Today, H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Qatar National Day 2022 celebrations, made an inspection tour of the permanent headquarters of Darb Al-Saai in Umm Salal Mohammed area, where he was briefed on the readiness of Darb Al-Saai to host more than 4,500 heritage activities. And cultural, during the period from November 25 to December 18, 2022, under the slogan “Our unity is the source of our strength.”
His Excellency was accompanied during the tour by a number of local newspaper editors, media professionals, social media influencers and event organizers.
His Excellency inspected the events headquarters in Darb Al-Saai and the attendees briefed about the progress of work to complete the various main facilities, public and logistical services, and the ease of access to the permanent headquarters, which extends over an area of 150,000 square meters, and the final touches are currently being put in the events arena.
On this occasion, His Excellency expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the work, as well as with the efforts of the Organizing Committee for the National Day celebrations and the Media Committee to show the permanent headquarters in a splendid manner to receive citizens, residents and visitors to the country during the National Day celebrations, appreciating the completion of this national achievement, which is a heritage and cultural legacy for the Qatari society and future generations.
H.E. the Minister of Culture, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the National Day Celebrations, praised the rich events package prepared by the Ministry of Culture as part of the National Day celebrations in Darb Al Saai, which includes cultural activities, literary and intellectual seminars, poetry evenings and theatrical performances aimed at highlighting the authentic heritage, Qatari, Arab and Islamic culture, and pride in national identity in addition to upholding the values of the National Day and enhancing loyalty and belonging to this homeland dear to the hearts of all.
His Excellency also appreciated the various efforts aimed at enhancing the participation of all members of society and visitors to the State of Qatar in the National Day celebrations, highlighting the history and authentic heritage of the State of Qatar, and keeping pace with the world’s most prominent sporting event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
In this context, His Excellency affirmed his confidence in Qatar’s successful hosting of the World Cup thanks to “our unity is the source of our strength”, stressing that Qatar will dazzle the world by organizing an exceptional edition which will be the best in the history of the world championship, God willing.
The permanent headquarters of Darb Al-Saai in the Umm Salal Mohammed area is distinguished by a high level of equipment, services and public facilities that provide comfort and safety factors for visitors and participating entities and enhance their experience during the events. This is evident through the distribution of the pavilions and headquarters of the participating entities in Darb Al-Saai as well as the design that highlights the original Qatari architectural heritage with a modern and creative character.
The new headquarters is also easily accessible from three main roads, in addition to the Doha Metro through the Green Line “Old Al Rayyan Station”, which enhances the flow of traffic, in addition to the presence of a parking lot that accommodates approximately 3,500 cars and it is connected to seven main gates and five service gates for entry and exit in complete comfort and there are also main display screens to broadcast a number of events in front of the Darb Al-Saai audience and there is also a prayer area for men and another for women and a number of service facilities.
The Organizing Committee for the National Day celebrations seeks to enhance the experience of visitors and guests of the State of Qatar in Darb Al-Saai with a rich package of events and activities that highlight the Qatari culture and authentic heritage. In addition to a number of literary, intellectual and artistic seminars, as well as exhibitions and competitions, two museums, a number of crafts and folk games, and workshops, all of which are held during the 24 days of celebrations.
The theater is an important corner of the cultural activities in Darb Al-Saai, where literary, intellectual and cultural seminars are held, and theatrical performances, poetry evenings and concerts are organized.
The theater is of particular importance in terms of the important cultural content it provides and in terms of the distinctive architectural form. The theater will witness more than 46 cultural and artistic activities daily, ranging from literary and intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, theatrical performances and concerts.
Al Bidda event documents the Qatari marine heritage environment in miniature. Al Bidaa area is the old Al-Fareej adjacent to the sea, and it usually attracts the public because of Al Bidaa’s deep heritage extension and an authentic Qatari heritage that reflects the feelings of intimacy and compassion that used to bring together the people of Al-Fareej.
Al-Bida includes Al-Majlis, Bait Al-Mutawa, the popular café, Majilis Al-Nwkhdht, Al-Niham, and Akkas Al-Freij, in addition to traditional folk games such as tug-of-war, snatching and Sada W Rada (ball blocking) and cultural competitions.
As for “Al-Housh (Courtyard) Event”, it expresses an authentic aspect of the life of the people of Qatar, as it represents a daily outlet for the family and children and many family activities are practiced in it.
Al-Housh Event provides visitors with more than 20 recreational activities, as well as taking memorial photos of the Qatari Council and the house’s furniture and equipment.
Al-Ramey (Shooting) Event seeks to revive an authentic sport that was practiced by parents and grandparents, because of its great role in achieving protection for individuals and providing hunting for a living. With the development of this sport, it became one of the Olympic sports in which distinguished athletes participated and achieved a lot of successes and championships through it.
On the other hand, Al-Zara’a (Planting) Event will be organized, which will introduce the basics of planting in nurseries and teach how to throw seeds, prune and trim trees as well as introducing the various types of local trees. It contains a wide range of interesting and useful workshops on making kohl, forming clay by hand, weaving with palm fronds in addition to training workshops on aromatherapy and botanical arts.
As for “Al-Shaqab” event, it targets the Darb Al Saai audience of all age groups, and its importance lies in the variety of activities and events it includes that satisfy all tastes, such as horse beauty shows, horse and carts riding, as well as heritage shows.
In Souq Waqif, the “popular market” in Darb Al-Saai, there are 80 shops and 8 restaurants to sell products of local projects to Qatari entrepreneurs. The market aims to introduce the community to the local product, provide support for the national product, enhance competition between entrepreneurial projects, and contribute to achieving Qatar Vision 2030 in supporting entrepreneurial capabilities.
As for “Qatar Reads” Event, it encourages children to read through the interactive activities it provides for them, including children’s story fair that include books about the State of Qatar, the National Day and the World Cup in addition to many interactive activities that motivate children to read and write and develop their keenness for knowledge and self-development.
“Darb Al-Saai” track, which is 500 meters long, has also been prepared for horse and horseback shooting competitions, purebred Arabian camel races, and events and tournaments that are held in Darb Al-Saai as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations.