Mike Mozart/Flickr

Updated at 10:45am to include information from Northwestern University in Qatar. Updated at 3:45pm to include information from Doha College and Doha English Speaking School.

Several Qatar-based schools are beefing up their security measures following an alert from the US Embassy in Doha about potential attacks against teachers in the Middle East.

Citing an anonymous posting on an extremist website, the US Embassy has asked American teachers and those working in western schools to “remain vigilant” against a potential attack.

The alert comes days after Saudi Arabia said it sentenced 27 people to jail time for plotting an attack on members of the US armed forces based here and in Kuwait.

Expert Infantry/Flickr

In a statement, the US embassy said that the threatening post specifically referenced the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and a neighborhood in Egypt (Maadi) that has an American school as “examples of locations with high concentrations of potential targets.”

It continued:

“The Embassy is unaware of any specific, credible threat against any American or western school or individuals in Qatar. The Embassy works closely with the Government of Qatar to promote the security of U.S. citizens…

Nonetheless, all US citizens should remain vigilant regarding their personal security and alert to local security developments.”

The statement also reiterated precautions the embassy usually advises its citizens to take, including avoiding large gatherings, identifying safe areas such as hospitals and police stations and pre-programming emergency numbers into cell phones.

In response, the embassy-sponsored American School of Doha (ASD) told community members that it is taking steps to enhance security on campus and in ASD faculty housing, and asked parents to prominently display their IDs while on campus.

In statement to Doha News, a school spokesperson said:

“ASD does not publish its security protocols however we have strengthened our security posture in response to the information released by the US Embassy.”

Summerbl4ck / Flickr

Doha College, meanwhile, said in a letter to parents that it was increasing the number of guards at its campus and taking other unspecified measures. The school added that it does not perceive itself to be in danger and reiterated the US embassy’s statement that there has been no specific threat to Qatar or its residents.

New security measures are also planned at the Doha English Speaking School (DESS), which told parents that it will equip its security guards with metal detectors. They will also ask to search bags on occasion and may deny guests entry to the school in “exceptional circumstances.”

“None of this is intended to be intrusive – we just want to put safety first and foremost, especially for the children,” DESS business manager Neil Macfarlane wrote in a letter to parents.

Sam Agnew/Flickr

In Education City, the dean of Northwestern University in Qatar (NUQ) sent an email to students and faculty this morning saying it takes the warning from the US embassy “seriously.”

“No credible threat has been identified, but there is cause for vigilance for all of us here, regardless of our nationality or country of origin,” dean Everette Dennis wrote.

In response to the warning, a meeting has been scheduled this afternoon between US deans in Education City and the American embassy to review security conditions on campus as well as in residences for student, staff and faculty.

The school advised individuals to remain aware of their surroundings, especially when they are outside Education City or their homes. Additionally, NUQ recommends students carry a cell phone with them at all times, and leave it on – something that’s already a requirement for faculty and staff.

ISIL alert

Neither the UK or Canada have issued new alerts in the past few days about threats on its nationals. But when offering advice for citizens traveling abroad, both say that westerners are always at some risk in this part of the world.

Previously, the UK said attacks on nationals in Qatar are “unlikely,” but noted that “terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region.”

In the same vein, on Oct. 10, the US State Department issued a worldwide alert expressing concern about the threat posted by ISIL, which had called on supporters to attack foreigners following the US-led military action against the group in Iraq.

Qatar played a role in that coalition by reportedly providing surveillance as other Arab nations bombed ISIL targets.

In the worldwide alert, the state department said:

“Authorities believe there is an increased likelihood of reprisal attacks against U.S., Western and coalition partner interests throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.”

It added that potential targets could include schools, restaurants, malls and other places where Americans gather.

However, speaking to Doha News this morning, a US Embassy spokesperson would not comment on whether the new threat was made by an ISIL-related group.

Thoughts?

(The post Doha schools step up security following US safety alert for region (update 2) is from Doha News.)

Matías Capizzano

Sail the Gulf competition 2014

After 56 years of serving Qatar’s boating community – two decades of which were at a location near the Doha Marriott Hotel (Ras Abu Abboud) - the Doha Sailing Club (DSC) has been instructed to relocate by authorities.

The club has yet to find a new venue, so sailing activities at its former location have ceased. However, many of the club’s boats have been relocated to Katara Cultural Village, where members might begin meeting for future sailing trips.

The notice to vacate the premises comes just a few months after DSC members voted to make improvements to accommodate its growing community.

In July, at DSC’s annual general meeting, members decided to introduce a track for sailing cars and purchase more sailing boats to meet the increasing needs of more members.

What happened

Speaking to Doha News this week, sources close to the DSC said that members of the club committee were told they had one month to shut down and vacate the premises because the government needed the land for a future project.

It is unclear what the property will be turned into.

Elysia Windrum

However, employees at the club confirmed that no jobs would be lost and the government has pledged to provide them with another piece of land. Still, questions remain about the location of that property and when it will become available.

In a message sent to members earlier this month, the sailing club said that the facility would be out of action from Oct. 26.

But when visiting the site yesterday, Doha News observed people setting sail from the club, although the building’s interior was empty of furniture.

An employee there told Doha News that the club would be fully shut from today or tomorrow onwards, with employees and members waiting to hear when the club can be relocated.

In the same message, the club told its members:

“The DSC Committee is looking into alternatives and examining all options. Once a solution in terms of location is reached and the club activities can be activated again, we will issue a circular and inform you thoroughly of the new conditions. At that point a General Meeting will be held where all members will be invited to attend.”

Sailing culture

DSC is one of the oldest communal associations in Qatar and the first local sailing committee.

Through a membership program, local and expat members could sail, row and canoe on boats that are rented or ones that are personally-owned. Members could also receive training or enter competitions through the club.

DSC also served as home base for the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF), which was formed in 2003 to promote water sports with the support of the Qatar Olympic Commitee.

Doha Sailing Club

It is unclear what will happen to QSRF activities for the foreseeable future, as the federation relied on the Doha Sailing Club’s premises to host its activities.

In addition to supporting QSRF, the QOC also covers the costs of training the country’s national sailing team and funds all local and international competitions, including Sail the Gulf, Gulf Trophy, Asian Sailing Champions and Qatar Nationals.

Have you been affected by the closure? Thoughts?

(The post After 56 years, Doha Sailing Club closes indefinitely is from Doha News.)

Brian Candy/Flickr

Despite concerns about increasing traffic congestion at the Pearl-Qatar, the lead developer and management company of the island has said it has no plans to build any additional entry or exit points there.

Currently, there is only one way for cars and most residents to enter and leave the Pearl.

As the island’s population grows and construction work in the area picks up, more residents have begun expressing concern that a sole access point is a risk to safety and security, especially when it becomes blocked by long lines of traffic at peak times.

This would make it impossible, for example, for emergency services to leave or enter the island.

But United Development Co. (UDC) told Doha News that while it understands concerns, “There are no plans to build any new access/exit points at The Pearl Qatar.”

Traffic woes

In recent months, residents have reported more traffic snarls, particularly in evenings and during the weekends, on the Pearl ring roads and on Lusail Street, between Katara and Lagoona roundabouts.

Brian Candy/Flickr

One resident, Jennifer Tan, said it took her one hour to drive from Tower 2 to the small Spinneys store in Porto Arabia last Thursday, while others say that the gridlock is so bad on weekends that they feel they are effectively being held captive on the island.

Lusail Street is currently undergoing extensive construction as part of plans to create a multi-level highway connecting West Bay/Dafna with the new city of Lusail, to the north of the Pearl.

As part of the works, several roads that previously carried traffic from the Pearl out of the area were closed last year, forcing all vehicles to travel on the one route towards Katara, which can quickly get backed up at peak times.

To help cope with the congestion, residents have asked UDC to take action to improve the infrastructure serving the island, and to work with authorities to open up additional routes to and from the Pearl.

Concerns

Maureen Chisholm, who lives in Tower 7 of Porto Arabia, told Doha News that traffic now regularly backs up at the one point of entry and egress from the Pearl, causing tailbacks in both directions:

“If there was an accident, sick person or pregnant lady needing to get to a hospital quickly it would be a nightmare,” she said.

Ellora Soucek, a mother of two who lives in Porto Arabia, told Doha News that a bus that had broken down at the main exit off the Pearl blocked traffic for more than an hour yesterday morning, causing delays for people trying to leave for work and school.

Another Pearl resident, Susan Sullivan, said:

“The amount of traffic is horrendous, the concerns of residents about having to get off The Pearl for various reasons such as an emergency or with flights to catch are genuine.”

Whereas you could allow at the most an hour to get to the airport, on a weekend you would have missed your flight. As for emergencies, for the emergency services to get on The Pearl at rush hour, it just wouldn’t happen.”

The problems appear to get worse when there are events at Katara, which can clog up the length of Lusail Street.

For example, last weekend’s welcome parade and ceremony for Qatar’s U19 football team, which won its first AFC U-19 Championship title in Myanmar, led to heavy traffic all around the area.

This month, many residents have voiced their frustrations about the growing traffic on Twitter:

if you go to #ThePearl on a wkend consider it take 20 minutes to EXIT The Pearl; 5 yrs ago I said: only one little road to go out? #traffic

— Flamenquita (@basbusa10) October 26, 2014

What's going on!? Crazy traffic in and out of the Pearl. http://t.co/ILT3mSZv2H

— Mohammed Al Mannai (@M_Mannai) October 25, 2014

What's the traffic at the pearl about? @dohanews pic.twitter.com/e97XY6zBsb

— Latifa bint Sa'ad (@LatifaSJ) October 25, 2014

Worse to come

With many parts of the Pearl still under construction, residents fear that the traffic problem will only get worse in the months and years to come.

Peter Kovessy

In June this year, a UDC spokesman told Doha News that between 11,300 to 12,250 residential units on the island were complete.

The island is being built in stages and by 2018, it is expected to have a total of 18,831 villas, apartments, chalets and townhouses.

So far, only a fraction of these are occupied. In June, this was estimated to be 3,500-4,000, although this could now stand at more than 5,000 as the vacant properties were expected to be released and filled up at approximately 1,000 units a quarter.

Moreover, as the weather cools, the area becomes an increasingly popular weekend destination for families to go for a meal and walk by the marina, further compounding the traffic on and off the island.

And it could be set to become even busier as the Kempinski Hotel, currently under construction near Qanat Qartier, prepares to open to the public before the year-end.

Issues with internal phone lines on the Pearl over the past month has also added to residents’ safety concerns, as they say they have been unable to contact The Shield, which manages security on the island and the entrance to The Pearl.

UDC response

In a statement to Doha News, Abdulrahim Al Ibrahim, director of The Pearl’s Central Authority Directorate, said that UDC was “fully aware and shares the concerns relating to the current traffic conditions outside The Pearl-Qatar.”

He said that due to ongoing infrastructure works to the Lusail highway and the surrounding area “there will be the inevitable traffic conditions which results in congestion which is being faced by the residents when entering and exiting The Pearl-Qatar at peak times.”

He added:

“UDC would like to point out that these works are ongoing outside The Pearl-Qatar from the Lagoona roundabout up until Katara Roundabout. As such, these areas do not fall under the jurisdiction of UDC and are controlled by the government department Ashghal.

Unfortunately, however, these subsequent works do have a knock-on effect for all those exiting or entering The Pearl-Qatar. There are no plans to build any new access/exit points at The Pearl Qatar.”

He said that UDC has regular meetings with Hyundai, the main contractor for the highway project, and has been recently told that a new, three-lane traffic diversion system should soon be in place “that will help alleviate the traffic congestion outside The Pearl Qatar.”

Thoughts?

(The post Traffic woes at Pearl’s lone exit create safety concerns for residents is from Doha News.)

K-nekoTR/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

As the weather finally cools down, there will be plenty of outdoor activities held in Qatar over the next few days, including a jazz festival, the return of the MIA park bazaar and Halloween activities.

There are also some movie screenings and other events for those who are indoor-inclined. Here are the highlights:

Woofstock

Local animal shelter QAWS is hosting their 5th annual Woofstock, an afternoon of fun and games for pets and families on Oct. 31, from 2 to 6pm.

Chantelle D'mello

The event, will include Halloween activities, vendors selling pet accessories, QAWS and Woofstock merchandise, BBQ, baked goods, face-painting and bouncy castles, raffle draws and contests.

Children and pets are encouraged to dress up in costumes to keep with the Halloween theme. Additionally, dogs are welcome to take part in the Fun Dog Show, with categories like Waggiest Tail, Most Elegant Saluki, Scruffiest Mutt, and Most Original Name.

Entrance costs QR10/person, and it costs QR50 per category to enter a pet into the contest. To register your dog for the show, or for any inquiries, email qaws.events@gmail.com, or visit the event’s Facebook page here for more information.

Katara European Jazz Festival

Katara

Katara Cultural Village, in association with the French, German, Swiss, Italian and Austrian embassies in Doha, will host a European Jazz Festival from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.

The event features movies and workshops on jazz, in addition to concerts featuring Stefano Battaglia’s Trio from Italy, Jan Schneider’s Quartet from Germany, Mario Rom’s Interzone from Austria, and many other acclaimed groups. Activities run from 7 to 9pm at the Katara Opera House (Building 16) and the courtyard behind Building 5, and are free and open to the public.

Indian singers’ concert

Famed Indian singers Shanker, Ehsaan and Loy will perform at the West End Park this Friday, Oct. 31 from 7pm.

Tickets cost between QR30 to QR500 and can be bought online here. For more information, call 5014 4395.

MIA Park Bazaar

MIA/Facebook

The Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar will return on Saturday after a long summer break. A homage to the old souqs of yore, the bazaar features some 150 stalls selling clothes, accessories, arts, crafts, décor and the like.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held on Nov. 1 from noon to 8pm. It will take place each first Saturday of the month through May.

The Pursuit of Dare – Omar Samra Talk

Omar Samra, the first Egyptian and youngest Arab to summit Mt. Everest, will speak about travel, adventure and charity on Oct. 31 at 7pm at the Torch Hotel.

Yazan Abughaida

The event is hosted by the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) under their Climb4PCRF Campaign, which will see local residents climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at the end of the year.

Each climber has committed to raise $15,000 before Dec. 24, with all proceeds going toward supporting PCRF’s medical initiatives, treatment programs and humanitarian projects in Palestine. The talk, which will be held at Madar Hall, is free to the public, but donations are welcome. To attend, register online here. For more information, visit the initiative’s website here.

Movie screenings

The Doha Film Institute will screen Mata Mata: Stories About Football, Dreams and Life on Oct. 29 and 30 at 7pm at the MIA Auditorium.

DFI

The film follows the lives of young Brazilian football players as they attempt to find success.The screening is open to adults 18 years and older, and parental guidance is viewers under 13 years old.

Tickets cost QR35 for adults and QR25 for students, and can be bought online here or at the MIA DFI ticket booth from 10:30am to 8pm on Wednesdays and noon to 8pm on Thursdays.

DFI is also hosting a free screening of Bekas at 7pm on Friday. The 2012 film is about two homeless orphaned brothers who were inspired to travel to the US after watching Superman at the movies.

They have no passports and no money – and their only means of transportation is a donkey called Michael Jackson. With all odds against them, they set out toward their dream, discovering on their journey that perhaps they are the superheroes themselves.

Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kids’ Halloween extravaganza

Hanna Horwarth/Flickr

Local kindergarten Little Academy is hosting a night of fun and fear at their Madinat Khalifa venue on Oct. 30 from 5 to 7pm.

Children and parents are welcome, and encouraged to dress up in costumes. Activities include trick or treating, music, games, crafts, and contests. Entrance costs QR25 per child, payable at the door. For more information and directions, call 4411 0027, or visit the school’s Facebook page here.

Bonus:

• Doha College Annual 5 and 10km Run: Doha College will host its 4th annual 5km and 10km runs this Friday, Oct. 31, from 7am onwards at the Aspire Dome. Interested participants are required to register in advance, which can be done online here, and should be at the venue at 6am to check in. Around 20 spots are still available. For more information about the race, and for useful tips on how to prepare for it, visit the event’s Facebook page here.
• Embrace Qatari culture: Local networking and hot-desking space 7ayak Hub is hosting an interactive evening showcasing the best of Qatari cuisine and culture to the public. Under the title “Embrace Qatar: Cultural Awareness Training,” the event, which will be held on Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 6pm, aims to explain Qatari culture to expats, to better help them form meaningful relationships and foster mutual understanding and respect with their Qatari counterparts. The event is open to the public, and costs QR150 if booked online and QR200 at the door. To register and book a space, visit the site here. For more information, email contact@embracedoha.com or call 6627 7712.

What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?

Note: The Cultures of Brazil Festival has been moved to next weekend, so it was removed from this week’s post.

(The post Seven things to do in Qatar this weekend (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1) is from Doha News.)

Elysia Windrum

One of the oldest and most popular parks in central Doha is set to close from Nov. 1 as it undergoes renovation works that are believed to be part of the Doha Grand Park project.

Al Rumaila Park, which overlooks the Corniche and is next to Qatar National Theater, will be shut to visitors for an undetermined period, just as the weather starts to cool down and more residents enjoy spending time outdoors.

The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP) announced the closure through social media, although it did not give a time frame for the planned works.

Announcement: #MMUP is going to close "ARMELA GARDEN" for visitors from 1st November2014 for maintenance work #Qatar pic.twitter.com/QXZ71XfHMY

— Baladiya (@Baladiya1) October 20, 2014

The park was a popular picnic location and had a children’s playground, several small shops and a heritage center called Cultural Village. It was also the site of a busy branch of Thai Smile takeaway, which has now closed down, an employee of the Umm Ghuwailina outlet told Doha News.

Grand Park plans

The Rumaila construction appears to be connected to the large-scale Doha Grand Park project, which involves redeveloping a stretch of land from the Qatar Sports Club down to Al Rayyan Road, to create an urban green space similar to New York’s Central Park or Hyde Park in London.

Perkins Eastman

The Grand Park project was apparently shelved two years ago, as insiders said there was a lack of consensus about design details, and a decision to prioritize Qatar’s numerous, ongoing infrastructure projects.

However, a source close to the project told Doha News this week that it was indeed going ahead.

He added that the plans have changed from their initial design, and development is slated to be rolled out in phases to minimize disruption to the surrounding areas. No timeline was mentioned.

The project’s implementation is being overseen by the Private Engineering Office, a state entity that is responsible for a number of significant development projects around Qatar, including the Al Messila hotel and spa resort on the site of Al Messila woods.

Qatar-based UrbaCon General Contracting (UCC) is believed to be responsible for designing and building the scheme, while the Doha office of KEO International was appointed as consultants when the project was first announced.

A KEO spokesman declined to talk to Doha News about the project, due to “client confidentiality agreements.”

Master plan film

However, the MMUP directed Doha News to a 10-minute YouTube video with Arabic commentary showing the master plan for the project, which features swathes of green, landscaped areas interspersed with sandy features.

According to the video, a boulevard that runs the length of the park would be used for ceremonial events, and the development would also have a museum, amphitheater, cafes and restaurants, children’s play areas, a mountain bike track and cycle rental facilities.

YouTube

Video Still from Doha Grand Park film

The film also shows horse and camel riding areas and a 150-meter mast, bearing a giant Qatar flag, in addition to a five-star hotel and a cultural village, which would include interpretations of different eras of civilization such as Roman, Andalusian, Damascan and European.

Some elements of the overall design are believed to have been changed recently, although it is not clear what these are.

The new park is also expected to incorporate the Doha Metro stations, which don’t feature in this film.

There is no timeline for construction of each stage, or when the the park is scheduled for final completion.

Are you sad to say goodbye to Rumaila? Send us your photos of the place and we may run a gallery in memory of the park over the weekend.

Thoughts?

(The post Rumaila Park to close on Saturday to make way for Grand Park project is from Doha News.)

QU/Facebook

With reporting from Reem Alamri

Students at Qatar University are expressing anger and grief following the death of a man who was struck and killed in a parking lot at the school yesterday.

The deceased, who was the father of a QU student and is thought to be in his early 70s, was apparently walking in the carpark when a female faculty member hit him with her car, possibly while reversing.

In a statement sent to the QU community and posted on Twitter, QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad said:

“I have long dreaded that the day would come when I would have to write this email. It is with great sadness that I inform you of a tragic road accident that resulted in the death of a parent on our campus yesterday.

As we pray for the deceased, wishing his family patience and strength, we must also be reminded that it is the duty of each and every one of us to do what they can to keep our campus a safe environment for everyone. I extend my thanks to the Medical Clinic and our security personnel, the ambulance staff and the police for their prompt response and professionalism.”

According to some community members, the faculty member had not been speeding or violating any road rules.

But the accident has nonetheless struck a chord with many students, who say people should drive more safely on campus.

Daniele Muscetta/Flickr

Under the hashtag #جامعة_قطر, many conveyed their condolences to the deceased’s family, and some called for increased safety measures on campus, such as pedestrian crossings.

On QU’s Facebook page, one student said:

“The problem is everyone is driving like they drive in normal street forgetting that campus street has more pedestrian movement. Also (the) university (is to) blame because it’s building (colleges) away from each other and separated by streets. Finally, الله يرحمه ويصبر اهله.”

However, some students said now was not the time to criticize QU. Speaking to Doha News, a college student studying English said:

“It saddens me that this has happened and I’m very sorry for the man’s family, however, I don’t think it’s appropriate to use this horrible accident to attack the university. It is also not the time to make all those suggestions to improve the roads because it’s insensitive and inappropriate in the family’s time of grief.”

Pedestrian safety

Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in Qatar, where constant construction, few sidewalks and an abundance of speeding vehicles are common problems. Last year, 80 people, mostly Asian expats, were killed while crossing roads here, and more than 200 were hospitalized with severe injuries.

Supplied

Paramedics rush to the accident site outside Doha College West Bay.

This latest accident at QU comes days after a child at Doha College – West Bay was struck by a car while crossing the street with her mother. The girl was taken to the hospital, but released shortly afterwards with no injuries.

In a separate incident early this week, two adult pedestrians were struck by a car outside of Newton British School in Al Wabb.

Newton declined to comment about the accident to Doha News, saying it was a police matter. But parents there said that one of the people who was hit is undergoing surgery.

And yesterday, an Egyptian man was apparently killed after being struck by a car on Salwa Road, Gulf Times reports. 

To help reduce pedestrian mortalities in Qatar, the Ministry of Interior offered these tips to residents in August.

And public works authority Ashghal said earlier this year that it had issued QR600 million worth of road safety upgrades, including new pedestrian overpasses, better street signage and construction of additional lanes.

Improving safety in school zones was also listed as a the top priority.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar University community grieves after pedestrian killed by car is from Doha News.)

Grant Matthews/Flickr

Qatar’s hoteliers could have trouble filling their rooms in the years before and directly after the 2022 World Cup, unless the country’s tourism sector picks up even more steam, a new report has concluded.

Though the number of visitors to Qatar is increasing rapidly, the number of hotels is growing even faster as hospitality businesses construct new accommodations to meet demand for the tournament, according to business advisory firm Deloitte.

wasapninworld/Flickr

Not everyone coming to Qatar for the World Cup will be staying in full-service hotels in Doha. Early plans call for many rooms to be located outside the capital city, and for some of the accommodations to be in “hotel apartments and serviced apartments.”

FIFA requires Qatar to have at least 60,000 rooms for visitors ready for the football tournament, although Qatar’s bid document included plans in 2010 for roughly 100,000.

In contrast, Deloitte estimated Doha would only be able to support 38,000 hotel rooms by 2022 outside the actual World Cup tournament. The firms’ most recent hotel market report continued:

“While investment into the hospitality and tourism sector in Qatar is growing and demand is steadily increasing, there is a risk that the demand growth will not be sufficient in order to sustain this level of supply growth post-2022 FIFA World Cup.”

When the party’s over

Qatar is not alone in that most countries that host mega-events are left with an oversupply of hotel rooms once athletes and spectators pack up. However, the last two World Cup tournaments were held in much larger countries that constructed far fewer new rooms than what’s planned here.

Chantelle D'mello

For example, hotel data firm STR Global said Brazil’s room supply grew by 1 percent annually in the lead-up to this year’s World Cup. Many of those newly constructed rooms are expected to once again be in high demand when Rio de Janeiro hosts the 2016 Olympics.

But South Africa, the host of the previous World Cup, faced more challenges following its hosting of the 2010 tournament. The global recession dampened tourism levels and pushed occupancy rates down to as low as 53 percent in the over-supplied market, according to a local media report.

However, tourist numbers kept rising after the tournament, and the country’s hotels are predicted to finish this year with a 62 percent occupancy rate.

Still, South Africa only constructed 10,300 new hotel rooms for the tournament, bringing its total to 58,000, according to consulting firm PwC. The new rooms are a fraction of what Qatar is planning.

Destination Doha

Qatar attracted a record 1.5 million visitors during the first half of this year (an uptick of 7 percent), due in part to a big push by the nation’s tourism authority. But the number of new hotel rooms has been increasing at an even faster rate, according to Deloitte.

Mark Swallow/Flickr

The company said Doha’s supply of hotel rooms stood at nearly 13,600 at mid-year and has been growing by an average of 13.4 percent annually since 2008. Thousands of additional rooms, mostly in the upscale and luxury market, are in various stages of planning or construction.

But rather than being driven by market fundamentals – namely, high occupancy rates sustained over several years – hotel construction is part of the country’s preparations for the international football tournament.

This market “mismatch,” Deloitte said, has forced hoteliers to cut their rates in recent years to compete for customers. Average daily rates continue to edge downwards and revenue per available room – a common hospitality industry metric – in Doha is still down by nearly a third from its pre-financial crisis high in 2008.

While occupancy rates have recently been higher, averaging 72 percent year-to-date in August, the Qatar Tourism Authority said earlier this week that the improvement was due in part to a temporary supply reduction as several hotels – such as the Sheraton – undergo renovations.

By Deloitte’s calculations, demand for hotel rooms in Doha grew by an average of 11 percent annually for the past five years. If that trend continues and the city’s hotels stay at least 60-percent filled, Deloitte predicts Doha could support 38,000 hotel rooms by 2022.

Ankita Menon

How many rooms will be sitting empty after the tournament remains unclear, as is the exact number of hotel rooms expected to be in place for the World Cup.

FIFA’s bid evaluation showed that it expected approximately 100,000 rooms to be available by 2022, slightly more than a third of which would be in Doha.

While that may roughly align with Deloitte’s demand projections, there’s also the question of rooms located in cities and towns outside Doha that are far less popular with tourists than Qatar’s capital.

Vesselin Kolev/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

For example, FIFA expects there will be 40,000 rooms in Al Wakrah for the tournament. That includes some 6,000 rooms on cruise ships as well as 27,000 rooms FIFA said already existed in Al Wakrah at the time of its evaluation in 2010.

Officials at Qatar’s organizing committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said they are working to ensure the accommodations will be used after the tournament:

“The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy is working closely with the Qatar Tourism Authority to ensure that the hospitality accommodation being developed is sustainable and contributes to the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the committee said in an emailed statement.

The Qatar Tourism Authority did not respond to a request for comment, but pledged earlier this year to spend billions of riyals in an effort to dramatically increase the number of tourists to the country.

The country is placing a particular emphasis on attracting more leisure visitors from outside the Gulf by marketing and developing more tourism-related products and services.

Thoughts?

(The post Report warns of post-World Cup hotel hangover in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Images courtesy of Barwa Real Estate, Gulf Times and Skyscraper City

A new QR500 million (US$137.31 million) mall is set to be built near the Msheireb district in Doha’s old downtown, offering new accommodation for many of the small shops forced to close due to demolition in the area.

Barwa Real Estate announced that the Alaateda (“mechanical machinery” in English) mall, which will be located on A-Ring road/Rawdat Al-Khail, will feature 650 outlets.

The shops will include a hypermarket and are expected to offer a new venue for small and medium-sized stores previously located in the old souqs that were dotted throughout the area.

Units will be 70-80 sq meters in size and rents will be “affordable,” a Barwa official told The Peninsula.

Work on the site is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2015, with completion planned for early 2017, Barwa said in a statement.

The two-story 155,000 sq meter venue will comprise of five connected buildings, designed to allow for expansion, and stores will sell a range of goods, including electronics, cars accessories, handcrafts, jewelry, furniture and clothes.

One building will house a hypermarket, restaurants and entertainment area.

Master plan

Unveiling the master plan for the project yesterday, Barwa said it would be an “open mall” with an uncovered central core. All shops are designed to have a street-front.

Paulo Perloiro, partner and head of Retail Design for Promontorio, which are consultants on the project, told Gulf Times that the aim of the open-mall concept was to bring back the ambiance of old Doha streets, but in a modern setting.

The open, pedestrian areas between the stores would have some shading, but would not be air-conditioned, he added.

The mall was given the unusual name to reflect its location, which housed a number of mechanical workshops many years ago.

Mall openings

This is the latest in a long line of malls slated to open in Doha in the coming years, and Promontorio has also been involved in developing the design for City Center Haraj for Aamal, one of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani’s Al Faisal Holding’s group of companies.

This mall, which would be a sister to the City Center in Dafna/West Bay, was set to be situated in the location of the popular Najma souq, which sells second-hand furniture, household goods and other items and is a frequent haunt of bargain hunters.

Other malls due to open their doors include Gulf Mall, opposite Landmark, North Gate Mall on the Expressway and what will be Qatar’s biggest mall, Festival City by Ikea, which is due for completion in 2016.

Also in the works are Mall of Qatar in Al Rayaan, which is set to open in September 2015, Doha Outlet Mall in West End Park, near the Industrial area in Mesaimeer, Al Emadi’s European-style AlHazm complex on Markhiya Street as well as a number of others.

Thoughts?

(The post New QR500m ‘Alaateda’ mall to be built in Doha’s old downtown is from Doha News.)

All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Kids in Qatar who want to get a behind-the-scenes look at the famous video game franchise Angry Birds have one last day to do it.

The exhibition, which focuses on the science behind the Angry Birds university, will run through tonight at Katara Cultural Village, near the St. Regis entrance.

It’s been organized by the Qatar Tourism Authority in conjunction with Imagine Exhibition and Fischer Appelt, and was first introduced to the Middle East last month in Dubai.

Zones

The exhibition, which runs from 1 to 11pm, is divided into numerous zones, with the aim of offering attendees a novel immersive and educational experience into the creation and physics behind the game.

Entrance costs QR50/person, but children under five years old enter free. Those coming in groups of five are offered a discounted rate at QR40 /person.

The exhibition is sectioned into different areas, each dealing with a specific principle or concept.

Chantelle D'mello

At “Meet the Birds,” attendees are introduced to the main characters and their personalities, including three dimensional renderings of birds like Red, Hal, Stella, Terence, Bubbles, and Jim, among others.

At the “Cobalt Plateaus,” children are encouraged to race miniature cars down race tracks, while the “Bamboo Forest” features interactive installations covering concepts like motion, force and torque.

At “Crown Mountains,” children are invited to zip-line down a small path and knock a soft target off its pedestal, in an imitation of a portion of the Angry Birds game.

In “The City,” attendees are allowed to take part in a real-life game, where they attempt to knock off items stacked in boxes with a foam ball and a life-sized sling shot.

Other zones include a laser tag area, a mini-planetarium, a vortex table, an earthquake table, a gear installation, a pulley system, an art/animation studio and an indoor climbing wall.

Screens around the area offer glimpses into “real” angry birds in nature, along with information about wingspans for different species.

Mixed response

The Angry Birds Universe first opened last month, to mark Eid Al Adha festivities.

Over the past several weeks, reaction to the exhibition has been mixed.

During a recent visit, Doha News observed numerous children actively engaging in the exhibition’s installations and asking the staff on site for explanations of the concepts employed.

But not everyone appeared to be having a good time.

Chantelle D'mello

Speaking to Doha News at the exhibition, 11-year-old Wyatt Weeks said the activities didn’t meet his expectations.

“I like what they’re trying to do, but parts of it don’t live up. The simple machines (zone), for example…I don’t think it goes together.”

His aunt, Cheryl Mitchell, added:

“We expected a lot more. A lot of the things are rudimentary, and for a younger audience. We wanted more hands-on things. For children who know the basics of physics, it’s not so educational or attention-grabbing, and for children who don’t know physics, the lesson would be lost on them.”

But others, including Gerardo Pollicino, an Argentinian expat and a father to three toddlers, said that his family had a great experience.

“We all love it. My daughter is two, so she’s too small to understand it, but my other children (ages five and seven years old) are having lots of fun! It’s a nice idea to have them play and take part in educational games as opposed to just viewing an exhibition.”

He added that this was the first time in his seven years in Qatar that he had been to an interactive exhibition tailored to children in the country.

Have you visited the Angry Birds Universe? Thoughts?

(The post PHOTOS: Last day to catch Angry Birds universe exhibition in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Qatar is home to people from dozens of countries across the world, and hundreds of different languages are spoken here.

Because Doha is a small community, sometimes residents think they know more about one another than they actually do. To explore some of the misconceptions we hold about each other, Doha News recently asked residents on the Corniche about their experiences.

The hope is to open up a (productive) conversation about stereotypes, so that we can all become more aware of whether we’re typecasting – and work to overcome our preconceived notions.

We aimed to get a wide sample of responses, though some nationalities were shyer than others to participate.

What stereotypes do people hold about your country?

This report was inspired by a discussion about stereotypes produced by Northwestern University in Qatar journalism students.

(The post VIDEO: Qatar residents talk stereotypes is from Doha News.)

Qatar Rail

Doha Metro contractors have finished excavation efforts for six underground stations and are on track to complete their work in time for the system to open in late 2019, a top Qatar Rail official has said.

Crews have dug roughly 27 meters below the surface, the deepest point for the six stations, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Turki Al Subaie, managing director of Qatar Rail Co., recently told local business magazine The Edge.

Peter Kovessy

Ground has also been broken on the remaining stations that are scheduled to be part of the first phase of the rail project, Al Subaie added.

His comments are one of the first official updates on the Doha Metro in almost a year, when Qatar Rail provided a comprehensive overview of its plans.

Since then, it has remained largely quiet about its progress, leaving it to foreign construction firms and architects to announce their involvement and show how the massive transportation project is taking shape.

Leaving cars at home

Authorities hope that once the metro opens to passengers, the rail will help reduce worsening traffic woes in Doha. Gridlock has become a daily reality for many motorists as the city’s population grows alongside the country’s booming economy.

But getting cars off the road requires residents to shift their commuting habits and give up the convenience of their personal vehicle in favor of public transit.

While Al Subaie told The Edge that Qatar Rail plans to educate residents about the environmental benefits of taking transit, he also noted that the system will be designed to encourage users to leave their cars at home.

UN Studio

Because not all metro stations will have big parking lots, passengers may need to take high-frequency feeder buses that will run through neighborhoods to get to the stations, Al Subaie was quoted as saying.

“In the future, you may not always be able to park your car just near to the place you would like to see … We are trying to minimise the number of cars entering the city from outskirts of Doha. So we don’t want, for example, someone to come into the city and park inside the city,” he said.

Al Subaie added that Metro stations would be connected to existing buildings where possible, providing shelter for pedestrians as they walk to and from stations in Qatar’s hotter months.

System takes shape

Station construction sites – some occupying the equivalent of several city blocks – have sprouted up across Doha in recent months, helping residents visualize where the metro will run.

The first phase will consist of 37 stations along four lines:

• The Red Line North, running from a connection with Lusail’s light-rail line to Msheireb via West Bay;
• The Red Line South, running from Msheireb to Hamad International Airport;
• The Green Line, running from Al Rayyan Stadium to Msheireb via Education City; and
• The Gold Line, running from Villaggio Mall to the area around the old Doha International Airport, via Msheireb.

Al Subaie said the frequency of train service has not been determined, but would presumably fluctuate between peak and off-peak times.

Qatar Rail previously estimated that the train ride between Education City and Msheireb would take 16 minutes. The trip between Msheireb and Qatar University, meanwhile, was estimated to take 18 minutes.

The Doha Metro is one of three rail projects underway in Qatar.

Atkins

Some 30.5 kilometers of light-rail lines are planned for Lusail. The first line is expected to start operating in 2018, according to lead contractor QDVC – a joint venture between the Qatari Diar and French infrastructure firm Vinci.

Construction on a long-distance rail and freight line, meanwhile, is scheduled to start late next year and run between a station at Education City and Saudi Arabia in its initial phase.

Thoughts?

(The post Report: Qatar Rail contractors complete digging on six metro stations is from Doha News.)

Damon McDonald/Flickr

Though more than 100 economies around the world have taken steps in the past year to improve their regulatory environments, it’s actually getting harder to be a business owner in Qatar, according to a new World Bank report.

Qatar ranked 50th in the 2015 edition of the Doing Business report, down five spots from the previous year. This appears to be in large part because planned reforms to make it easier to start a business here have stalled, and other factors continue to hinder those who already operating their own company.

In contrast, the UAE improved three spots to 22nd out of 189 economies. However, most of the remaining GCC countries fell in the rankings: Saudi Arabia was down five spots to 49th, Bahrain stayed at 53rd, Oman was down six places and is now 66th and Kuwait fell seven spots to 86th.

World Bank

The economies included in the index are ranked on 10 factors. Qatar fared worse in seven of them this year, including starting a business (down 11 points), getting credit (down six points) and protecting minority investments (down four).

It improved marginally in registering property and was up five points when it comes to trading across borders, and Qatar remains about the best places in the world for businesses in terms of (not) paying taxes.

Daunting process

Entrepreneurs have long complained about difficulties in doing business here.

Earlier this year, a survey conducted by Ooredoo found that youth in Qatar had some of the highest entrepreneurial ambitions among their GCC peers, but that regulatory requirements are stifling their enthusiasm.

According to the World Bank report, it currently takes at least eight and a half days to file the necessary paperwork to launch a company in Qatar.

World Bank

That’s far better than the 18.9 average days across the MENA region, and slightly better than the 9.2 day average of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations.

But the capital investment required is significantly higher – 62.6 percent of income per capita here, as opposed to 45.6 in the MENA region, and 8.8 percent in the OECD nations.

In terms of capital needed, one must have QR200,000 (US$54,921) in their bank account to register a company, in addition to possessing a lease for Civil Defense-approved office space that runs for at least one year – a commitment that can run beyond QR100,000 ($27,460).

Reforms stall

Early last year, the Ministry of Business and Trade (now Ministry of Economy and Trade) said it was working on a new commercial company law to make it easier to launch a company here.

One big change in the draft law involves the removal of the QR200,000 initial fund requirement to start limited liability companies.

Another idea that was being considered was establishing a “one stop shop” system so entrepreneurs could get all the paperwork done at one place in one day, instead of going to different ministries.

But those changes have not made any movement, and were perhaps put on the back burner following last summer’s government transition and subsequent Cabinet shakeup.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar drops five spots in World Bank’s new ‘doing business’ report is from Doha News.)

Omar Chatriwala/Flickr

As Qatar and its Gulf neighbors develop at a dizzying pace, Qatari-American author Sophia Al Maria has been cautioning against getting too caught up with “modernity.”

Abraham Puthoor/Flickr

Speaking to design and technology blog Pasta and Vinegar recently, Al Maria explained in detail the concept of “Gulf Futurism,” a term she coined to explain “the quiet tragedy” that is taking place as GCC states embrace mass development at the cost of their identities.

She described the shift as one in which people here are moving away from reality and something that is climate-controlled. One factor that has helped with this is technology, said Al Maria, whose mother is American and whose father has Bedouin roots:

“When I was 16 for a girl to have a mobile was shameful. Now my 12-year-old sister has an iPad but barely enough to eat every day from the rations divvied out between 14 people in a on-salary household. The focus is totally upended. Survival = being on the next level. Not sustaining your body.”

Another symbol of the changing times, according to Al Maria, is the “mallmentia effect.” She continues:

“I can’t tell if I’m in Hong Kong or LA or Dubai half the time I walk into a mall and that happens more and more these days because the mall is the dominant structure of a certain class group of which I am part. I literally find myself in malls whether on holiday or on my way home from work or on a weekend even and I am frequently confused as to how I even got there. It’s a place of weird pilgrimage in an era where to consume is to absolve yourself.”

Al Maria argues that the consequences of such progress are a world that is almost Ender’s Game-esque, in which “you don’t have to experience suffering. It will be regulated, medicated, etc. You don’t have to see the grist of the mill, they will be hidden as is the case with labor in the region.”

Joseph "Jay" Suasin/Flickr

In previous media interviews, Al Maria suggested that one way to avoid falling into the trap of Gulf Futurism is to step away from what’s artificial. Speaking to Vice in May, she criticized corporate videos in the region that promise investors to take people on a journey from past to future. She added:

“There’s no room for reality and the basic needs of people. For example, young love in the Gulf is so mediated by technology; everything is covert and conducted via phone. And then there’s the artificiality of the landscape—every tree is planted, nothing happens by chance. But when you go out to the desert, it rains, and overnight it’s completely green with little yellow and purple flowers. This sense of dystopia rising comes from being disconnected to the land.”

Thoughts?

(The post Qatari-American author explains the problem with malls in the Gulf is from Doha News.)

Aric DiLalla

After weeks of pain for commuters, traffic congestion at Ramada Signal is expected to ease after this week, with Ashghal saying it would wrap up work there by Nov. 10.

Major construction has been taking place on C-Ring from New Salata intersection (near the former Al Andalus petrol station) to Kinana intersection (just before La Cigale Hotel), since phase four of the C-Ring project commenced in August.

Ashghal

Work on that particularly congested area was not slated until next year, but was moved up due to conflicting construction on another part of C-Ring.

The overhaul has caused lane closures on that stretch of the road, and heavy traffic snarls.

While closures from Ramada to La Cigale Hotel will be lifted in 10 days time, other work will continue until the end of the year, Ashghal said in a statement.

That appears to be earlier than the mid-January 2015 timeline originally set.

The remaining work includes construction from the Centre Roundabout to just before Al Asiri intersection.

Ashghal also said it has begun work on Salwa Road this week as part of an overhaul of that area.

When phase four is completed, all four intersections will be equipped with new signals that include pedestrian crossings, an additional road lane and the repaving of the existing three lanes.

Although Ashghal has continued to keep two lanes of traffic open during construction, businesses located at the affected phase four areas have said construction barriers, fewer parking spaced and narrower walkways have prevented customers from entering their shops.

Commuters have also expressed annoyance at frequent congestion along the vital road due to fewer lanes being open, with some turning to Twitter:

@djahsananjum @dohanews @MOI_Qatar I am stuck on C Ring road (don't pass between Muntaza signal to Al Sadd signal is terrible traffic…

— al padilla (@al_padilla06) October 26, 2014

@dohanews What is happening on C-ring and old airport road!? How do you cross the city??

— Roisin (@RingsendRosie) September 12, 2014

Ashghal has said that works are taking place around the clock, with the same number of workers working during the day and night in order to see a swift completion.

C-Ring project

The C-Ring Road project began in May with phase one and is expected to be completed by mid-2015.

Phase one, which took place near the old airport, was completed on schedule in September and saw the introduction of a signalized intersection at Umm Ghuwailina (VIP) Roundabout and an additional fourth lane in each direction.

Additionally, the stretch from Toyota and Gulf Cinema signals now have an extra fourth lane in each direction.

Ashghal

Once all four phases are complete, the following advancements will be made:

• Widening the road from three to four lanes;
• Establishing pedestrian crossings at all four intersections under construction;
• Installing three U-turn lanes with pedestrian crossings in the 6.3km stretch (not specified where);
• Construction of permanent roads with new traffic signals and street lighting; and
• Upgrading irrigation pipes in the area.

Ashghal has not specified the cost of the project, which is being implemented by Qatari contracting company Bin Omran Trading and Contracting.

But last year, the Public Works Authority floated a $1.8 million tender to renovate C Ring.

Thoughts?

(The post Ashghal: Ramada signal construction to be completed by Nov. 10 is from Doha News.)

As the heat abates, Qatar residents have been capturing some beautiful scenes in nature over the past week, which is the theme of today’s Sunday photo feature.

These are all taken from our Flickr Pool. If you’d like your photos to be featured, please submit them to our pool, tweet at us, or send to them us on Facebook.

They should be taken in Qatar, recently if possible.

Happy week, all!

(The post PHOTOS: Qatar’s great outdoors is from Doha News.)

Daniel Foster/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only

Poor network coverage on mobile phones is among the most common complaints that residents in Qatar have when it comes to telecom services, according to the nation’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).

Established earlier this year by Emiri Decree, the CRA is an independent regulatory arm of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQatar) that oversees telecoms, access to digital media and the postal service.

In March, the CRA launched a mobile app called Arsel (which means “send” in English) to provide customers with a quick and easy way to send feedback.

MarylandGovPics/Flickr

Complaints are logged onto an interactive map that is updated every 48 hours, recording the location of the customer and flagging up trouble hot spots, which are then investigated by the CRA.

CRA’s Consumer and Government Affairs department told Qatar Tribune that it had received 400 comments since the app was launched, mostly relating to poor internet connection. The issues surround indoor and outdoor coverage, on both 3G and 4G networks.

Amel Al Hanawi, Consumer and Government Affairs manager, said the problems were discussed with Oooredoo and Vodafone, the two service providers in Qatar.

However, she added that the number of formal complaints made continues to rise.

She said: “We have received more than 50 formal complaints through Arsel, with the number of complaints increasing daily.”

Users can download the app for iOS,  Blackberry or Android devices, then log their feedback using their Qatar ID number. There is an option for recording general comments or for making a formal request, with the latter dealt with by the CRA’s consumer protection team.

Each customer can record up to five comments a day using the system. They can also use it to test and record their internet speed.

Upgrades

Despite the complaints, telecom providers this weekend have said an upgrade to their data networks has made it possible to launch a new mobile internet promotion.

Vodafone Qatar

Both Ooredeoo and Vodafone are now offering 10 times more data allowance for mobile users until Dec. 31. Vodafone pre-paid customers can access the extra data by buying an internet data scratch card or by recharging online or at a self-service machine.

Ooredoo is also offering 10 times data with the purchase of its internet scratch cards.

This is not the first time that both providers have launched similar promotions. In August, Vodafone and Ooredoo cut the local call rate to 10Dhs a minute in the run-up to Eid Al Adha.

Speaking of the coincidence at the time, a Vodafone-Qatar spokesperson told Doha News:

“Vodafone aims to always lead the market in innovative services and best value. We certainly do not share plans or coordinate activity with our competitor.”

Qatar’s targets

Improving mobile internet access is just one of Qatar’s many ambitious connectivity targets. Speaking last month in South Korea,  Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, announced training programs for women, the young, the elderly and low-skilled workers.

Under its Better Connections Program, installing broadband connections in workers’ accommodation is also a priority.

projectexploration/Flickr

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

And Qatar’s National Broadband Plan, which was launched last year, aims to provide high quality, affordable and high-speed broadband to all residents.

By 2016, the government said it plans to give all Qatar residents the choice of a minimum of two broadband retail providers.

Over the next two years, other goals include giving 95 percent of households the ability to access affordable and high-quality broadband service of at least 100Mbps for downloads and 50Mbps for uploads, and ensuring all businesses, schools, hospitals and government institutions have high-quality access to at least 1Gbps effective symmetrical speeds.

Thoughts?

(The post Poor network coverage top complaint for smartphone users in Qatar is from Doha News.)

Chantelle D'mello

Contemporary and modern art from more than 100 artists across the region has found a home in a new permanent exhibition at Qatar’s Arab Museum of Modern Art (Mathaf).

The exhibition, titled Mathaf Collection, Summary, Part 1, opened yesterday and draws from the museum’s collection of some 8,000 pieces. It features prominent artists like Farid Belkahia, Wafa al-Hamad, Hassan Sharif, Ibrahim el-Salahi and Jassim Zaini.

The pieces come from the vast collection of Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, the founding patron of Mathaf. This is one of the largest displays of artwork on offer at the museum since last December.

Chantelle D'mello

Included in the exhibition are works that show an intersection of African and Arab influences (Ibrahim el-Salahi), a unique French free figuration style developed by Serif Wanly under the limitations of colonial rule in Algeria, and modern Egyptian symbols of social and industrial progress in the works of Seif Wanly.

Other pieces include the works of Hassan Sharif and Farid Bekahia, who use natural materials, retrieved objects and local languages to express their views on the making of art in its contemporary context.

Ahead of the game

Since it opened in December 2010, Mathaf has been one of the few venues that house large collections of contemporary Arab art in the Gulf.

Quoting Hossein Amirsadeghi, the editor of Art & Patronage: the Middle East, Art Newspaper reports:

“Mathaf is pre-empting the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project, which is delayed (the museum on Saadiyat Island is due to open 2017)… Such new collections, including the Guggenheim’s, will inevitably come after Sheikh Hassan Al Thani’s initiative, thus some of the best works will be beyond their reach.”

Mathaf

The Mathaf’s new exhibition, which takes up the entire first floor of the museum, is part of a wider program of research and documentation, culminating in the online Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World.

Work on the bilingual free information project is currently underway, and it is scheduled to be launched in 2015.

In a statement, museum curators said the new display aims to address the idea of modern art in a way that visitors can relate to.

“Through this exhibition we are seeking to position modern and contemporary art from Mathaf’s collection within the local and global context, and give multiple entry points into the collection, through artistic research, historical moments and aesthetic experimentations on the idea of an Arab modernity,” said Abdellah Karroum, the Director of Mathaf, who curated the exhibition along with assistant curators Laura Barlow and Leonore-Namkha Beschi, and researcher Dr. Yasser Mongy.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from 11am to 6pm, Saturday to Thursday (closed Monday), and from 3 to 8pm on Fridays.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar’s Mathaf opens new permanent contemporary art collection is from Doha News.)

Rosepinkqatar/Flickr

With reporting from Elysia Windrum

Qatar’s population continued its upward climb in October, with new government figures showing that nearly 200,000 more people were in the country last month, compared to the same time last year.

The increase comes as several of the state’s major projects, including the Doha Metro, 2022 World Cup stadium construction and various road improvements get into full swing.

Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy

According to figures released by the Ministry of Development, Planning and Statistics today, there were 2,216,500 people in Qatar at the end of last month. That’s a 9.43 percent increase from October 2013′s numbers.

The pace of growth is ahead of the projected population growth rate forecast by Qatar National Bank (QNB) in a report published earlier this year.

The bank predicts that the number of people living in Qatar will grow by about 7.4 percent annually, to reach 2.5 million by 2016.

Monthly increase

The latest numbers also show that there were just over 29,000 more people in Qatar in October than in September this year, equivalent to a 1.3 percent rise.

This is an unusual increase for this time of year, when Qatar has previously seen a slight dip in the numbers. For example, between September and October last year, there were just over 10,000 fewer people officially recorded in Qatar, equivalent to a drop of 0.5 percent month-to-month.

And in 2012, the population shrank by more than 5 percent, or nearly 87,000 people from September to October.

Qatar’s population patterns usually show spikes in May and September, as these are common times for new contracts to start and for people to move here.

Building frenzy

However, Qatar is entering a crucial phase in its numerous infrastructure projects, many of which have completion deadlines ahead of the World Cup, and recruitment across many sectors continues to be robust.

Earlier this year, one of the construction industry’s largest expos, Project Qatar, estimated that more than US$200 billion worth of infrastructure work is scheduled for completion in the coming 15 years.

Demand appears to be strongest for semi- and unskilled labor, but the Qatar job market also looks positive for other sectors.

According to the Middle East Job Index Survey, which was conducted by recruitment agency bayt.com and polling group YouGov, nearly two-thirds of Qatar employers surveyed said they planned to recruit staff over the final quarter of 2014, much of it related to the construction boom.

photologue_np/Flickr

For example, one of the areas of expertise most in demand by employers, according to the survey statistics, was civil engineering. Some 18 percent of companies said they were looking to fill roles in this sector. Foremen and mechanical engineers are also sought after.

Reflecting this, one of the qualifications currently most desired by Qatar employers is engineering, as 34 percent of companies said they were looking for candidates with these credentials.

Meanwhile, one manpower agency, Al Noof Recruitment Service, told Doha News that there were particularly looking for workers from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya and  Indonesia.

Thoughts?

(The post Qatar adds 29,000 more people in October as construction picks up pace is from Doha News.)

(CC) Paul Keller

The Al Jazeera Media Network marked its 18th anniversary yesterday with a symposium on the safety and security of journalists, even as critics say press freedoms are eroding in its home base of Qatar.

That’s because new laws have been introduced here and in other countries that place restrictions on the content individuals can publish online. Elsewhere in the Middle East, such provisions have been used against people who are critical of the government.

Weighing in on Qatar’s new laws, the acting head of Al Jazeera said he generally disagrees with such approaches, adding that authorities should “not blame the messenger” for reporting on sensitive, but legitimate, topics in a responsible manner.

The plight of several Al Jazeera journalists has raised awareness of how some Arab governments have sought to quiet journalists reporting on upheaval in their countries.

Yesterday’s conference, which was hosted by Al Jazeera’s public liberties and human rights department, came as the broadcaster continues to demand the release of three of its journalists jailed in Cairo.

Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed were arrested in December 2013 and sentenced to jail terms in June on charges of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, a now-banned organization in Egypt. The network denies the allegations, and an appeal of their conviction has been scheduled for Jan. 1, 2015.

The men were also found guilty of spreading false news and endangering national security – offenses that are now also illegal in Qatar’s digital realm under this country’s new cybercrime law.

The wide-ranging legislation also covers acts that were already outlawed such as possessing child pornography and hacking into government networks. But it has mostly been criticized for the content provisions, with human rights organizations saying the law’s passage was a “major setback for freedom of expression in Qatar.”

However, some residents said the provisions are welcome if authorities use their new powers judiciously.

In an interview with Doha News late last month, Mostefa Souag – Al Jazeera’s acting director-general – said the network opposes any restrictions placed on professional, objective journalists. When asked specifically about Qatar’s cybercrime law, Souag said:

“We are against any kind of limitation or oppression of media freedom, in any country … If you as a government are doing something wrong and (media) institutions are reporting it, then you have to review yourself, review your policies (and) not blame the messenger.”

Speaking more generally about working in the region, Souag said journalists are bound to encounter challenges when reporting on events and opinions that are unpopular with government authorities:

“We understand that being in the Middle East … (and) being an independent and free media (outlet) is not an easy thing. Being courageous (and) brave, digging and looking for the truth in order to show it to the rest of the world – and especially to the citizens of (that particular) country – when you show corruption (or) give the chance for the opposition to talk, you are always going to find problems. This is the way things are done in most of the Middle East.”

What is false news?

While other countries have used “false news” laws to prosecute journalists, Qatar’s vaguely worded provisions provided few clues about how local authorities intend to use their new powers.

Last month, Qatar’s country’s former justice minister told Doha News that the country passed the new law to comply with an agreement among Gulf states to criminalize online insults of the region’s royal families.

QNA

Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.

And last week, Qatar’s prime minister framed the new cybercrime legislation as a counterterrorism measure in an op-ed published in the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Under the headline, “Qatar and the UK stand together in the fight against terrorism,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani wrote that Qatar’s new cybercrime law “gives our government new powers to monitor and stop terrorist groups from promoting their activities or recruiting for their causes online.”

Such claims have failed to appease critics such as Human Rights Watch, which called on Qatar to repeal its cybercrime law – among other measures – as part of its ultimately successful candidacy for a seat on the UN’s Human Rights Council.

Thoughts?

(The post Al Jazeera on Qatar cybercrime law: Don’t limit media freedom is from Doha News.)

Qatar University

Updated at 1:45pm to include additional information from Qatar University.

As Qatar struggles with a shortfall of healthcare professionals, its largest university has announced plans to establish a College of Medicine, with the first batch of students expected to enroll in Fall 2015.

The decision to open Qatar’s first public medical school was made under a directive from the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Qatar University’s (QU) Board of Regents approved the plan during its first meeting of the new academic year, the university said in a statement yesterday.

Kathea Pinto/Flickr

Graduates from the new college will likely provide a much-needed new batch of locally-trained doctors, as Qatar’s rapidly increasing population has in recent years put its health system under strain.

The new college should also expand options for students in Qatar – especially women – who wish to pursue a career in medicine locally.

Currently, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is the only university in Qatar offering a degree in medicine. The Qatar Foundation-affiliated university in Education City offers a six-year MD program that includes two years of classroom-based pre-medical training, followed by four years of medical training.

The MD program offered by QU will also take six years for students to complete. The university said its program will be based on international standards, allowing students to pursue post-graduate medical education if they wish.

In a statement about the new college, QU President Prof. Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad said:

“This national initiative is an extension of QU’s organic integration with society and of its commitment to serving the growing needs of Qatar.

It will remain our focus to offer a high-quality education that employers and patients can trust, and underlines our unwavering commitment to providing a first-class medical education.”

Increasing demand

A report published earlier this year by international management consultants McKinsey & Co said that a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly those from the Gulf, is one of the key challenges facing the country.

Alex Proimos/Flickr

Currently, more than two-thirds of doctors working in Qatar are recruited from overseas, and with a 240 percent increase in demand for services predicted by 2025, the report called for new strategies to attract more Qatari and Gulf nationals to study medicine.

QU’s medical school will become the university’s eighth college and the first new one set up there since the College of Pharmacy was established in 2008.

In a statement, the university said the launch was the result of a feasibility study undertaken in partnership with experts at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Qatar Leadership Center.

Current and former deans of medical colleges at Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Heidelberg University, American University of Beirut, and University of Sharjah also sat on an international advisory board on the project.

New medical dean

The new college will be located in a new area in the north of the QU campus, close to the new College of Pharmacy building. Together, the university said, the colleges will constitute the core of a new medical and health sciences campus.

QU currently offers a number of healthcare-related programs, including BSc courses in biomedical sciences, human nutrition and public health, as well as an MSc in biomedical sciences.

Qatar University

It also runs a Laboratory Animal Research Center, in which faculty and students conduct biomedical and medical research.

It is not known whether classes would be open to both female and male students.

At the undergraduate level, QU’s campus is segregated by gender, with each providing its own facilities. Some programs are only available to particular genders.

Separately, the university also announced this week that it had appointed a new vice-president for medicine and health. Dr. Egon Toft, who will also hold the title of dean of the college of medicine, joins QU from Aalborg University in Denmark.

Thoughts?

(The post Amid doctor shortage, Qatar University to set up new medical school is from Doha News.)