Najma Street – a hub for practical solutions and community life

Najma Street’s short stretch between C-Ring Road and Mansoura Street, spanning about 950m, functions as a practical destination for people seeking various services and solutions.When taking a light walk from the Gulf Cinema Complex towards the compact traffic signal of Mansoura Street, one will observe that Najma Street mirrors other similar thoroughfares in and around Doha’s bustling communities.These streets, some of which are small arterial roads, are lined with shops that serve the everyday needs of many people, particularly residents of adjacent communities and nearby neighbourhoods, who provide brisk business to these establishments.Najma and its parallel counterparts across the country serve as a testament to the government’s strategic and well-executed urban planning, ensuring proper care and service for Qatar’s growing population.One can immediately notice that when dusk settles over the mostly beige-coloured buildings, Najma transforms into a melting pot of people and cultures.Many bachelors and labourers cap the working day with conversations over "Sulaimani” (black tea), coffee, or karak.These nightly get-togethers provide brisk business for the many cafeterias and small restaurants that populate the street.The colourful signage of business establishments that brightens Najma in the evenings gives its unique character and appeal to many customers – DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike – that troop the hardware stores, bicycle shops, building materials and contracting shops, and other small service-oriented enterprises.Looking for a mechanic for quick fixes and minor tune-ups?Najma has quite a number of auto repair shops. Not even a stone’s throw away are electronic repair and computer shops that provide different solutions – from malfunctioning gadgets, and broken air-conditioning (A/C) units, to maintenance and overhaul of old washing machines.As the summer season progresses, the hot weather and sweltering heat puts a lot of stress on residential A/C units.Najma’s A/C technicians are dispatched even at a moment’s notice to ensure that one’s daily comforts are swiftly restored.Barber shops, as well as currency exchange houses and pharmacies, are often busy with clients.There are also a few shops that offer specialised services, such as the replacement of house or vehicle keys, photocopying and printing, and studio photography.Grocery stores of varied sizes, a handful of candy shops, and fruit and vegetable stores also provide the necessities for everyone, thus the convenience of having these services so close by is invaluable.Some of the remaining shops fronting the small traffic signal at the end of the strip introduce motorists and pedestrians to nearby Mansoura Street, which is not only a haven for furniture and home accessories, but is complementary to the popular Souq Haraj.Earlier, Gulf Times reported the planned refurbishment of the historic Gulf Cinema Complex following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between Qatar Museums and the Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company.The plans include Qatar’s first-of-its-kind Cinematique Museum and efforts "to restore its past grandeur while integrating contemporary advancements and technology”.Not only is the revival and refurbishment of Gulf Cinema seen as a game-changer, but local business owners in the area are anticipating new and larger crowds, boosting business and adding a unique cultural dimension to Najma’s offerings.