Metro Times

Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Hamad Bin Khalifa University will be hosting several activities open to the public at the College of Islamic Studies’ Minaretein Centre in Education City, including workshops, seminars, and even a zero-waste community Iftar.

Minaretein Centre invites the community to a unique zero-waste Iftar with all used materials being recycled or turned to compost , reducing the environmental impact and ultimately leave a positive mark on the world.

Iftar will be held throughout Ramadan at sunset and people of all age groups are welcome at the Iftar Tent, Minaretein Parking Lot.

Education City Mosque welcomes the community this Ramadan and plans to deliver a wholesome Taraweeh and Qiyaam experience for the faithful, featuring beautiful recitations given by the Imams led by Sheikh Haitham al-Dokhain. There will be a separate area where parents can accompany their kids under the age of 10. It takes place daily until April 21 after Isha prayer at the Education City Mosque, Minaretein Centre and is open for all ages.

'With the Prophet: Ramadan Signature Series' highlights the unique personality of the Prophet (PBUH) and ethical values and life-lessons contained within his Sirah. College of Islamic Studies Students will moderate discussions with a unique guest scholar every night this Ramadan in the Minaratein building’s courtyard.

The programme starts immediately after Taraweeh prayers.
The Women's Ramadan Programme is an ideal way to recharge the spiritual batteries, connect with other like-minded women, and develop a deeper understanding of Islam. It will be held on March 28 and April 1,4,8 and 11 after Taraweeh Prayers at the auditorium of Minaretein Centre and open to women aged 13 and above.

Minaretein Saturday Kids Islamic Programme provides children with the Islamic moral and ethical building blocks to help guide them through their self-awareness and self-improvement during the month of Ramadan within a fun and engaging atmosphere. The workshop takes place on April 1, 7 and 15 at 12.30pm to 1.30pm (English), 2pm to 3pm (Arabic) at Education City Mosque, Minaretein Centre. The event is open to 6-11 year old boys and girls.

Local authorities and beneficiaries praised Qatar Charity’s (QC) ‘Feed the Fasting’ project, being implemented as part of its ‘Ramadan: Leave Your Mark’ campaign in 40 countries.

The project includes food packages, ready-to-eat meals, and Iftar tables.

In Tunisia, QC has organised Iftar tables, since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, for underprivileged families, orphans, disabled, and widows, in co-ordination with local authorities, in the capital Tunis, as well as in the governorates of Ariana, Manouba, Béja, Nabeul, and Kairouan.

In Manouba, the launch of the project was attended by Governor Mohamed Cheikhrouhou and more than 900 Iftar meals were distributed. He appreciated the role of QC’s office in supporting the efforts of Tunisian government agencies within the framework of social work for the month of Ramadan.

More than 30,000 people are expected to benefit from the ‘Feed the Fasting’ project during Ramadan in Tunisia.

In Somalia, QC launched the ‘Feed the Fasting’ project in the presence of Qatar’s ambassador Dr Abdullah bin Salem al-Nuaimi and many officials from Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs.

The Fine Arts Group has added a creative touch to the holy month of Ramadan at the Old Doha Port area by organising art sessions on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7.30pm to 11pm.

The programme led by Hassan al-Mulla and Abdul Rahman al-Mutawa features 40 artists, including Qataris and expatriates, from various schools.

Al-Mutawa told local Arabic daily Arrayah that the artistic gathering provides an opportunity for both artists and the public to meet in a creative dialogue.The event also contributes to highlighting the Qatari identity and promoting tourism through art.

The initiative also leaves room for the participating artists to introduce their creativity and market their work at affordable prices.

“There is a remarkable interaction between the artists and the public, and one of the most important goals of the group is to reach out to the public with art. Working in open air surroundings will augment creativity, lending new dimensions to the artists."

Al-Mutawa thanked the Old Doha Port authorities and all other stakeholders who contributes to the advancement of local arts and creativity.

A vivid palette of colours from a mesmerising light show, titled Doha Lights 23, is one of the new attractions this Ramadan on Doha Corniche.

📸: Thajudheen.

Hilton Doha The Pearl has launched a new traditional concept, Ramadan Souq, where up to 400 guests can have Iftar or Suhoor at a time under the stars, by the pool, a statement said.

The Ramadan Souq features traditional Ramadan tents and Majlis as well as a buffet with a menu change on a weekly basis. Guests will be entertained with live instrumental music as they dine for QR240 for Iftar or Suhoor.

As for room packages, the exclusive packages for Ramadan will start at QR12,000 per month for one-bedroom suite. For those who wish to book for shorter days, the daily rates start at QR759 per night with Suhoor and QR879 for one night inclusive of Iftar and Suhoor.

Rooms at Hilton Doha The Pearl feature balconies with panoramic views and fully equipped kitchens. Guests can also take advantage of 50% off on all spa treatments at the eforea Spa if they book a stay.

“This year, we are looking to offer our guests an exclusive dining experience with our Ramadan Souq concept that will reflect the local culture and authentic Arabian hospitality. We are looking forward to spreading the light and warmth of hospitality at our new Ramadan Souq,” says Hassan El Wahidi, general manager.

With an elegant atmosphere and Ramadan decors, the Mina District is beckoning visitors to be part of numerous Ramadan activities. The popular landmark offers visitors traditional Arab cuisine at the cozy eateries facing the shore while being caressed by the cool breeze.

The newly opened Souq el Mina embodies Qatar’s culture in every sense while imparting a great ambience and a journey of tastes in a fusion of tradition and modernity. Spread over the area and the adjacent Box Park, Mina District has 20 Ramadan activities each giving unique experience for residents and tourists alike.

Ghabga, the late-night meal, is available at Mina Market where friends and family can gather. Mina Majlis is another place where the art workshops can be enjoyed while relishing the Arab architectural features of the heritage buildings.

Director of Communication and Public Relations at the Aspire Zone Foundation Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri has said that the 10th Ramadan Sports Festival will kick off Tuesday, adding that the festival has become an annual tradition awaited by sports fans.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), al-Hajri said Aspire Zone Foundation's objectives in organising the Ramadan tournaments are to discover individual talents in various games and to provide an ideal environment for playing sports within its facilities.

He said that since its inception, the Foundation has been working on holding a number of community programmes to raise the society's awareness on the importance of physical exercise and adopting a healthy lifestyle, in addition to creating an individual and societal culture in which physical exercise becomes an integral part.

Al-Hajri said the Ramadan Sports Festival will offer a wonderful sporting experience for all, and will include sporting events for women, in addition to a special event for Aspire Zone Foundation's female employees, at the Aspire Park.

The Aspire Zone Foundation had revealed a few days earlier its events schedule which includes eight sports, with the first event taking place tomorrow from 21:30 until midnight. It will continue until April 8.

Football competitions (men) will start at Al Bayt Stadium tomorrow and will continue until April 8, as well as four-a-side football competition (men) that will continue until April 1 on 5-a-side football pitches.

The Aspire ladies' gym, in co-operation with the Sports Lab Center, will host a futsal football event tomorrow, lasting until April 2, while the women's volleyball competition will be held from March 28-April 2, in the volleyball hall at the Aspire Dome.

The festival will also include a three-way basketball competition (men), starting on Wednesday until March 30, and a table tennis competition for people with special needs organised in cooperation with the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs, starting on April 1, as well as triple basketball competitions on April 3-4.

The Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, announced the opening of the annual Katara Short Story Competition with the topic "Environmental Sustainability".

The theme of "Environmental Sustainability" was chosen to be a main theme around which the participating stories in the Katara Short Story Competition 2023 revolve, given the importance of environmental sustainability in avoiding the depletion or waste of natural resources and calling for the preservation of long-term environmental quality.

General conditions were set for the Katara competition for the short story during the month of Ramadan, where the text of the story should not be less than 1,500 words and not more than 5,000. The story should be written in classical Arabic, in a language free of spelling errors, and taking into account the placement of punctuation marks, in addition, it should not have been previously published in any media, or won any award before, so that it is for the competition only.

Participation in the competition is open to writers of both genders without being restricted by age, and the contestant has the right to participate in only one story, and it is attached to a Word file only. Participants must also send their story production, printed and formed on the Word programme, to the e-mail: storykataraquran.com.

Headaches are a primary symptom for many fasting people, especially during the first days of the holy month of Ramadan, as a result of the rapid change in eating habits and the reduction of fluid consumption, changing sleep habits, which is staying up late for long hours, and not getting enough sleep at night.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/life/10-tips-to-avoid-headaches-during-ramadan/

Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) hosted an Open House & University Roadshow featuring a number of Doha-based institutions.

The participants were University of Doha for Science and Technology, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Georgetown University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, British Council, University of Northumbria, University of Aberdeen, University Foundation College, Al-Rayyan International University College University of Derby, Excellence Training Centre, Consultant for German Universities and Global Institute.

The School Open House coupled with the University Roadshow provided prospective students with an excellent opportunity to have an overview of the diverse range of tailored programmes the participating universities offer.

Cruise ship " MSC World Europa" docked at , on its 13th call during the ongoing 2022/’23 season, carrying 5613 passengers and 2121 crew members on board. A total of 555 tourists are scheduled to embark on the ship when it leaves the port later today.

Managed by the Swiss-based MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa sails under the flag of Malta and is the most innovative and environmentally sustainable vessel in the company’s fleet, featuring the latest technologies that reduce emissions and rationalize energy use.

The 22-deck ship has a length of 333 m, a width of 47 m, public space of more than 40,000 sq.m, as well as 2,633 staterooms, accommodating 6,700 passengers.

Mina District in the Old Doha Port area is all decked up for Ramadan, and will host Souq el Mina during the holy month. Last-minute preparations for the souq were seen on Wednesday. The souq will be open from 7pm until 2am, it is learnt.

Good morning Qatar!

Weather inshore until 6 pm on Thursday will be moderate temperature daytime with some clouds and slightly dusty at places at times, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report.

Offshore will have some clouds later, the report added, warning of expected strong wind and high sea.

Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Doha Debates has released its first Arabic-language podcast, Lana, which explores timely issues impacting young Arabs.

Doha-based journalist Rawaa Augé hosts the podcast, produced in partnership with the Amman-based podcasting company Sowt.
Lana - the Arabic word for ‘Ours’ - features young Arabic speakers who represent different sides of an issue, but are committed to listening to one another and engaging in open, thoughtful dialogue.

During the podcast’s first season, guests will discuss contemporary issues such as ‘cancel culture’ and beauty standards, as well as long-standing challenges such as immigration and work.
The podcast’s launch event on March 18 took place at the TEDinArabic summit, organised through a partnership between TED and QF.

Lana is hosted by Rawaa Augé, a news anchor, producer, moderator, and digital content host at Al Jazeera Media Network.
Augé hosted and executive-produced 70 episodes of the award-winning show Bekasretaa (which means Women’s Voices) for Al Jazeera Arabic TV from 2019 to 2021.

United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl and Gewan islands, has reaffirmed its commitment to practicing the highest standards of global environmental sustainability by launching eco-friendly initiatives in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 objectives represented in the Qatar National Strategy for the Environment and Climate Change.

In keeping with UDC's development vision that emphasises environmental sustainability, UDC has stepped up its efforts to make The Pearl Island a healthy and sustainable community for all residents and employees by launching a variety of environmental initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability.

Among the most prominent initiatives launched by UDC recently is to plant trees for every new employee who joins the company and successively for every five years spent at UDC.

The initiative aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the air and maximise the island’s green spaces, which currently house 7,700 trees compensating for almost 197 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

As part of its commitment to reduce the volume of waste sent to the landfills, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company has collaborated with Seashore Recycling and Sustainability and launched the first dedicated electronic waste (e-waste) recycling station in celebration of this year’s Global Recycling Day.

The pilot project is in Al Meera Legtaifiya branch parking lot, with plans to expand the project to other branches across the country.
The project is part of Al Meera’s ongoing sustainability initiatives to ensure that its operations and services are environment-friendly in line with its efforts to translate the sustainability pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 into action.

The e-waste recycling initiative will help reduce the hazardous effects on the environment.

In celebration of Global Recycling Day, Al Meera also rewarded its members with five times the usual Meera Rewards points when recycling during the weekend via any of their reverse vending machines across 20 branches.

HE the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani opened on Monday "Faces" art exhibition by Qatari painter Khalid Bu Matar, at the Katara Arts Centre (Building 5).

Organised by the Katara Art Centre in co-operation with Dar Hessa Arts, displays 40 portrait acrylic paintings some of which are digital art paintings.

The organisers describe the exhibition as a tribute to the power of faces, and an invitation to explore the beauty and complexity of the human experience, noting that each painting is a visual representation of the unique features, emotions and stories that make up a person's face.

Bu Matar expressed his gratitude to HE the Minister of Culture for opening the exhibition and for supporting all forms of art, the mirror that reflects the civilised features of Qatar.
He said that the exhibition reflects his passion for drawing faces, which he chose since the beginning of his career.

Portrait is one of the most difficult types of drawing because it requires gathering lots of feelings and diligence.

The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced that Thursday, March 23, is the first of the holy month of Ramadan.
The committee made the announcement after it held a meeting on Tuesday evening.

More than 1,600 students representing 160 government and private schools across the country are taking part in the 15th edition of the Schools’ Robotics Championship, which began yesterday at Lusail Multipurpose Arena.

The three-day event is organised by the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC), under the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/education/1600-students-join-schools-robotics-championship/

Shopping centres and retailers around the country have made extensive preparations to meet the demand for food and other items during the holy month of Ramadan, stocking enough quantities and giving good offers on many products.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/experience/shopping/retailers-get-ready-to-meetramadan-demand-for-products/

To prepare your home for Ramadan, it’s important to cultivate a warm and inviting atmosphere that reflects your personal values. You can achieve this by incorporating meaningful elements and adding personal touches to make your space unique and special.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/style/home-interiors/tips-to-make-your-home-ramadan-ready/

Doha Port welcomed today the cruise ship “AIDAcosma” on its 10th call during the ongoing 2022/’23 cruise season. 4557 tourists and 1414 crew members were on board the ship, which is operated by cruise line “Aida Cruises” and flies the Italian flag.

Spanning 20 decks, 337 metres long and 42 metres wide, the two-year-old “AIDAcosma” offers over 2,700 staterooms and can accommodate 6,600 passengers and a crew of 1,636 members.

Qatar Museums (QM) is presenting The Curious Desert, a new exhibition conceived by Olafur Eliasson for a site in the desert outside of Al Thakhira Mangrove Reserve and for the galleries of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) in Doha, until August 15.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/culture/new-exhibition-explores-the-curious-desert/

Stunning snapshots from all the fun at Qatar International Food Festival 2023.

Have you been yet?

📸 Thajudheen

The 10th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2023, which is organised by the Ministry of Municipality from March 15-19 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, received wide praise from the public, local, regional and international exhibitors, who praised its excellence and good organisation, and the diversity of its agricultural and animal products on display.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/environment/agriteq-receives-localand-international-praise/

Qatar Museums (QM) restaurants operated by IN-Q Enterprises (IN-Q) in partnership and collaboration with Groupe Ducasse Paris by world renowned Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, has announced their Ramadan offerings.

https://metrotimesqatar.com/experience/food-drinks/qm-restaurants-take-ramadancelebrations-to-artful-settings/

Under the patronage of Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art yesterday launched Beirut and the Golden Sixties: A Manifesto of Fragility exhibition.

A part of the Qatar Creates week, the exhibition will be open until August 5. Beirut and the Golden Sixties: A Manifesto of Fragility is curated by Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, directors of Hamburger Bahnhof National Museum of Contemporary Art in Berlin, and assistant curator Natasha Gasparian.

First shown at Gropius Bau, Berlin (March 24 - June 12, 2022) and at the 16th Lyon Biennial of Contemporary Art, France (September 14 - December 31 , 2022), the exhibition revisits a dazzling chapter from the Beirut’s modern history between 1958 and 1978.

With more than 225 artworks and 300 archival documents from 36 collections in 16 cities worldwide, it highlights Beirut’s pivotal role in elaborating a new vision for modernity through a politically engaged art where everything seemed possible.

In recognising the complex links between the past and Beirut’s current struggles, the exhibition questions the romanticising narrative of the so-called “Golden Age” that ultimately led to the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. Showcasing the city’s unparalleled cosmopolitanism, the exhibition traces the complex entanglement of art and culture within the divergent trans-regional antagonisms of that highly charged period.