All members are welcome to post and chat about anything other than skyscrapers in this thread

if anyone can guess how many traffic violations & parking fines given to gulf citizens, mainly saudis, during the IPO of al-rayan bank, i'll treat him into a fine dinner in my favourite restaurant, la veranda.

speaking of gulf citizens, here's a dialogue between one of my brother's friends, who happend to be a policeman while driving in doha street, and car full of saudi men near qatar decor roundabout, and i don't mean to offend anybody:

saudi: aslam 3alikum
qatari:3alikum salam
saudi: ya akhi where's doha?
qatari:you are in doha already
saudi:really?
qatari: yes, just go straight west (towards ramada junction, he means)
saudi:good. do you have hotels in doha?
qatari: yes, we do.
saudi: any girls?(prostitutes, he means)
qatari: la wallah, al7alah nashifah
saudi: any drinks? (alcohol, he means)
qatari: yes, we do.
saudi: kitha?
qatari: yes, kitha
saudi: salam 3alikum
qatari: wi 3alikum asalam

thats all !! trust when i was in bahrain I was asked a whole lot of worest thing by saudis looking for a good time !!

no kidding once a saudi asked me if i could baby sit his kids.. i swear to god im not making this up !!

Now did these Saudis come for the IPO or just for fun!
Looooooooooool, I know this sort of things will happen more often when Saudis realize that Qatar is an open country too.
It must be thousands of violations, did it reach 5000?

god what a mess !!

hey dave are you qatari or just living there?

But still, even though the country is pretty open, however, we still have a very conservative society and they are going to be resentful, cause we are not like Dubai which is mostly foreigners and can't say nothing or like Bahrain where they have a very liberal society, I mean this is Doha, u know

nope I am not in Qatar, but I am Qatari though

i would disagree with you right here my friend, dave550, regarding how you described bahrain as being a liberal society.

we all know that bahrain was one of the most enlightend countries in the middle east, where education, social & economic developments took place, & was away in lead of the rest of the gulf countries. but that was then. now, bahrain has a bustling nightlife and plenty of entertainment, carnal or not, to offer to both locals & tourists.

but i would stress that bahraini people are very conservatives, and that was displayed clearly after the islamists took over most of the seats at the parliment, where they are trying to overturn some laws that permits sale of alcohol, and limit the building of new hotels near residential areas. alot of bahraini people think of tourism as "evil" and alot of them too, think that frequenting a nightclub is a "sin", and we all heard about the disturbances that took place in new year's eve in bahrain by some youth few years back.
now, either those people were hooligans or people who object to the tourism industry, presnetly in bahrain, it has an indication that bahraini people are true conservatives and enjoys a great sense of virtue safeguard.

you are right wakrah wi bas

Acctually I beg to differ. Although most of the ppl elected were conservatives, i doubt in the next election these same folks will be elected into office.

The reason I think they were elected was because many of those who elected them aligned with them for either social reasons or in an effort to balance out the powers of sunni and shia in parliment.

Also religious folks will always vote for religious ppl. Of the candidate there were those who were religious, liberals, women etc. etc. The non-religious votes got spread out between all the different canadidates leaving the religious canadidates with the most votes.

Lets not forget that there are a whole lot of non-religious ppl in bahrain's parliment, its teh religious ones who are most vocal.

Bahrain in general, and after living there for years is probably the msot liberal folks along with the kuwaitis. Imn ot saying this is a bad thing nor a good things, but tribalism and conservatisim isnt very common in bahraini ppl. Maybe a few but not socity as a whole !

By the way, when are we gonna have a parliment in Qatar? It was long since I last heard about this

they said it'll be in 2000, right after the centeral municipal council's elections in 1999. then they said it'll be in 2002, & now they're saying it'll be soon, probably in 2007 or "08.
anyhow, i don't want to say who said all of that, i don't want to be accused of defamation.

but i wonder, should we in qatar dream on?

i dont think we need a parliment in Qatar.

And another thing, democracy comes from the ppl for the ppl not from the govt to the ppl !!

Qatar eyes Singapore expertise in ports, dockyards: MM Lee
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia
ABU DHABI : The Qatar government is looking to tap into Singapore's expertise in port management and dockyard operations, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said.

He says Singapore is also studying the possibility of managing the multi-billion dollar port that Qatar is planning to build.

Mr Lee says Singapore must venture into new areas like Qatar, and not just depend on markets in China or India.

He made these observations at the end of his visit to Doha before leaving for the United Arab Emirates on the last leg of his Middle East trip.

Qatar has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years of its development, but Mr Lee says this is just the beginning.

It has big plans for its oil and gas industry, which Mr Lee says could elevate Qatar into the world's second-largest producer of natural gas by the end of this decade.

Minister Mentor Lee says cooperation between Singapore and Qatar is wide-ranging.

One key area the Qatar government is definitely interested in learning from Singapore is port management, because Qatar is planning to build a $3 billion port and its own fleet of 70 liquefied natural gas tankers.

With 4,000 LNG vessels sailing into Qatar a year, there will also be enough business for Qatar's dockyard repair services.

Mr Lee said, "They want us, Keppel and Sembawang to come in and work with them in a joint venture, teach them how we have operated our dockyards, how to pass on the skills know-how, and they will learn and share the benefits of the growth in the market."

This means Singapore could play a significant role in Qatar's growth.

Mr Lee says Singapore and Qatar will likely enter into joint ventures that can bring benefit for both countries.

He also cautioned that entering new markets like Qatar will pose a new set of challenges, from the ways of conducting business to adjusting to the high costs of living in Qatar and even the cultural differences.

But Mr Lee doesn't think it would deter Singaporeans from entering the Middle Eastern markets.

Singapore will set up an office in Doha that will help companies get into the bidding process for projects.

As for managing the port that Doha is planning to build, Mr Lee says PSA will look at the issue in a wider context, as part of its plans to expand on its international network of ports.

He also says Singapore's involvement in Qatar cannot be about making a quick buck.

Mr Lee said, "We're not here to do a one deal and then we're off. What they want us to do will require many years of working together passing on the certain styles of governance, certain methods of government, training people."

Mr Lee says his trip to Qatar is about establishing relations with its top leadership, and to reach mutual understanding for a long-term relationship. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Qatar is seeking for help in port management from Singapore which is famous about its huge major port. I think that's a very good idea

Very good idea.

i second that.

Doha: Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached a record $34.37bn (QR125.56bn) in 2005 showing an incredible 20.8 per cent growth over the previous year.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, while releasing last year’s economic growth figures, said preliminary indicators pointed that the economy was expected to be buoyant in the foreseeable future. The growth rate was likely to be maintained in the future, the report stressed.

As for GDP, the fourth and last quarter of the year 2005 saw the maximum growth at $9.6bn, compared to the third quarter (Q3) figure of $4.9bn. There was a huge difference in the figures of the two quarters. The GDP in 2004 was QR104bn as against QR86bn in 2003 with the growth rate being 20.3 per cent.

The Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Thani, according to QNA, attributed higher economic growth to the open policy being pursued by the state. The visionary steps taken by the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had an impact on all sectors of the economy, he said.

The higher growth was primarily a result of mega projects that have been launched and 2006 is expected to be more promising, the report said.

The rate of inflation in 2005 was unlikely to exceed the previous year’s percentage of 6.8, the report added. The major contributors were costlier imports and the fact that Qatar received its oil-related revenues in dollars.

Oil prices rose dramatically last year and that also played its part in jacking the rate of inflation up, along with heavy public spending on infrastructure projects. The rate of inflation was 2.26 per cent in 2003 and rose considerably to 6.8 per cent in 2004. “However, we do not expect this percentage to cross in 2005 in any way,” the report said.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&month=January2006&file=Local_News2006012964241.xml

Isn't this great news

Can anyone please get us some new pictures of La Villaggio Mall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i would disagree with you right here my friend, dave550, regarding how you described bahrain as being a liberal society.

we all know that bahrain was one of the most enlightend countries in the middle east, where education, social & economic developments took place, & was away in lead of the rest of the gulf countries. but that was then. now, bahrain has a bustling nightlife and plenty of entertainment, carnal or not, to offer to both locals & tourists.

but i would stress that bahraini people are very conservatives, and that was displayed clearly after the islamists took over most of the seats at the parliment, where they are trying to overturn some laws that permits sale of alcohol, and limit the building of new hotels near residential areas. alot of bahraini people think of tourism as "evil" and alot of them too, think that frequenting a nightclub is a "sin", and we all heard about the disturbances that took place in new year's eve in bahrain by some youth few years back.
now, either those people were hooligans or people who object to the tourism industry, presnetly in bahrain, it has an indication that bahraini people are true conservatives and enjoys a great sense of virtue safeguard.

I understand what both you and Qatar4Ever said...Both of you are right....

Bahrain does have a generally conservative society...Some parts of our society are just as conservative as conservatives in Qatar or UAE, but maybe not Saudi, lol..But the thing is we also have a quuite liberal minority in Bahrain, more than in any other place in the gulf, except for maybe Kuwait, i don't know...Like more in number, and maybe in the degree of liberality i guess...And these ppl tend to usually be the upper class, and upper middle class...So they are more influential, and have more say in the country...And as a result, the country is seemingly more liberal...Also its those ppl who go out to places like Seef mall or the cenima, more than lets say the conservative villagers....So those are the ppl you'll see more of, or will bump into, if u come to Bahrain, most probably...But with the parliament now, its the islamists who gained power and are upseting the old balance of power which used to be in favour of the, lets say liberals...We have very very conservative ppl, trust me, but maybe not soo tribalistic like Qatar4Ever said...

And let me tell u this, almost anywhere in the arab world, in a generally conservative society, if u have a parliament, more often than not its the islamists and religious clerics that'll rise to power and become MP's or elected government officials or whatever...Soo in the end, IMO, yes, there are obviously way more conservatives in Bahrain than liberals....WAY MORE...But as a percentage of the general population we most probably have a larger liberal minority than in other gulf countries (And by gulf, i mean GCC, for those picky Iranian forumers :tongue2:)

Cheers :cheers:

You guys. I can't believe this. One of you guys in Doha, plz update us with new pics what is happening in Qatar. You guys are posting new pics at a rate of 1 per month.

Yea.. common Qatar .. wake up :) Look at Q8 !!

Are there poor people in Qatar (i mean nationals) and do they get government help?

Im in london so i cant really help. sorry!

There are poor ppl in qatar who are qatari. But there is the opportunity always to better yourself. Depends on the person.

I don't really think that there are poor Qataris, maybe lower middle class. I have never seen a Qatari who's a begger for example, but I have seen tons of foreigners that are.

from what countries? Is there prostitution in qatar?

I don't really know shayan but i i think qatar is less diversified as kuwait in prositution... i think in qatars its mostly indians,iranians,chinese,philipino. But i dont really know! (i know there is some moroccans and egyptians) but most prostitutes are like ''owned'' by hotels the cursed managers make adds in morocco,india,etc. and ask for doctors,lawyers,etc. many come to work for as they should from their profession, but the owners they drug those women and film them and like blackmail them... many suicided, some kept it a secret its a very sad story all those who are behind this should be executed.

Btw if u wanted to know if there was local prostitution well its only for locals really...

i dont know what ur talking about safqa!!

But there is prostitution in Qatar. Its very hard to find. You gotta look hard, but probably in hotels. Also there are other prostitution where you'd think regular women just like any other, come night time and they are pimping themselves out. They arent the sort were u see and discuss a price, they are more like the sort where if you want her company you better expect to be paying a whole lot of money for gifts... some even go so far to buy for them cars.

I know there is a very very hush hush kinda night life going on with locals, both mena nd women, but very discrete and you wont find them except in private farm houses in the middle of nowhere.

^^^ come on bro. You act like you haven't seen Chinese prostitutes. They are all over the place it gets me sick. I have seen a lot of them but I never knew they were prostitutes until one day me and my friend were getting out of a supermarket getting into the car and two ladies came and said: Only me 100 Riyals me and my friend 200 Riyals. Plus, you can go to most of these small hotels to get Russians. Also Moroccans are availaboe, but I believe they are more expensive. I wonder why Doha became like this. This was few years ago when I was in Doha, I don't know much about now, but I assume it is still the same.

man i have no idea. when im in doha i go to two places only. work and mayaless. thats all. i dont really hang out much in doha so im kinda out of touch. where did u find the chinese chicks.. not that im interested just u know to avoid such places.. hehe

man i have no idea. when im in doha i go to two places only. work and mayaless. thats all. i dont really hang out much in doha so im kinda out of touch. where did u find the chinese chicks.. not that im interested just u know to avoid such places.. hehe


Qatar4Ever, hey bro they arent on the streets some are! but its rare, those prostitutes usually hang out near hotels and you can see them especially at night! (mostly chinese and russian) but the rest im telling you about are being abused and they live in the hotels , of course not hilton or sheraton! but other 3-4 star hotels do have the thing i talked about, by black mailing poor women may allah let the doers of such evil rot in hell. In oman you might find more chinese and russians prostitutes! but keep in mind! they usually appear at night near or next to hotels where they are ''employed'' anyways man if you go to a 3-4 star hotel make sure you take a tour of the hotel if you see something fishy like many beautiful girls roaming around the place with no hotel uniform keep in mind there might be a possibility that the hotel owners are big devils.

Safqa I don't think it's true. They can't possibly black mail them. You know if they file a complaint they can easily screw them up.
Qatar4Ever, I saw them out of Jam3eyat al Montazah. Do you really go to mejalis??? I thought nobody does that anymore. It is basically too boring to set there gossip. I myself never go to such places. I'd rather hang out with friends, take very long walks with my younger brother to the City Center or the Corniche then have a dinner and go home. It's quite fun, there are simply so many things to do in Qatar. By the way, lucky you mashalla, you get to go to Ajwar road whenever you want and get Shawarma.

said to here iranian girls are prostituted there... Well i hope it is there own choice and that they arent forced in "the business"

Acctually many are brought in and have their pimps, hotel owner, take their passports away. The pimps really dont take their money but they keep the revenue from customers who come and pay a crazy amount to stay in a hotel room.


My god i live next to jam3yt il montazah. Never saw them. And dave i acctually go mayles rajajeyl where there are no gossip allowed and no tvs playing nancy and no playstations. A7eb swalf shyabeena. I love to sit and hear old ppl talking. So much to learn from them.

And come one man of all places in london edgware road. I ran away from doha coz i dont want to be around this many arabs and eat sharma i come to london for the same stuff. hehe.. but truth be told i go there once in a while, just to feel home !!

Acctually many are brought in and have their pimps, hotel owner, take their passports away. The pimps really dont take their money but they keep the revenue from customers who come and pay a crazy amount to stay in a hotel room.


My god i live next to jam3yt il montazah. Never saw them. And dave i acctually go mayles rajajeyl where there are no gossip allowed and no tvs playing nancy and no playstations. A7eb swalf shyabeena. I love to sit and hear old ppl talking. So much to learn from them.

And come one man of all places in london edgware road. I ran away from doha coz i dont want to be around this many arabs and eat sharma i come to london for the same stuff. hehe.. but truth be told i go there once in a while, just to feel home !!
You're kindda right. Only youngsters talk bad and do this kindda stuff, but you gotta admit, you are very old fashion. Anyways, 7aram 3alaik, we are dying here for a good shawarma sandwich. My best bet would be to go to Broadway st. NYC to go to the kosher delight, and it still doesn't taste like the shawarma at home.

said to here iranian girls are prostituted there... Well i hope it is there own choice and that they arent forced in "the business"
No shayan, I don't think that there are any Iranian girls that do this kindda stuff in Qatar. Usually the Iranians that we have are very nice people from good families.

Safqa I don't think it's true. They can't possibly black mail them. You know if they file a complaint they can easily screw them up.
Qatar4Ever, I saw them out of Jam3eyat al Montazah. Do you really go to mejalis??? I thought nobody does that anymore. It is basically too boring to set there gossip. I myself never go to such places. I'd rather hang out with friends, take very long walks with my younger brother to the City Center or the Corniche then have a dinner and go home. It's quite fun, there are simply so many things to do in Qatar. By the way, lucky you mashalla, you get to go to Ajwar road whenever you want and get Shawarma.

everybody goes to mialis ya azizi. it's a unique tradition and a custom that diffrentiate us, qataris & gulf people, from other countries.
it's a living proof that the society in qatar still clinches to the good ol' habits, like kindness, generousity and strong family and social ties.

when i was young (still, at heart :) ) i was raised to attend my father's mailis almost each night, where i used to serve coffee to the guests. although we did have servants, but for us, serving guests personally, was and still considered as a great honour, and a method to turn a boy into a man.

almost everybody i know has a mailis. it really fills my heart with joy and pride whenever i drive in some of doha's neighberhoods and see some cars parked in front of a house, where the door is open, and so is the hearts of the qatari people for everybody, either relative, friend or a stranger....they all welcome!

london baby...

doha will always be in my heart... we are the best ppl on the face of the earth.. and if u dont agree u can drop dead...

I don't know about that. I thought that it was something of the past. I know that there still are some Mejalis in Doha, but I rarely see them, since I live in Dafna. And of course as you know, we don't have myalis fil dafna.
Lool, I actually hate 3azayem cause I hate serving people coffee. Even here, when we get to have guests from Emirates and Saudi I let my roommate serve them coffee, as he even knows how to prepare it.
I remember once, he wasn't here and his friends came in to our place. I didn't know what to do, so I went to a Wawa downstairs "wawa is like a little grocery store" and got them orange juice. Lool, I served them orange juice in the red beer glasses. They felt like they were in a Halween party or something.

london baby...

doha will always be in my heart... we are the best ppl on the face of the earth.. and if u dont agree u can drop dead...
I am confused, who are you saying this too?

I don't know about that. I thought that it was something of the past. I know that there still are some Mejalis in Doha, but I rarely see them, since I live in Dafna. And of course as you know, we don't have myalis fil dafna.


Of cource, I stayed in Dafnah for 1 year and I really did't like it, now I'm back in Old Airport, it is more lively there, also in AL-Hilal aria, many majlises are there.

hey dave.

Im saying this to all non qataris who dont agree that we are the best on the face of the earth hehe.

Walla dave dont know what to tell u. In dafna fe majlas, we moved to dafna and our door is always open for everyone in the neigbourhood. There arent much though becaue most ppl living there have just moved into their new homes, and unfortuantly im guessing the trend is to put a pool in instead of a majles. But go to the true neigbourhoods in doha like sudan, 3azizyah, ma3morrah and other and ull find the majles go even to rayan, m2yther and other bedioun towns in qatar and ull find the majles is bigger than the house.

As for you not liking to serve ppl coffee. Wala dunno what to tell u ? U should of lived with me in america 3ashan a2lmk il sana2 and teach u not how to serve coffee bus how to cook machabes for whenever we have a guest over.

Of cource, I stayed in Dafnah for 1 year and I really did't like it, now I'm back in Old Airport, it is more lively there, also in AL-Hilal aria, many majlises are there.


Hi,ZX, we're neighbors! I live in Old Airport too, in Oqba bin Nafe Road... Is that where you live??

lol guys. I live in hilal area and agree more lively. Bus we couldnt stay longer coz of the zahmaaaaah !!

we had to move.. we moved to dafna we hated it !! then we got a house in n3yjah... behind alhilal...

we rented the one in dafna.. and the one in n3yjah isnt readdyy... so were living in the 3azbah now !!!

I don't know about that. I thought that it was something of the past. I know that there still are some Mejalis in Doha, but I rarely see them, since I live in Dafna. And of course as you know, we don't have myalis fil dafna.
Lool, I actually hate 3azayem cause I hate serving people coffee. Even here, when we get to have guests from Emirates and Saudi I let my roommate serve them coffee, as he even knows how to prepare it.
I remember once, he wasn't here and his friends came in to our place. I didn't know what to do, so I went to a Wawa downstairs "wawa is like a little grocery store" and got them orange juice. Lool, I served them orange juice in the red beer glasses. They felt like they were in a Halween party or something.

orange juice in beer glasses? what's next? Harees in tin cups?
u don't know how to serve coffee to guests? don't tell me that u don't know how to "tidig khashem ba3ad".......wa3izaaaaah!!!!!!!!!

agool wakrawwii 5ashmik... ><

Of cource, I stayed in Dafnah for 1 year and I really did't like it, now I'm back in Old Airport, it is more lively there, also in AL-Hilal aria, many majlises are there.
Are you serious! Dafna is so cool. I have lived there ever since I was a little kid and I like it. It is true that nobody knows the other, but still we have a lot diversity and you can do a lot in Dafna.

hey dave.
As for you not liking to serve ppl coffee. Wala dunno what to tell u ? U should of lived with me in america 3ashan a2lmk il sana2 and teach u not how to serve coffee bus how to cook machabes for whenever we have a guest over.
Loool, you should come here. I have not had a machboos for about a year and a half. I miss Qatari food so much.
Cooking machboos is what I need to learn, for myself of course.

lol guys. I live in hilal area and agree more lively. Bus we couldnt stay longer coz of the zahmaaaaah !!

we had to move.. we moved to dafna we hated it !! then we got a house in n3yjah... behind alhilal...

we rented the one in dafna.. and the one in n3yjah isnt readdyy... so were living in the 3azbah now !!!
Where is n3aija? I have heard of it.

orange juice in beer glasses? what's next? Harees in tin cups?
u don't know how to serve coffee to guests? don't tell me that u don't know how to "tidig khashem ba3ad".......wa3izaaaaah!!!!!!!!!
Looooool, yes I know how

agool wakrawwii 5ashmik... ><

7ayeih!!!!!!

ish7alek?
ish7al ili warak?
ish7al 9wa7inek?
ish7al shibanek?
ish7al min 3yez 3alik?

hathi wallah alsa3eh al mbarikeh.

^^ you watch a lot of Jordanian bedouin series. Just kidding

Hi,ZX, we're neighbors! I live in Old Airport too, in Oqba bin Nafe Road... Is that where you live??

thats very close, but the road I live in has no name yet and my house has no number either, it sucks sometimes I can't get many delivery restaurants to come to the house, but some of them find it easy to locate, I stay behind AL-Rawdah complex, its a new villa, 2 yars old only.

Where is n3aija? I have heard of it.

nu3aijah is located south of 'D' ring road, just behind the Mall & ahmed bin hanbal secondary school. used to be a shantytown.

i gentleman in this forum, can't remember which thread, was asking about a building being constructed in westbay, in the land between sheikh abdullah's beach palace & hotel inter.
i've found out that this building is the new Qatar Internationa Exposition Center. a 4 story 15,000 sqr2 center. 1st phase is to be completed in january '07.

Loool, you should come here. I have not had a machboos for about a year and a half. I miss Qatari food so much.
Cooking machboos is what I need to learn, for myself of course.

What's Machboos?

sounds tasty.....:p

^^I found this discription on line. Believe me it is the best thing in the world with Kunafa.
Arabian Lamb Machbous
A traditional Middle Eastern preparation of lamb and rice, cooked with Arabian spices, served with sautéed green zucchini, roasted onions, cashew nuts and tomato coulis.
http://www.uaekitten.com/goodies/hungry/esp4guys/mach20.jpg I don't know if thats a good pic for it.

now since u mentioned it, we're going to order some machbos, bryiani, iranian kebab,cold & hot appetizers & faludah from shebstan restaurant, for our family friday get-together lunch.

meanwhil, dear dave, enjoy ur fish'n'chips!!!!!!
fiyeh el3afyeh!

we don't even have fish. We only have pizza, burgers and cheese steaks:(
el 7emdellah 3ala kel 7al

You guys. How is the work on the National Library coming along? Does it look like it will be built within our life time period?

^^ Well its working.. DONT you worry DAVE, i'll be sure to get let my great-grandchildren take their digital space cameras and take photos during opening day!!

^^Oh how exciting, I can't wait till then

hey
can anyone take pics for souq waqef it looks great after they renew it



one more thing a heard about a project called al wa3ab city did anyone hear about it ?

^^Yeah, I would love to see souq waqef. I heard good stuff about it.
And yes there is a thread dedicated for Al-Wa'ab city, I believe.

shouldent you guys have a sticky thread for doha and qatar pics like uae and kuwait it would be easier for the visitors to check it out

shouldent you guys have a sticky thread for doha and qatar pics like uae and kuwait it would be easier for the visitors to check it out


I agree with this, currently there are a bunch of photo threads lying around here... just make it one big sticky.

i found some pics for souq waqef

http://www.qatargallery.com/arabic/data/media/246/5555355.jpg

http://www.qatargallery.com/arabic/data/media/246/Scan10002.jpg

is this how it looks like really? I am disappointed

c'mon dave, cheer up mate. this is traffic police's biggest achivement in it's history, horseback police!

^^ No it actually they are demolishing all the area (including Souq Al Jaidah and surrounding area) and transforming it into a cultural-style heritage area. It looks really nice to me. The last picture on the right is my late grandfather's office (Souq Al-Baker) :) They renovated it and also the qatar-famous Bismillah Hotel is new again.

does that mean that we'll get a nice khubez riqaq & harees in that souq in ramadhan? my mom will be over joyed.

FALEK 6AYEB :cheers:

^^^what? They sell Harees and Khubiz ergag!! Where? In Souq Wagef?

I love our souq. Sort of like a true cultural center.

^^^what? They sell Harees and Khubiz ergag!! Where? In Souq Wagef?
of course ya azizi. in a step to preserve the clutural heritage of the country, the emir ordered that the area would be transformed into a real "bra7ah" where all shops will be owned by qataris only, at a token rent of 1,000QR per month, as an encouragment for the people to get more involved in safeguarding the cultural inheritence, and if he(the local) rented the shop to non-qatari, he'll face a harsh penalty that might get him into jail even.

in these shops, you'll find plenty of handcraft and other professions that were practiced in old days.

fancy a bowl of hot nekhi, delicious khubz irani & shai slimani??

you also can find fresh hot 7alwa its nice i like the idea of having place for culter like souq waqef did they finish the mosque ? last time i went there they were working on it and what about souq al- ahmed >? i heard they gonna chnge the way it look

ألقت الجهات الامنية القبض على مجموعة من الوافدات «الصينيات» بتهم متعددة مخلة بالآداب حيث كن يمارسن الرذيلة في احياء مختلفة من مدينة الدوحة وقد استأجرن لممارسة اعمالهن غير الاخلاقية عددا من البيوت و الشقق المفروشة دون اعتبار للقانون واصبحن يستقبلن بعض المنحرفين في هذه الاوكار اضافة الى قيامهن بعمل جولات ميدانية متنقلات في الاحياء السكنية المختلفة وقد تمت مراقبة تحركاتهن المريبة من قبل جهات الاختصاص وخلال تلك الفترة تم التأكد من اخلالهن بشروط الاقامة فقد دخلن البلاد بتأشيرات زيارة ورغم وضوح الشروط في التأشيرات التي تجرم العمل الذي قمن به الا انهن لم يلتزمن بذلك وهو ما اوقعهن في مخالفات صريحة للقانون ولعادات وتقاليد المجتمع وتم ضبطهن بالجرم وأوقفن بمركز الشرطة للتحقيق معهن ثم تحويلهن للنيابة العامة لإجراء التحقيقات اللازمة وتحديد عرضهن على القضاء. يذكر ان ظاهرة تسكع هؤلاء الآسيويات اصبحت واضحة في الفترة الاخيرة في كثير من شوارع الدوحة وعلى مدار الساعة ويتضح ان هذه العينات الغريبة تستغل الانفتاح ومنح التأشيرات السياحية لتحقيق مآربهن السيئة. وهو ما يستدعي التنبه ومنع استغلال التأشيرات للأغراض غير المخصصة لها. وحتى لا يمتد تأثير هذه السلبيات لشبابنا واطفالنا خاصة ان هؤلاء النسوة يلحظهن المراقب يتسكعن في احياء سكنية مختلفة في الدوحة.

of course ya azizi. in a step to preserve the clutural heritage of the country, the emir ordered that the area would be transformed into a real "bra7ah" where all shops will be owned by qataris only, at a token rent of 1,000QR per month, as an encouragment for the people to get more involved in safeguarding the cultural inheritence, and if he(the local) rented the shop to non-qatari, he'll face a harsh penalty that might get him into jail even.

in these shops, you'll find plenty of handcraft and other professions that were practiced in old days.

fancy a bowl of hot nekhi, delicious khubz irani & shai slimani??
Sounds good, what is chai slaimani?

kind of concentrated red tea people drink after a nice meal for degestion.

dave yoba int min wain ??

elthaher inglizi mujanas!!!

I haven't heard of chai slimani or whatever you call it, too!!!!

chiii slimaaaniiiii @@

shklik mo ra3y gahawy.

la wi rasik, it just i have a good office boy.

dave yoba int min wain ??
Obviously from Qatar

elthaher inglizi mujanas!!!
No I am not. I have heard of Karak before but not Slaimani.

chiii slimaaaniiiii @@

shklik mo ra3y gahawy.
May be that's the problem. I've never been to a Gahwa before, except for one time in NYC, but it's kind of different, cause the waitress is Latina and you know in Spanish they just call it té "meaning; there is only one kind."

Dude ... i need to give u a crash course... we'll talk when were both in doha...

A crash course in Qatari culture, loooooooool

I was away for three days-- and I got ONLINE AGAIN!!! YAY!!! Anyone miss me???? Just moved to a new place where the chances of winning the lottery is better than getting your apartment connected online!

welcome back halawala ;)

Just moved to a new place where the chances of winning the lottery is better than getting your apartment connected online!
n where is that?

^^ Sharjah!

i cracked up when i read this article lol, i wonder whos going to get this job?


Qatar to categorize cats

Doha, June. 21 Qatari Live Stock Directorate is preparing to implement a project to categorize cats in the country and to document their type and to what breed they are related.

Qatari newspaper "Al Sharq" published today stated from a source from the directorate that this idea coincided with the project of controlling the number cats in the country which began April 1, aimed at reducing the number of cats and not eradicating them. Those undertaking the project were able during this period to cover Doha area and preparations were being made to implement the project in Rayan area. A source said that the number of cats put to death reached 825 and those returned to their location following undergoing operations were 285. Moreover, the number of operations for male cats were 158 and female cats 99.

i wish they do this in bahrain too, i'm tired of them scratching my car. :)

Pearl of the Gulf: this is important! Lets see.... there are BLACK cats, WHITE cats, WHITE AND BLACK cats. What else?? Hmm.. hehehe

Omar, how r u? So you're in Qatar I hear (from the Cars threads hehe). How was your impression about the roads caos and the whole building frenzy? Did you expect more to be done?

so what did happen to the original ruler of Qatar, Khalifa, who was overthrown, while in France, by his son Hamad ?.

i WANT TO KNOW IF THEY ARE KENYANS AND TANZANIANS IN QATAR AS I AM A KENYAN OF YEMENI ORIGIN AND WOULD RELOCATE TO QATAR SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY ARE KENANS AND TANZANIANS IN QATAR

Sorry Halawala for the late reply. I really didn't see your post until today...

About the road chaos. Well, it wasn't bad until yesterday! I was going to Landmark. With all those millions of diversions, I got lost! I found myself at the Texas A&M University. Well, it was worth it because it was my first time to see it in real life!

I spent about an hour trying to get to Landmark until I finally did! The best thing, is that I saw a Lamborghini there and took a photo :D

There are some more annoying diversions, like the ones in the street close to La Cigale. I was trying to get to Toys R Us to get some toys for my bro :). I also spent about half an hour trying to get there.

Other than that, it has been fine...

I didn't have any problems at the airport too. It was pretty quick and smooth. My bags showed up in less than 5 minutes.

why is nobody replying

^^ Perhaps no one knows??
I don't! That's why I didn't reply...
I have never heard of such a community (that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist).
I also haven't seen any Africans here. Even if I did, I would never know whether they were Kenyans or Tanzanians or not!

Thanks Omar for the reply. I find if cool that you would go and buy toys for your bro! :) What other cars did you see and caught your eye?

Justice, Sheik Khalifa is in Qatar since last year, and he sometimes appears in weddings/ royal celebrations.
Hashas, I really don't know.

^^ No problem man...

BTW, I think this might sound stupid... But, I made a blog for cars I see here. With some photos too! :D

Check it out...
http://myqcs.blogspot.com

well here in the uae we have A LOT OF KENYANS AND TANZANIANS THAT MEANS QATAR IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL AS EVEN IN KUWAIT AND SAUDI THERE ARE KENYANS AND TANZANIANS

^^ Well... What exactly do you want??!!
FYI, I have lived in the UAE for 10 years. In Abu Dhabi to be precise...
I don't remember seeing africans there. Maybe you guys go to certain places in Qatar or UAE or wherever you are. And why would I go there?!!

And as I told you before... Not seeing any doesn't mean that such a community doesn't exist!

So, don't just come here and start talking BS...
And please... Try practicing how to type using a keyboard...

what do you mean try typing using a keyboard this shows how you invite people to your country very harsh people i better stay here in amazing dubai
]

^^ Check out how you type in your previous posts and you will know what I mean...
BTW, everybody is welcome in Qatar. People are friendly here. And it IS an "international country". There are many people from many countries here.

Just get your facts straight before jumping to any early incorrect conclusions...

I will not reply again because I just don't want to offend my Qatari friends on this forum (or you)... I believe they are the ones who will respond (correctly) to your posts...

what do you mean try typing using a keyboard this shows how you invite people to your country very harsh people i better stay here in amazing dubai
]

Hashas, me and Omar DO NOT know if there are Kenyans or Tanzanians here. Qatar Airways goes to Nairobi so probably there might be some Kenyans here. lool! All people of all countries are welcome including you.

ok i didnt mean to hurt anyone i would just like to be a part of the qatar forum

i see this thread got sticy :D ^^ ur welcome in

Well, since you brought up the subject salman. I think that the Towers under construction and Doha construction photos threads should also get sticky'ed.

well i dont like havin a lot of threads sticky it will ruin the qatari fourm but thats me only

I agree with you.
However, these threads are the most active threads on this forum. They have like a dozen pages. It will also make it easier for other users from different sub-forums to come and see how Qatar looks like and the how construction is going on here...

Just my 2 cents (or perhaps my 2 dirhams) :D

If we only had a moderator!!!!

^^lol!
I guess we'll have to wait forever for Jan's reply!

What's the weather like in Doha? I heard there are sand storms these couple of days!

Yeah... There was one hell of a sand storm yesterday!
The sky was like... "Brown"! The sun was almost completely blocked.

Thank God, today is much better!

So, how long are you in town Omar?

did u guys heard the roumer they gonna remove the palm island "jazeerat elhakheel"

No, how can they remove it? Its naturally-made.

I think I read somewhere that it was man-made...

... And, I am staying for about a month...

They should build like an eco resort or something there with water-bungalows and beach villas instead of what it is today--NOTHING!

ya its man made it was "fisht" before

so guys whos in Doha now ? i know omar and wakrawi both are, me too but am leaving soon :( anyone else ?

يا جماعة احد منكم طلع الليسن الخليجي الموحد ؟

^^ hala margog, i never heard about it it? When is it out and how old do u have to be to get it?

as normal 18 Y old to get it... or if u had the old one u can convert it to the new GCC unifid driving licens kuwait they will start soon after a few days but I dont know weth other GCC states did they start yet?

margog shakla 7elo il driving licence il ydeed :)

^^ 18 years old? I heard a while back it is 21 years old? But is Saudi Arabia part of this thing since women there cannot drive?

are they many yemenis in qatar

^^ There are quite a few.

So, how many of you guys are actually in Qatar besures Omar and Wakrawi?

CAN SOMEBODY TAKE PICTURES OF SOME PALATIAL VILLAS IN QATAR AND VILLAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

ARE YOU QATARIS GIVEN MARRIAGE GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES LIKE THE UAE NATIONALS AND ARE YOU GIVEN FREE HOUSES

ARE TEHRE MANY QATARIS LIVING IN THE UAE

AND WHO IS WEALTHIER - THE QATARIS OR THE EMARATIS

a. I dont know about pics of private palaces--try searching flickr
b. yes Qataris are given marriage grants and a sum to build a house and a plot of land
c. there many Qataris--mostly studying there (like me;) )
d. Qataris are wealthier by GDP

So, guys we need a cool name for the discussion thread. What about Al-Lewaan? Or Sowalif? I think Al-Lewaan is perfect? What do u think? Please respond.

^^ Are you finally a mod??!!

So, guys we need a cool name for the discussion thread. What about Al-Lewaan? Or Sowalif? I think Al-Lewaan is perfect? What do u think? Please respond.

-Sky Majlis
..or
-Sky Leewan

^^ Are you finally a mod??!!

No I PM Jan yet another message yesterday, and I am waitning for the reply. But just in case I become one, we want to choose a good enough name for these topics.

i guss majlis is better, well if u didnt get to be a mod just start a new thread with the name and send any mod pm telling him to make it sticky

No I PM Jan yet another message yesterday, and I am waitning for the reply. But just in case I become one, we want to choose a good enough name for these topics.
When will we get a reply?! :mad2:

The last time I pm'ed Jan was after seeing that the Moroccan forum got a mod. No offense to anyone, but the Qatari forum has been here for a much longer time. It really deserves a mod!

if there was a yemeni forum id be the mod cause im the only yemeni around here :D

omars right

Guys, Jan says he will discuss this issue with Middle East moderators and decide!

Welcome Back everyone! Thank God the problem is over (at least for now)!

Yeah... It's good to be back!
But, I still wonder what the problem was Mr. Mod. ??

I haven't the slightest idea! BTW, have u started college yet?

I haven't the slightest idea! BTW, have u started college yet?
No not yet... Still about 3 more weeks to go :)

o/t but congrats on your modship halawala. :)

Thanks Gilgamesh.

Good Luck Omar in ur last 3 weeks of free time ;)

lol! yeah... I guess so!

BTW, can you tell us if wakrah-wi-bas was really banned or is it just a custom title?

^^ no omar, i was banned. the funny part is that they didn't come out with a proof of wrongdoing or misconduct. the administrator ignors my msgs & even blocked my e-mail so i won't be able to contact him.
anyhow, i believe hallawala owes me an explanation, and it better be good.

That's sad. Inshallah our man Halawala will do something about it.
However, I wouldn't jump and blame Jan immediately. I imagine he was really busy try to fix that DNS problem, so he prolly didn't have anytime to reply to your messages.

^^ no omar, i was banned. the funny part is that they didn't come out with a proof of wrongdoing or misconduct. the administrator ignors my msgs & even blocked my e-mail so i won't be able to contact him.
anyhow, i believe hallawala owes me an explanation, and it better be good.

Wakrawi, I peronally do not know the reason why someone banned you, but I requested an immediate un-ban, and hopefully we you will be unbanned. There was nothing against you mentioned--so that is weird.

Wakrawi, WELCOME BACK MAN TO UR SECOND HOME!!

I was right when I said that you're THE man Halawala...;)

haha Thanks Omar, sometimes administrators can ban people without a reason, and it doesn't show who did it. (just some random guy for no reason is an option). But, yalla inshalla it won't happen to anyone else.

Wakrawi, WELCOME BACK MAN TO UR SECOND HOME!!

thnx man. appreciate the efforts.

..sometimes administrators can ban people without a reason

so that's it? this is how things are done in SSC? they can do that as simple as 1,2,3, & not even a small apology for the inconvenience?

^^ Well, we won't know who banned you, but the important thing is your back. Right?

They changed our weekend to Friday-Saturday :) So whenever return back to Qatar it would be the same weekend ticket!

A crazy guy turns a local mosque into a cafe IN DOHA!!

مؤجر من الباطن يغلق مسجدا بـ «مشيرب» ويحوله إلى مقهى

الدوحة- الوطن والمواطن

في واقعة هي الاولى من نوعها في الدوحة منافية للأعراف والقيم ولقوانين البلدية قام مؤجر من الباطن لمجمع سكني بمنطقة مشيرب بتحويل مسجد المجمع وتوابعه الى مقهى.

وقد حاول المؤجر من الباطن قبل اتمام عملية تحويل المسجد اشراك مالك العقار في الإثم حيث طلب منه تغيير المصلى الى نشاط تجاري في شهادة اتمام البناء، فصعق المالك الذي انتقلت اليه ملكية العقار بعد شرائه من الطلب ولم يوافق، إلا ان مستأجر العقارات الذي يؤجرها بدوره من الباطن قد استمر في عملية تحويل المسجد، إذ قام باغلاقه ومنع المصلين من أداء الصلاة قبل ان يأتي بالعمال الذين قاموا بوضع كامل الديكورات للنشاط التجاري مع تغيير البوابة الرئيسية.

ولم يجد المالك إلا اللجوء للقانون لوقف هذا الاعتداء حيث حرر محضرا ضد المستأجر في مركز العاصمة بتاريخ 23/7/2006 وحضر محقق الى الموقع حيث شاهد التغيير وتحويل المسجد الى نشاط تجاري، وبرر المؤجر من الباطن فعلته بتقديم خدمات للسكان وقال إنه طلب البلدية إلا انها بحسب مالك العقار لم تطلب ذلك ولا يجوز له لأنه ليس المالك الشرعي للعقار. وقد تم تحرير المحضر ومن ثم تقديم الدعوى لدى المحاكم للنظر في القضية وقد ضمنها المدعي الكثير من المخالفات التي ارتكبها المستأجر.

وجاء في الدعوى ان المدعى عليه سمسار يؤجر المباني ويعيد تأجيرها بثمن أعلى مستغلا أزمة السكن والمستأجرين خالقا سوقا سوداء للإيجار، تضاعف أزمة الإيجار وتقصم ظهر المستأجرين الضعفاء، فنرجو تطبيق القانون التجاري.

وأشار المدعي في الدعوة المرفوعة أمام القضاء الى مخالفة المدعى عليه لبنود العقد وطالب صاحب العقار المؤجر من الباطن بفتح المسجد فورا.

وقال المدعي ان دخل السمسار اكثر من اثني عشر مليون ريال، إلا ان طمعه دفعه إلى ان يقوم بهدم المسجد وعمل تعديلات لتحويله إلى متجر ويطلب منا ان نلبي طلبه ونطلب من البلدية مثل هذا الطلب المنافي لديننا الحنيف وتقاليدنا مما يعد مخالفة منه للعقد المبرم بيننننا وبينه الذي نص صراحة على عدم ازعاج قاطني منطقة المجمع ومراعاة شعور الآخرين والالتزام بالقواعد الاخلاقية والآداب العامة والنظام العام ومازال مفتاح المسجد بجيبه ويرفض فتح المسجد للمصلين وكذا منافع المسجد.

Hey you guys, a question, I dont know if this has been asked befor, but can a male qatari national, live alone in a villa or an apartment?

I have a problem!! The thread about Doha construction photos II is not being updated in my computer i dont know why.. I see that new posts have been donde, and can see by who but when i enter to check i cant see it.. I just see Massilia's post as the last one!!!

Try refreshing again. It always happens. Dont worry :)

^^ same with me just refresh and u`ll see the new post

I did! thanks Halawala and salman!

Qatar Steps Out From Shadow of Glitzier Neighbors

By JON GORVETT
International Herald Tribune
Published: August 18, 2006

DOHA, Qatar Long overshadowed by its more glamorous or more oil-rich Gulf neighbors, Qatar is stepping into the real estate limelight, the result of some ambitious plans, valuable resources and enormous overseas investments.

With the North Field, the world's largest natural gas deposit, just offshore, this flat thumb of land jutting out halfway down the Arabian Peninsula has seen demand for gas skyrocket from China, India and the United States. And the fuel's soaring price has contributed to the country's major surpluses over the last decade, a buoyant local stock market and what this year is expected to be the world's highest average personal income, with Qatar's 800,000 residents exceeding the figure of $43,000 reached last year.

The results of this hydrocarbon cash are obvious. From the minute you land at Doha International Airport, which is undergoing a massive expansion, to the time you catch sight of the half-built skyscrapers along the headland at West Bay, you know you are in real estate boom land.

"There is now a colossal amount of building work going on," said Anwar Al Samara, an independent real estate analyst. "Offices, apartments, villas, malls, shops, marinas - you name it, we're going to have it."

Qatar is friendly to the West, headquarters of the U.S. Central Command and home of overseas campuses for several U.S. universities in the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Its accommodating policies toward major international companies have attracted global oil and gas companies, from Sasol of South Africa to Total of France.

The result of all this foreign influence is Doha's lively expat scene, an increasingly cosmopolitan atmosphere and a huge demand for quality residential property.

Qatari developers have been rising to the challenge. "The designs are sometimes quite amazing," Samara said. "Complexes in the shape of palm trees, skyscrapers built in the shape of a tornado - Doha will be transformed."

Lagoon Plaza is the twister, with two 34-story zigzag-shaped towers on the West Bay scheduled for completion in 2008 by Dar Investment and Development. Foreigners will be able to buy apartments in the Plaza, thanks to a recent law allowing several new projects to offer 99-year renewable leases to non-Qataris.

The land under the buildings, however, will continue to be owned by Qataris. And, because permission to live in Qatar is linked to employment, there is some confusion about whether losing a job will also mean losing a home.

The Plaza will overlook another project open to foreigners, The Pearl-Qatar, a $2.5 billion artificial island development being created by United Development Co. The Pearl is intended to be home to about 40,000 people when it is finished in 2009, along with entertainment districts, several hotels and about 60,000 square meters, or 646,000 square feet, of retail space.

A third area is an even more ambitious project going up west of the bay area, past the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Known as Lusail, this $5 billion "smart" city is being built to provide state-of-the-art IT infrastructure to all 200,000 residents. "The project is already on the market, and has attracted wide interest from the region," Nasser Al Ansari, chief executive of the project developers, Qatari Diar, recently told reporters. "Phase 1, which is the Lusail Marina, has 97 plots, all of which are sold out."

The project will center on a cluster of mixed-use high-rises and the Energy City, prospective home of the Middle East's first mercantile exchange, which will trade Gulf crude. It will also have two golf courses, theaters, beaches and a general entertainment district.

Prices for the undeveloped plots are running from 550 to 750 Qatari riyals, or $152 to $207, per square meter in the marina district to 6,000 to 8,500 riyals in the high-rise area.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Doha some frantic construction is going on in preparation for the Asian Games, which will draw thousands of athletes and fans in December. A sports stadium is being built, along with a residential village to accommodate 10,500 athletes and officials for the games and then to be used as general housing.

The boom is not without its drawbacks, however.

Despite a massive expansion effort, roads and ports are congested and contractors complain of major delays in obtaining materials and manpower. The media and government officials have expressed concern that corners are being cut and public safety may be jeopardized.

And, as traditional low-rise, flat-roofed apartment buildings and old villas are demolished to make way for bigger construction, the supply of available housing has declined, forcing up prices.

"In the last year, rents have probably at least doubled," said Sarosh Faisal of XPO Real Estate. "Nowadays, the cheapest one-bedroom apartment in Doha on the outskirts is about 6,000 riyals a month. For something fully furnished with quality in the center, you're talking a minimum of 14,000 riyals."

Faisal said the price a year ago would have been 7,500 riyals.

Yet Qatar's bullish atmosphere is thriving, and while it may seem a little overwhelming at times, the transformation of Doha is astonishing.

"See all that?" said Farad Al Asami, a construction engineer, pointing to a line of half- finished towers in the downtown area. "Multiply it by 100 and that's about what it'll look like when it's finished."

Thanks alot for the article suzan. Very interesting.
I especially like the final sentence...
"See all that?" said Farad Al Asami, a construction engineer, pointing to a line of half- finished towers in the downtown area. "Multiply it by 100 and that's about what it'll look like when it's finished."
:D:D:D

Thanks alot for the article suzan. Very interesting.
I especially like the final sentence...

:D:D:D

I did like it too :righton:

just wanted to say happy national day to all Qatari forumers

btw, the banner is great :)

Hey DG!
thanks!! :)

Guys, I still need a lot of time to move the thread. I have to get used to how to work this.

Move what???

EDIT: Nevermind! Just saw the sub-forums! :D

Hey you guys, a question, I dont know if this has been asked befor, but can a male qatari national, live alone in a villa or an apartment?

anyone?

Guys, Ive been working on this site. Can everyone see at least 4 pages in each sub-forum? Please reply.

All subforums have 4 pages except for the West Bay subforum. It has 3 pages only...

Okay, no problem. That's fine. My prefences has been set for LAST MONTH so I see only 10 or 20 posts. That was why I was afraid about the other posts.

--So tell me, how do you like the new look?

Just set your preferences to beginning and you will see 'em all! :)

Of course the new look is much better! I like how you gave my cars' thread a sticky ;). AND I also like that you gave the Dubai Tower a sticky.

But... I still think that The Pearl, Lusail and the Sports City Tower need more 'respect'. I think they need their own subforum or at least get sticky'ed in their current subforum.

Great work... Keep it up man ;)

Thanks man!

Anyone heard of these projects???????????????????????
:scouserd:

Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani Tower
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/S-26.ashx

Platinum Tower (West Bay)
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/P-15.ashx

M Tower
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/M-1.ashx

Mobile Village
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/M-24.ashx

Laffan Tower
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/L-27.ashx

Laguna Beach
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/L-28.ashx

LIWAN CITY
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/L-34.ashx

Lotus Tower
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/L-35.ashx

Low Cost Expatriates City
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/L-35.ashx

Kempinski (Doha)
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/K-2.ashx

Golden Tower (West Bay Complex)
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/G-10.ashx

Digital Sports Hotel
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/D-9.ashx


Cultural Village
http://www.bncnetwork.net/pgs/Directory/Projects/C-88.ashx


Also saw this towers on the website which will be built on the Pearl-Qatar:


Tuscan Towers - Pearl Qatar
Monaco TOwers
Sabban Towers

I remember the Tornado tower, Mobile Village, Cultural Village, Digital Sports Hotel and the low cost expat. city. Don't remember anything about the rest though...

But have you read the info about the Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani Tower? It says that its budget is a billion dollars! That's alot for a 232m tower! Right?

I remember the Tornado tower, Mobile Village, Cultural Village, Digital Sports Hotel and the low cost expat. city. Don't remember anything about the rest though...

But have you read the info about the Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani Tower? It says that its budget is a billion dollars! That's alot for a 232m tower! Right?

I knowwwwwwwwwwww.... I read a couple of them, but for sure remember that one.. the weird thing is that how come we havent heard a thing!!! :bash:

Tornado tower is nothing new , I sow this image in the internet, it is just a replica of an existing structure.

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/7504/beamssculpturezk6.jpg

Well, maybe some of the tower names have been changed. There has been at least two other names of the same tower: Sheikh Saoud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al Thani Tower. The price is also excessivesly off. But I heard most of them. It says that I have to subscribe in order to view the pictures. Can someone upload them here please of laguna beach and liwan?

I am not a member and couldnt find any pics

Other towers I found on the net!



No. Building Name
1 Zubara Tower
2 Lotus Tower
3 Commercial Bank
4 Qatar Insurance Co
5 Al Rabban Tower
6 Marriott Courtyard
7 Marriott Renaissance
8 Areen Tower
9 Al Dana Tower
10 M Tower
11 Golden Tower
12 Al Dafna Towers (4)
13 Amwal Tower
14 Residential Tower
15 Rotana Tower
16 Alfardan Towers
17 Merwab Tower
18 Shangri-La Tower
19 Al Jazi Tower
20 Al Okar Tower
21 Barjeel Tower
22 Thamer Tower
23 Laffan Tower
24 Al Mohanna Tower
25 Al Wosail Tower
26 Silhouette Tower
27 Umm Bab Tower
28 Ahmed Almisnad Tower
29 Shiekha Hanadi Tower
30 Beach Tower
31 Qatar Navigation
32 Fahad Alfardan Tower
33 Dolphin Tower
34 Al-Jazeera
35 Asiri Tower
36 Mishal Tower


There are lots i didnt hear about!

I think those are all underconstruction and some completed.

Vote for Qatar's Skyline! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=9873348#post9873348)

Why is imageshack not loading my pics! I tried freeimagehosting and still no progress ahhhhhh!

Send me the pics you want to upload and I will upload them for you :)

Thanks Omar, but the pics are large, less than 1,500 kb but still too large to send :( I will keep trying.

As you like...
I really don't mind at all! Send them using MSN (Live messenger now :D) if you want. I'm online now...

Anyone knows about this?

Qatar to get 39 new hotels by 2010
[Sunday, April 30, 2006 12:35:00 pm]

Qatar is facing an accute shortage of hotel rooms, The Peninsula reported. The hotel industry is gearing up for the projected development boom coupled with urgent demand for the upcoming Asian Games. No less than 39 new hotels with more than 9,000 hotel rooms are expected to come to the market by 2010, representing an increase of 356 per cent in the current room stock. The next few months will witness less than a dozens hotel majors expanding their stake in Qatar's hospitality sector, according to market sources.

Source: http://business.maktoob.com/news_briefs_inside.asp?id=20060430083450&h=1

^^39 hotels!! That's alot!!

That is alot.. That's like one for every tourist! j/k.

^^ hahahaha! good one :lol:

No you guys. We need those hotels for the future. As Qatar is booming and Doha will attract a lot more tourists than it does now

Guys do you think both women and men will attend football matches in the Asian Games, and also other sporting events including the opening. In the past of course, only men attended matches. But from last year during the Gulf Cup women and men both came to the finals and to the opening. I think it is really cool, and they should create a family section or something.

What do you thinik?

Guys do you think both women and men will attend football matches in the Asian Games, and also other sporting events including the opening. In the past of course, only men attended matches. But from last year during the Gulf Cup women and men both came to the finals and to the opening. I think it is really cool, and they should create a family section or something.

What do you thinik?
What are you talkin' about?? Did women really attend the ulf Cup matches????

What are you talkin' about?? Did women really attend the ulf Cup matches????

Of course, there were a lot of Qatari, foreigners, Arab women. They were sitting next to me. Its fun to have all people there not only men.

I don't think that they'll 'stop' women from attending the matches. 'Cause if they do that, they might be attacked in the name of equality and that usual BS...

Halawala - why would we need a 'family' section? Why wouldn't the women watch the match (if they so choose) from the same section as the men?

^^Cause my friend, having one woman and 20,000 men in the same area isn't the brightest of ideas. ;) Plus, women themselves wouldn't want to.

Ah... you mean Qatari women, I guess....? ;)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1653/76873e769746ey1.jpg

what do you guys think about this pic ?

oh wow......really wow
this is the qatar i know
i know where we live now....its totallt something else.... everything is new or being demolished.... no places for memories anymore....!!!!

i hope its worth it inshala

ooops,
i forgot to put the word "DONT"

its, i DONT know where we live now...!!!

lol, sorry

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1653/76873e769746ey1.jpg

what do you guys think about this pic ?

That is sooo sad. I still remember the exact scene from my childhood. I remember it very well! Do you guys still remember what Doha used to look like?

I have a question,

Where the hell can I find Qatar photo threads? lol

^^ We have this one for construction photos check out page 5
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=389223&page=6

Actually, we have two construction photos threads, Gilgamesh! :P

Population in Qatar to touch 1,029,954 by 2010

dont know where to put this fact, but here it is:

DOHA • The Permanent Committee on Population has stated that the country's population will be 1,029,954 in the year 2010. The Committee has made the estimate based on the current growth rate of 5.3 per cent.

The population in 2010 will be largely made up of young people, followed by the aged and finally, children. According to the Committee, the demographics will be affected by immigration.

"Levels of education will also have been improved. However, our studies show that obstacles will still remain in implementing Qatarization."

This, the Committee said, was due to nationals' preference for jobs in the government or public sector as they offered benefits not always provided by private firms. "Private companies are only looking to make profits rather than Qatarization. There is also discrimination between men and women and in the salaries offered," the report said.

The Committee pointed out that the rules and regulations related to private sector companies should be made stricter. "Our study stressed the need for suitable solutions to sort out the balance in the make-up of the workforce," said the Committee.

In order to enable more Qataris to enter the workforce, only people who have special skills should be employed here from overseas.

IS THERE A MARRIAGE FUND IN QATAR ALREADY OPERATING, IF THER IS HOW MUCH WILL EACH QATARI BE GIVEN, AS IN UAE,EACH UAE NATIONAL IS GIVEN 70000DH BY THE MARRIAGE FUND, IN KUWAIT IT IS 4000KD(50000DH)APPROX,IN BAHRAIN IT IS 2000BD(20000DH),IF YOU QTARIS WILL BE GIVEN LESS THAN ANY OF THESE I AM SORRY TO TELL YOU QATAR IS NOT DOING MUCH FOR ITS CITIZENS WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BEST IN THE GCC

GDP Expected to grow...
doha • Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.1 per cent during the second quarter (Q2) of this year, statistics released by the Planning Council suggest. The GDP in Q2 reached QR48bn as compared to QR45.3bn during the first quarter (Q1). The increase was approximately QR2.7bn.

Mining and quarrying was the major contributor to the GDP with a share of QR30bn in Q2. The contribution of this sector worked out at 63.1 per cent of the GDP. The financial sector, including insurance, real estate and business services, contributed 8.1 per cent, while the share of manufacturing in the GDP was 7.2 per cent. The booming construction industry was the next with a 5.3 per cent share.

The Planning Council said that the higher GDP growth rate was a result of the booming oil and gas sector. The sector witnessed a growth of 40 per cent, followed by the construction industry, which witnessed a growth rate of 19.2 per cent.

Sorry to sound ignorant but what is a marriage fund?

Sorry to sound ignorant but what is a marriage fund?

Meena! Where have you been? Long time no hear!!

A marriage fund is money allocated by the government for every male person who intends to marry. This money varies from country to country and in Qatar, it usually includes a free plot of land in an area of your city. In essence, the marriage fund is given to males only since the "couple" will use the money to build a house and everything...

Guys, should we add the City Center Towers to the Construction updates? Do we even have a thread here or not?

Of course! Why not?
I don't remember exactly. But I think we have a thread for them...

I thought so, but it doesnt seem there is!
It would be a good thing to do! Especially if you got new pics :D

do you know that here in the uae there are many yemenis who have kenyan or tanzanian passports,around 50000 of them and most have been given uae citizenship,i am a yemeni but with a kenyan passport,do you have such people in qatar

HELP@!!
I have posted before a link to download a video animation for the Silhouette Tower from a site I found..
I was wondering if someone, if knows, could pass me the link to see the message? because there is someone who will help me change the format to normal video!!

I appreciate it..

thank you...........!!!!!! :)

I dont know what you mean? Where is the link suzan?

I dont know what you mean? Where is the link suzan?

This is what I am looking for :doh:
I am still searching in all threads..

I added some neat pics of the Aspire dome on the World forums, i dunno if they have been posted on the Qatar forum previously, just wanted to let you guys know:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=256638&page=3

Great Shots Bert!! Gooooood job man!

You're more than welcome, the Aspire complex is jaw-dropping, I totally love it!!
You should check their site www.aspire.qa, you can even have a virtual visit on it! : )

I booked my trip to Dubai with Alitalia. I will have an stopover in Milan.
If i had payed 100€ more i could fly with Gulf Air with a stop in Doha. This is something i will do the next time, but in my catalogue is written that i can`t leave the airport. I would spend 2 nights in Doha like in did with Dubai on my way to Japan. But somehow i fear that i can`t do this.

Do you have more information about this?

I booked my trip to Dubai with Alitalia. I will have an stopover in Milan.
If i had payed 100€ more i could fly with Gulf Air with a stop in Doha. This is something i will do the next time, but in my catalogue is written that i can`t leave the airport. I would spend 2 nights in Doha like in did with Dubai on my way to Japan. But somehow i fear that i can`t do this.

Do you have more information about this?

Do you mean Qatar Airways--as GF doesn't fly to MSP from DOH. Actually you could stop in DOH is you want--and you can get a visa upon arrival (if your an EU, American, and some other nationality). Its a good idea to check out the city.

Do you mean Qatar Airways--as GF doesn't fly to MSP from DOH. Actually you could stop in DOH is you want--and you can get a visa upon arrival (if your an EU, American, and some other nationality). Its a good idea to check out the city.

The women from the travel agency said i would fly from Frankfurt over Doha to Dubai with Gulf Air.

I dind´t asked her if i could stay 2 nights in Doha but i read it in the catalogue. There was written that i can`t leave the airport.

The women from the travel agency said i would fly from Frankfurt over Doha to Dubai with Gulf Air.

I dind´t asked her if i could stay 2 nights in Doha but i read it in the catalogue. There was written that i can`t leave the airport.

Aha, then the agency is wrong, since they probably mean Qatar Airways or Gulf Air via Bahrain not Doha. There is no direct fly from GF from DOH other than BAH and MCT.. Well, try QR, maybe they have a good rate. THe also fly from Milan.

Doha's sky - October 28, 3006

The sky was gorgeous todayy.. this pic was taken on my way to the Landmark!

I think we should have a thread only for pictures taken around Qatar (these are other than construction pics) Halawala I will sms you about it in a while.. :)

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3675/27102006105np9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4125/27102006106mq1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nice photos suzan ;) kuwait is cloudy too !! thats a first in october,, it alway becomes cloudy and humid in november or even december :|a anyway the sky is awesome

Nice photos suzan ;) kuwait is cloudy too !! thats a first in october,, it alway becomes cloudy and humid in november or even december :|a anyway the sky is awesome

Yes it is beautiful!! thx
I will be visiting Kuwait forum to check some pics.. I should start also thinking of visiting your country! :)

Very nice-looking sky indeed!
But I have a more important question... Have you seen any 'exotics' there (Landmark)?? :D

Yes it is beautiful!! thx
I will be visiting Kuwait forum to check some pics.. I should start also thinking of visiting your country! :)

your welcome anytime ;)

Nice photos Susan!! BTW the road coming from the landmark gives the BEST skyline pic I think of Doha!

Hi all..
This is a suggestion I am making to improve our forum, here it goes..


Threads named as Doha projects and beyond, Sky Lewan and the third one West bay towers.. we can add another one to those three under the title of Photo Galleries

In the Photo Galleries we can make threads for:

1. Towers under construction (the ones already that exist can be moved to the gallery)

2. Major projects under construction (like Pearl-Qatar, Lusail, Energy City, etc)

3. Events (for example we can make one for the Asian Games and post pics related to it)

4. Pictures around Doha (and put some pics like the one I posted in Qatari Discussion thread (didnt know where to put it but there)

I also suggest creating a thread only to write about the Asian Games.. People from the Asian forums can come and write in it.. we can have more visitors coming to our forum!!

Please let me know about any suggestion, I am trying to figure out ways to make our forum exciting and interesting!

Cheers!! :nocrook:

suzan

Nice idea!! I'll request it tommorow!

:cheer:

ALL TO PLAY FOR

As Qatari capital Doha prepares to host the Asian Games, the country’s rich natural resources have fired up its development plans, says MARK FAITHFULL

Qatar, unlike Middle Eastern neighbour Dubai, tends to announce its developments with understatement, bald facts and a few figures. So let’s follow suit. Oil and gas account for more than 60% of GDP and 70% of government revenues. The Gulf state has the world’s third-largest reserves of natural gas (after Russia and Iran) and a $632m (€493m) budget surplus is forecast this year on revenues of $15.64bn (€12.2bn). The Public Works Authority in Doha is spending $7bn (€5.5bn) over the next five years on infrastructure including 32 new roads to avert the gridlock currently blighting Dubai, while the Qatar Financial Centre is overseeing inward investment into the country.
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8968/p063playfor0100ro0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Analysts expect economic growth to continue apace over the medium-term, with gas exports multiplying fourfold over the next six to eight years. Political reforms are also in progress, with a move in 2004 to court international investment by allowing non-nationals to buy real estate in select housing projects.

Tourism – in its infancy in Qatar – should double to one million visitors by 2010, and development plans include projects such as the massive new airport expansion, at least 41 new hotels and hotel apartments by the end of this decade and tourist attractions such as the Lusail Circuit, which hosted the MotoGP earlier this year, the Museum of Islamic Arts, the Qatar National Library and the ambitious North Beach masterplan.

Then there is the $2.5bn (€2bn) landmark Pearl-Qatar, a man-made Riviera-style island covering 985 acres of reclaimed land. It is Qatar’s first international real estate venture, the largest development in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 30km of new coastline and is being developed by United Development Company. The Pearl-Qatar will eventually house over 40,000 in an upscale residential community, with the first investors expected to take up residency early next year. The Riviera Arabia themed districts will include three luxury hotels, three marinas, combined mooring for over 700 boats and more than 158,000 m2 of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space. Construction and expansion projects related to the Arab world’s biggest-ever sporting event, the 2006 Asian Games, are estimated at €800,000 and include the construction of accommodation at the Asian Games City for 10,000 athletes, public transport projects and accommodation for 20,000 officials and visitors.

The new international airport is earmarked for completion in 2008 as Qatar steps up efforts to compete with Dubai as the Middle Eastern hub of choice connecting Asia Pacific with Europe. State carrier Qatar Airways is building an entirely separate terminal for premium passengers, with first and business lounges each with their own dining areas, a spa bath and sauna, conference and meeting rooms and a business centre, a medical centre, prayer rooms and a children’s play area and nursery. Several high-profile Gulf malls are planning to add hotels, most notably the expanded Doha City Centre with a group of new towers housing five hotels: a 140-room Shangri-La hotel; a 400-room Rotana hotel; a 250-room Renaissance hotel; a 200-room Marriott Courtyard hotel; and a 138-unit Marriott Executive Apartments.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7544/13zy9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

In anticipation of the Asian Games, new retail projects have been springing up. The largest is the 145,000 m2 Le Villagio with 220 stores including Doha’s second Carrefour hypermarket. The Landmark mall, which opened in 2000, is adding another 17,930 m2 to its original 40,000 m2 of space. Qatar’s original shopping centre, The Mall, has also expanded twice and is now in its third growth phase. Dubai-based retail group Landmark opened the Asmak Mall in January, while the Zone Shopping Centre, located off the D-Ring Road, has introduced an international shopping carnival concept to Doha. The 370,000 m2 Al Khor Mall, owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, will be built at a cost of $22.3m (€17.4m) and is expected to open late next year, becoming the biggest mall built outside Doha.

The skyline of Doha will also change, with construction of the Dubai Towers – Doha, the first overseas project by Dubai International Properties (DIP). It will be an iconic 80-storey addition housing a hotel and apartments operated by the Dubai-based Jumeirah Group, offices and a shopping mall.

“According to our studies, the expected increase to at least 511,000 m2 of retail space by 2010 is still well below the square metre per resident of Dubai and the US,” says Simon Thomson, principal of Retail International. “The message for those in the retail industry is that Doha is a city to watch.”

Al Waab City is yet another mega project, described by project CEO Sheikha Hanadi Al Thani as the sole development in Doha that will fully integrate with the existing fabric of the city, in close proximity to reputable schools and major sports facilities. It will include a variety of residential properties, small and large-scale retail, offices, health facilities, a cultural centre and an international hotel surrounding an urban piazza.

In the north of the city, Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company is developing the 35 km2 Lusail project, which will accommodate 200,000 people. The €4bn scheme will be completed by 2010 and will include a blue-water lagoon with two marinas, major residential areas, extensive commercial districts, leisure and entertainment facilities including two golf courses, beaches, mosques, parks, schools, malls and medical centres. Yet despite these extraordinary and massive schemes, Qatar remains largely off the international radar. The Asian Games may just alert the world to the huge reshaping of its capital and it may yet give the region’s golden state, Dubai, a run for its money.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/3034/p064playfor0101xs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

nice pics and nice idea about having thread for picturs

great article suzan,, LOOL mark faithfull hates dubai

why dont we just set a thread for pictures for now or we can use the general qatar sub-Forum just to see how is it going to work ?

DAGOC Head asks for cooperation

Abdulla Khalid Al-Qahtani, Director General of the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC), is urging building contractors involved in various construction projects in the West Bay area of Doha to stop work between 27 November and 16 December to avoid causing noise pollution or inconvenience to the tens of thousands of visitors who will be in town for the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006.

Just one part of the huge effort DAGOC and the whole state of Qatar are making to ensure that the Asian Games is the ultimate sporting experience not just for competitors, but spectators too, the building works shut-down will have a major effect on the quality of life in the West Bay area. Currently, scores of building projects are underway, highlighting the intense development of Qatar’s capital, Doha.

The city’s West Bay area, near the very popular Corniche, is where many of the top-class hotels, such as the Sheraton, Four Seasons and Intercontinental hotels, are sited.

Mr Al-Qahtani said he is expecting “a positive response” from the construction industry, “I strongly believe that, although they may suffer commercially and in operational terms, they (the industry) will answer our call.”

Asked if he had taken any soundings from the industry in general, Mr Al-Qahtani said: “I have met a number of businessmen on various occasions and they showed an encouraging understanding of our concerns and demands. Some [businessmen] have confirmed verbally to me that they will cease their operations during the Games period.”

The Director General added: “The companies have asked for advance notice in order to coordinate their [building] programmes. This week, we have sent them our requests and now we await their positive responses.”

Abdelhameed Mostafawi, Managing Director of Qatar Building Company, one of the biggest building contractors in Qatar, said, “Of course, stopping operations will cost money. But it is possible if the client wants to do it – and the government wants to take care of some of the expenses. It is possible.”

Qatar Building Company, which operates as a general civil engineering company as well as a building contractor, specialises in roadbuilding, pipeline and cable-laying work, sewage treatment works and general building. Most of its contract work is for the government.


Source: http://www.qatar-tourism.com/QEvents.aspx?EvenID=30/08/2006

Well, Dubai Towers Doha can certainly stop work--it has been doing so for the past 2 years now!!!!

:lol: