Photo Feature

by Salim Matramkot & Syed Omar

The Ladies Tour of Qatar at the start of the cycling season is an event which world’s top cyclists have put on their calendar for the last three years. This year too elite women from the cycling world stretched themselves to the limit to gain top honours in Qatar.
Judith Arndt of GreenEDGE-AIS won the Ladies Tour of Qatar, holding off a challenge from Trixi Worrack of Specialized –lululemon to claim the leader’s Golden jersey and win the 2012 edition of the event. 2009 and 2010 winner Kirsten Wild of Netherlands won two of the three-stages to win the Silver jersey for points.
Australian Hosking Chloe of Team Specialized-lululemon won the best young riders jersey. The Ladies Tour of Qatar which ended in Doha on Friday consisted of three stages and covered a distance of 304kms. Teams from Australian, Germany, French, Belgium, China and USA took part in the first event of the year to position them on the world stage in the Olympic year. In all, 90 riders from 15 teams took part in the event.  Qatar has earned its place among countries that really count in the world of cycling, said Sheikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani, President of Qatar Cycling Federation.
“The very existence and continued development of this high-level female competition is proof of the Qatari sporting authorities’ commitment to cycling. It is also proof of the truly visionary approach with which the country sets itself major challenges.

by Salim Matramkot

They are usually seen working in their familiar yellow and green stalls on street corners or in tiny booths in souqs around the city. They are cobblers, engaged in the centuries-old business of shoe repairing.
Need a new sole for an old shoe? These cobblers have every solution to a shoe problem. Every stitch, every stroke of brush gives a fresh look to old shoes, boots, sandals or any footwear, saving one money on a new pair.
Souq Al Ali, Souq Nabina, Souq Waqif and Souq Al Asiery are but some of the places where they are found to give the much needed repair and shine to customer’s pair of shoes.
Cobblers are of great help since wearing shoes that are mechanically dysfunctional can have serious repercussions on the health of one’s legs, feet, and back.

by Qassim Rahmatullah

A man providing watch repairing services sitting on a table in front of shops and street corners has always been part of Doha. With the city wearing a modern look, these ramshackle operations look out of place. There are between 300 and 400 watch repairing outlets; some of them have got a new look. Doha Municipality has decided on a standard size for these kiosks and has provided some structures for free to a number of watch repairers who hold a licence. Around 50 such kiosks have already been set up — a number that covers the main areas of the city such as the souqs, the airport and residential and commercial areas. The rest of them will soon get these new look kiosks. Some kiosks stand on their own while others are next to watch repair shops that already attract clients.

by Shaival Dalal

The newly opened Doha Park 2011 was abuzz yesterday, teeming with thousands of visitors who wanted to spend their weekend outdoors.

Built beside the Doha Exhibition Center, the 30,000 sq m amusement park attracted both children and adults seeking to experience some of the family and thrill rides.

Compared to its previous editions which were held inside the Doha Exhibition Center, the outdoor theme park has been made bigger accommodating a total of 35 rides, some of which have never been to Qatar before.

Not only the colourful and exciting rides were a hit among the visitors but also the more than a hundred shops offering various merchandises ranging from ready-to-wear clothes and accessories to souvenir items.

The circus show and musical extravaganza were also crowd-pullers with breathtaking feats of seasoned performers.

With the 24 food outlets set up at the fun fair, there is always scrumptious food available to tickle every taste bud after enjoying an exciting ride.

The Peninsula

by Abdul Basit

Jet ski enthusiasts turned up in large numbers to take part in a two-day event - UIM Aqua Bike Championship - that kicked off at Al Wakra beach yesterday.
The event is organsied by Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QSMF) which also stages powerboat races in the country.
The next round of the championship will be staged on September 28 and 29, QSMF said. Pilots from the UAE, Kuwait and other GCC countries were also seen in action yesterday.
Prizes will be handed over to the top pilots in four categories. Pilot briefing today will start at 9:30am. Official qualifying will start at 11:00am whereas the first race will commence at 2:00pm.

A unique blend of live entertainment provided a distinctive experience and lasting impression on hundreds of party people during the first-ever The Global Party at the Royal Avenue in The Pearl Qatar on Thursday night.

Multi-awarded American singer Macy Gray, Lebanese pop star Carole Samaha, godfather of house music DJ Johnny Gleeson and the Sons of Gipsy Kings enthralled the attendees at the party which supported the 21st Century Leaders charity.

The spectacular show brought the party-goers to their feet as the singers delivered well-applauded performances of songs they were famous for.

The Global Party was an event held in 80 countries to benefit 80 charities and attended by over 80,000 guests around the world held in 48 hours. It was inspired by fictional character Phileas Fogg of Jules Verne classic Around the World in 80 Days.

by Salim Matramkot

Qatar State Mosque, the largest in the country with a total area of 175,575sqm, is set to open before the Holy Month of Ramadan begins. Constructed in a Qatari architectural style, mosque houses a number of facilities and will cater to all in Qatar.
The structure is inspired by Bo Al Qabib mosque build by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of modern Qatar.
The new mosque complex, coming up near the TV roundabout, includes gardens, parking areas, services buildings apart from the mosque with inner and outer courtyards and prayer halls. The outer courtyard has an area of 14,953sqm. Facilities are available for people with special needs including exclusive parking.
The main prayer hall has 28 large domes. The basement includes ablution place and washrooms for men while the ground floor consists of the main prayer hall for men, a place dedicated to women’s ablutions in addition to the place designated for ablutions and wash for people with special needs. Mezzanine floor consists of women’s prayer hall and an extra prayer hall for the men, in addition to library and halls.
The traditional lamps and granite seats dot the outer courtyard. In the north of the mosque is a minaret which is 65.25m high, with interiors made of copper and wood decorated in Qatari design.

by Shaival Dalal & Ayoub Abdullah

Throughout the Islamic world there are traditions to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, one of them the night of mid-Shaaban (the Hijra month before Ramadan), when Muslims pray, fast and do acts of charity. The night of mid-Shaaban bears different names in the various Islamic countries, it is called: The Night of Candor (Laylat al-Bara’a); The Night of Prayer (Laylat al-Dooa);The Night of Distribution (Laylat al-Kismah); The Night of Fulfillment (Laylat al-Ejabah); The Night of Benediction (Allaylah al-Mubarakah); The Night of Intercession (Laylat al-Shafa’a);The Night of Absolution and the Freeing from Hell (Layla al-Ghofran wal Itqmm Annar).
In Qatar it is called the Night of Naflah when all Qatari homes welcome the month of. Ramadan with prayers and good deeds,  mainly sharing food with neighbours, the needy and the poor. Traditional dishes like Assidah, Luqaimat, Hariss, Saqoo and others are cooked and distributed. Full of joy, children carry the plates and distribute them to family members and in the neighborhood. Following that children gather on seashore or in public places with their gifts. There, they start singing the famous Naflah song:
Naflah with fat and meat
Naflah with fat and meat
You elevate those who give and offer
You elevate those who give and offer,
Hey, Generous and noble people
More you give, more you’ll receive.
Naflah with fat and meat.
While repeating the song, each child balances slowly his plate, each trying to grasp a piece from another child’s plate. Thus, the night of mid-Shaaban brings an atmosphere of joy and happiness among children and elder.
THE PENINSULA

by Abdul Basit

The newly opened Souq El Basta (International Handicraft Market) offers a huge collection of handicraft and artworks to cater to various taste.

Located on the Katara Beach, the souq is expected to emerge as another tourist attraction adding to the already places in the cultural village such as the beach, the Opera House, the amphitheatre, and the cluster of restaurants which offer a wide array of food and beverages.

The round-the-year, Souq El Basta had seen hundreds of visitors since it recently opened its doors to the public. With over 20 shops representing various countries, the souq offers products such as sand art, handmade mobile accessories, traditional jewellery, miniature dhows, gift boxes, embroidery, paintings, traditional clothes and perfumes among others.

The Peninsula

by Qassim Rahmatullah

Tourism forms a big part of the Indonesian economy with the Southeast Asian country’s vibrant culture and nature attracting millions of visitors each year.

The number of visitors to the Muslim country which supports the world’s second highest level of biodiversity is expected to reach 7.7 million this year.

Family parks are some of the major attractions in Indonesia and one of the top destinations is the Safari Park for its unique concept of solidarity between the modern zoo and nature tourism.

Located in the capital city of Jakarta, Safari Park offers an abode to a wide array of animals from all corners of the world and is a joy to visitors who wish to see amazing white tigers, grizzly bears, hippos, cheetahs, elephants, bison and reptiles. It also offers various games such as water bikes, canoes, swimming pool, wave slide, miniature railway and more.

Local media in Qatar were given a chance to see some of this rich collection of wild animals during a tour as part of Qtel’s charity drive in Indonesia to rebuild the lives of hundreds of people affected by the 2010 Mount Merapi volcanic eruption.

The acclaimed Safari Park is a conservation site, inaugurated as a national tourist spot in 1990, which has also education, research and recreation functions.

by Salim Matram Kot

Thousands of visitors and those who love to shop flock to the Doha Trade Fair 2011 (DTF) to check out the latest products on display. The number of visitors to the Doha Trade Fair has reached over 97,000 since its opening on Saturday, organizers have said.

Exhibitors have come from countries around the globe to showcase and sell a wide array of unique and traditional products. Many of the exhibitors are participating for the first time this year and are impressed with the number of local and regional visitors, as well as the work of the organisers.

The newly-created “Fun-Zone” is the perfect place for families, offering entertainment from inflatable rides to fun games to daily parades. The Guinness World Record MONOPOLY board game is also placed in the “Fun-Zone.”

Wakrah, a city south of Doha, was an important port city with a rich heritage of fishing and pearl diving. The abandoned houses and the mosque near the Wakrah beach are now being restored. The Al Wakra Museum (also under restoration) has a rich collection of artefacts that give a glimpse into the lives of people in the country in earlier days. This multi-billion dollar project has a special focus on the restoration of Wakra’s historic core which, with its traditional architecture, retains a distinctive identity.

THE PENINSULA

by Abdul Basit

Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan football teams and their supporters had a lot to celebrate after the two teams entered the Emir’s Cup final scheduled to take place today at the Khalifa Stadium. Al Gharafa, Heir Apparent Cup winners, defeated Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Lekhwiya in a thriller which was decided on penalties. Al Gharafa won 4-3 with goalkeeper Qassim Burhan was the hero as he saved two spot-kicks while Younis Mahmood converted the final penalty kick at the Al Sadd Stadium which gave Al Gharafa entry into the final. The following day, Al Rayyan did not have to break much sweat like Al Gharafa and Lekhwiya as they cruised to a 5-0 victory over Al Jaish. Both semi-final matches were played with Qatar’s new cooling technology, which was showcased to FIFA inspection team last year during the 2022 World Cup bid which Qatar successfully won, switched on. The curtains on the domestic football season will come down today with this prestigious final at the magnificent Khalifa Stadium with more than 45,000 spectators expected to witness the match. The Peninsula

by Qassim Rahmatullah

A rare glimpse of French poise and glamour models walk the ramp of Grand Hyatt Doha for Madame Fashion Show spring-summer collection 2011. The line-up included famous European labels such as Chloe, Sonia Rykiel, Balanciaga, Robert Cavalli and brands distributed by Al Mana Luxury. The labels exhibited their latest designs, which revealed that subtle colours, volume, and flower patterns remain in style this summer. The show also featured exquisite abayas from Sara’s Secret and Selina Ferooqui, a student of VCU Qatar. The fashion fiesta was organised by the French Embassy in Qatar and Grand Hyatt Doha, while Etihad Airways was the main sponsor of the event. More than 400 people bought the tickets in advance, and a part of proceeds raised was donated to Qatar National Cancer Society. Khalid Al Jumaily entertained the audience as a lively host. Khalid, along with a number of others, stood out as a symbol of new generation of Qataris, who are influenced by several cultures.

Thousands of residents here witnessed a rare spectacle yesterday as hundreds of kites flew over Katara during the first day of the Katara International Kites Family Day.

The multi-cultural kite-studded day brought together professional kite enthusiasts from China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, The Netherlands, and the USA.

The Katara Esplanade turned into a sea of people who for several hours enjoyed watching the flying colours and shapes and tried their dexterity in manoeuvring their own kites.

The windy afternoon became a perfect occasion for the event which proved how kite-flying can unify various cultures who share the same interest. Locally based non-governmental organizations hosted educational and interactive booths raising awareness on various aspects of Qatari arts and culture, such as falconry and calligraphy.

The Peninsula

Al Gharafa, one of the top Qatar Stars League (QSL) teams, yesterday beat Al Arabi in the final of the 2011 Heir Apparent Cup at Qatar Sports Club. Goals by Merghani Al Zain and Juninho sealed the deal for Al Gharafa who are coached by Frenchman Bruno Mestu, the former coach of the Qatar national team. The match was played in front of 12,078 fans that inlcuded the Heir Apparent, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The match was also attended by H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of H H the Emir and H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Special Adviser to H H the Emir. A large number of Sheikhs and Ministers also witnessed the match.

Following the match, the Heir Apparent handed over the winner’s trophy and gold medals to Al Gharafa players and officials. Al Arabi players and officials were given silver medals.

The Peninsula

by Salim Matramkot

World’s top gymnasts, including Daniela Hypolito of Brazil and Zou Kai of China, were two of dozens of athletes seen in action during the 4th FIG Challenge Cup that concluded at ASPIRE Academy yesterday. The event - hosted by Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) for the fourth time in a row - brought together nearly 170 players from 24 countries.

Thirty eight judges were also flown in for the event. Qatar fielded a squad of five players who are preparing for the Pan Arab Games to be held later this year in Doha. Ali Al Hitmi, President of QGF, said the three-day event is one only six FIG Challenge Cup editions held in the world.

The Peninsula