpiece of a building, you’re surely going to bump into a few people. When you want to ask about a book, or check out a reference you’ll have to visit the information desk where a librarian, like Sara, will greet you with a smile and an eagerness to assist. Although she’s positioned at the help desk at the QNL she wasn’t always on her path to this job. Born and bred in Qatar, she studied English literature at university. To her, this provided a solid understanding of some classic literature, led her to develop a love for reading, and ultimately brought her to work in the library where you met her today. Working there for four years, she’ll tell you all about the borrowing process and the various programs you can sign up for.
Once you got all the information you need, you’ll ascend the marvellous staircases that lead you to the stacked shelves, where you’ll peruse for the title you’re on the hunt for. Maybe another novel entices your attention. No problem, pick it up, just make sure you know where to put it back! Then make your way to the sofas snug between those towering shelves and read a few pages to satisfy your curiosity.
If you look over to your left, you’ll see two girls skimming through some books as well. If you strike up a conversation you’ll learn that Aisha and Fatima are here on their summer vacation, and picked their adventure for today to be at the National Library. It’s their first time here as well. They heard about this place through social media as teenagers do. Aisha finds herself charmed by English Classics as Fatima looks for books on planets as she’s interested in astronomy and would one day like to pursue that academically. Today is a location checked off of their summer activity list as they’ve made their way to various parks and museums around Doha. However, the QNL holds the position of their favourite so far with the historic museum with manuscripts from olden times in faraway lands.
After having a nice chat and reading through your book you might begin to wonder where all these women with strollers are disappearing off to. They’re all making their way into a corridor one after the other. You feel the need to explore more of this expansive space, so you look for the signs on the boards, and see that there’s a whole separate children’s library. What a great idea, you think. The library is a place for everyone in the community so having a secluded space for children is brilliant!
You walk down the staircase and make a turn behind the Safahat café, meander down the hallway and find the children’s library with its vibrant colours, and posters with all our beloved childhood characters namely the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Here is where you’ll meet mothers with their children with books flailing in their arms as they try to decide what to read. You could bump into someone like Neda who is here with her two daughters Doa and Hadiya.
Coincidently enough, it is Neda’s first time in the library as well as she’s here to spend the morning with her girls reading their favourite books. Which books are their favourite, you might ask? “Well Doa loves fairy tales, she likes to read princess stories, but Hadiya is still young I feel, we’re discovering her taste in the genre now.” When asked if she likes to read, Neda nodded enthusiastically saying that she loved reading growing up and as a teacher, she likes to engrain that in her students as well as her daughters. “In Pakistan, if you graduate with a social science degree there aren’t many occupations other than teaching.” So, she’s here in Doha to join her husband who worked here for 5 years. She has her mornings to herself before she starts work in the new school year at one of Qatar’s international schools.
You’ve met new people, and you’ve learned something new from both books and being. Now you’ve got a taste of what it’s like when spending a day at the Qatar National Library.
