Some great events are in store for AWAQ members in January and February, with a special emphasis on family time. Our events team has organized some new, exciting outings, while reprising some very successful past events. If you’re new to Doha, or have never had a chance to join our group on some of our most popular events, here’s another opportunity! The following is a quick overview of upcoming events, some which your spouses and children may also participate in.
Back by popular demand is our private tour of the newly opened Msheireb Museums on Jan. 2oth. These renovated historic historic heritage houses, Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House, celebrate the history of Qatar in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Hidden in plain sight within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history and reveal unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development.
Foodies, relish in recurring events, including a topical talk about local fare at Fanar on Jan. 19th, and our monthly Qatari Foodies Explorer on Jan. 25th.
You and your family are invited to join us on on Jan. 22nd for a traditional Qatari Dhow trip, when we depart on a late morning cruise around the bay and enjoy the magnificent views of Doha from the water. Later, we drop anchor off Al Safliya Island where you can swim or just catch some rays on the top deck of the boat and hang out with AWAQ friends and family. Cost is 90 QR per person, and includes BBQ lunch and beverages. Tickets must be purchased no later than Wednesday, January 20 and are non-refundable. The dhow leaves at 10:00 a.m., so please plan on being at the harbor by 9:30 so you have time to park your car and get onto the dhow.
Our first-ever gold and jewelry creation tour on Jan. 24th, is something jewelry lovers will not want to miss! If you’ve ever been at the old gold souk, looking at all of the amazing jewelry on display, and have wondered how it is made, then you should join us for a behind-the-scenes tour, to learn how one local jewelry store makes some of its most popular pieces. Due to the size of the workshop, this tour is limited to ten people, so register today!
On Feb. 20, we’ll be visiting the Sheikh Faisal Museum again. Established in 1998 in the fort at Al Samriya Farm, the museum contains more than 15,000 unique and astonishing artifacts encompassing three main themes: Qatar heritage, Islamic art and vehicles. Sheiikh Faisal is a man with a dedication and passion for collecting, and his museum epitomizehis travels over the past 50 years. Sheikh Faisal’s eye for tradition, culture, history and interest in preserving Qatari custom, is evidenced by the museum’s exceptional collections. The tour fee is 30 QR fee per person, payable at the museum. A children’s workshop will be offered for an additional 50 QR fee per child, payable at the museum.
Another highly anticipated event will be our visit to Al Shaqab Equestrian Center, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 27th. Founded in 1992 by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, former Emir of Qatar, Al Shaqab is regarded as the region’s leading equine education resource centre and features the breeding of Arabian horses. Spread over 980,000 square metres and with a stable capacity for more than 400 horses, Al Shaqab also stands out for its dynamic architectural design with a central horseshoe shape. Al Shaqab is the final stop on the Longines Global Champions Tour and hosts other global equestrian events throughout the year.
Still subject to confirmation is our visit to a local camel farm. Stay tuned for information on this much-anticipated outing, a rare opportunity for you and your family to engage with a local family in a unique rural setting.