The activities of the 16th Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025) concluded Saturday with an award ceremony in the evening for the winners of the Mazayen (Falcon Beauty) Contest, held at Katara – the Cultural Village.
The festival was held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam).
The ceremony was attended by VIP guests and dignitaries, senior officials of the state, ambassadors, members of the board of Al Gannas Qatari Society, falconers from Qatar and the GCC countries.
HE Sheikh Joaan, the festival’s patron, crowned the winners of the Mazayen Championship.
This year the competition was divided into two categories: local and international. These were further divided into two groups: "White and Blonde Wild Peregrine Falcons (Farkh and Qarnas)" and "Black and Dark Wild Peregrine Falcon (Farkh and Qarnas)”.
In the White and Blonde Wild Peregrine Falcon category, Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz bin Saud al-Thani secured first and third places, while his brother, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Saud al-Thani, won the second place.
The prize money for this category was QR700,000 for the first place, QR500,000 for the second, and QR300,000 for the third.
In the Black and Dark Wild Peregrine Falcons category, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Saud al-Thani won the first place, receiving QR400,000.
Khalifa Abdulrahman al-Mohshadi al-Maadadi took the second place with a prize of QR300,000, while Hamad Ali al-Mohshadi secured the third place, winning QR200,000.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani praised Qatar's significant interest in falconry heritage, deeming it a deep-rooted cultural and historical tradition among Qataris.
He stressed that falconry is not merely a hobby but a cherished heritage passed down through the generations and continuously supported by the state to ensure its preservation, and a vital part of Qatar’s heritage, alongside horse racing and camel racing.
Sheikh Faisal affirmed that the state’s support for falconry extends beyond events and competitions to include efforts in preserving falcons in their natural habitats and promoting falconry as a global heritage through Qatar’s participation in international forums.
He stressed that this continued interest ensures that falconry remains an integral part of Qatari identity while positioning Qatar as a global hub for falconry and heritage preservation.
Sheikh Faisal also emphasised the importance of preserving the natural environment of falcons, noting the role of youth in adopting responsible practices to ensure the sustainability of this heritage.
“Falconry is not just a pastime we take pride in; it is a future we must protect and pass down faithfully to future generations so that this heritage remains alive in our hearts,” he said.
Sheikh Faisal said that the Marmi Festival and the Mazayen Championship are part of this commitment, bringing together elite falconers and the best falcons in the world.
He added that these events not only highlight the beauty and qualities of falcons but also raise awareness about the importance of preserving and developing this ancient heritage in ways that align with the aspirations of future generations.
Meanwhile, Katara general manager Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said at the closing ceremony of Marmi 2025 that the festival has successfully established itself locally, regionally, and internationally as one of the most significant events dedicated to preserving Qatari heritage.
He emphasised that it has become one of the key national events that help maintain the country’s cultural identity.
Abdullah bin Hamad al-Mohshadi, chairman of the Mazayen Committee at the Marmi Festival, said that around 60 falcons participated in the preliminary rounds – 40 in the White and Blonde Wild Peregrine Falcon category and 20 in the Black and Dark Wild Peregrine Falcon category.
He added that the initial screening process required significant effort from the judges, with the final assessment conducted before a live audience.
Al-Mohshadi highlighted that this year’s competition saw international participation from Gulf countries, following the judging standards that have been in place for 16 years, ensuring complete confidentiality.
The judging process eliminates the highest and lowest scores from five evaluations, keeping three middle scores to determine the results.
