Qatar - Doha and The Museum of Islamic Art

Souk Wakif, Qatar

Back in the city, we had another walk around Souk Wakif, where I resisted buying any of the numerous strings of pearls, and was only almost tempted to buy one of the many semi-precious necklaces.

I think I would have succumbed had I found just the right one in the right length, but as it was, I just about managed to walk away.

Souk Wakif, Qatar

Of course, had I gone completely wild, and bought more than I could carry, I could have hired one of the men with their barrows, to cart it around for me. Mind you, some of the guys were so old and frail looking, I don't think I could have let them, in case they collapsed in the process.

This time we had a brunch at one of our friends' regular haunts, which also was very nice.

Souk Wakif, Qatar

Charity Donation Stall, Qatar

We did pop briefly in to one of the shopping malls, where it was interesting to see that, in order to help people to make their required 2.5% charity donations, they have stalls where you can choose from a range of charitable gifts, a bit like Good Gifts in the UK.

They had a nice little booklet, listing the gifts available to be purchased, which included sanitation, education, housing, healthcare and economic empowerment projects, in places including Burkina-Faso, Mali, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Bosnia, with costs ranging from 5,800 to 833,400 Qatari riyal (£1,275- £183,000).

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

And of course, given that one of our friends works in the Museum of Islamic, we couldn't leave without paying a visit there too. Though in fact, whilst art galleries and museums aren't generally one of our priorities, I think we would have gone to this one anyway. Not only do I rather like the geometric patterns of Islamic art, but the building was fabulous in itself.

It opened in December 2008, and was designed by Pritzker Prize Laureate I M Pei who has said that he was inspired by the ablutions fountain of the 9th century mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Cairo, Egypt.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Not having been there, I have no idea whether that influence is evident, but I know that when I look at the building, I see a pair of eyes at the top, which reminds me of a cubist style representation of a woman wearing a niqab.

The building is lovely from the outside, but it is even better inside. I loved the symmetry and geometry of the staircases and huge lights.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

In terms of the art, there were some interesting examples of calligraphy, and some fabulously decorated doors, as well as all sorts of other items ranging from 7th-19th century.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Qajar Women, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

There was also a special exhibition called Qajar Women: Images of Women in 19th century Iran. The Qajar tribe ruled Persia (now Iran) from the late 1700s to 1925, and this exhibit aims to show how women were central to it's artwork.


The exhibition, which features historical objects, old photographs, and contemporary art inspired by the period, aims to "explore the meaning of the image of women at the onset of modernity."

Qajar Women, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Many of the images depict Qajar women with quite masculine features and heavy eyebrows, which reflects the differing idea of beauty.

It was an interesting exhibit, although I have to admit that some of my favourite pieces were the more modern ones, including an Andy Warholesque one that I thought was great.

Qajar Women, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay in Qatar. It helped, of course, that we were staying with friends, because not only did we have good company, they were also able to help us see some parts that otherwise we likely would not have gone to. But Doha was a nice location anyway, as long as you can put aside any discomfort about some of the treatment of workers here. Like Abu Dhabi, it felt like a 'real' city, where Dubai felt more about business and tourism.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Qatar - an evening in Doha

Fanar Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre, Doha, Qatar

So I mentioned before that the reason that we stopped off in the Middle East on the way back, was to see some friends who live in Qatar. We had three days here in Doha with them, and they had both really kindly taken the days off work to spend with us and introduce us to the sights.

Qatar is that little peninsula bit that sticks up into the Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is a small country of just over 4,400 square miles - that's less than the size of Northern Ireland. Like its neighbour, the UAE, its native population is massively outnumbered by immigrant workers, and whilst relationships are generally harmonious, there are issues. Qatari nationals are given significantly favourable treatment - they are never likely to be found at fault in a traffic accident for example, despite the truly awful driving that we saw - and there are many reports that the poorest manual workers have very poor living and working conditions. Reports of this abound regarding the building of the new stadium for the Football World Cup in 2022.

The Corniche, Doha, Qatar

The Corniche, Doha, Qatar

Happily, our friends are not in that position, and for our first day with them, we took a drive over to the place to be seen in Doha - The Corniche.

The Corniche is a 7km promenade that runs alongside the bay, and is home to fancy hotels and expensive shops. If you can find somewhere to park your car, this is the place to come and take a stroll.

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

After we had strolled, and the sun was disappearing from the sky, we headed over to the souk, to find somewhere to eat. Souk Wakif is probably only a hundred or so years old, but it has recently been restored, to remove the newer additions, and keep the older parts. It is incredibly popular, so is expanding, but this time they are doing so in keeping with the original style.

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

This was certainly a much nicer souk than those we visited in Dubai. This really felt like a place that locals use - it had tourists of course, but the majority of people here were clearly people who lived here, and for whom this was a regular night out.

We were planning to return to the souk another day, so for now, we just passed through to find food. It does look nice at night though, so I had to take a few photos on the way.

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Parisa Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Now regular readers will be aware that I am not the most of adventurous eaters, so the idea of Persian food made me a tad nervous, but I figured that now was the time to try it, when I had people with me who were used to the cuisine and could help me work out what I could eat. So we went along to the very ornately decorated Parisa. I think they must have bought up the entire city's supply of mirror tiles to create the mosaics that covered the inside, but surprisingly, the overall effect was impressive rather than just gaudy.

And the food was great. Of course, for the life of me, I can't remember what any of it was called, but it tasted good.

Parisa Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Souk Wakif, Doha, Qatar

Palace, Doha, Qatar