The opening to the American Arts Festival was held at the auditorium in AL Bida family park this evening.
The opening featured traditional Qatar music by Alalulwa. This was followed by speeches, followed by a free buffet and live jazz.
Watch traditional Qatar music played live on YouTube.
The festival of poetry, photography and jazz, which will include lectures, exhibitions, poetry readings, workshops and concerts will be at Georgetown university over the next few weeks. For more information check out this schedule on the Georgetown website.
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Friday, February 16, 2007
American arts festival
Qatar Explorer
The Complete Residents Guide (1st Edition)
ISBN 976-8182-53-9 (251pp)
Qatar can prove to be a bureaucratic and confusing maze for the unsuspecting visitor. Public and private sector workers alike sometimes regard information as something to be given out only with the greatest reluctance, while others express amazement at your lack of knowledge of the intricacies of their organizations.
Qatar: the complete residents guide is currently both the most comprehensive and the best tourist guide, with much of this information available between it purple covers. It’s divided into six sections: general info, residents, exploring, activities, shopping and going out.
While, it seems, everything a tourist or resident would want to know about has been included, it would be nice to have more detail on some areas, such as food, culture and history. However, as it title suggests, both it’s main focus and its strength is on providing clear and practical information for residents, and it includes information on housing, setting up home, health and education. The adverts which dot its pages may prove to be an irritation for a book that you have paid for, but at least they contribute to a reasonable price for a book which has only a small potential market. Overall, this is a book well worth buying for anyone thinking of coming to work and live in Qatar.
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Trio Divorak
"The Music of Trio Divorak", a small classical music concert, will be held at the French Cultural Centre on Thursday 22nd February. Three musicians - playing the piano, cello and violin - will be playing a selection of light classical music. Tickets will cost 20 riyals.
Location: 13 Al Joud Street, Quartier: Dafna - West Bay (Close to Al Jazi Gardens)
Tel: +974 4930862/3
Email: contact@ccfdoha.com
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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Losail racing track
Losail racing track is 5.4 kilometres long, has 16 turns and the longest straight is just over a kilometre. The major challenge for riders is not the turns but dealing with treacherous sand blown onto the track. To get to Losail Racing track head out of town on Al Jamlaa Street, past Doha Golf Club towards Al Khor. Drive along the desert road until you see the signs for Losail racing circuit.
Contact details: +974 4729151.
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Monday, February 12, 2007
At the jetty
At this jetty on the Corniche, close to the Sheraton hotel, you can watch brightly coloured fish swimming in the clear water around you while relaxing in the warm winter sun. Look closely, and you will see bigger fish lurking below these small fry.
Click here to listen to the sound of water lapping against the jetty.
Tourist dhows playing loud traditional music will take you on brief trips round the bay. Be careful, though - the fifteen riyal price can rapidly become fifty riyals when you are on the boat, no matter how carefully you check beforehand.
Listen to the sounds of a tourist dhow playing traditional music.
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Saturday, February 10, 2007
American arts festival
The American arts festival, sponsored by the centre for International and Regional Studies, starts on 16th February. The festival will be held at Georgetown campus and will focus on poetry, photography and jazz through the medium of performances, lectures and discussion. The aim is not just to showcase American art but to encourage dialogue between American and Arab artists. For more information see the IFP qatar website or contact Frances Nehme: Tel. +974 4329900 Mobile: 974 5100575 Email fnehme@ifpqatar.com .
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Friday, February 09, 2007
Gondolas in Villagio
It's only a month since we did a review of Villagio, but when we heard they had gondolas we had to get along there. More of the complex has been opened now, and though workers are still welding and banging around you, it looks fantastic. A canal runs through the new section, and gondolas are tied up along the canal, ready to transport customers through the huge shopping complex. The ceiling, as we mentioned before, imitates the sky very successfully. There's still only a few shops in the new section, but we weren't the only ones just walking round and admiring what had been done. It's well worth a visit while it's still very easy to park.
Also see: Villagio Italia in Nagoya
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Thursday, February 08, 2007
Qatar schools
This page is now out of date. For a more up-to-date and comprhensive database of schools see our webpage: Qatar Schools
Also see Further Education in Qatar.
Primary and secondary school education in Qatar is currently in a state of flux. There are currently two bodies controlling education in Qatar: The Ministry of Education and The Supreme Education Council.
The Supreme Education Council is slowly taking over from the Ministry of Education, and is currently establishing privately managed Independent schools. Many of these schools have better equipment and resources than the Ministry of Education schools, which also suffer from discipline problems.
The independent schools currently teach some subjects in Arabic, and, in theory at least, other subjects in English. There are problems caused by the different levels of English of the teachers, whose proficiency can range from basic to native speaker. The Supreme Education Council is investing heavily in training its teachers, and hopes to move completely to English over the next five years.
Most expatriate children go to private schools, and Qatar offers both a lot of choice and very good value for money with education.
List of private schools in Qatar
Below we’ve included a list of some of the schools available in Qatar. This list is by no means all-inclusive.
Al-Jazeera Academy
Contact details: Tel: +974 469 3777 Fax: +974 4682555
Email: registrar@aja.edu.qa
Website: www.aja.edu.qa
Comprises 4 schools:
Early Learning Centre (pre-school and reception)
the Primary School (years 1-6)
the secondary girls school (years 7-13)
the secondary boys school (years 7-13)
Curriculum: International primary school, IGCSE for secondary school with option to follow IB diploma or Cambridge International Diplomas.
Cedars Tuturing programme
Contact details: +974 4688192/ 583 0165
Email:cedarstutoring@hotmail.com
Location: off Al Afnan Street between Salwa Road and Haloul Street
Offers additional tutoring, bridging programmes and intensive English courses to prepare students for English language schools
Compass International School
Contact details: Tel: +974 487 7445 Fax: +974 487 7446
Email: info@cisdoha.org
Address: PO Box 23479
Ages taught: 4-12 (with plans to raise the upper age limit to 18)
Location: Waab Al Abareeq Street in Al Gharaffa (close to Education city)
Website: http://www.cisdoha.org/index.htm
The school is owned and operated by WCLS group (http://www.greatlearning.com/).
Doha British Montessori School
Contact details: Tel: +974 4445955/66 Fax: +974 4445977
Email: info@doha-montessori.com
Website: www.doha-montessori.com
Location: Al Soudan Roundabout
Address: PO Box 6142, Doha, Qatar
Ages taught: currently years reception – year 8 (years 9 and 10 from September 2007)
Curriculum: National Curriculum for England and Wales
Doha College
Contact details: Tel: +974 468 7379 Fax: +974 4685720
Email: Primary school: enquiriesprimary@dohacollege.com
Secondary school: enquiries@dohacollege.com
Website: www.dohacollege.com
Address: Doha College P.O. Box 7506 Doha Qatar
Location: On the new E ring road, near Qatar decoration roundabout on Salwa Road.
Teaches from primary to secondary school
Sponsored by the British Embassy
Doha English Speaking School
Contact details: Tel +974 487 0170 Fax +974 4875921
Email: dess@qatar.net.qa
Website: www.dess.org
Address: PO Box 7660, Doha, Qatar
Ages taught: 3-10
Location: Near TV roundabout
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England
Facilities include: covered swimming pool, music room, sporting facilities and playing field.
Doha Modern Indian School (Gems managed)
Contact details: Tel: +974 4583121/122 Fax: +974 4583124
Email: dmis@qatar.net.qa
Website: http://www.dpsmisdoha.com/DPSDoha/
Address: PO box 47391, Doha, Qatar
Location: Abu Hamour, close to the Pakistani School
Curriculum: CBSE syllabus
Park House English School
Contact details: Tel: +974 4633800 Fax: +974 4583785
Email: phes@qatar.net.qa
Website: www.parkhouseschool.com
Address: PO Box 22215, Doha, Qatar
Location: Wholesale Market Street
Ages taught: Primary School 3-11 years old
Comprehensive School Year 7-12 (check ages)
Curriculum: Follows English and Welsh National Curriculum
Facilities include science labs, I.T. suites, auditorium, heated swimming pool and sports facilities including football pitch.
Qatar Academy
Contact details: Tel +974 482 6666 Fax: +974 480 2769
Address: PO Box 1129, Doha, Qatar
Email: qataracademy@qf.org.qa
Website: www.qataracademy.edu.qa
Address: PO Box 1129, Doha, Qatar
Location: Education city
Includes primary and secondary school.
Curriculum: international baccalaureate.
Features include: science labatories and art studios, 250 seat auditorium, library-media centre, 50m Olympic swimming pool and training pools + multi gym.
Qatar International School (British run)
Contact details: Tel: +974 4833456 Fax: +974 4831096
Email: info@qis.org
Website: www.qis.org
Address: P.O.Box 5697, Doha, Qatar
Location: Dafna West Bay Area of Qatar next to French School and new Lebanese School
Teaches ages 2 ½ - 17
Teachers: U.K. trained
Facilities include: swimming pool and sports facilities
The American School of Doha
Contact details: Tel +974 4421377 Fax: +974 4420885
Email: info@asd.edu.qa
Address: PO Box 22090, Doha, Qatar
Location: SW Quadrant, Al Rayyan/Al Sudan District, E ring road
Teachers: Include U.S., Canadian, Latin American, European and Arabic Teachers
Teaches from elementary to high school.
The Cambridge School for boys and girls
Contact Details: Tel: +974 4696590/ 4690520 Fax: +974 4699278
Email: cambridge@qatar.net.qa
Website: http://www.cambridgeschool.com.qa/contact/default.htm
Ages taught: 3-18
Curriculum: National Curriculum for England and Wales
Location: Al Madeed Street, Mamoura Area
The Gulf English School
Contact Details: Tel: +974 486 5367/ 487 3865 Fax: 4861256
Email: info@gulfenglishschool.com
Website: www.gulfenglishschool.com
Address: PO Box 2440, Doha, Qatar
Location: Al Gharaffa Street
Ages taught: 3-18
Curriculum: International baccalaureate, Arabic and Islamic studies included
Facilities include bus and swimming pools.
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Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Wind tower
This is one of the few remaining traditional wind towers, which can be seen in the courtyard of Najada Shopping plaza on Grand Hamad Avenue.
Wind towers, or wind catchers as they are also known, were an effective natural form of air-conditioning in the harsh desert climate of the Middle East. They consisted of four openings facing in four directions. The effective is due to convection currents, with any hot air rising and leaving the building, and cool air entering and sinking to the bottom. Sturdy walls and masonry, and sometimes water reservoirs, also helped to keep out the heat and keep in any cool night air.
Although formerly a museum, the building is currently closed to the public.
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Monday, February 05, 2007
List of embassies in Qatar
Your country's embassy or consulate can provide invaluable assistance for both residents and visitors alike. Embassies issue passports and emergency passports, register births, deaths and marriages, can assist nationals detained or imprisoned, who have fallen ill or been the victims of crime, as well as offer advice on security issues. An embassy's visa section provides visa services where necessary and most embassies also have commercial sections providing information for businesses and general trade development advice.
Afghanistan
Tel: +974 4836507 Fax: +974 4932330
Algeria
Tel: +974 4831186 Fax: 4836452
Tel: +974 4884101 Fax: +974 4884298
Tel: +974 4839360 Fax: 4831018
Tel: +974 4671927 Fax: +974 4671190
Tel: +974 4670194 Fax: +974 4670595
Tel: +974 4838812 Fax: +974 4838087
Tel: +974 4421991 Fax: +974 4438692
Tel: +974 4831956
Tel + 974 4934 203 Fax: +974 4934201
Tel: +974 4110380 Fax: +974 4110387
Tel: +974 4933086 Fax: +974 4933087
Tel: +974 4838461
Tel: +974 4832555 Fax: +974 4832196
Tel:+974 4667934 Fax: +974 4664139
Tel: +974 4832283 Fax: +974 4832019
Tel: + 974 4876959 Fax: +974 4876949
Tel: +974 4932531 Fax: +974 4932537
Tel: +974 4672021 Fax: +974 4670448
Tel: +974 4657945 Fax: +974 4657610
Tel: +974 4835300 Fax: 4831665
Tel: +974 4672237 Fax: +974 4673347
Tel: +974 4831828 Fax: +974 4831909
Tel: +974 4840888 Fax: +974 4832178
Jordan
Tel: +974 4832202 Fax: +974 4832173
Korea
Tel: +974 4832238 Fax: +974 4833264
Kuwait
Tel: +974 4832111 Fax: +974 4832042
Lebanon
Tel: +974 4933330 Fax: +974 4933331
Malaysia
Tel: +974 4836463 Fax: +974 4836453
Mauritania
Tel: +974 48360003 Fax: +974 4836015
Morroco
Tel: +974 4831885 Fax: +974 4833416
Tel: +974 4675683 Fax: +974 4675680
Netherlands
Tel: +974 4931408 Fax: +974 4110493
Oman
Tel: +974 4931910 Fax: +974 4931910
Pakistan
Tel: +974 4832525 Fax: +974 4832227
Palestine
Tel: +974 4692929 Fax: +974 4688949
Philippines
Tel: +974 4831585 Fax: + 974 4831595
Tel: +974 4934848 Fax: +974 4934747
Tel: +974 4836231 Fax: +974 4836243
Tel: +974 4832030 Fax: +974 4832720
Tel: +974 4837644 Fax: +974 4838872
Tel: +974 4857111 Fax: +974 4835961
Spain
Tel: +974 4835901 Fax: +974 4835887
Sri Lanka
Tel: +974 4677627 Fax: +974 4674788
Sudan
Tel: +974 4831474 Fax: 4833031
Syria
Tel: +974 4832409 Fax: +974 4832139
Thailand
Tel: +974 4550715 Fax: +974 4550835
Tunisia
Tel: +974 4832645 Fax: +974 4832649
Turkey
Tel: +974 4835553 Fax: +974 4835206
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +974 4838880 Fax: +974 4836186
Venezuela
Tel: +974 4932734 Fax: +974 4932729
Yemen
Tel: +974 4432555 Fax: +974 4429400
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Saturday, February 03, 2007
About the prayer call
The prayer call you here is the Sunni version - Qataris are predominantly Sunni Adhan is heard five times a day, calling the Muslims to Salat, a prayer which is complusory and must be performed. Traditionally a Muezzin climbed the a prayer tower to deliver the prayer call. However, nowadays the prayer call is often delivered by loudspeaker, which can result in a rather tinny sound.
We've shortened the Adhan posted here. The full text goes:
Allahu akbar Allahu Akbar
As ha du Allah illaha illaulah x2
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur rasūlullāh
Hayya alas-salāt
Hayya alal-falāh
As-salatu khayru min an-naum x2(fajr prayer)
Allhu akbar Allahu Akbar
Lā ilāha illallāh
Which means:
Allah is great, Allah is great
I bear witness that there is no God except Allah (x2)
I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of God
Make haste towards prayer
Make haste towards welfare
Prayer is better than sleep
Allah is great, Allah is great
There is no God except Allah
(We've left Allah as Allah, although of course the translation of Allah is God).
The five prayers:
Salat Ul Fajr - the morning prayer. Should be performed between dawn and sunrise.
Salat Ul Zuhr - the noon prayer.
Salat Ul Asr - begin soon after Salat Ul Zuhr, although the prayer can take place up until just before sunset.
Salat Ul Magrib - begins just after sunset
Salat Ul Isha - begins an hour after sunset.
It is interesting to note that the majority of the praying takes place quite late in the day, presumably to allow people the opportunity to complete their work during daylight hours.
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Thursday, February 01, 2007
Renewing your road permit
The whole process of renewing the Estimara (road permit) was far simpler than I expected. I first checked I had no traffic violations. You can do this online at www.e.gov.qa. Click on Traffic Violations, then Pay Online. You can check if you have any outstanding fines on your car by putting either your ID number or your car plate number. You need to pay any fines before you can renew your permit.
Go to a traffic department – I used the Medinat Khalifa department, which is opposite the immigration department. You need your technical test certificate, insurance, ID card and
original road permit. Get the form typed up, (there are two typists’ offices to do this, and in any case they’ll jump on you as soon as you get out of your car). You give the typist your documents and he will complete the form for you in Arabic. The typist should charge you about 5 riyals.
Get a stamp for your form, and walk into the traffic department. Go to the information kiosk. The person at the kiosk will tell you which counter to go to. Go to the counter. Hand over your form and documents. The person (normally a lady) will type the details in and your new road permit will come out of the computer.
Locals will tell you to go early in the morning. Perhaps because everyone goes early in the morning, it was very quiet when I arrived at 10.45, and I got the whole process completed in about ten minutes.
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