Driving Through Doha, Qatar

Starting off strong! On our left is the National Museum of Qatar. Beautifully encapsulating Qatar’s rich heritage while still embracing modern architecture. The amazing structure is hard to miss, resembling a desert rose which can be found in Qatar’s arid desert regions. The rose building has been constructed around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace that has now been restored. Just as impressive as these two pieces to the museum are, there’s even a large auditorium, two full restaurants, and a cafe. 

The museum showcases Qatar’s history, culture, and heritage through a series of immersive exhibits, interactive displays, artifacts, artworks, multimedia installations, and archival materials. It covers various themes such as natural history, archaeology, historical artifacts, Bedouin life, and the overall development of Qatar as a nation. The museum is broken up into four galleries, the first three being described as chapters. The first chapter covers the formation of Qatar, the second is about the people of Qatar, the third chapter presents Qatar’s evolving foreign engagement, and the final gallery looks into the work Qatar is doing in present time. The layout of the space and its pieces are perfectly created, you will leave feeling fulfilled, satisfied, and well read. 

The National Museum of Qatar serves as a bridge between its past and present, offering visitors a captivating journey through the nation’s history and traditions. It's truly a one of a kind experience, with its thought-provoking exhibits and innovative design.

Our second stop of the day is the Museum of Islamic Art. This architecturally stunning building is home to one of the most extensive collections of Islamic art in the world. It spans over 1,400 years and represents various regions across three continents. But before we dive into the fantastic pieces that live inside, it's important to note the art that the museum itself stands as too. The structure is a beautiful blend of modern design and traditional Islamic elements. With its use of light, geometric shapes, and the way it lives within its natural environment is a wonderful representation of the Islamic culture’s relationship with nature. The central atrium in particular is absolutely stunning with its large space and natural light. 

Okay, back to the collection! There are many different kinds of pieces within the museum such as: manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, metalwork, glass, jewelry, woodwork, and coins. Each item comes with its own unique story, and range in location and background. You could learn about a ceramic piece that came from a nobleman’s palace, or a gorgeous necklace that was owned by an ordinary person from hundreds of years ago or even more modern. There are a total of 12 galleries throughout the museum, all broken up into their own sections such as different countries, or families. The Museum of Islamic Art really is a wonderful collection of art that will teach you about the Islamic people, heritage, and their history.

Any soccer fans here? As we drive by, on your right are the Flagpoles of the World Cup Competitors. In 2022, the Fifa World Cup took place right here in Doha! When the World Cup was taking place, each of these poles hung a participating nation’s flag, apart of the “Avenue of Champions”. The imagery behind this was to celebrate their unity and the act of coming together to play in this tournament, differences aside. You can still walk down the Avenue and get a glimpse of how majestic it surely was when all of the flags were blowing in the coastal wind.

In this dense urban landscape, it’s always important to have a recreational green space for its residents. And Doha is no exception! On the left is Al Bidda Park, a sprawling park that spans over 1,700,000 square meters throughout its three different spaces. Doha doesn’t mess around when it comes to their parks, that’s for sure. 

Although many of the structures and aspects of Al Bidda are on the newer side, this does not mean there is no history to it. Al Bidda actually existed before the city of Doha was even developed, and was first recorded all the way back in 1681. It’s said that during this time Al Bidda was heavily associated with pearl diving and trading, and many of those who participated, lived and worked here, right in the center of Al Bidda. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing escape, or need a place to kick a soccer ball around, Soccer is life! Then Al Bidda is definitely your place.

The national animal and emblem of Qatar is the Arabian Oryx. Can you spot the Oryx? Sitting on the coast is the massive Oryx sculpture known as Orry! This larger than life art piece is hard to miss, representing the almost extinct animal. But, of course there is more to this than just a symbol for the country’s perseverance. I’m sure you have heard of the Olympics, well every four years the Olympic trades its spot with the Asian Games. A sport competition with all Asian countries in participation. So, in 2006 the games were held in the Arabian Peninsula for the first time ever, right here in Doha! The city needed to pick a mascot not only for the games, but one that resonated for their people as well. Orry the Oryx was created!

Let’s drive and talk a little shall we? Doha is an amazing city with so much to offer, from outdoor activities to museums to skyscrapers, it’s impossible to be bored here. But, it wasn’t always like this. Yes, it’s always been an extremely beautiful place with lovely people, but the metropolis it is today has not always been the case. 

Remember how I mentioned Al Bidda was a home for pearl diving and trading in the area? Well, almost all of Doha’s economy was based around this back in the day. Until the mid 20th century, Doha was primarily a modest coastal town heavily reliant on pearl diving and fishing until the 1940s. Oil was discovered in Qatar and it completely shifted the country’s future. Initially, the revenues bolstered Qatar’s economy and led to major developments in Doha. They were able to transform the city to the impressive facilities, skyscrapers, and architecture we see today. 

But, Qatar was smart and knew not to solely rely on the oil to suffice for their country and began to heavily focus on other sectors such as tourism, education, and sports. They were able to create an extremely sustainable and diverse economy for its future, only providing as an example of Qatar’s ability to adapt, innovate, and embrace change while still holding on tightly to its heritage.

Driving along the sea, it’s difficult to ignore the beauty of this city. Here in Doha, there is so much life and movement constantly going on we can sometimes forget the deep roots that exist here. Qatar’s history is woven with influences from ancient civilizations and Bedouin traditions. Dating back thousands of years, evidence suggests that Qatar was inhabited during the Bronze Age, between 3000 to 1300 BCE. Qatar, and other parts of Eastern Arabia are connected to the Dilmun civilization. A significant trading center with links to Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. 

But, Qatar’s coastal location along the Arabian Gulf made it a strategic point for maritime trade. It’s believed that ancient seafarers used Qatar’s ports as stopovers while navigating the trade routes connecting the three locations. The sea is also very influential in the cultural heritage of Qatar and its people, and not just the logistics of trade. There are many myths and legends in Qatari culture, but a famous tale is the “Lord of the Sea”. The plot revolves around a water djinn, a supernatural creature in Islamic mythology and folklore, named Bū Daryā. This being was seen as a large and frightening half human and amphibian who tormented those out at sea. Many sailors and pearl divers were convinced Bū Daryā would prey on them during their ventures and take extra precautions against the smokeless fire creature. Sailors would always take turns at night on watch duty in case Bū Daryā tried to sneak onto the boat and eat unsuspecting crew members. 

With its powerful history and compelling tales, Qatar is a country that preserves its cultural heritage, traditions, and societal values, all while still evolving into the modern and dynamic city that it stands as today.

Coming up on our right is the Al Sumoud artwork located within the ⅚ park. Designed by artist Ali Hassan, it was unveiled in 2019 as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations. “Al Sumoud” translates to “resilience” in Arabic, and the piece truly does embody the strength, determination, and resilience of the Qatari people. With its prominent location, many can see the art stand tall from multiple viewpoints. The artwork also contributes to Doha’s large public art landscape, which continues to grow everyday. 

As I’m sure you have noticed during our drive, there are many sculptures and different art pieces around the city. Al Sumoud is just one wonderful example. The public art scene here in Doha has really flourished in recent years, showcasing a diverse array of sculptures, installations, and just beautiful and meaningful artistic expressions across the city. There are many art pieces integrated into its urban landscape, many displayed in major hubs or parks. There are also many art festivals and other events that take place during the year in Doha that highlight the importance of these installations. 

Much of the public art in Doha incorporates themes related to Qatari heritage, cultural diversity, sustainability, and innovation. All reflecting the city’s values and aspirations. The public art scene here in Doha has significantly contributed to the city’s identity, creating spaces for artistic expression, fostering creativity, and inviting the public to engage with art in various forms.

Just up ahead is the Katara Mosque. Standing as a relatively modern mosque that was built in the early 2000s, it is still a design that echoes traditional Islamic architecture. With its intricate geometric patterns, minarets, and ornate details, it speaks homage to its cultural identity. The word “Catara” is the first and oldest name used to refer to the Qatari Peninsula since the year 150 AD. But, as time went on the name “Katara” with a K, was used on many maps in the early 18th century AD, and since then has been spelled that way. This is why Qatar decided to use its old name for this village in order to connect to their roots, support those from all over. 

Although the mosque doesn’t have an extensive historical background spanning centuries, its construction and establishment are significant within the context of Qatar’s contemporary development of the Katara Cultural Village. The village was created in hopes to connect people around the globe and to share what a future could look like in which anyone from anywhere could come together to support one another. Here at the village there are many venues and facilities dedicated to the arts. Wanting to serve as a platform for cultural exchange, these different venues offer a wide range of activities and events such as theater, literature, music, conferences, exhibitions, and other art forms, all in hope to engage the public.

We are just about to cross the bridge to the iconic Pearl-Qatar Island! A luxurious artificial island development that was originally envisioned as a prestigious mixed-use location to combine residential, commercial, and leisure. Qatar wanted to create a space to stand as a symbol of their growth and determination to not only their own people, but visitors as well.  Made out of reclaimed land from the sea, the man-made island spans about 4 million square meters and comprises a network of islets connected by bridges and roads. And what does this all look like from a bird’s eye view you ask? Well, a pearl of course! 

Throughout the pearl there are various residential districts, each with their own unique style and amenities. There are a total of ten districts, all of which have different descriptions. For example there is the Abraj Quartier which is nicknamed the gateway to the Pearl Island. This is an excellent location for businesses and holds the tallest buildings on the island. We will be making our way to one specific quarter as our last stop on the tour!