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Ben Chris Rivera, Joyce Rivera and their one-year-old son, Arclian Zirc III

News of three deadly car accidents that killed at least eight people in Qatar over the past week has thrust the issue of road safety here back in the spotlight, with residents urging more caution on the roads and increased enforcement of the law.

The most recent deaths occurred on Monday, when three women, one man and a one-year-old baby were killed after their parked car was struck by a speeding Landcruiser.

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Saudi residents Marilou Cal and Joyce Gelli.

Speaking to the Gulf Times, the Philippines ambassador confirmed that the deceased include a couple with a child: 36-year-old Bencris Rivera, 28-year-old Joycelyn Rivera and 1-year-old Arclian Zirc III.

The child’s aunt, Suzette Rivera-Baclor, was thrown from the car and has survived the accident with injuries, but two of her colleagues who were visiting with her from Saudi Arabia – nurses Marilou Cal, 24, and Joyce Gelli, 27 – were also killed in the accident.

The Gulf Times reports ambassador Crescente Relacion as saying the Qatar-based family had been taking their guests on a tour around Doha. He continued:

“To show them the newly-opened Hamad International Airport from a distance, Bencris stopped his Nissan Pathfinder at a dedicated ‘short-term’ parking area on the Corniche-Wakrah highway and all of them came out of the vehicle to see the airport.

‘They were about to leave and Suzeth was the last to board,’ Relacion said. ‘All of a sudden a Land Cruiser, believed to be driven by an 18-year old national, hit the Pathfinder from behind.’”

Rivera-Baclor was apparently thrown out of the vehicle due to the impact and the vehicle caught fire. All the five inside the Pathfinder burned to death, the ambassador said.

Reaction

Emotions have been high since Sunday’s accident, with many residents expressing bitterness, anger and grief online over what happened.

Hey @dohanews, did all those EID road accident deaths take place before or after the horrendous Exxon Road Safety ads? #wasteofspaceandtime

— Steve Salibian (@Ssalibian) October 7, 2014

Some called for the driver of the Landcruiser to be criminally prosecuted – something that depends on if he’s liable, according to Relacion.

@dohanews @shabinakhatri severe punishment for the guilty, @Toyota and @MOI_QatarEn should run a "with power comes responsibility" campaign

— Baiba Pillai (@baiba) October 7, 2014

@dohanews Will this one get the punishment he/she deserves – imprisonment for manslaughter?

— Aejaz Zahid (@AejazAssistech) October 7, 2014

Other debated the source of the problem, asserting that the issue of locals driving badly needed to be addressed.

That argument was countered by some who said that the real issue is that residents of all stripes fail to follow road rules here. On Facebook, Ameer Abdul Razak said:

“It’s nothing about nationality .. It’s all about personality & attitude..it’s so sad to read the racist kind of comments… Be a human .. Stop racial discrimination .. May God bless Qatar.”

Supplied

Others urged Qatar authorities to take a greater role in maintaining road safety. On Facebook, Christian Espiritu Biglete said:

“I have been living here in Doha for the past 2 yrs and really heard and seen a lot of horrible road accidents due to careless people who thinks they own the roads… Qatar is a nice country for me just like other Filipinos it is where we build our dreams and the future of our generations. But most of us are becoming afraid because of some people who drive like hell…

Innocents are being killed and put on danger… Im just curious because this incidents are very rampant and i (don’t) know what the (government) thinks about it…. I hope as our second home we can feel the security and safeness of Qatar… Because just like everybody else we are trying to make a life here…”

Finally, many residents offered advice to their peers on staying safe.

On Facebook, Ian Smith said:

“It was only a matter of time before this happened in such a high profile case , it will happen again and again there is no way to stop it. My advice is to always travel in the biggest safest car you can afford with lots of airbags. If that small car had a crumple zone at the back and rear doors those 5 people may have walked away.”

Thoughts?

(The post Death of Filipino family in Qatar sparks road safety debate is from Doha News.)

Do7a Chic/Flickr

For those who want to make the most of their remaining Eid holiday, there are plenty of things to check out in Qatar over the next several days, including outdoor activities like cycling and paragliding, and breast cancer solidarity events.

Here are our picks:

Aerial paragliding tours

As part of ongoing Eid celebrations around Qatar, the Sealine Beach Resort will host aerial paragliding tours until Oct. 10. The rides, which will take place at the Sealine beach from 3 to 6pm cost QR250 per person, and are open to adults over 18 years old.

Cycling at Aspire

Get healthy this weekend and check out Aspire’s newly opened 5km cycling track.

Aspire

Residents who do not own their own cycles can also partake in the fun; those above five years old can rent cycles and safety helmets from a store near Aspire’s outdoor football pitches. The rental service is free for the public until Oct. 11, after which it will cost QR20 for the first hour, and QR5 for every hour after.

Cycles can be hired anytime from 4 to 8pm from Sunday to Thursday, and from noon to 8 pm on weekends. During the Eid holidays, the store will be open from noon to 8pm. Those looking to rent equipment must bring their Qatari IDs with them.

Angry Birds exhibition

Starting today, Katara Cultural Village will host an interactive exhibition dedicated to the most downloaded app in the world – Angry Birds. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 11pm today and tomorrow, and from 1pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. From Oct. 11 to 31, it will run from 9am to 1pm on weekdays, and from 1pm to 11pm on weekends.

The immersive experience, aimed at explaining principles of physics and space, includes numerous games, videos, and information stations.

Attendees can learn more about the Angry Bird universe with zones such as “Cobalt Plateaus,” “Meet the Flock,” “Bamboo Forest,” “Space Zone,” and “The City.”

There will also be an opportunity to play game in 3D courses. Other stations like “Cave Studio” will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how artwork for the game is created. There is also a ziplining station, a pulley station, an earthquake table, digital planetarium theater, rocket launching stations, a vortex and space scale, and a full-body laser maze.

Eid kayaking tours

Bilal Randaree/Flickr

Make the best of the good weather and join local environment group Entalek on their kayaking tours this weekend. The group will host sunset kayaking tours on Oct. 10 and 11, and a mangrove bay adventure tour on Oct. 11.

Interested residents will meet up with the group at the Al Thakira Bay past Al Khor. Tickets cost QR200 for adults, QR100 for children under 12 years old, and QR50 for children under 5 years old. They can be booked online here.

For more information, or to enquire about timings, call 5543-7349 or 3332-2078, or send an email to entalek.org@gmail.com.

Breast cancer awareness

To mark international breast cancer awareness month, the Ritz-Carlton and the Qatar Cancer Society (QSC) have scheduled a series of events to raise awareness about the illness here.

Ritz Carlton

The first activity – a ride of solidarity organized by the Ladies of Harley, will take place this Friday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 pm at the Ritz Carlton Doha.

The event will feature a parade by professional female bikers, speeches by Jordanian mountain climber Mostafa Salameh and cancer survivor Suzanne Kanaan. There will also be health and fitness counseling. Live entertainment will be provided by the students of the performance and arts school, IAID. The event is free and open to the public.

A Pink Ribbon afternoon tea will also be held on Oct. 10, from 2:30 to 5pm at the Ritz’s La Mer Restaurant. The event costs QR180 per person, and includes a welcome drink, flower arrangement and pink sweet give away. All proceeds from the tea will be donated to the QSC.

The Ritz-Carlton will also host Pink Pilates, an exercise-based event on Oct. 10 at 9:30 am. The session costs QR75 for non-members and QR25 for members, with proceeds going to QSC.

For more information on all the above, call 4484 8663 or 4484 8000 or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Turkish trunk show

Doha-based abaya designer Fatma Ghanem is holding a trunk show this Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Rose Salon on Diplomatic Street. The event is free and open to women, and will feature the designer’s newest abaya collection inspired by Turkish culture.

Under the name “FUFI takes Istanbul,” the evening will include Turkish music, performances and food. Attendees will stand the chance to win a free abaya from the designer’s collection in a raffle draw held at the event. The show will begin at 5pm, with doors opening an hour earlier.

Bonus:

• Eid Activities: As the Eid holidays come to a close, make the best of the many offerings around Doha. From concerts to ice shows to exhibitions, the city is bustling with events for the entire family. For a more in-depth look at what’s going on, venues, timings and prices, visit our Eid guide here.

What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?

(The post Six things to do in Qatar this weekend (Oct. 8-11) is from Doha News.)

UN Women Asia & the Pacific/Flickr

October is known as breast cancer awareness month worldwide, and healthcare officials and cancer survivors often spend this time educating others about the importance of detection and treatment.

In Qatar, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, but many residents are still reluctant to seek treatment when ill due to certain stigmas.

Earlier this year, Emma Walsh, a program manager at Qatar’s National Cancer Program, said that sometimes, people in Qatar may suspect they have cancer, but only seek treatment once it has hit later stages:

“There is a natural fear attached to the stigma – just saying the word ‘cancer’ has negative connotations … It’s stronger in the Qatari community… (where) we’ve seen a greater sense of alienation of people with cancer, and a perception that they are somehow weaker.”

In honor of the month, and in hopes of helping others protect themselves from illness, here are five things women in Qatar should know about breast cancer:

1. Prevention means taking care of yourself

On its website, the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) advises women to improve their health by getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night, exercising regularly, managing stress, eating a healthy diet and not smoking.

fikirbaz/Flickr

Other tips include breast-feeding if possible, which reduces the risk of breast cancer.

2. Testing is crucial

In a recently released statement, Dr. Ambika Anand, senior consultant breast surgeon at Hamad General Hospital, said:

“Early detection of breast cancer can ensure patients get the best possible outcomes from their treatment. This is why it is important that women are breast aware, which means understanding what is normal for their body and, if they notice anything unusual or something they are concerned about, to seek professional medical advice immediately.

It is also recommended in Qatar that women over the age of 40 have regular mammograms to ensure any cancers are detected as early as possible.”

Chris Killey, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 64 years old in Qatar, couldn’t agree more. She told Doha News that early detection saved her life:

“Check yourself, check yourself, check yourself – every single week. I found my tumor early — while washing myself in the shower I noticed a lump. Don’t delay.

Breast cancer testing services are available at many private and public hospitals and clinics around Qatar, including Hamad General Hospital, Al Rumaillah Hospital and Al Amal Hospital (Hamad’s cancer hospital).

3. Understand different treatment options in Qatar

Nanley (Kate)/Flickr

Chemotherapy

For those who are diagnosed with breast cancer, treatment will depend on how developed the cancer is, the type of breast cancer it is, whether it is the first diagnosis or recurring, the estrogen and progesterone receptor levels in the tumor tissue as well as the woman’s age and general health, according to QCS.

Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy are some of the options available to breast cancer patients here.

According to Killey, who now lives back in her home country of New Zealand, HMC has “fantastic” medical services that helped her beat cancer.

She continued:

“Hamad have also developed a very useful function – they have a handful of ‘coordinators.’ My assigned coordinator was a wonderful Filipina — she was my contact to coordinate all my appointments with the various medical staff, getting me all the appointments I needed for MRIs, ultrasounds, cardiac ECG, Pet Scans, blood tests, radiation, surgery — you name it.

The appointments were endless. She was also able to tell me where to go for each appointment and how to get there. That was a very useful tool.”

There is also a financial aid option in Qatar, offered through QCS. To apply, patients must fill out a form online here and attach a detailed report and letter about their health status from Hamad Medical Corp (HMC).

4. Reach out to learn more about breast cancer

Yongjiet/Flickr

To encourage women to get tested and promote the benefits of early detection, QSC has partnered with The Ritz-Carlton Doha this month to host several breast cancer-related events.

On Oct. 10, the partnership will extend to the Ladies of Harley Qatar and IAID (Academy for Dance, Music, Arts and Fitness) to host a day of talk shows and workshops to help educate residents on healthy lifestyles, prevention and early detection.

Testimonials from survivors will also take place at the event, which is from 4 to 6pm at The Ritz’s Fountain Courtyard.

5. You can help the cause

Those who want to donate to breast cancer research can do so during this month’s awareness/fundraising events.

At the Ritz-Carlton Doha, several “pink” activities are taking place — including Pilates and Zumba exercise classes, spa treatments and afternoon tea. All proceeds will go to Qatar Cancer Society.

There is also usually an annual breast cancer walk in Qatar, but details have not yet been publicized.

What advice would you add? Thoughts?

(The post Five things women in Qatar should know about breast cancer is from Doha News.)

U.S Pacific Command

US weapons maker Raytheon Corp. has said it expects to finalize an estimated $2 billion deal to install Patriot Missile Defense systems in Qatar by December.

The agreement is part of a larger $24 billion artillery purchase that the Gulf state committed to earlier this year as it works to build up its defenses.

Speaking to Reuters, Raytheon Vice President Tim Glaeser said that agreements are to be reached within the next four to eight weeks. But he gave no exact details on the final cost or number of weapons to be delivered.

Patriot missile defense system

In March, Qatar Armed Forces signed deals with more than 20 defense contractors to purchase various new tanks, helicopters, warships, missiles and artillery, to the tune of QR87 billion (US$23.89 billion).

US Military

Javelin missiles

The agreements were signed at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX), during which Qatar also showed interest in missiles from US-based Lockheed Martin Corp., sensors and radars for Apache helicopters and Javelin missiles built by a Lockheed-Raytheon joint venture.

In May, Qatar finally agreed to purchase $11 billion worth of defense weaponry from the US. That deal included 10 batteries for Patriot systems to sink incoming missiles, 24 Apache helicopters and 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Once the deals are finalized, Qatar will become the fourth Gulf country to have the missile defense system, which Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait already own.

The UAE has upgraded its Patriot system, while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are currently looking at doing so, Glaeser told Reuters.

Upping defense

Qatar has been increasing its defenses in recent year by building up its arsenal through expensive weaponry deals and implementing a new law that makes it mandatory for young Qatari men to enroll in national service.

Last year, the Gulf country closed an additional four deals with the US and Germany during a military spending spree, mounting to a total of some $3.2 billion.

Economic and political ties between Qatar and the US have also been growing, and a 10-year Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed in December, confirming that US troops will continue to serve at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base through to 2024 at least.

Speculations as to why the country has been swiftly improving its defense capabilities have been based around ongoing threats from Iran.

But the nation’s ambassador to the US, Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari, told AFP that the latest purchase in March was not because of a specific country:

“As you know our region is going through a lot of instability. What we bought are weapons to defend Qatar,” he said.

Thoughts?

(The post Report: Qatar Patriot defense system deal due by end of year is from Doha News.)

Jidhu Jose/Flickr

For most expats in Qatar, renewing residency permits regularly is a fact of life – regardless of whether one has lived in the country for several years or decades.

Igor Alexandrov/Wikicommons

Qatar has no legal provisions that allow foreigners to become permanent residents, and no obvious process to apply for citizenship.

However, a locally-based researcher has uncovered clauses in the country’s laws that allow foreigners to apply to become Qatari nationals.

Zahra Babar of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar recently published one of the first academic papers on citizenship in Qatar, titled The Cost of Belonging.

In the paper, Babar, associate director for research at Georgetown’s Center for International and Regional Studies, documented the stringent prerequisites for naturalized Qataris, which include:

• Residing in Qatar for 25 successive years, and not resided outside the country for more than two consecutive months during any one of those 25 years;
• Living in Qatar legally during the duration of that period;
• Having a sufficient means of income generation;
• Maintaining a good reputation, demonstrating good behavior and not committing any criminal act or act of “moral turpitude;” and
• Having a fair command of the Arabic language.

Speaking to Doha News, Babar said:

“It’s a really sensitive issue. Granting citizenship to foreigners is not something which is popular, particularly given there is such a concern about the minoritization of the local population.”

While the legal requirements have been published publicly, how one actually goes about applying for citizenship remains unclear. Babar said she was unable to find any forms or application process in her research.

Small group

The number of naturalized Qatari citizens is also unknown. However, the group is likely to be small, as the law stipulates that a maximum of 50 foreigners may be granted citizenship through naturalization each year.

Prior to 2005, when these provisions were approved, foreigners were granted citizenship solely at the Emir’s discretion, with no documented guidelines.

Babar said international organizations typically pressure countries to have some formal path for naturalization – even if it is highly restrictive – in writing, which is one likely reason for the law.

sixoone/Flickr

A second reason, she suggested, is to offer a path toward citizenship for the spouses and children of Qataris.

Currently, a child born to a Qatari mother and a non-Qatari father does not receive citizenship.

Local critics and international human rights organizations have urged the country to change the law to become more inclusive, most recently during Qatar’s periodic review at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In a written response, Qatar’s delegation rejected the recommendation.

“It’s just one of the genderized elements of the law here … citizenship is just something that you acquire through your father,” Babar said.

Tiered citizenship

While both may be legally Qatari, naturalized and native-born citizens are not treated equally under the law.

Babar said it is her understanding that naturalized citizens are not automatically entitled to many economic benefits provided by the state. In Qatar, nationals usually receive preferential access to public-sector employment, food and energy subsidies, housing allotments and free education.

Beyond what’s written in the law, there are likely further subcategories of foreign-born citizens, Babar said. For example, she said it is unlikely that the foreign-born athletes who join Qatar’s national teams have rights comparable to native-born citizens.

The generosity of Qatar’s welfare state for nationals means that extending citizenship to large numbers of foreigners would be a significant financial drain on the country’s coffers, Babar noted.

In her paper, she argued that this is one of the primary reasons for Qatar’s highly restrictive citizenship laws.

Another factor is the makeup of the country’s population, which is roughly 88 percent expats, according to the UN. Limiting citizenship, Babar writes, is one way the country attempts to preserve its cultural identity:

“There is a great fear expressed by nationals that the presence of so many (foreign residents) threatens the cultural authenticity and social fabric of Qatar.

These fears have led to an across-the-board agreement that migrants may only be allowed to spend limited periods of time within the country, and the existing employee-sponsorship system is structured to bind foreign workers to their employers for a predetermined contractual period.”

Permanent residents

While there is no indication that Qatar will relax its citizenship laws in the near future, there have been discussions about creating a new immigration category that would allow foreigners to remain in the country on a more permanent basis.

Babar cites a recommendation of the country’s Permanent Population Committee in 2011 to give highly skilled workers more residency rights as a ways of enticing key professionals to stay in the country for longer periods.

More recently, others have argued that creating a class of permanent residents would provide Qatar with a solid base of skilled residents who have a vested interest in the further development of their current home.

However, there have been few public signs that the government has been considering such a proposal in the last couple of years.

Here’s a copy of Babar’s full report:

Thoughts?

(The post The (narrow) path to Qatari citizenship is from Doha News.)

Doha Players

Doha Players Black Comedy cast

To mark its 60th birthday, local theater group Doha Players is set to present the classic play Black Comedy at Education City this month.

The group, which performed to sold-out crowds during its Les Miserables rendition earlier this year, has decided to reprise Black Comedy for the third time in Doha Players history.

The theater group first performed it in 1978, and again in 1993.

Speaking to Doha News, group member Elaine Potter explained why the team has decided to perform the play once more, 21 years later:

“What a better way to celebrate our 60th birthday. Black Comedy is an incredibly funny play and it has been such a long time since we performed it. We now have a new audience to share the play with as a lot of our previous audiences are no longer in Doha. They have recommended us doing another production, rating it highly.”

Unlike most of its past shows, this particular Doha Players performance is only open to adults, however.

Potter told Doha News that this is because the play “contains adult humor and we don’t think that children would understand it and would be easily bored.”

Black Comedy

Written by British playwright Peter Shaffer, the play explores societal issues through its comedic storyline.

WikiCommons

Original 1965 Black Comedy cast

Set in a London apartment during the 1960s, a couple hosts a party at their home and tries to impress their guests with antique furniture stolen from their neighbors.

But the party doesn’t go quite as planned for the engaged couple – a power outage dominates the course of the evening and unexpected, unwanted guests show up.

Humor is derived from Shaffer’s use of puns, unexpected mishaps and general comedy during the party, with the title of the play being a pun itself.

Black Comedy made its successful debut in London in 1965 before making it big on Broadway, bagging five Tony Awards for its Broadway productions.

Doha’s performance

Directed by Kathy Searcy with the help of the Doha Players production team, Black Comedy will take to the stage from Oct. 16 to 19 and Oct. 22 to 25 at Education City’s Black Box Theatre at the Student Center. Shows begin at 7:30pm.

HBKU, Education City

Education city's Black Box Theatre

Due to ongoing construction, there is limited parking at the Student Center, and visitors are advised to park at Education City’s Ceremonial Court Carpark and then walk to the building.

No food or drink is allowed inside the 225-seat theater, but snacks and meals are on sale inside the Student Center for guests to enjoy before or after the show.

Latecomers will not be admitted to the show until intermission.

Tickets are currently being sold at The One stores at Landmark and Villaggio malls for QR75/person.

Doha Players will close its 60th anniversary with one more play this year. Peter Pan will be performed from Dec. 3 to 6.

Although further details are not yet available, production for the family-friendly performance is currently underway.

Will you be attending Black Comedy? Thoughts?

(The post Doha Players to reprise adult play ‘Black Comedy’ is from Doha News.)

Ziad Hunesh/Flickr

Parts of Qatar, including possibly Doha, will see thunderstorms today, the Qatar Meteorology Department (MET) has said.

In a statement, the MET said that local clouds have been forming due to a low pressure front over the area, which has increased humidity. It continued:

“With the help of convection currents, local clouds form and may cause rainfall if a cooling effect is present in the upper air levels… (This) might (lead) to thunder showers at times in different areas associated with strong winds.”

The MET forecast a high of 35C today and a low of 29C. Earlier this morning, it tweeted a picture of clouds forming over Qatar:

@qatarmd #qatar the beginning of cloud formation over the southeastern coast of the country pic.twitter.com/gCsrAGvf5z

— عبدالله محمد المناعي (@MetQatar) October 10, 2014

Where it will fall

So far, rain appears to heading to the eastern part of the country. Doha has not seen rain since May 14 of this year, according to Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English.

But she said there is about a 40 percent chance that precipitation could reach the capital today.

“If it happens it’s likely to be in the middle part of the day between 10am and 4pm,” she told Doha News.

She also pointed out that while October has ushered in lower temperatures, the weather is still hotter now than it was at this time last year:

Last night in #Doha the temperature dropped to 29C, one year ago they dropped to 24C. No sign of the cooler air just yet…

— Steff Gaulter (@WeatherSteff) October 9, 2014

Thoughts?

(The post Thunder, rain forecast for Qatar today is from Doha News.)

2022 Supreme Committee

A construction contract to build Qatar’s Al Wakrah Stadium is expected to be awarded in 2015, local 2022 World Cup organizers have said.

The Al Wakrah facility is the first World Cup venue that is being built in Qatar, and is set for a 2018 completion – some three years behind its original schedule.

However, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SDCL), which is overseeing World Cup preparations in Qatar, said work on the stadium is now picking up the pace.

In a statement, the committee said:

“Progress on the ground is well underway, with the bowl of the stadium currently being dug out and the precinct now visible on Google Earth.”

It added that 50 staffers have moved into new onsite offices, a number that will increase to 200 by next year.

The stadium, which was designed by AECOM and Zaha Hadid Architects and is based on a dhow boat that Qataris traditionally used for pearl diving, will host some 16 World Cup matches.

Other stadiums

Work on four others World Cup match venues is also underway.

SCDL

Earlier this month, the SCDL said it would be demolishing and then rebuilding Qatar’s Al Rayyan Stadium.

The plan is a departure from previous plans to refurbish the stadium to double its capacity to 40,000 fans, and competition on the project is now slated for 2019.

Meanwhile, organizers announced last month that a contract had been awarded to refurbish Khalifa International Stadium, located in the Aspire Zone.

And very preliminary works have begun on stadiums in Education City and in Al Khor.

Qatar originally proposed hosting the World Cup in 12 venues. However, only eight are required according to FIFA regulations. A final decision on the number of host venues is expected next year.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar’s first World Cup stadium build contract to be awarded next year is from Doha News.)

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Days before its highly publicized contemporary art auction in Qatar, Sotheby’s has opened its doors to a pre-sale exhibition showcasing the best of the artwork that will go on sale.

The collection, previously shown in galleries in London, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and New York, is now housed at the Katara Art Center (Building 5) at Katara Cultural Village.

Sotheby’s opened an office in Qatar in 2009, but Doha became an especially favorite place to hold auctions after a contemporary art show last April fetched more than $15 million, setting a regional record.

The new exhibition will run from 2pm to 10pm daily at Building 5 until Oct. 13, when the auction will take place at the same venue at 7pm.

Key pieces

On display are works by several regional and international artists from Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, the UK and US.

Sotheby's

Tranquility by Damien Hirst.

Two artworks by British artist Damien Hirst, whose controversial exhibit in Qatar last year drew large crowds, are up for auction. The pieces, Tranquility and Black Sun, are expected to fetch a combined total of QR5,840,000 to QR8,390,000.

Other highly appraised pieces by regional artists include:

• Passage, an audio visual installation by Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat, which is going for QR730,000 to QR1.1 million;
• The Refugees, by late Tunisian painter Hatem El-Mekki (QR915,000 to QR1.28 million); and
• Ikhtilej, by Tunisian calligrapher and artist Nja Mahdaoui (QR1.1 to QR1.46 million).

Chantelle D'mello

Untitled by Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor

Untitled, a massive stainless steel disc-like installation by Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor, is also one of the auction’s most prized pieces, and is expected to sell for QR2.55 million to QR3.28 million.

Some of the more unusual pieces include Farewell Kiss, I Could Have Really Loved You and Heaven’s Doors.

The first, by Iraqi artist Mahmud Obaidi is an allusion to the infamous shoe-throwing incident of 2008, when Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoe at then US President George W. Bush, saying “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people…”

According to the Sotheby’s online auction catalog, I Could Have Really Loved You by English artist Tracey Emin is part of her seminal series of neon signs.

It continues:

“Emin employs neon as a compelling means of personal expression, utilising carefully chosen phrases or statements with an eloquence that belies their brevity…I could have really loved you superbly embodies these significant strands of Emin’s own closely intertwined life and art, whilst standing as a tribute to the myriad complexities of human relationships and interactions.”

Chantelle D'mello

Untitled I and II by Iraqi artist Jananne Al-Ani

There are also two untitled pieces by Iraqi artist Jananne Al-Ani, who features her mother and her sisters in various garments and “veiled in varying degrees.”

According to Al-Ani, the work is a commentary on the idea that costumes or dresses represent groups of people, and a “response to the clichéd, exoticised depictions of women in late-nineteenth century Orientalist photography and painting…(and) Western preconceptions of Middle Eastern society.”

Meanwhile, Heaven’s Doors by Saudi Arabian artist Rashed Al Shashai pays homage to stained glass windows of cathedrals, albeit made with mundane everyday objects like baskets, food storage pots, plastic plates and strainers. The piece asks audiences to “consider what we ascribe value to – the material or the truly spiritual.”

See the full list of artworks and their histories here.

Do you plan to check out the exhibition? Thoughts?

(The post PHOTOS: Colorful, controversial Sotheby’s exhibit opens at Katara is from Doha News.)

Despite high hopes, Qatar’s capital did not see rain on Friday after all. The nation’s meteorology department had forecast thunderstorms over parts of the country.

Yesterday afternoon, residents reported spotting rain in the south and east of Qatar:

Very heavy rain and lots of lightning on Umm Bab highway @dohanews @GreatDohaFind pic.twitter.com/tGd7ffvhAm

— Hamad Al-Thani (@7amadS2) October 10, 2014

Though Doha ultimately didn’t get any precipitation, many residents enjoyed the clouds that moved over the city.

Once again, the MET is forecasting rain for parts of Qatar today, but whether Doha will see it remains to be seen.

Were you hoping for rain yesterday? Thoughts?

(The post PHOTOS: Clouds, but no rain for Doha over the weekend is from Doha News.)

Omar Chatriwala/Flickr

Qatar is among the least friendly places for expats in the world, according to a new report that assessed the quality of life for people living and working away from their home countries.

According to the newly released Expat Insider Survey 2014, Qatar ranked 58th out of 61 nations. It scored just above the bottom three countries: Greece, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The report states that the latter two Gulf nations fared poorly in large part due to a lack of leisure activities and because expats had difficulty settling in there.

The top countries to live for expats, according to Internations, which ran the survey, included Ecuador, Luxembourg and Mexico.

Expat Insider

Qatar's ranking on multiple factors.

The report surveyed more than 13,000 expats from 169 countries this past June, basing its rankings on factors such as personal finance, friendliness, family life and work-life balance.

Good medical care, a feeling of personal safety due to political stability and Qatar’s strong economy bolstered expats’ opinions of living in the country.

But a lack of education options, the desert climate and a rising cost of living were listed as significant challenges that brought Qatar’s ranking down.

Expat bubble

Another factor that strongly affected Qatar’s ranking of how difficult expats find it to feel at home in this country.

Expat Insider

Some 45 percent of Qatar residents surveyed said it was challenging to make friends with locals, compared to 51 percent in Kuwait and 37 percent in Saudi Arabia. Expats in Oman (21 percent) and Bahrain (19 percent) appeared to have a much easier time.

According to the report, this is likely because of the high expat to local ratio in Qatar and its neighboring countries.

It continued:

“Even after the initial adjustment period, resident expats seem to struggle at socializing with local residents. Just a third (33%) describe the Qatari friendliness towards foreign residents as good or very good, which could explain why 45% disagree that making local friends is easy; more than double the global average of 22%.”

One silver lining is that only 14 percent of people surveyed here said not knowing the local language (Arabic) posed a problem.

That’s less than three times the global average, with some 45 percent of expats saying not knowing the local language became a challenge for them in their host countries.

Additionally, despite problems with settling in and feeling at home here, some 30 percent of residents surveyed said they relocated to Qatar after actively seeking out job opportunities here – twice the global average.

Work and family

When it comes to working abroad, Qatar ranked 28th out 61 countries. It got high marks – ranking 13th – in terms of job security, but fared lower when it came to work-life balance (43rd) and job and career (51st).

The latter scores were based on length of work week (Qatar’s was 44.8 hours, compared to the 41-hour global average); and job satisfaction, which was low across the Gulf.

Kenji Punzalon/Flickr

Meanwhile, while Qatar was considered a family-friendly country by most expats (63 percent), it ranked last in terms of availability and cost of childcare and education.

Additionally, the top three countries where parents are living without their children are Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The report states this is because quite a few of the expats surveyed in these countries were on temporary assignments and did not bring their families with them.

Finally, the report states that 46 percent of expats in Qatar think they are earning a lot
more than they would back home.

Still, expats here complained about rising expenses – particularly in relation to housing.

Due to this, Qatar was ranked 51st out of 61 countries in the survey’s personal finance/cost of living index.

Here’s the full survey:

Thoughts?

(The post Survey finds expats have hard time adjusting to life in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Chantelle D'Mello

The Qatari capital of Doha has been shortlisted as one of 14 finalists in a competition to determine the world’s most seven wondrous cities.

Doha is the only GCC city to be make it this far in a global campaign called New7Wonders, which is asking voters to weigh in before announcing the winners on Dec. 7.

Qatar’s capital is competing against the following 13 finalists:

Barcelona (Spain), Beirut (Lebanon), Chicago (United States), Durban (South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), La Paz (Bolivia), London (England), Mexico City (Mexico), Perth (Australia), Quito (Ecuador), Reykjavik (Iceland), Vigan (Philippines).

In a recently released statement announcing the finalists, Eamonn Fitzgerald, head of communication at New7Wonders, said:

“The shortlist will now help voters to focus their understanding of a key trend shaping our world today: urbanization. Whether it is innovation or income inequality, or migration or mass transport, some of the most provocative questions of our time are being debated in the context of a changing world in which the majority of humanity lives in cities.”

New7Wonders Foundation

The Swiss-based New7Wonders foundation was formed in 2001 by Swiss-Canadian filmmaker, author and traveler Bernard Weber. The foundation is said to help protect and appreciate both manmade and natural aspects of the earth’s diversity.

Magnus von Koeller/Flickr

Machu Picchu, Peru, a New7Wonders of the world

To date, the foundation has held three campaigns to draw attention to notable places — the New7Wonders of the World, the New7Wonders of Nature and the latest New7Wonders Cities.

In previous campaigns, a panel of experts selected finalists from a selection countries nominated by the public during the qualification stage. Voters made the final decision.

The current man-made New7Wonders of the world were named in 2007 by more than 100 million voters and the New7Wonders of nature were announced in 2011 by over 500 million votes, according to the foundation.

New7Wonders Cities process

The seven wondrous city campaign launched in 2012, when more than 1,200 cities were nominated by the public from some 220 countries.

NewOpenWorld Corporation (NOWC)

Last October, the 1,200 cities were whittled down to 330. A panel of experts then chose 28 official finalists from the 77 countries that received the most votes during the qualification phase.

Since then, Doha has made it past two more cuts, and now is in the running for the final designation as a wondrous city.

Voting can be done online here by selecting your top seven cities. Public comments, photos and demographics are available about each city to help voters make up their minds.

Voting can also be done via a free app that can be downloaded from the iTunes store here or the Android store here. To vote by phone call or SMS, see more information here.

Do you plan to vote? Thoughts?

(The post Doha chosen as finalist in world’s seven most wondrous cities contest is from Doha News.)

Qatar Airways/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

A Qatar Airways flight that landed in Doha yesterday was met with two ambulances and medical personnel in gloves and masks, following concerns that passengers aboard the plane were sick with flu-like symptoms.

The incident occurred at a time when fear about the spread of illnesses like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola is reaching new highs.

Speaking to Doha News, a Qatar resident who was onboard the flight from Yangon said she and several others had been part of a tour group traveling around Myanmar for one week. Some had come down with sore throats and colds, and during the trip home, one of the passengers had asked a stewardess for a Panadol.

Teresa Gibbison/Flickr

The resident, Tracy Glenn, who is a registered nurse, tweeted about the incident yesterday. She said the stewardess thought the woman had a fever, and asked if there were any doctors or nurses onboard.

Glenn responded to the call and checked her friend, who did not have a fever. “We spoke for a few minutes and she told me she was fine, and I went back to my seat.”

Later, a nurse or doctor was requested to see another passenger. This man, who was not part of the tour group, was pale and sweaty and complaining of stomach pains, Glenn said. She again responded to the call and assessed the man, along with a physician.

“We were concerned that it could have been serious – but he also turned out to be fine,” she added.

Finally, toward the end of the flight, a stewardess began walking with one of the tour group members down the aisles, pointing out everybody who was in the Myanmar tour group.

The pilot was informed that some passengers were ill, and when the plane landed, Glenn said she and her peers were asked to remain on the airplane. Two large ambulances and healthcare providers in gloves and masks could be seen from the windows.

“They let us everybody else disembark, (but) kept us on the plane. They said ‘you are going to go into the airport and get checked.’

…A man in military uniform comes on, and I told him that some of our group had mild colds,” Glenn said.

Then they changed their minds and allowed the passengers to get off the plane, she added.

Protocol

As they got off, Glenn spoke to the pilot, who said he was just following protocol.

“I don’t understand their protocol – I think they need to refine it a little bit. The cabin crew had written on her report that my co-traveler had a fever of 36C. This is a normal temperature, not a fever,” Glenn said, adding that people on the flight were getting worried about what was happening.

Qatar Airways has not yet responded to a request about the incident or if new protocols have been introduced following rising concerns about the spread of MERS and Ebola.

Speaking to Doha News, Glenn said that the crew might have been worried her group had MERS.

“I don’t know if they were worried about Ebola. MERS is a viral respiratory disease, so if you cough or sneeze, the droplets can travel about three feet.”

According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, viruses are spread when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air (from when an infected person coughs or sneezes), or when one comes in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions (by kissing, touching, or sharing objects such as spoons and forks).

The flu virus can also be transferred through an infected person’s hands, by touching smooth surfaces such as doorknobs, handles, television remotes, computer keyboards and telephones. When one touches their hands to their nose, eyes, or mouth, the flu virus gets absorbed.

Past incidents

One reason why Qatar Airways may be on high alert is due to an incident that transpired earlier this month, when the World Health Organization disclosed that a 29-year-old Saudi woman with MERS may have been contagious during a September flight from Qatar to Austria.

The national carrier is the only airline that flies directly from Doha to Vienna. At the time, WHO said:

“The Austrian health authorities assume that the patient was infectious prior to, and during the international flights. Follow-up with passengers on the flight is ongoing and personal data of the crew on the flight has been communicated to Qatar.”

Meanwhile, other airlines around the world also appear to be maintaining vigilance when it comes to contagion, after a Liberian passenger infected with Ebola flew into the US and eventually died of the disease earlier this month.

Last week for example, a passenger on a U.S. Airways flight from Philadelphia to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, made a joke about having the virus while onboard the plane.

The man sneezed or coughed when he made his announcement, prompting the flight to be grounded and people in blue ‘hazmat’ suits to board the plane.

Notably, Ebola does not spread through the air like MERS, which is a respiratory virus.

Rather, Ebola is transmitted “via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids,” according to WHO.

Still, amid widespread calls that the US government do more to keep Ebola out, five airports there are planning to begin health screenings for some travelers this week.

CNN reports that the screenings would apply to passengers originating from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Their temperatures will be taken and questions about their health and possible exposure to Ebola would be asked at airports in New York Washington DC, Newark, Chicago and Atlanta.

Thoughts?

(The post Ambulances meet ill passengers after Qatar Airways flight lands in Doha is from Doha News.)

ian 1602/Flickr

A team of 12 young Qataris and expat residents has successfully scaled the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, with the female members becoming the country’s first women to reach the top of the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.

Describing minor injuries, an arduous overnight final climb during a storm, one of the six women in the group said they overcame “mental, physical and emotional struggles” to make the 5,895 meter (19,341 feet) climb.

Dana Al Anzy/Instagram

The climbers scaled the mountain to raise money for charity under Reach out to Asia (ROTA)’s Elevate to Educate expedition. They hope to raise QR1 million in funds to boost Gaza’s education system by rebuilding and improving schools.

The team was led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, who last year became the first Qatari to climb and raise Qatar’s flag at Mount Everest’s peak and has twice climbed the summit of Kilimanjaro, in 2010 and again in 2011.

This is the first time the experienced climber has organized a group campaign for charity.

The climbers, plus two assistants, set out on the expedition on Oct. 2.

They are Mohammed Fakhro, Yacoub Yousef Al Yacoub, Mariam Hassan Al Thani, Aisha Al Naama, Mohammed Al Naama, Bashaer Al Mulla, Dana Al Anzy, Nasser Bin Marzook, Asma Al Thani, Noor Al Thani, Bader Al Madani, Raed Zidan and Masoud Kalafchi. Yazan Abughaida, a Palestinian, also signed up at the last minute and scaled the mountain.

Summit success

In a voice message posted on his blog on October 8, Al Thani said that the whole team had successfully completed the challenge, walking overnight to reach the summit, before descending to rest at a camp at 3,800 meters.

“We left camp at 11:30pm to go to the summit. It was a clear day, although cold. It was a bit uncomfortable for a few of the climbers.

We had 100 percent success rate. Everyone made it up and down safely… everyone is tired after a long day,” Al Thani added.

Dana Al Anzy, a member of ROTA’s Youth Advisory board and an undergraduate student at Georgetown University SFSQ, was one of the six women to complete the challenge.

In an Instagram message posted yesterday, she described some of the trials she and her teammates faced:

“Qatar’s women have made it to the top of Africa. After 7 days of mental, physical and emotional struggles varying between missing my family during Eid, twisting my wrist on the second day of the climb and being oxygenated for lacking oxygen at 4600 meters – Your prayers and support kept me going at -15 degrees on the 7 hour climb over a stormy night up to the summit.

Whenever the voice in my head whispered to go back, I remembered this support system ❤️ I hope I have done you all proud.”

Mohammed Fakhro/Instagram

On Friday, group member Mohammed Fakhro also used the social networking site to include a photo of him reaching the peak, and to announce the team’s success, saying, “Got to the summit of Kilimanjaro & back safely. Back to Doha in 2 days with photos from the top of Africa.”

Before setting off, the team had planned to spend five days climbing to the summit and two days descending, before spending the last days of the trip learning about Tanzania’s culture through various cultural excursions, including a safari trip.

Organized through ROTA’s “My Education… My Hope” campaign, the funds raised through the expedition will go towards building and revamping 22 schools in the Gaza strip.

In a Facebook post today, Abughaida said:

“Final amount raised on my campaign: $15,015 or QR54,804. The Elevate to Educate team collectively raised over 2 million QR to build and supply schools in Gaza. Thank you for your donations and support.”

Preparations

In August, Fakro spoke to Doha News while the team was in training for the challenge. In a video blog about his training, he thanked people for making generous contributions that kept up his motivation and focus:

“I feel like my body does not really belong to me anymore. I cannot have junk food, I cannot have ice cream, I cannot slack off, I cannot take a day off. Your donations mean I need to get up there, no matter what it takes.”

He added that climbing Kilimanjaro had been a personal ambition for many years. He told Doha News he hoped that the challenge would also improve him as a person.

“Having lived a life of privilege, I try to commit to critically examining how I live my life, how my choices affect others and most importantly how I can leave a positive impact in my community.  Simply put, I hope to be a better human to other humans.”

Ahead of the trip, Al Anzy described why she was undertaking the challenge. The Peninsula reports her as saying she hoped it would “motivate other women to pursue their dreams and ambitions, regardless of the obstacles and battles they face in our society.”

“I want to promote the culture of social responsibility across borders and allow people’s horizons to expand beyond the limits of what surrounds them,” she added.

You can still donate on the team’s Just Giving webpage Just Giving website here.

Thoughts?

Note: This article has been corrected to reflect the updated roster of climbers

(The post First Qatari women successfully scale Mt. Kilimanjaro in charity effort is from Doha News.)

Penny Yi Wang/Flickr

Qatar’s popular farmers markets are set to re-open for the winter season from Dec. 4, with a third site in Al Wakrah planned to open by the end of the year.

Run by the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the markets aim to bring Qatar-grown, fresh produce direct to customers throughout the winter months.

The first market in Qatar to sell fresh fruit and vegetables was established two years ago in Umm Salal, and is called Al Mazrouah yard.

In January this year, a second site opened at Al Khor and Al Dhakhira yard, in front of Al Khor hospital, and both markets expanded their offerings into fish and meat.

They ran until mid-May this year, when the onset of the warmer weather heralded their summer break.

Market’s popularity

Farmers markets have long been popular in Europe and the US, encouraging people to reduce their food miles by buying locally sourced goods from often small-time, artisan producers.

Mohammad Ismail

The trend appears to be catching on in Qatar, as more people know about and attend the markets. During the 2013/14 winter season, Al Mazrouah more than doubled it sale of produce, to 1,993 tons, compared to 837 tons last year.

In its first week of operation in January, the Al Khor and Al Dhakira market alone sold 50 tons of fruit and vegetables from 22 farms in Qatar, the MoE said.

Te produce on sale included lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, melon and strawberries, as well as local honey, with the markets open from Thursday to Saturday, 7am until 5pm.

In addition to 974 tons of fresh fruit sold last year, 33 tons of fish, 590 sheep, goats, cows and camels and 4,000 chickens were also sold.

However, last year some residents called from an improvement to the amenities at the market sites, citing poor access roads, and a need for better parking provisions.

They also called for the introduction of a cafe, a dedicated fish-cleaning site and a slaughter house, the Gulf Times reported.

Do you plan to go to one of the markets this year? Thoughts?

(The post Qatar’s farmer’s markets to re-open in December is from Doha News.)

Yukiko Matsuoka/Flickr

Qatar’s close ties to the UK have been called into question by some conservative members of Parliament, who, incensed by recent beheadings by extremist groups, are urging their government to “get tough” on the Gulf state.

The politicians assert that Qatar has been financing terrorism in Syria and Iraq, making it possible for the groups to continue operating – and subsequently behead and imprison innocent people.

Qatar’s top leaders have repeatedly denied that it supports terrorism.

Last month, the Emir told CNN that he did not accept anyone funding “certain movements” in Iraq and Syria, where Qatar recently aided an aerial bombing campaign against ISIL targets.

Omar Chatriwala

But shortly after that interview, the US government designated four men with ties to Qatar as terrorists for their alleged financial activities.

UK politicians say their government should also call out Qatar for such activities.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said:

“The glaring difference between the numbers of people on the list in the UK compared to the US does raise questions as to whether we are not as rigorous as the Americans – or else are we being blinded by commercial interests?”

Harrods boycott

Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, owns a great deal of property in the UK, including Harrods, the Shard, the Olympic Village and 20 percent of the London Stock Exchange.

According to the Telegraph, some UK residents have been agitating for a boycott of Harrods, a landmark department store that Qatar bought in 2010.

The newspaper reports:

“Mark Lewis, the solicitor who represented the family of Milly Dowler among others in the News of the World phone hacking scandal, is leading calls for a boycott.

Mr Lewis said: ‘We can stand back and do nothing, but when we do, we are paying for that terror … People need to know where their money is going.’”

It is unclear whether the campaign will gain traction in the UK.

Other nations struggle

Notably, though Qatar has come under extreme scrutiny over its alleged support of extremist groups in the region, it is not the only country struggling to prevent residents from helping these organizations.

Washington Post

A new Washington Post report states that hundreds of people from the UK have been heading to Syria to fight against the regime of President Bashar Al Assad, many of whom are presumed to have joined IS.

The vast majority of fighters hail from Arab countries, but so far only 15 militants are reported to be from Qatar, compared to 488 from the UK and 412 from France, for example.

Thoughts?

(The post Incensed by IS, some urging boycott of Harrods, other Qatar businesses is from Doha News.)

NIAID/Flickr

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome virus particles attached to the surface of an infected VERO E6 cell.

A 71-year-old national is undergoing treatment at a Qatar hospital after being diagnosed with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. The man, who has diabetes, is the first patient to suffer from a confirmed case of MERS in the country since last November.

According to QNA, the patient became ill when he was visiting Saudi Arabia. He was traveling by road near Al-Ahsa (close to the Qatar-Saudi border) and fell sick and had to be hospitalized. The report continues:

“Patient was then transferred to Qatar by the Air Ambulance and the national protocol of MERS CoV for quarantine and isolation was activated…

Health education about appropriate preventive measures was given to the contacts along with close follow-up for any symptoms. Infection prevention and control measures in all health facilities have been re-enforced by the (Supreme Council of Health).”

Slowing down

Worldwide, there have been 853 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS, including at least 301 related deaths, according to the World Health Organization’s latest update on the virus in early October.

But cases of MERS, which causes respiratory problems, have become few and far between after a regional surge in April.

Inside Qatar, eight people have thus far been diagnosed with MERS since the illness was discovered two years ago, and four of those patients have died.

Additionally, a Qatari man diagnosed in 2012 in the UK died in London last July. There have been no new confirmed cases here since November 2013.

However, WHO said recently that a Saudi woman with MERS had flown from Doha to Vienna in September. The woman, who had been on a Qatar Airways flight, may have been contagious at the time.

Supreme Council of Health

MERS is a viral respiratory illness, and can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat and in some cases, diarrhea.

To reduce the risk of infection, the SCH has advised people with chronic diseases or who are immuno-compromised to avoid close contact with farm animals.

Anyone with questions or symptoms can call the SCH’s dedicated MERS hotline: +974-6674 0951.

Thoughts?

(The post In first Qatar case this year, elderly man confirmed to have MERS is from Doha News.)

Kimoshots/Flickr

Architects are finalizing design plans for an expansion of the recently opened Hamad International Airport passenger terminal, according to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker.

The airline executive told Doha News yesterday that he expected British architect Sir Norman Foster to wrap up his work “over the next few months.”

The architect’s firm, Foster + Partners, also designed the new passenger terminal that is being built at Kuwait International Airport.

Once the design is set, construction firms would be invited to bid on the extension project, which should be completed within the next three years, Al Baker added.

Chantelle D'mello

The final phase of the airport would effectively increase the size of the passenger terminal by 50 percent, enlarging it to roughly 900,000 square meters, according to details released by the airport earlier this year.

The expansion project also includes plans to add 24 new airplane gates directly attached to the terminal, bringing the total to 65. That’s in addition to the 22 existing “remote gates” on the tarmac that require buses to bring passengers to the terminal.

The expansion would effectively increase the airport’s capacity by two-thirds, to 50 million travelers annually.

Air passenger traffic in Qatar has climbed rapidly in recent years, growing 10 percent or more annually to reach 23.27 million in 2013.

Peter Kovessy

The lineup for taxis at Hamad International Airport shortly after midnight early Saturday morning.

HIA appears to have accommodated this month’s Eid holiday rush without issue.

For many travelers, it was a pleasant contrast to last year, when traffic gridlock around the old Doha International Airport forced some passengers to abandon their rides and walk with their luggage to the terminal to avoid missing their flights.

This year, there were few reports of backups at check-in or immigration counters at the start of the holiday.

Passengers arriving in Qatar late on Friday were greeted with a 20-minute taxi queue that wrapped around half of the sidewalk outside the arrivals area, but a non-stop stream of Mowasalat cabs co-ordinated by multiple on-site supervisors kept the line moving.

Saudi ties

Al Baker made his remarks about HIA’s expansion during a Sunday press conference to announce Qatar Airways’ sponsorship of the Al-Ahli Football Club in Saudi Arabia for the next three seasons.

Qatar Airways

Fahd bin Khaled bin Abdullah, chairman of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli Football Club (left) and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker display the team's new jersey design.

Saudi Arabia is already a major market for Qatar Airways, which operates 86 flights to the neighboring Gulf state weekly.

The country’s importance to the airline will grow further in the new year when it launches one of two new domestic carriers in the Kingdom, Al Maha Airways.

The new airline will use a fleet of Airbus A320-200 planes sporting the Qatar Airways oryx logo, painted in green rather than the traditional maroon to match Saudi Arabia’s national colors.

Al Maha Airways will initially operate between Jeddah and Riyadh before expanding to additional destinations within that country.

Qatar Airways and Bahrain-based Gulf Air received approvals to operate domestic services in Saudi Arabia in late 2012 and were initially expected to start flying earlier this year.

The launch date has been pushed back several times over concerns about price caps for domestic flights and fuel subsidies for the kingdom’s own airlines and, later, regulatory delays.

In May, Qatar Airways said it expected Al Maha would enter service by the end of 2014. However, a press release issued Sunday said the new airline would begin operating “in the New Year.”

Thoughts?

(The post Al Baker: Qatar airport expansion to be completed within three years is from Doha News.)

Karak Time

A local startup wants its new series of short online videos, profiling the achievements of Qatar residents, to inspire others to talk about the positive changes occurring in the country.

A dozen videos are expected to be uploaded to YouTube this fall. The episodes, which will be released a week at a time, will comprise Karak Time’s first season.

Planned shows include interviews with the founders of cultural awareness organization Embrace Doha.

The first video, released yesterday features Abdullah Al Khater and Steve Rhodes, the founders of local ecotourism firm Entalek, and their work to preserve Qatar’s mangroves:

Karak Time was co-founded by The Youth Company’s Mohamed Farid and Deevina Visrolia, a former BBC designer and presenter on the children’s show, Deadly Art.

Visrolia moved to Qatar in 2011 and found that much of the outside media attention on her new home didn’t tell the whole story.

She started her non-profit earlier this year to produce informal English and Arabic video profiles showing how Qatar is developing from a human perspective, and how its residents are making a difference.

Speaking to Doha News, Visrolia said:

“We’re a catalyst for amazing people and talent in Qatar. As someone who is living here, I want to show the great stories of people.”

The startup’s name stems from the local tradition of sharing stories and knowledge over a cup of sweet milky tea.

Visrolia said that she hopes her videos will “ignite” a wave of positive thinking and appreciation among viewers, who will in turn showcase the good things they and those around them are doing by posting their own videos and photos online.

The entrepreneur estimated that each episode costs an average of QR8,000 (US$2,197) to produce, including overhead such as office space. She’s looking to corporate sponsors to help her cost the costs.

7ayak Hub

Karak Time is one of a handful of startups headquartered in 7ayak Hub, which was founded by Farid and officially opened last month.

7ayak Hub Qatar/Facebook

The theory behind 7ayak Hub – pronounced “hayak,” which means “welcome,” “hello” or “come in” in Arabic – is that a shared physical space will foster collaboration between the freelancers, community activists and startup founders working in the three-story building in Madinat Khalifa South.

Members can give one another feedback on their business ideas, as well as make introductions to contractors, funders and clients in their network.

The companies and not-profits are also complimentary and can provide services to one another. For example, Visrolia has offered her design skills to fellow entrepreneurs at 7ayak Hub, while drawing upon the web development abilities of others.

“It’s a very helpful ecosystem, especially when you don’t have a lot of money at the beginning,” she says. “There is so much passion and energy (at 7ayak Hub) … Lots of people are passive and accept Qatar for what it currently is. Here, people want to actually make change. They’re young and they’re brave.”

Thoughts?

(The post Karak Time launches web show on ‘amazing people and talent in Qatar’ is from Doha News.)

jerry dohnal/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

State-backed transportation company Mowasalat will roll out its fourth taxi franchise this week, advancing on its plans to increase the number of cabs on Doha’s roads by 1,000 before year-end.

The first Capital Taxis, operated by Ibin Ajayan Group, were initially supposed to hit the streets in August or September and have green roofs, according to an announcement made earlier this year by Mowasalat’s CEO.

An Ibin Ajayan Group spokesperson told Doha News that the taxis will now have dark-grey roofs, but declined to comment further.

However, the company’s consultant CEO told Gulf Times that the taxis will distinguish themselves from the competition by providing better customer service. Ravi Pillai was quoted as saying:

“Almost 100% of our taxi drivers have previous experience in the GCC states, including Qatar and they are extremely familiar with the road conditions in the region, in particular in the country.”

Pillai also told the newspaper that the drivers are offered the “best package” and are hired on a salary basis, adding that additional monetary incentives would be offered to those who continue to go beyond the daily monetary income target set by Mowasalat.

Customer service is a sore issue for many residents who use Karwa taxis, and complaints about rude drivers who overcharge or refuse certain customers are common.

On the other hand, most taxi drivers here say they are overworked and underpaid, which leading some of them no choice but to cheat passengers to eke out a living.

Franchise fees cut

Mowasalat first began talking about introducing franchised taxi groups to “increase competition” in 2011. However, all taxis that operate under the Karwa brand must charge rates set by the government.

This may change by 2017, when Mowasalat hopes to step back from operating taxis and privatize the industry, serving instead as a regulator to a total of six franchises.

Advancing on this plan, the Ministry of Transport said earlier this month that it would slash taxi franchise fees by 33 percent in a bid to help support public transportation services, according to the Peninsula.

Profit Group

Profit Group taxis.

The reduction came into force on Oct. 1 and will last for the next five years.

However, many franchises told Doha News that they had not heard about the rate cut, and were not yet sure how they would spend the windfall.

However, a spokesperson from the Profit Group, whose company began introducing yellow-roofed taxis to Doha last month, said:

“We make sure that our drivers are paid a decent wage. The remaining money will be used in maintaining the quality of our taxis and ensuring that they are always on the road.”

Expansion by numbers

Currently, some 3,000 turquoise Karwa taxis are operating on Qatar’s roads. Mowasalat’s gray-roofed cars account for around 1,200 of them, while the maroon-roofed Al Million and blue-roofed Al Ijarah taxis collectively operate roughly 1,800 cars.

By the end of this year, the Profit Group and Ibin Ajayan are expected to launch 500 new taxis each, with both companies rolling out some 50 cars a week. If all goes according to plan, Mowasalat’s taxi fleet will reach some 4,000 cars by the end of the year.

The expansion comes as Karwa celebrates 10 years of operation.

Mowasalat also aims to more than double its taxi fleet to 7,000 for the 2022 World Cup in a bid to cater to the one million fans expected to attend the tournament.

Thoughts?

(The post Dark-grey roofed Capital Taxis to hit Qatar roads this week is from Doha News.)