A Surprise From Strangers

Every Eid, people in Qatar do different things to celebrate. But there are many things that everyone does, and that are considered cultural traditions, which get people together and strongly connect them in those very few days every year. On Eid El-Fitr, for example, people celebrate that Ramadan is over, and from then on everyone can eat and drink, and fasting is not required during the day anymore. On the first day, fathers and sons wake up with the sunrise to go to the Eid prayer. After that people finish praying at the big mosques, they greet each other at the door and go home to celebrate the Eid with their friends and family. People usually have lunch at restaurants during the Eid days, and then in the afternoon they start going out and visit relatives and friends. During those shorts visits, “maamool” –an Arabic date cake– is served with tea or traditional Qatari coffee. Those are centuries-old traditions that have been followed ever since then till today.

Well, for me, Eid days are never so exciting; it is always the same thing over and over again. And I am a kind of person who loves trying out new things all the time, and hates routine. Thank God, this Eid something new happened. We just moved a few months ago to this new house. To us, this is a totally new neighborhood, with people we don’t know, mostly Qataris. On the first day of Eid, the bell rang, and I ran out to check who was at the door. When I opened the door, a lady –who was probably an Indonesian housemaid– handed me a covered plate that smelled so nice and sweet. She told me that she is the maid of the house that is next to ours, and that the sweets are a traditional gift from the Qatari family, who own the house.

I found this very nice and generous, and it made my Eid a different one. Finally something surprising happened; we got a traditional present from strangers, who until today we have not met! L.N.

Throw Your Worries As You Walk

Dahl Al Hamam Family Park is located in Madinat Khalifa North. The Park got its name from the Dahl that is located inside the park, which represents an archaeological symbol in the region. It is a wide green area that includes giant shaded playgrounds for children, a football playground that is covered in palm trees, two basketball playgrounds, and other entertainment areas and services available at the park.

The beauty of green, the wide open place, the smell of grass, and the time we chose to visit Dahl Al Hamam, all played a factor in drawing a smile on our faces that day. It was sunny since it was four in the afternoon; however, some cool breezes were able to make the weather become nicer. The place was so quiet, no visitors were there expect the two of us, my friend and I, beside the cleaners. We talked as we were walking through its extensive sidewalks and crossing its bridges. We took the opportunity of this serenity and expressed our wistful feelings. By the end of our visit that didn't extend half an hour, the calm atmosphere around us and the birds' sounds were able to transfer our moods and feeling to ones that are more joyful.

N.A

Skiing in the Desert

It’s the wild ride that everyone enjoys going on, an eventful trip to the inland sea, as you enjoy the treasure of the desert. You experience skiing on snow, but it’s a bit different in that the snow is simply beige and the weather is much drier and warmer. The dunes are wavy and softly ironed, and the vibrant rays of the splendid sun illume the golden land of the desert and glitters it with tiny sequins. The scene looks very alluring, even though the place looks solemn and desolated; as if you’re in no man’s land, it still is very rich in its hazel colors. Getting behind the wheels and diving in the sand dunes was delirious, as we splashed sand around and left behind our tracks.

As soon as we arrived at the site, the tents were set up traditionally; they were vivid red and geometric patterns. The sun was setting and was painting the sky with its bright colors. The chilly waves from the faraway land stroked us wildly, as we walked along the wavy seashore. We climbed up the soft sand hills and kept on sliding downhill until we lost our balance or nearly crashed into the tents. But surfing fever was interrupted by the fresh delicious smell of the BBQ-grills teasing our nostrils. I felt thrilled. It was a wild experience. An extraordinary activity that broke my daily routine, as it definitely refreshed me with the fresh breezes of the desert. (N.S)

"The Traditions of Qatar” is bridging Life to Triumph

"The Traditions of Qatar" is an event that held by Qatar's Guest Center, as a part of Sheikh Eid Bin Muhammad Al-Thani Charitable Association. Out of keenness on the call to God as a religious obligation towards non-Muslims, especially whom coming to Qatar, the idea festablishing a center is being initiated. Three months ago, I was volunteered for 20 hours. This event was part of the main journey of consolidation of the Islamic faith in the soul and rooting them rightly within people. The traditional aspects wee being offered to show the Qatari Islamic culture and how the past activities are the roots of the advanced development in Qatar. The event is leaving people to remember that with the commitment of the Islamic traditions within the past and the knowledge of today, there will be a bright future waiting for Qatar.

In this remarkable event, I had been delegated to prepare the presentation that provides some traditional Islamic aspects to represent the culture of Qatar. The preparation stage played a vital role in developing my team working skills, enhancing creativity and managing organizational events. I was responsible for arragement of food and other hospitality aspects under the traditional way of styling. Additionally, I was the main presenter of the event. Holding such position has tought me how to guid and face audience for moving toward success. It opens the past's door for you to see the marvelous scene of the heritage of Qatar.

Their sincere thanks along with my family's support are implemented great motivations within me for accomplishing more. My engagement within such significant experience enhanced my leadership and management skills. More precisely, I have been familiarized with good communicational skills in dealing with different people for social and religious manners. My great thanks with best regards toward Qatar's Guest Center for giving me such valuable opportunity to express my abilities and collaborate effectively with them in order to achieve their goals.

GarnGaao, Now and Then.

GarnGaao is an old traditional celebration that Qataries still hold on to very dearly. It is celebrated annually on the 14^th night of Ramadan. It is aimed primarily for children, but adults join in as well. The children go out to the streets, walking from house to house to get candy from the neighbors. Each house has a huge bowl full of nuts and candy. GarnGaao is very similar to Halloween, but instead of the scary theme and costumes, we have a traditional theme and wear traditional clothes.

This fun tradition has not been forgotten. Actually, people have elaborated this celebration and took it to new levels. They compete on who would prepare the most extravagant event. The huge bowl of candy is gone and is replaced with thousands of Riyals worth candy arrangements. The traditional clothes are not so traditional either. Yes, we wear the “jalabya” but instead of the traditional long simple dress, the modern jalabya came along, be it short or with trousers or jeans. Nothing stays the same for a long time. While it is true that Garangaao changed from what it was before, it is still the one tradition we hold on to.

Fun fact: did you know that only Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait celebrate Karankaao. Oman celebrates it but they have a different naming for it. They call it “Kanrkshooh”.(HZ)

Atoona Allah Ya'ateekum

It’s a night children have been waiting for all year, a night which Gulf countries rejoice in the second half of the month of Ramadan. Where residents starts preparing the processing of nuts and candy.

In this evening, children dress in their Traditional cloths, walk out of their homes and walk around the neighborhoods knocking on each door. Carrying different cotton bags filled with decorative characteristic cartoons and traditional design, hanging loosely from their necks, ready to receive goodies, sweets and different variety of nuts. Walking around the neighborhoods at nighttime singing the special Garangao song.

Garangao is a very unique evening that’s held on the 14^th of Ramadan every year. My family and I gather together in my grandmother’s house. All of my Family members sitting together celebrating, chatting together, while my little cousins eating the candies they received from other houses singing Garangao song. Dressed in customary women cloths. This unforgettable time is very exceptional in every Qatari house.

(Ahood)

Deep Blue World

Diving was an activity and custom that played a vital and significant role in our history. In fact, Pearl Diving was essentially a traditional activity that used to be one of the few sources of gaining income in the Arabian Gulf region, specifically before the discovery of oil. Hence, It is an aspect that we cherish until today and it reminds us of how the previous generations used to live. However, nowadays diving is commonly for leisure.

My personal experience with diving primarily began around four years ago. It is an activity that significantly enables me to feel liberated, in a place that lacks all boundaries and limitations. It is a different world that allows me to go through unpredicted journeys and new experiences each time. The peaceful ambiance enlivens and releases me from any complexities. It strengthens and enables me to realize the beauty of the environment. In fact, whenever I am feeling tense or pressured, diving allows me to forget and put everything behind.
(J. AT)