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Fervour and festivities on Monday marked Eid-al-Fitr in Qatar where mosques and prayer grounds hosted Eid special prayers while parks and beaches welcomed the public. Eid prayers started at 5.12 am followed by the special religious sermons in which clerics wished the worshippers prosperity while insisting the importance of upholding virtues. Also, they urged the worshippers to keep the spirit of Eid intact while doing good deeds. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf), in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality, had kept 520 mosques and prayer grounds across the country ready to host Eid Al Fitr congregations. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) deployed traffic and internal security force personnel at mosque and prayer ground premises where the officials worked while ensuring smooth traffic flow on the roads. Many opted to go to prayer grounds in order to feel the Eid spirit in an open atmosphere. “The weather was good and we had all the reasons to choose prayer grounds. Prayer grounds seemed to be special as they very much depicted the joyous mood while highlighting the fact that we are entering to a new period while getting rid of the looming apprehensions of Covid-19,” said Abdul Rasheed PP. The Al Wukair resident, along with his friends, attended the prayers at the prayer ground at Al Wakra. Further, prayer grounds lent the worshippers an opportunity to meet and greet on the special occasion. “I could meet some of my relatives and friends while performing the prayers with them. Some of them I met unexpectedly,” said Hubaib Nandi, who prayed at the prayer ground at Al Arabi Sports Club Stadium. Meanwhile, parks and beaches recorded a huge flow of crowd that flocked to celebrate Eid by Monday afternoon. The Ministry of Municipality has put special measures in place and deployed cleaning staff across the beaches and parks in order to ensure the convenience of the visitors. Also, necessary equipment to carry the cleaning operations are in place along with additional garbage containers.    

With only a few days remaining for Eid al-Fitr, souqs and shops in Doha and elsewhere are witnessing hectic activity. These include the ever-popular Souq Waqif in the heart of Qatar's capital, where people are turning up in big numbers to buy perfumes, clothes, gifts, sweets and nuts. Over the past few days, Qataris as well as expatriates have been flocking to the shops at Souq Waqif in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, bringing cheer to the merchants there. “The shops have been witnessing a rush of customers and we are prepared to cater to the needs of buyers with new stocks,” said a cloth merchant, Saleem M K, whose store is located in the southern corner of Souq Waqif. Thobes are among the most sought-after clothing items, whether readymade or tailored. “Most of grown-up men and male kids select clothes by the middle of Ramadan and we stitch them accordingly,” he added. Tailoring shop owners are accepting no more bookings now and it is time to deliver their previously received orders, Gulf Times learnt. “We have had enough orders and our tailors have been busy working on them to deliver items like thobes on time,” said another merchant, Abdul Rasheed. Qatari women opt for abayas and jalabiyas, which are also either readymade or stitched in tailoring shops. These comes in various designs and colours, though traditional patterns are generally in high demand. Some expatriates also opt for thobes while others prefer kurtas, kameez, shirts and trousers. The shops also get women customers looking for churidars. A variety of children's clothes are also available, both for girls and boys. The traditional headgear (gahfiya) is also an integral part of clothing for Qataris. There are shops specialising in selling gahfiya and other accessories such as iqal, the traditional black cord worn on the ghutra (scarf). Buttons, beads and watches are also sold at the shops and these are available in multiple designs and sizes. Some buy these for personal use while others gift them to friends or relatives during the Eid celebrations. Perfume and oud sales have also gone up at Souq Waqif, where shop owners offer locally made and imported items at different prices. Mohamed Iqbal, a perfume seller, said Eid is a time for Qataris to buy perfumes and watches. “We have a wide range of local and imported brands,” he said. Iqbal’s shop also has a variety of hennas and cosmetics for women customers.    

Malaysia is planning big on promoting palm oil in Qatar while chalking out a slew of measures. Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities of Malaysia Zuraida Kamaruddin, who was in Qatar recently, said several plans are in place and the government is holding discussions with various stakeholders in order to promote palm oil for domestic and industrial consumption. The Malaysian minister told a media gathering that talks are on with Qatar government entities and industrialists. Zuraida Kamaruddin was in town on a two-day mission as part of her Economic and Agri Commodities Promotion Mission, to promote Agri Malaysia International Agriculture Technology Exhibition, to be held in Kuala Lumpur on September 20-22. The Malaysian minister, earlier, chaired a roundtable meeting with Qatar's Minister of Municipality HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Abdullah al-Thani, HE the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani along with Qatari agri commodities players and company representatives. Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said they have reached an agreement with retail chains including LuLu and Al Meera to promote domestic use of palm oil. As part of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) initiatives in promoting Malaysian agri commodity products, there are also plans to promote rubber and timber in Qatar. The minister was accompanied by Malaysian experts and company representatives who held talks with Qatari companies. The minister noted there is an increase in palm oil consumption in the Qatari market and this is excellent news to the industry players and market onlookers. “This shows Malaysia is prepared to meet the encouraging demand for palm oil from the Qatari market. A few promising ideas, such as exploring the applications of the rubberised road in Qatar are being discussed and Malaysia is hopeful that the initiatives will benefit all involved parties,” she said. According to statistics from the Malaysian embassy, Malaysian Palm Oil Board anticipated crude palm oil production to improve by 4.9% to 19mn tonnes this year, from 18.12mn tonnes in 2021, resulting in palm oil stocks increasing 21.1% to 1.95 mn tonnes, from 1.61 mn tonnes in 2021. The Malaysian minister earlier visited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Egypt. Among the achievements are proposals to establish joint venture partnerships in India and Pakistan. She noted that there are also proposals from Qatar and Egypt to invest with Malaysian companies to set up production facilities in Malaysia. The press conference was attended by MPIC deputy secretary general Mad Zaidi bin Mohd Karli and Malaysian ambassador Zamshari Shaharan.    

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has set sustainability as a means of achieving value while implementing its development projects across Qatar, an official has stressed. “We have implemented sustainability best practices in the ‘Infrastructure Programme for Areas’ while yielding environmental benefits and helping the country realise better value,” said Ashghal’s Doha City section head Mooza al-Sowaidi. She was talking in a podcast episode by WSP Middle East, a leading consulting firm, about Ashghal’s strategy for continuous development. Al-Sowaidi elaborated on Ashghal’s continuous development strategy while discussing how Ashghal’s continuous improvement is part of a vision that focuses on delivering world-class infrastructure and creating the best national capabilities and utmost support to the local manufacturers and contractors. While giving instances for the sustainability-incorporated development model adopted by Ashghal, al-Sowaidi said recycled milled asphalt is used within the base course of new and upgraded roads, which helped Ashghal achieve cost savings. “We also used crumb rubber in the wearing course to reduce the environmental impact of waste tyres and increase the durability of our roads. We have also recently piloted the use of solar panels for temporary site lighting in replacement of the traditional diesel-powered lights that cause a lot of noise and affect the air quality of construction site,” she explained. “The clarity of our vision and our agile adaptability to change are two of the main factors that contributed to the progress we achieved in delivering large-scale road and infrastructure projects within short schedules and without compromising the best international standards for quality, safety and sustainability." In response to a question about Ashghal’s success in achieving the best value for the budgets assigned to the 'Infrastructure Programme for Areas', al-Sowaidi pointed out that Ashghal used a special gateway system for design approvals. “Each project would have to pass certain gateways to ensure that the best design options have been identified and the optimum concept has been implemented all the way until the project completion. Ashghal also used value engineering to achieve considerable cost savings in the design and construction phases,” she explained. On delivering large-scale projects to realise Qatar National Vision 2030, the official pointed out that Ashghal opened communication channels with the construction and engineering industry to brief them about its plans and the standards that the authority aspires to achieve in addition to the challenges facing project delivery. “Ashghal has also invested a lot of effort in creating local capabilities and reaching out to local contractors and manufacturers providing them with all possible support. These efforts are part of Ashghal’s contribution to Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises the importance of building a sustainable world-class infrastructure for Qatar’s economic and social development,” she noted. Asked about Ashghal’s success in responding to change within the last few years, she pointed out that the authority has implemented several strategies to realise this success. “Ashghal shared its vision with its local and international industry partners to ensure that all materials and resources are supplied on a timely basis using Qatari manufacturers. Ashghal also opened communication channels with all relevant stakeholders to uncover the challenges, set optimised protocols and procedures, and exchange thoughts on the best ways to achieve infrastructure delivery,” she said. Ashghal has adopted several contractual enhancements within its 'Infrastructure Programme for Areas'. One of these enhancements is lean construction, a set of techniques and principles that are based on collaborative planning within each project. Through the use of lean construction, Ashghal could achieve better decisions, and firm change and contingency management.    

While adding another remarkable achievement to its credit, the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar has completed the 61% works of Furjan Parks. A total of 15 parks are set up across Qatar as part of the committee’s efforts to humanise cities and change a car-centric culture to a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly culture. Also, Furjan parks aim to create recreational spaces and plazas that contribute to encouraging families to lead a healthy lifestyle and practice sports from nearby enjoyable destinations just outside their closed doors.The project is implemented by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). Ashghal on Sunday tweeted that the construction works of these parks will be completed by the third quarter of 2022. Last year, the Supervisory Committee, in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality, launched a strategic plan to build parks that serve tourists and visitors across the country. The strategic plan also includes implementing small green spaces such as Al Furjan Parks that serve residents of specific neighbourhoods while creating green plazas implemented in various locations to help protect the environment. The parks are designed to be close to homes, easily reachable by pedestrians or cyclists, which encourage the people of the area to visit them regularly and spend quality time in a healthy and safe environment, which enhances social gathering and communication. The parks are basically constructed to act as a breather for community members and they increase green area and improving quality of life, and are considered as natural filters to purify the air from carbon emissions, one important factor in increasing the share of each person per square metre of green space. The parks include many features that make it an enjoyable destination for all family members, including elderly, youth and children. These features and services vary according to the area of the park, such as pedestrian and cyclist paths, seats, and some parks include kids’ play areas, fitness equipment, kiosks, and others. Elderly people and people with special needs are also taken into consideration in the designs. Two of these parks are located in Al Rayyan Municipality including Al Soudan Park on an area of 2300 sq.m and Fereej Al Thameed Park to be built on 15,750 sq mt. The third park located in Doha Municipality at Hazam Al Markhiya is to be built on an area of about 24,340 sq.m. Also, parks are built Al Thumama in Doha Municipality and Al Wajbah in Al Rayyan Municipality. The project features three parks in Al Wakra Municipality. These are in addition to the parks at Rawdat Egdaim and Al Mearad in Al Rayyan Municipality and parks at Al Sailiya, Bu Hamour and Al Daayen.      

* Anita Yusof is the first Malaysian to get into the Asia Book of Records for the longest solo bike ride    Famous Malaysian solo motorcycle rider Anita Yusof was in Qatar while exploring the Gulf on her Yamaha FZ 150. Described as the first Muslim woman to ride around the world solo, she visited Qatar during her Global Dream Ride. Anita, the first Malaysian to get into the Asia Book of Records for the longest solo bike ride, told Gulf Times in a statement that she is looking to spread the message of empowering women. “This is my second world ride and I want to tell the women, especially those from the remote places, to pursue education and break the barriers," said the 55-year-old former lecturer in the physical education department at IPG Campus Ipoh and mother of two sons. Anita learned motorcycle riding in 2012 and started her first round the world ride in 2015. The ride, which started from Putrajaya in Malaysia, saw her covering 40 countries in four continents over a year. Anita covered a total distance of 65,369km before returning home.   Anita said she loves to travel and the passion for solo trips developed after she was inspired by bloggers. “I wanted to explore myself and I chose to travel on bike in order to explore remote places where transportation isn’t easy,” she said. The solo rider has so far visited more than 60 countries on her motorbike. During the current ride, she aims to visit 70 countries while covering seven continents. In between she had to take a break after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. She stored her bike in Ethiopia and went home. “I follow my heart. This time, I travel without any time frame since I have taken an early retirement from my job,” she said. Travelling and passion towards motorcycles have made Anita a technical expert capable of fixing her bike if required during the ride. “I am very well aware of the technical aspects and I am equipped with essential tools,” she said. While visiting countries, Anita spends time learning about their culture and communities. “The most beautiful part of my journey is meeting local people. I stay with them while learning about their cultures and enjoy their cuisine,” she said. Anita has no plans to quit after this ride. "I will always travel. I will choose other modes of travel if health does not allow me to ride,” she said. The solo rider was given a reception by Malaysian ambassador Zamshari Shaharan. She also attended a Iftar programme by the collective of Malaysian bikers in Qatar. After a tour of Qatar, she left for the UAE yesterday. “The most beautiful part of my journey is meeting local people. I stay with them while learning about their cultures and enjoy their cuisine,”    

*Deadline to remove winter camps is May 14   The 2021/2022 winter camping season will conclude on May 2 while the deadline to remove the camps is May 14, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has announced. Addressing a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday, MoECC officials said the May 14 deadline was set in order to provide campers with the opportunity to continue camping during the Eid al-Fitr holidays. Also, for the first time and in order to achieve community participation, the ministry will issue a questionnaire to ascertain campers' opinions about the camping season and also conduct a study in co-operation with Qatar University on the social and environmental effects of camping. The press conference was attended by Farhoud Hadi al-Hajri, director of Public Relations, and Salem Hussein al-Safran, assistant director of the Department of Natural Reserves and vice-chairman of the Winter Camping Organising Committee. The MoECC praised the co-operation of camp owners during the camping season, which lasted for six months. It also noted the co-operation of various ministries and institutions in the country with regard to the procedures and requirements for maintaining security, safety and public health at all camps, which contributed to the success of the season. Al-Safran said about 395 tonnes of waste have been removed from 1,626 camps since the start of the camping season in November 2021, with 305 containers provided for this purpose. This has been done in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the General Cleanliness Department. He called on all campers to dismantle and remove all camps by the deadline and cautioned that specialised environmental teams would carry out inspections and follow-up operations after this date and take legal action in case of any violations. Al-Hajri said a preliminary study will be conducted by the ministry, in co-operation with QU, on the impact and evaluation of camps during the camping season on the environment from the social and environmental perspectives. “The study will address the negative effects on the environment, arising from the camping season. while assessing the impact on meadows, plants and wild animals, coasts and beaches. Also, it will analyse the impact of camp waste and sewage on the environment during the camping season, migration of birds, impact of camp waste and sanitation on the environment during the camping season and the impact of winter camping on the movement and reproduction of living creatures, especially non-compliance with environmental requirements in this regard,” he explained. The MoECC, within the framework of its keenness to develop and modernise the winter camping season in coming years, will issue a questionnaire on its website in order to ascertain campers' opinion about the 2022 camping season. It is to be filled out before the process of refunding the security deposit. The survey will be conducted in order for the ministry to achieve its vision and mission, he said, adding that the results will be announced later. The official stressed that conducting the study aims to involve citizens in choosing what suits them regarding the winter camping season, adding that the ministry believes in the importance of popular participation and achieving the principle of transparency in all matters related to camping. The survey will seek suggestions from campers on how to reduce the effects of negative practices during a camping season, as well as on suitable periods and areas for camping.    

With Qatar gearing up to celebrate the annual traditional Garangao night, Souq Waqif is witnessing a huge turnout of Qatari families looking to buy sweets and gifts for children. Shop owners told Gulf Times that sales have been quite high for the past few days. “Families come after Iftar and business continues until dawn,” said Khaleel Hashim, a merchant at the souq. “Shops that sell Garangao gifts and sweets are seeing good sales.” Garangao is celebrated on the 14th night of Ramadan, which will be this Friday. Children turn up in traditional clothes after Iftar and walk around their neighbourhoods, singing the Garangao song and receiving goodies in cloth bags as gifts from neighbours. Sweets, nuts, toys and other gifts are given on the occasion. The idea is to reward children for their efforts while fasting during the first half of Ramadan and encourage them to continue with this spirit during the second half. “The good days are back after two years of the pandemic and everything is available here. Buyers pick nuts, sweets, chocolates, toys, dry fruits, lamps, candies and toffees,” Hashim said. “Special Garangao kits are available with various types of nuts and sweets.” Many customers opt for the Garangao kits, with the price ranging from QR50-QR600, depending on their content and quality. There are also special toys with recordings of Garangao songs. These are used by children as they walk on the streets collecting goodies. “Everything is available here, and we have made all kinds of preparations for the occasion since the first of Ramadan,” said another merchant, Abu Ghali. “It is very important for Qatari families to celebrate Garangao night.” According to the sellers, prices have come down this year due to an increase in sales. Special dresses for Garangao are also in high demand and have been displayed since the start of Ramadan. Some like to order dresses in advance while others prefer ready-made garments. Children’s dresses are available from QR50.    

* Fans have to play big part by using recyclable water bottles, making use of Metro and using environmentally friendly scooters and bicycles     The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be a benchmark for sustainability and carbon neutrality through the implementation of a slew of measures, ranging from sustainable stadiums to eco-friendly transportation. This was highlighted by Bodour al-Meer, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC)'s Sustainability director, during a global virtual event held yesterday to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) 2022 by the United Nations (UN). Speaking on the 'Role of sport in combating climate change', al-Meer said Qatar considered the potential impact on the environment while designing the World Cup stadiums and planning the mega event. “Climate modeling was conducted to identify temperatures in 2022 and to assess other climate change impacts. Infrastructure and cooling systems were set up while making sure that our stadiums are ready for the future,” she noted. Hosted by UN Under-Secretary-General Melissa Fleming, the programme featured remarks from high-level UN officials and signatories of UN Climate Action frameworks. It was also attended by HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN, ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani. Asked about the measures to curb carbon emissions, al-Meer said Qatar has made all efforts to become a role model in fighting climate change while hosting the World Cup. “We have all eyes on us. We have to set a benchmark and be a role model in this regard. We are responsible and do the right things through mitigating and implementing our offset programmes. We have worked hard to build environmentally friendly stadiums," she said, explaining that these stadiums are 30% more energy-efficient than international benchmarks and use 40% less water than international standards. Further, al-Meer noted that Qatar has worked with all its stakeholders to lower carbon emissions. “We have worked with our energy, accommodation, logistics and catering partners while supporting and encouraging them and partnering their journey to lower carbon emissions,” she said. The SC official stressed that all concerned have to play their role in this regarding while attending the World Cup. “Environmental sustainability is an equal responsibility. And it starts with small things. Fans and audiences have to play a big part in this regard by using recyclable water bottles, making use of the Metro and using environmentally friendly scooters and bicycles for transportation,” she said. On her part, HE Sheikha Alya noted that Qatar is committed to delivering the first carbon-neutral World Cup. “The urgency for climate action is felt everywhere. Sport is another tool to address climate change,” she said, adding that Qatar has been investing heavily to make the World Cup carbon-neutral. “We maintain this aspect while delivering energy-efficient stadiums, providing a low-emission transportation system, having plastic neutrality and dealing with waste management. All these show how important it is for us to make the World Cup really address climate change,” she said and gave the example of Stadium 974 in Doha, which was built using shipping containers and recycled steel.    

Times and trends may change, but there are some things that have a lasting appeal – such as spending time with family and friends at Souq Waqif during Ramadan. Known as one of Qatar’s biggest tourist attractions, Souq Waqif in the heart of Doha attracts a large number of visitors with its old-world charm, Arab and Qatari heritage, cafes and culinary offerings, and shops selling various kinds of products. Ramadan is a time when the elegant nights that one associates with the souq come alive with the spirit of the holy month. During this period, Souq Waqif becomes a must-visit destination for many, especially Qataris, as they turn up in big numbers after the Taraweeh prayers to chat over a cup of coffee, check out the stores or simply walk down the lanes and alleys of the souq, discussing life and what it has to offer. “Ramadan is the time to purify the soul and strengthen the relation with Almighty God,” said Jassim Abdurahman al-Mannai, who found a place with his friends in front of a coffee shop in the southern corridor of souq. “We fast during our days while getting engaged in prayers and reciting the Holy Qur’an.” “The evenings are for strengthening relations with our fellow beings,” he added. “We come here and meet while chatting and sharing Qahwa, the traditional Arabic coffee. The souq is a legacy that we keep intact by coming here.” Decked up with lights, the shops at souq are arranged in an attractive way. Visitors are greeted by an eclectic mix of fragrances – from perfumes to mouthwatering dishes and the unmissable scent of antiques displayed in the stores. The cuisine on offer includes Qatari, Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, each with its unique appeal. Nuts and sweets shops are also among the major attractions during Ramadan. And of course, there is shisha – which is offered at a number of cafes in the souq. “Souq Waqif is an important destination during Ramadan nights as most of us abstain from going out during the days and spend the time in prayers and engaging in religious activities,” said Youssef Mousa Abu Halika, who runs a shop there. “Besides its elegance, the souq offers excellent services and reasonable prices. Everyone can enjoy a special Ramadan night here.” He added that the souq is dear to all irrespective of age and nationality – the young and the old, Qataris and expatriates – everyone comes to the souq after the Taraweeh prayers. Youngsters hang out until the time of Suhoor while elders find a place to sit to share some beautiful Ramadan moments and enjoy meals such as kebabs. “Everything is available here at moderate prices,” al-Mannai said. “The souq beckons all. Expatriates and tourists have a good time here as the market is an ideal place for families to shop and for children to entertain. Ahead of Garangao, children flock to buy their favourite gifts and sweets.” “This is a wonderful place. We come here regularly throughout the year,” said another visitor. “The place becomes even more charming during Ramadan and has a wonderful ambiance.” The Ramadan nights also enable the merchants to do some brisk business as many tourists evince interest in their products.      

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) on Wednesday announced its Hayya Card programme and launched the accommodation booking website for fans attending this year's FIFA World Cup, which will take place from November 21 to December 18. Saeed al-Kuwari, executive director of Hayya at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said at a press conference Wednesday that fans should apply for a Hayya Card, which will be mandatory to attend matches after purchasing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets. He noted that the Hayya Card will provide a number of benefits, including free public transport for ticket holders on match days. It will also act as an entry permit to Qatar for international visitors. Match ticket holders will be able to apply for a Hayya Card via Qatar2022.qa and the 'Hayya to Qatar 2022' mobile application on iOS and Android. He explained that there are two parts when it comes to applying for the card. The first part relates to people from outside the country who have international documents. These people have to follow the correct procedures, which are buying tickets and verifying them, reserving the place of accommodation and verifying it, and then applying for the card. The second part relates to people inside the country who are holders of ID cards. They have to take two steps, the first is to buy the ticket and then apply for the Hayya Card. “Once the card is approved, its digital copy can be downloaded onto a person’s smartphone,” he explained, stressing that purchasing the ticket is mandatory before obtaining the card. Concerning fans from neighbouring countries who wish to come and return on the same day, al-Kuwari said they have the option of staying for one day, and this option will be available through the platform. Service centres to print the Hayya Card will be announced and launched soon, he added. “Based on our previous experiences, we were able to enhance and simplify the registration process. It’ll be a completely different experience this time. Things have been made more simple with features," he added. Fans from outside Qatar can now book accommodation via the dedicated Host Country Accommodation Portal, which will offer various options throughout the year such as apartments, villas and cruise ship cabins. Fans can also book accommodation through traditional means, such as hotel and holiday accommodation websites. Omar Abdulrahman al-Jaber, executive director of the SC Housing Department, advised those who have bought tickets to book their accommodation early. He revealed the details of the Host Country Accommodation Portal, noting that it is main portal for booking accommodation and has been planned over a long time in order to offer a variety of options on one platform, providing fans with exclusive accommodation solutions and options to be announced in the coming period. He underlined that the SC seeks to achieve urban sustainability through this platform after the end of the tournament. Al-Jaber said the portal provides World Cup fans with high-level accommodation options, such as local and international hotels with a rating of 3, 4 and 5 stars, in addition to apartments and villas that have been equipped as residential units and provide housing services with 5-star hotel quality. These units are located in more than one area in the country at varying prices. The options also include 28,000 housing rooms provided by Barwa Real Estate Company, in addition to 'floating hotels' in the form of two luxury cruise ships, docked at Doha Port, only a 10-minute ride from Souq Waqif. The two ships will offer 4,000 cabins that can accommodate more than 8,000 fans. The 'floating hotels' will offer a variety of room options, from traditional cabins overlooking the sea to rooms with balconies and luxurious suites. Each 'floating hotel' will also offer multiple dining possibilities and entertainment programmes for all ages. The 'floating hotels' will offer the opportunity to enjoy "exceptional services, amazing facilities, great food and amazing entertainment" during the mega event. There will also be residential villages in four locations, one of which is Lusail, that will provide 2,500 housing units. The accommodation options meet government compliance standards for real estate and will be managed by a dedicated hospitality service provider during the event to ensure people have a comfortable stay. Also, a wide range of world-renowned hotels and hospitality services will be available. The accommodation options provide a range of hotels to suit all budgets and requirements. Meanwhile, the Fans Village will give fans the experience of "living in a festival". Serviced apartments and villas will be available for visiting fans to experience the tournament as if they were at home and in their countries. The platform offers options for booking from one to six bedrooms with full kitchens, living rooms and other home amenities. He said there are plenty of properties in and around Doha where fans can find exactly what they need. Mohamed al-Kuwari, representative of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Security and Safety Operations Committee, said the committee is working with its local, regional and international partners in the organisational, security and military sectors to ensure a safe experience for fans during the World Cup. He underlined that the committee will spare no effort to enhance the security and safety of the public and all those in the country with the highest security standards. He indicated that Hayya Card is mandatory for all fans to enter the country and the tournament stadiums during the World Cup period, adding that the card provides its owner with a multi-entry permission and a number of features to facilitate security measures during the tournament, aiming to ensure the safety and security of fans. Mohamed Rashid al-Khanji, Local and Regional Media expert at the SC, said the organisers strive to make the fans' experience a unique one during the event. The SC has advised fans to note that Covid-19 requirements will be dependent on the latest guidelines from Qatar's Ministry of Public Health and will be announced in due course. Qatar is preparing to host the most compact version of the FIFA World Cup in modern history. All the stadiums are within close proximity of central Doha, helping cut travel costs for fans while significantly reducing the event's carbon footprint. (With inputs from Qatar News Agency)

As part of the preparations to host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Ministry of Transport Wednesday launched its brand-new website, fifaweather2022.com, developed by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti launched the new website which will provide weather and climate information during November and December 2022 as a service for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 fans. CAA's Meteorology Department director Abdulla al-Mannai speaking to the media The new services are also available on the Q Weather App under the name 'FIFA 2022 Weather Conditions.' HE al-Sulaiti said the initiative will provide comprehensive weather readings at the sites of the stadiums around-the-clock. The launch of the new website coincided with the World Meteorological Day, observed on March 23. "This is an addition to a wide range of accomplishments by the civil aviation sector in Qatar, aiming at providing all the requirements for hosting such a global event, including the Mukaynis Meteorology Center, which significantly contributes to improving weather predictions by monitoring several elements of the weather that were not available before,” he said adding that Qatar is recognised by the World Meteorological Organisation for providing weather services via the Gulf Marine Center (GMC) – the only provider of marine predictions and which provides its services to all the Gulf region, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Eden. When asked about the preparations for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, HE al-Sulaiti said that the Ministry of Transport has completed almost all of the projects and the rest are being implemented. “Next month we will inaugurate the public transport terminals for electric buses while marking another milestone of Qatar’s journey in this sector. Also, a large number of electric buses will be used to transport fans during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” he said. The minister pointed out that 2,000 charging stations are being installed while making Qatar one of the most advanced countries in the world in this field. Qatar is the first country in the world with huge public transit services. These stations will be operational during June and July. Transferring about 20 to 25% of public transit to electricity was earlier announced. I would like to assure that the percentage of electric vehicles during World Cup will be much more than announced,” he said. CAA's Meteorology Department director Abdulla al-Mannai said that the services of the new website, which have been added to the Q Weather App, will display the weather conditions monitored at the sites of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums via monitoring stations installed at each stadium to facilitate weather predictions. The weather data provided by the Meteorology Department will be used to show the general weather predictions during the World Cup in November and December by indicating daily normals and diurnal temperature distribution on charts that are easy to read and understand.

Dimdex has turned out to be an ideal platform to showcase the innovations and technologies that support and advance the air space security needs, Boeing has said. While talking to Gulf Timeson the sidelines of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2022), Rick Lemaster, vice-president-International Sales, Defence, Space and Security, said the exhibition is a key international platform to share ideas and innovations while engaging in commercial exchange. Boeing is taking part in Dimdex 2022 by showcasing its products and services with a focus on the latest technology in the defence and security sectors. F-15, KC-46, T-7 advanced pilot training system, H-47 Chinook, Airborne Early Warning and Control, Air Power Teaming System and unmanned systems like the Integrator and ScanEagle are highlighted at the exhibition. Boeing’s pavilion in Stand 119, Hall 6 at Qatar National Convention Centre, showcases solutions and capabilities from the Boeing Global Services portfolio, which includes digital solutions and analytics, modifications, modernisation, training and maintenance services, many of which are deployed in support of governments in the region. Rick said Boeing looks forward to strengthening its nearly two-decade-old partnership with Qatar while serving the needs of the country and co-operating in the defence and security sectors. “We have good relations and co-operation with the Qatar Amiri Air Force and the relations are being further strengthened. While working with Qatar, we are looking to ensure future advancements in their defence and services capabilities,” he said, adding that Boeing is connecting with Qatari customers and industry partners at Dimdex. The F-15 is an indispensable asset to global force structures with affordability, speed, range and heavy-weapon payload. With its contemporary sensors, powerful radar, all-glass digital cockpit and advanced electronic warfare suite, the digitally-engineered F-15 delivers complementary and interoperable capabilities ready to take on the missions of today and adapt to meet the missions of tomorrow. The KC-46 Pegasus features multi-mission capability for aerial refuelling, cargo and passenger transportation, aeromedical evacuation support and data connectivity, enabling all facets of fleet air mobility for the Middle East region’s vast geographic landscape. The KC-46A also delivers data as well as fuel at the tactical edge, with secure communications and data link to ensure situational awareness for the force to maintain air superiority. The CH-47 Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter for the US Army and international defence forces. It contains a fully integrated, digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) Cockpit and advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft’s mission performance and handling characteristics. The Boeing Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW and C) is a combat-proven weapon system that provides powerful multi-domain surveillance, communications, and networked battle management capabilities, as well as interoperability that multiplies the effectiveness of joint and coalition forces.  

* HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi inaugurates three-day conference The seventh General Conference of the Arab Union of Electricity began Sunday at Sheraton Doha under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani. HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, inaugurated the three-day conference in the presence of Arab ministerial delegations headed by a number of Arab ministers of electricity and energy. Addressing the opening session, HE al-Kaabi noted that the conference provides a platform to shed light on the opportunities and challenges facing the electricity sector, and discuss ways and prospects for its development and advancement to the best levels while ensuring a prosperous future for all Arab communities. HE Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi addressing the opening session HE al-Kaabi expressed hope about providing an opportunity to form a more profound and accurate vision through the interest and follow-up of the Arab Union of Electricity, with the aim of building a unified Arab strategy based on best practices in the field of energy and renewable energy at the Arab and global levels. “Qatar, as one of the most important energy centres in the world, will work in co-operation with all brothers to raise levels of interest in issues related to electricity while activating joint co-ordination and constructive co-operation through electrical interconnection agreements and projects and strategic energy to support Arab electricity networks, while encouraging investment in the electricity sector in order to keep pace with the global transition to low-carbon energy and the use of renewable energy and cleaner energies, including natural gas,” he said. Dignitaries taking a tour of the event The work of the conference includes extensive sessions that will discuss the future of renewable energies and the possibilities of integrating them into Arab energy systems to convert them into integrated systems. “This is in line with the direction of the Arab Union of Electricity towards striving to achieve environmental sustainability and the development of the energy sectors in order to serve the economy and maintain environmental security by reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, which is considered one of the most important issues at the present time,” he said. HE al-Kaabi said the conference will discuss the development of policies and strategies for the electricity sector in the Arab world, prospects for the common Arab electricity market, and electrical interconnection projects that will play a major role in enhancing prospects for co-operation and reducing the cost of energy production, which will positively affect the selling prices of electrical energy to consumers. The new logo of the Arab Union of Electricity was launched during the opening session. This was followed by the inauguration of the exhibition accompanying the conference and the exhibition of electrical equipment and supplies for the production, transmission and distribution of electricity in the Arab countries in its 10th edition combined with the main exhibition, by HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, accompanied by a number of Arab ministers of energy and electricity, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, who is also the chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the seventh General Conference of the Arab Union of Electricity, addressed the opening session along with the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Union of Electricity and general director of the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water in Morocco, Abdel Rahim al-Hafidi, and the director of the Energy Department of the League of Arab States, Jamila Matar.

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, the 7th General Conference of the Arab Union of Electricity will begin in Doha Sunday under the theme 'Towards a common vision to achieve a promising future for electricity in the Arab world'. Organised by the Arab Union of Electricity every three years, the 2022 conference is being held in co-operation with the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) at the Sheraton Doha. It will discuss challenges, innovations, and areas of co-operation and strengthening of partnerships. The conference, which runs until March 22, will be opened by HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi and Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, who is also the chairman of the conference’s supreme organising committee. Dr Abdullah Mohsen al-Wahidi, director of Shared Services Affairs at Kahramaa and chairman of the organising committee, said that the conference is the largest Arab gathering to discuss issues and challenges facing the electricity sector in the Arab region while exploring prospects for Arab co-operation and joint action. “The conference is an occasion for acquiring knowledge and sharing experiences through pioneering scientific research and dialogue sessions that bring together the most prominent Arab, regional and international governmental and non-governmental bodies concerned,” he said. Arab ministerial delegations, headed by ministers and senior officials, will take part. Accompanying the conference, the 14th session of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity and the 37th meeting of the Executive Office of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity will be held, in addition to the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Arab Electricity Union and the meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Electricity Union. There will be also an exhibition that will be attended by representatives of prominent companies and authorities concerned in the electricity sector of the Arab world, giving visitors an opportunity to know about the latest trends and innovations. It will highlight the electrical equipment and supplies used in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the Arab countries. The exhibition aims to develop and introduce this industry as part of the continuous efforts to support and encourage the local electrical industries and develop their businesses. “This edition of the conference comes at a time when the economic and environmental challenges facing the electric power sector in the Arab world,” al-Wahidi said. “This requires decision-makers and specialists in this vital sector to work on developing electrical power systems in their countries to meet the needs of the population and different economic sectors.” Arab League Energy Department director Jamila Matar said that the Arab common market for electricity is among the agenda of the conference. “The idea of the common market reflects a long process that began in 2001, and the transition towards green energy was recently included on the agenda of the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity,” she said, adding that this market is based on solid institutional framework with complete infrastructure that takes into account the technical aspects to achieve market integration. “Also, it needs a legislative framework based on the adoption of four basic documents for the governance of the electricity market, which are the memorandum of understanding, the general agreement, the market agreement, and network operating rules,” she added.

Indian expatriate Shahana Ilyas is a pharmacist by profession. But the premises of her home at Al Aziziya is full of lush green plants and flowers. The highlight is tomatoes of 22 types. Varieties of gourd, pumpkin, beans, chillie, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli,carrot, potato, spinach and radish are also grown here in addition to f strawberry and shamam and herbs such as coriander and mint. Farming is a way of life for Shahana who feels happy growing vegetables and fruits. “I come from a hilly hamlet in Kerala and I am fascinated by greenery which soothes my mind. After coming to the Gulf, I started to miss the greenery back home and decided to do my bit,” she told Community. Shahana started with some tomatoes and flowers nine years ago. “Though the flowers bloomed, there was no yield of vegetables,” she recalled. Undaunted Shahana read up on the ideal farming methods and sought the advise of experts.   “I became a member of some farmers’ collectives and groups where I got insight and ideas of becoming a better farmer. I bought seeds, fertilisers, soil and agricultural equipment. She also used to bring all these while returning from vacations back home. Shahana credits the farmers' collectives with helping and encouraging her. "With the advent of social media platforms, I could easily clear my doubts and listen to the experts,” she said. Shahana follows organic farming methods even though it needs extra effort. She uses treated cow and camel dung after making the soil ready for farming by mixing protein soil and coco peat. “Farming here needs a lot of effort while preparing the soil, planting and watering,” observed Shahana who is supported by her husband Abdul Aziz Purayil and their children Izza Safreen, Khalaf Salman and Mishal Ramadan. Shahana is immensely fond of growing tomatoes “Love for tomatoes drives me to shops and supermarkets where I find new varieties. I also have Arab friends who keenly wait for the harvesting. I share the yield with my relatives, friends and neighbours, and some of them often want to know when I reap the vegetables, especially tomatoes,” she said. Shahana has already harvested 19 varieties of tomatoes, with three more due soon. She makes sauce and jams from tomatoes and credits her mother for the passion towards making food. She is the admin of Keralite culinary enthusiast group Malabar Adukkala and is passionate about cooking. She runs mytastediary.com, an exclusive website for food making and writes for food magazines. She has also won several prizes while attending various cookery competitions. Her new venture Charlotte Baking Solutions sells baking materials and equipment.

*CIFAL’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of government officials and civil society leaders and empower them to advance sustainable development   The 23rd centre of the International Training Centres for Local Authorities and Local Actors (CIFAL) global network was opened at the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre (Rolacc) at Lusail Wednesday. HE the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri and the head of the CIFAL Global Network Alex Mejia attended the opening ceremony. The first of its kind in the Arab world, CIFAL Doha will represent the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) while enhancing the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The centre will also specialise in anti-corruption and sustainable development. While addressing the function, HE Dr al-Marri said that CIFAL Doha was established as a result of the confidence of international organisations in partnership with Qatar. “This reflects the confidence of the international community in the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. The centre will provide support to organisations and individuals in the region and the entire Arab world while providing training,” al-Marri said, adding that Rolaac will serve as the training place.   “While serving the civil society in Qatar, Rolaac has trained 2,744 persons in partnership with the UN. Ministers, judges and advocates were among the trainees,” he explained. Alex Mejia hailed Qatar’s efforts and cooperation with UN agencies while making various contributions. He thanked HE Dr al-Marri and Rolaac for its continuous support for anti corruption training. CIFAL’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of government officials and civil society leaders and empower them to advance sustainable development. The network comprises International Training Centres for authorities and leaders located across Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean.The network is coordinated by UNITAR’s Social Development Programme. UNITAR provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organisations, and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future. Rolacc was inaugurated in 2011 in order to promote mutual cooperation and partnership building both locally and regionally with an international mandate to spread awareness and knowledge of the policies and tools necessary to prevent and combat corruption. It promotes the permanent exchange of experience and expertise in the region through strategic partnerships with the relevant bodies of the UN, particularly the UNITAR and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The function also marked handing over the UN flag. HE Dr al-Marri received the flag from Alex Mejia as an appreciation and it was later hoisted on the premises of the centre.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has urged companies to pay salaries on time, ensure workers’ welfare and safety, and continue upholding their important role in preventing crimes. Addressing a webinar titled 'Crime Prevention is a Shared Responsibility' Tuesday, Captain Meshaal Mubarak al-Mansouri from the Technical Office in the North Security Department, said that the "failure of some companies resulted in their reluctance to pay their workers' salaries, that led the latter to strike, which is forbidden by our true religion and prohibited by legislative laws". Companies must maintain security by protecting the lives of the employees with safety procedures, food and appropriate accommodation, and paying attention to the basic needs of employees at workplace and outside. “Companies should educate employees about the country’s procedures and laws and install surveillance cameras in the workers’ accommodation to prevent theft and attacks,” Capt al-Mansouri said, urging company officials to inform the security authorities if any negative behaviour or suspicious activity is noted from the employees. He asked companies to carry out periodic maintenance of the housing and provide for the requirements of the employees, and urged employees to wear clothes that are not against moral values in Qatar. “Ensure the cleanliness of accommodation and do not overcrowd. Provide health insurance and pay attention to their health. Educate employees how to transfer funds electronically to their countries in order to reduce the fraud or theft of their money. (Sign a) contract with any bank to provide an ATM at their accommodation or nearby,” Capt al-Mansouri said. The MoI official also urged companies to follow precautionary measures while withdrawing funds from banks. “Electronic means, such as bank transfers or money exchanges, are preferred, and if it’s essential to withdraw cash itself, we recommend not leaving money in the vehicle while it is parked somewhere unattended,” he said. “Those dealing with bank transactions should maintain high alertness. Make sure you are in the places covered by surveillance cameras while holding transactions,” Capt al-Mansouri added. “In case of withdrawing huge amounts from the bank, be vigilant of those around you.” The MoI official shared tips on securing houses, companies and residential complexes, as well as personal belongings at company accommodations. "A resident should be aware of the address of the place where he is located, to assist the emergency response team to quickly reach if needed,” he said. “Don’t keep large sums of money and jewellery outside the locker. Inform your neighbours, relatives or friends when you leave the house for a long period.” “Only buy valuables one or two days before departure for vacation, and avoid storing valuables for a long period before the trip,” Capt al-Monsouri added. “Don’t disclose the details of the purchased items to the roommates.” He also warned against illegal vendors, saying that the law obliges anyone wishing to do business to obtain a licence from the competent authority, even if such activities are carried out by selling goods on the ground. The MoI official warned against drinking and smoking in public places, and said that whoever is found drunk on the public road may be punished with six months of imprisonment and a fine not exceeding QR3,000. “Anyone who imports, exports, manufactures, brings, sells or promotes alcohol or any intoxicating drink shall be punished by imprisonment for three years, and a fine not exceeding QR10,000,” he warned. “Intentional destruction of others’ property is punished with imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, and a fine of not more than QR10,000.”