Penplusmay072013
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TUESDAY 7 MAY 2013 • [email protected] • www.thepeninsulaqatar.com • 4455 7741 inside The role of CAMPUS • Texas A&M at dried bonito in Qatar honours Japanese cuisine student achievers P | 4 P | 11 HEALTH • Dish size, meal frequency may affect kids’ weight P | 7 MOVIE • Summer Movie Guide: Get ready to have a blast P | 8-9 RECIPE CONTEST • Send your best recipe and win a dinner voucher P | 10 TECHNOLOGY • Upstart apps are gunning for Facebook P | 12 LEARN ARABIC PLACES • Learn commonly used Arabic words and their meanings TO VISIT P | 13 Pic: Oscar Rialubin 5 2 PLUS | TUESDAY 7 MAY 2013 COVER STORY Five things to do in Qatar Pic: Sureshkumar CR hat to do in Qatar? car, is to lower the air pressure in breather from hectic Doha to enjoy the The main prayer hall for men is on This is a conundrum the tires to avoid getting stuck in the silence and a beautiful view of Saudi the ground floor, covering an area of for many visiting sand. For those who would rather not Arabia on the other side of the Inland 12,117 square metres, which has the this country for take their own vehicle to the desert, Sea. capacity to accommodate up to 12,000 the first time, and the best option is an excursion which worshippers and an additional 8,000 in Wa question that haunts those who live can be organised through various local the open courtyard. here, especially on the eve of the long agencies. 2) Imam Muhammed bin The main hall has 46 rows; and and harsh summer. Here are a few The price varies depending on the Abdul Wahab Mosque each row can accommodate over 250 recommendations. number of people who join as well as worshippers. The mosque also has a the duration of the field trip. It can Inaugurated by the Emir H H separate prayer hall for women with a be a half-day excursion, with the pick Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in capacity to accommodate over 10,000 1) Desert safari up around 9am and return at 1pm. 2011, it’s the country’s biggest mosque. people. A field trip to the desert is a must Other options include a full-day expe- Popularly known as the state mosque, The total land area of the mosque is when visiting Qatar or any country rience, including lunch at a traditional it was named Imam Muhammad Ibn 175,000 square metres, with a built up in the Arabian Peninsula. It’s only a camp next to the sea, and one can also Abdul Wahhab Mosque after the area of 19,550 square metres on three 40-minute drive from the city centre to choose to spend the night there and reformist, pioneer and Muslim theo- levels. The parking space is spread over the Sealine Beach resort, where ama- have dinner. logian of the 18th century. 14,877 square metres, with the base- teurs and pros in the art of driving The thrilling experience of going up Being one of the biggest mosques ment covering an area of 3,853 square in the dunes meet before diving into and down the dunes and driving on in the world, it takes about two min- metres. The basement of the mosque the sand. the edge of mountains of sand is defi- utes to reach from the south end to contains state-of-the-art washrooms The first step, always with a 4x4 nitely worthwhile, providing a welcome the north of the main prayer hall. and facilities for ablution. PLUS | TUESDAY 7 MAY 2013 3 3) Souq Waqif events for the day. There are several Souq Waqif is the only traditional exhibitions at the numerous gal- souq to remain in the Gulf and one leries, as well as regular shows and of the liveliest places in Doha, with concerts at the Opera House or the an increasing number of restaurants Amphitheatre. where you can taste traditional In addition, the wide choice of res- Qatari food and various specialties taurants will satisfy any palate: there from the Middle East. Several cafes are coffee and sweets on offer, as well and restaurants stay open until late as Indian, Italian and Lebanese cui- (some are open 24 hours), featuring sines, among others, besides tradi- local delicacies or the traditional shi- tional cafeterias and a shop selling sha or water pipe. cup cakes. The Caribbean-like beach This ‘standing market’ was built is a great option for families, but keep using materials available at the time, in mind that entry is not free. mainly stone, mud, wood and plas- The cultural village also houses ter. These materials give the souq a several associations, like Al Gannas special appearance, thanks to Qatari Assosiation for hunting, the Qatar architectural techniques. Society of Engineers and the Just off Corniche Street, which Childhood Cultural Center, and the runs by the sea, all sorts of items can Arab Postal Stamp Museum. be found, from food to crafts, clothing and gold. The Gold Souq has a place of its own here. Much of the gold sold 5) Biggest Restaurant there is handcrafted by skilled crafts- Located on the Corniche, Oriental men. Given that there is no value Pearl restaurant is the biggest one in added tax, the price of the yellow Doha, seating up to 1,000 guests. The metal is lower than that in Europe. building was designed and built in traditional Arabic style over an area of 8,000 square metres. 4) Katara Cultural Village The eatery mainly serves Arabic Located next to the sea in West and Italian cuisines, with 170 varieties Bay and surrounded by several five- of food prepared by 75 chefs and three star hotels is Katara Cultural Village. executive chefs. There’s a special Catara was the first and most ancient area for VIP and VVIP guests, which name used for the Qatar Peninsula, accommodates around 40 people. since the year 150 AD. The name Aiming to be a seven-star res- Katara appeared in geographical taurant, it has three main sections: and historical maps in the early 18th Syrian and Lebanese food is served at The Cultural Village century. ‘Zury,’ Italian Fusion at ‘La-Tofgana’ The Cultural Village Foundation and Arabic sandwiches and sheesha Foundation is an is an exceptional project of hope for are on offer at ‘Naryeen’. The res- human interaction through art and taurant has 460 to 500 staff with six exceptional project cultural exchange. Before reach- managers, 200 waiters and captains of hope for human ing Katara, it is recommended that and 100 stewards to serve large num- one check out the programme of bers of guests. The Peninsula interaction through art and cultural exchange. Before reaching Katara, it’s recommended to check out the programme of events for the day. 4 PLUS | TUESDAY 7 MAY 2013 CAMPUS Texas A&M at Qatar honours student achievers exas A&M University at Qatar recently hosted its annual Student Affairs Leadership and Student Achievement (Salsa) awards. TThe event celebrates student achievements throughout the year, and awards were presented to individuals and student organisations that have dem- onstrated the university’s core values and exhibited outstanding student accomplishment. Engineering students were recognised for contri- butions to the university as student leaders, athletes, student employees and scholars. The event was held in the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Student Center Ballroom. Jeff Sulik, assistant director of student affairs at Texas A&M at Qatar, said, “We look forward to this Students with event all year. You just can’t go wrong honouring stu- dents for their dedication and hard work. Students the awards. are the reason we are here.” The Peninsula A delegation of officers from the Community Ministry of Interior officials visit IIS Policing Sections of Ministry of Interior vis- ited Ideal Indian School (IIS) recently. A seminar on Security Awareness, Traffic Law and Safety was held on the occasion. The officials made a presentation about common traffic mistakes and pedestrian safety. After the presentation, there was an interactive session with students during which a quiz on traffic safety was held, and the official distributed prizes to the students. The delegation from the ministry included Lieutenant Khalifa Mubarak Al Khabi, Community Policing Section, Capital Security Department, Lieutenant Khalifa Saad Al Kuwari, Mesaimeer Security Department, and Faisal Al Hudawi and Abdul Majid Hudawi from the Public Relations Department. The delegation pre- sented a memento to the school officials, and Principal Syed Shoukath Ali handed over a memento to the delegates as a token of appreciation for their efforts. Dr Khurshid Alam Salar, Vice Principal, Boys Section, was also present on the occasion. Georgetown University Qatar hosts talk by prominent Egyptian journalist gyptian journalist Mohamed the audience in his traditional eloquent Hassanein Heikal delivered style. Commenting on the importance a lecture on “The Gulf: The of assessing the future of the Gulf EDay After Tomorrow” to an region from within, he said, “Under all audience consisting of faculty, alumni circumstances and among all options, and students of Georgetown University there can be no defences or battle- Qatar, as well as members of the local ments outside space and time, that is: community, at the Qatar National outside geography and history.” Convention Center (QNCC) on Sunday. For students of politics and history, A commentator on contemporary poli- as well as those with an interest in the tics of the Arab world for the last fifty region, “There are few personalities years, Heikal has met countless world who share Mohamed Heikal’s breadth Mohamed leaders and overseen the unfolding of of experience and direct knowledge of major events throughout his career in some of the most important events Hassanein Heikal journalism and politics.