Roula Abou Ramadan, an Arabic teacher at Qatar Academy Doha, strongly believes that there are several characteristics that define a good teacher. These have been printed out on a placard and displayed in her classroom: compassionate, creative, open-minded, engaging.
It was from her belief in these values that she decided to found the Ramadan Suitcase initiative 16 years ago. Every year since, students at her school have gathered hundreds of boxes containing ingredients such as flour, sugar, dates, and milk for charity.
“I always knew this initiative would be successful, from the very start, and that’s all because our students were raised in a culture that promotes the principle of giving back and helping others. The essential goal is to always uplift and develop the community they belong to”.
Roula describes the Ramadan Suitcase initiative as a school-based project that engages with the community. Students are involved with every step of the project, from gathering the required resources, compiling the boxes, and finally delivering it in-person to those in need.
“There’s no doubt that an experience like this can leave an imprint on the students. It ties them to their community; it creates leaders out of them and establishes their sense of duty towards their society”.
Throughout the time that the programme has run, one of Roula’s favourite memories is of her students’ response to the global GOVID-19 pandemic. Despite the difficult circumstances they faced, Roula was surprised when she was contacted by several of her students who were willing and eager to help.
“I received a call from an alumnus who told me he and 11 other students were ready to give a helping hand and make Ramadan Suitcase happen,” says Roula. “They were very successful in accomplishing their goal. They gathered 500 boxes that were distributed to people in need with the help of Qatar Charity”.
Her hopes for the future of the initiative are immense; “we must always remain optimistic, dedicated to the cause, and connected to our communities. I hope that this initiative can be implemented in schools and universities across Qatar Foundation”.
Wardah Mamukoya is an engineer, entrepreneur, and the founder of Wa’hab. She recently spoke with Q Life to discuss her organisation’s mission is to deliver excess fresh food that would otherwise go to landfill to communities and charities around Qatar, to reduce the number of people going hungry and food being wasted.
What inspired the creation of Wa’hab?
I stumbled upon the ‘Robin Hood Army’, a volunteer-based organisation that has helped redistribute more than 68 million meals. My correspondence with their co-founder Neel Ghose inspired me to start something similar in Qatar.
We founded Wa’hab to connect surplus food to those that need it. Wa’hab has been fighting food waste in Qatar by implementing the ‘3 R’s’ of sustainable food waste management – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Although there are no cases of starvation here in Qatar, there are many that could benefit from the available surplus food. It was time we started feeding people and not landfills.
How has the community reacted to your initiative?
The response from the community has been excellent so far. We currently have a growing team of more than 150 volunteers, called the ‘Wa’hab Food Heroes’. These are people with everyday jobs and responsibilities from various ethnicities, backgrounds, and cultures, that all share one common passion – to make this world a better place.
Our client base has also been growing steadily, and we are seeing more people willing to donate to our cause.
Has your organisation faced any challenges in its mission?
One of the most challenging aspects we have faced, and still face, is the reluctance to share surplus food because of food safety concerns. We have tried to overcome this by creating more awareness on how we can ensure the safety of the beneficiaries.
What do you consider Wa’hab’s greatest achievement?
Our most significant achievement is simply being able to positively contribute to so many people’s lives. By coming together through our volunteer team, we have redistributed more than 500 tonnes of surplus food to the community.
I am also incredibly proud that Wa’hab was awarded a Qatar Sustainability Award in 2018 by the Qatar Green Building Council, for our efforts in reducing food waste, thereby offsetting carbon emissions from landfills. Also, Doha Festival Magazine selected me in 2019, among 30 others, as the most influential people who has impacted the community.
What is your favourite Wa’hab memory?
Every piece of recognition we receive after a food drive becomes our new favourite moment. The support we receive from the community motivates us to do more.
But one particular moment that comes to mind is during the Summer Cool Campaign, where we donated chilled water bottles to labourers at work. One of our volunteers remarked, “seeing the smile on a person’s face when you give something as simple as water makes my day, and I hope it gives them faith in the good in people”.
Does Wa’hab have any plans during Ramadan?
The Holy Month of Ramadan is a month of giving, offering an opportunity to connect with people and their needs.
Wa’hab has collaborated with various organisations to distribute food while fully adhering to COVID-19 regulations. With the partial lockdown, it is more important than ever to offer community support and what better way to touch hearts than through warm meals.
What are your goals for the future?
Wa’hab wants to make composting easy and accessible to all by providing various composting solutions, from commercial to at-home use. By replenishing the soil through composting, we hope to be instrumental in helping Qatar achieve self-sufficiency in food production, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Taking part in this year’s Qatar Virtual Food Festival, Chef Noor Al Mazroei is helping those in Qatar enjoy the country’s foods from the comfort and safety of their homes.
Qatari chef Noor Al Mazroei has been a hit in Qatar’s culinary scene thanks to her online recipes and presence.
Telling the Q Life team about the start of her journey, Noor reflected on cooking with her family as a child: “My mother and grandmother let me take part in their cooking. I have always enjoyed it! It is such a fulfilling experience to see the smiles on people’s faces as they gather around a table to enjoy a delicious meal.”
Now, Noor’s recipes cater to all diets, frequently including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options – and can be found all over Instagram and YouTube.
When it comes to making delicious food, Noor thinks that there are two main things to keep in mind; “great taste and beautiful presentation are essential to me.” Noor remembers this whenever she cooks, including when making the traditional Qatari dishes about which she is so passionate.
This month, foodies from across the country are getting involved in the Qatar Virtual Food Festival, which Noor notes is an “amazing way to have a fine-dining experience amidst the pandemic.”
The festival is taking place from 1 April to 12 May, overlapping with the celebration of Ramadan. Food lovers are able to order exclusive three-course meals from 23 fine dining restaurants, with the participation of 19 prominent Qatari and international chefs.
When asked what we can expect from Noor in the future, she told Q Life about her exciting plans to open her own café, ‘Blended’, next month – providing a welcoming space where people can enjoy high-quality, comforting food in equally comfortable surroundings.
Is it possible to create a cinematic experience solely on your phone?
To find an answer go no further than Mohammed Shams, a local photographer who has made a splash on the local filmmaking community through his iPhone cinematography.
Shams developed an interest in photography and videography during his time in college. However, as time progressed, his medium of choice became his iPhone camera. “It’s very handy,” he admits, noting that the quality is “truly amazing”.
One of his latest videos portrays a journey through the Msheireb district, a beloved location in the heart of Doha. Taking audiences on a journey through the district, Shams traced the area back to its historic roots, finding his way into the newly developed metropolis. “The audience’s response has been completely overwhelming. I cannot thank enough the people who have come to my support and shared my content”.
Shams’ content usually celebrates Qatari architecture and heritage, and the footage has now found its way to audiences across the region. “The people of Qatar have helped me, appreciated my work and shared it on their social media accounts. Through that, my content has reached other countries. One of my goals is to do such videos all over the Middle East”.
Since the success of his content, Shams has gone on to collaborate with Msheireb Properties to produce a video celebrating Mother’s Day – again fully on his iPhone.
While Shams is not the first artist in Doha to be inspired by his phone, there is no question that the quality of his work and his thoughtful storytelling has inspired many to pick up their phones and tell their own story.
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Over the last century, Qatar has made astonishing modern developments which have taken place alongside ongoing commitments to cultural and historic preservation. Landmarks are scattered across the country, including Msheireb Downtown, the Souq Waqif, and Katara, giving the people of Qatar a glimpse into the country’s rich legacy.
Msheireb Downtown opened its gates in 2019 and is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project. Inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, its design is both simple and state-of-the-art, creating a space filled with light and eye-catching details.
The area was once home to Doha’s old commercial district, and now acts as a hub for culture, food, retail, and entertainment for both locals and tourists to enjoy and explore.
Tucked away behind Msheireb lies one of Qatar’s oldest treasures, the Souq Waqif. According to historians, the Souq has been operating for around 250 years, with merchants coming from near and far to sell spices, cumin, cinnamon, fish, clothes, and wood.
From early morning to late evening, you can find countless characters heading down to the Souq. The nostalgia that emanates from every stall is part of why it holds a special spot in many locals’ and visitors’ hearts.
Souq Waqif and Msheireb have also enjoyed even greater popularity with the recent opening of the Doha Metro, making them easily accessible from most spots in Qatar.
For fans of theatre, arts, literature, and music, the Katara Cultural Village is a natural landmark to visit. It is the biggest multi-cultural project in Qatar, known for its amphitheatre, beaches, mosques, greenery, opera house, halls, galleries, and restaurants.
The growth of Doha can be seen everywhere you go. But the preservation of culture and history remains of utmost importance. It is this ongoing commitment to balancing both the past and the future which defines the culture and the people of Qatar.
When Aisha Nasser Al Sowaidi was approached to take part in the design of Qatar Museums’ Culture Pass Club, she was delighted to explore the intersection of culture, tradition and lifestyle in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Aisha’s work looks at memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. When it came to developing a townhouse within the Culture Pass complex, she knew that she wanted to bring the treasured history of Msheireb into the modern day.
“Designing the Townhouse provided an outlet for my imagination in installations, furniture, and objects, creating a modern feel inspired by the old”.
“I was taken back in time to Doha, to the streets, to the houses, and to all those emotions attached to them,” Aisha said.
“The project combines traditions, cultural practices, hospitality, and other aesthetics picked up from patterns seen in the area back then. Low seating, a carpet-like dining table, and beds were designed in line with the local old way of living”.
A traditional ‘Midkhan’ incense burner was used as an inspiration for one of the home’s central installations, which disperses scents throughout the living room. The traditional ‘Dallah’ coffee pot, meanwhile, was reimagined into an installation that shoots edible bubbles with the flavouring of Arabic coffee.
“I thrive on reflecting memories in design and creating objects that conceptually tell a story. I wanted to bring back some old aesthetics, traditions, or functions into our modern world through those designs”.
The Culture Pass Club has added to the diverse architectures and styles present in Msheireb and raised the bar when it comes to consumer expectations, according to Aisha. “I had the pleasure of meeting many young and emerging designers. I see many good things growing from this initiative”.
With great accomplishments such as the townhouse and several commissioned works at the National Museum under her belt, Aisha is always focused on what is yet to come. “I am in a constant rush to evolve and accomplish. I enjoy the process, the thinking, and the creation. My goal is to do more of that”.
Qatar Museums’ Culture Pass Club is a space for Qatar’s creatives to come together in a stimulating yet relaxing environment. Established in Downtown Msheireb, the members-only space contains 14 unique townhouses that act as a hub for Doha’s artistic community.
World-renowned fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg has an apartment within the Culture Pass Club, and recently selected furniture designed by Virginia Commonwealth University student Maryam Al-Kuwari to decorate her space.
Maryam’s VCU class had been given a brief to design either a sofa or bed frame for Von Furstenberg’s Msheireb apartment. In a hunt for inspiration and to make the design as fitting as possible, Maryam studied the interior design of Von Furstenberg’s New York property.
After months of hard work, the final design consisted of matte black and neutral tones, incorporating functional aspects such as bookshelves.
“I discovered my passion for design at a young age. I vividly remember visiting our house under construction with my father and was fascinated by how things were coming together and how detail-orientated he was. I always knew I was going to follow in his footsteps”.
“It was a surreal feeling to know that Diane chose my design. I worked so hard on developing the project, and to see it come to life has been a dream come true. I mean, who gets the chance to say they’ve custom-designed furniture for Diane Von Furstenberg!”
Maryam is appreciative of the exposure her design has given her, and now has her eyes set on the next set of achievements and goals.
“I hope to continue to learn from design mentors. And one day, I wish to open a design firm that offers people a sustainable and contemporary approach to interior design. I want to give back to my hometown in a way it deserves, after all the support and opportunity it has given me throughout my academic years”.
“The Culture Pass Club is a one-of-a-kind initiative and approach to the field of design. I’m proud to have such a concept in my hometown. It strongly represents how Qatar has been investing so much in the design world. I love how the Culture Pass Club feels like many spaces within just one space, each reflecting individual personalities”.
Michael Braidwood, General Manager of Education City Golf Club, describes his experience witnessing the sport thrive during the close to four years he has lived in Qatar.
Opened in January 2019, Education City Golf Club is the newest and most advanced golf facility in Doha, comprised of 33 golf holes designed by professional player José María Olazábal.
Michael notes that Qatar’s sports scene is continually evolving and growing. A number of national and international events, such as the Qatar Masters golf tournament, are located at the first-class club.
“Our driving range is usually full to capacity on many evenings and the weekends, and our instructors are fully-booked. Golf is booming here!”
Michael has particularly noticed the increasing popularity of the sport among Qataris, youths, and women. “We did an initiative recently to introduce the sport to Qatari women. It’s been wonderful to see their positive response. They love the sport, and we’re seeing more and more of them coming down to enjoy the practice facilities.”
Education City Golf Club has become a popular spot among domestic audiences, and the aim now is to become an international hub for the sport. “The future of golf looks great, both clubs are bustling, and there are plans to add more courses as it expands into the tourism offering.”
“Once FIFA 2022 takes place, all eyes will be on Qatar, and with the great weather, we’ll see golf boom year after year!”
The Samla endurance race takes place every year across 200 kilometres of Qatar’s desert terrain.
With a name derived from an Arabic word meaning ‘strength and perseverance in the face of hardship’, there is no question that this characteristic is needed in order to face the eight stages and many challenges of the race.
This year, the three-day extreme desert trek started in Abu Samra, where contests ran, swam, biked, shot, and kayaked for a total of 200 kilometres before finishing in Al Hawila. Crossing the map of Qatar, contests get to experience all the Qatari landscape has to offer.
Featuring a three-kilometre swim at Kharayej beach, a 41-kilometre run to Al Khars’aa, a 70- kilometre biking trail to Al Ghuwayriyah and a six-kilometre kayak to Maroona beach, participants must push their physical and mental limits in order to reach the finish line.
Spanning a total of 60 continuous hours, contestants are closely monitored by organisers and medical staff. Using wearable technology, everyone was tracked across the course to ensure their safety and progress.
This year, Qatari engineer and triathlete Abdulaziz Al-Tamimi won, completing the course in only 21 hours. He finally seized the first place prize after coming third in 2019.
Podcasts are a fast-growing stream of entertainment, making great digital strides in Doha. Q Life interviewed several popular podcast hosts to learn more about their channels, including what motivates them to make content and what they think has been the reason behind their success.
‘Sit Down With Seth’, a sports and fitness podcast in Qatar hosted by Ahmad Abbas, explores holistic fitness with a mission to inspire others to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Inspired by his own journey with epilepsy, Ahmad interviews various athletes, trainers, nutritionists, and doctors. “My guest highlight definitely has to be Moe Al Thani, the first Qatari to climb the seven summits, including Mount Everest. Meeting him was very humbling and inspiring”.
Ahmad uses the podcast as a way to bring awareness to important causes; “we have teamed up with the Qatar Cancer Society and I’ve taken part in two Cross Fit Opens to raise donations and bring people together”.
‘In the Game’ is another popular sports podcast, launched to bring athletes, fans, and industry leaders within Qatar together and provide fresh insights into Qatar’s booming sports scene. “My motivation has always been to shine the spotlight on others, to allow them to share their story. To inspire and help people realise that just about anything is possible and their dreams can come true”.
The host Steve Mackie describes ‘In the Game’ as Qatar’s first sports podcast. “Every single guest has a deeply personal, wonderful, and inspiring story. We go beyond traditional stories and dive into a realm of pure determination born out of a country that was founded on the same principles”.
Educators Haya Al-Thani and Yousra Shibeika host the ‘WHY’ podcast, to tackle subjects relating to education, while revisiting their own experiences as students in comparison to their teaching careers. “We realized that by opening the doors of conversation about education through a podcast, we could involve more demographics in the education process. We aim to increase the relatability of teaching”.
The podcast has quickly grown an enthusiastic following in Qatar. “We did not expect such a positive response; we’ve been showered with support and an abundance of interesting conversations”.
“Podcasts are a great medium of knowledge, easily accessible and digestible as opposed to other forms of media,” say Haya and Yousra. “We are thrilled to be a part of the new era, and we are eager to see what more people produce”.
