We’ve come up with a bunch of great ideas to keep you and your loved ones entertained all throughout Ramadan whether you’re fasting or not.
Visit an iftar tent
Some of the fanciest five-star hotels and restaurants around the country put up tents for Ramadan and put out seriously generous spreads for iftar and suhoor. Think swathes of silk, personalised service, delicious Arabian and international delicacies, live cooking stations in every corner of the room and even your own private majlis or gathering area with a flat screen TV. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the traditions and customs of modern Arabia.
Want to know more about all the best deals for iftar and suhoor this Ramadan? Find out all the details and more about the Holy Month in our ultimate guide, which comes free with the magazine this month.
Traditional feasts and hospitality
If you’re a non-faster, but have some Muslim friends then why not pop round to their house for an evening meal? The Arabian hospitality is unsurpassable and chances are they’ll be absolutely delighted to invite you and give you a taste of their culture and customs. Plus, you’ll be in for a real treat as you try some proper local dishes – from harees to machboos, kunafeh to umm ali, it’s all ready to plate up.
Don’t be shy – try something new
Many of us are very far away from home and not used to the customs of Qatar, but that’s no excuse not to dive head first into everything local. Ramadan is the perfect time for this, particularly in terms of food, as alongside all the usual mezze culprits there will be plenty on the dinner table that you may have never seen before. Harees is a popular iftar dish; it’s shredded pieces of tender lamb and boiled wheat with spices for extra flavour. It’s not uncommon to see whole animals being spit roasted at this time either, so don’t get squeamish. For dessert, we recommend katyef, which is a pastry pancake filled with cream or crushed walnuts and almonds. Then there are all the Ramadan juices to try. We particularly recommend the sweetness of Tamerhindi (meaning ‘Indian date’), which is made from the fruit pods of trees native to Asia. Give it a go.
Explore the desert and go camping
It’s a bit too hot for this during the day, but that’s why Ramadan is a good time to go – everything comes alive at night. Regency Travel and Tours (www.regencyholidays.com) offers plenty of excursions throughout Qatar from desert safaris and city tours to fishing trips and walking tours. They’re all designed to introduce and immerse you in the Arab culture and the best example of this is the authentic Bedouin campsite, which allows you to relive historical traditions. Alternatively, you can go camping on your own. One of the best places to head to is the Inland Sea – a Qatari natural wonder – but beware and make sure you go in a convoy of 4x4s because the sand is very soft.
The religion of art
If you haven’t already been to the Museum of Islamic Art (www.mia.org.qa) then now is the time to go. Its collections are fascinating and the building is a work of art in itself. Designed by notable Chinese-American architect IM Pei and first opened in 2008, the MIA houses masterpieces of Islamic art, including collections of ceramics, woodwork, textiles, coins, glass, jewellery and metals. Specifically this month, there is a fascinating exhibition about Aghani art and carpentry until July 20 called ‘Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art’, plus ‘Steel and Gold – Historic Swords from the MIA collection’, which will run until December 14. This month, too, on the 11th, 18th and 25th you have the opportunity to join curators and museum guides for various intimate tours of the collections in English and Arabic.
Delve in to Qatar’s history
What better time to get a bit more cultural and learned than during a month steeped in tradition? We recommend visiting the Heritage Collection at the National Library (www.qnl.qa) which is brand new and has been built to take you on a journey through ‘Katara’ and the rest of the region. You’ll find ancient maps, old encyclopedias and travel accounts, plenty of books and verses of the Qur’an – to name a few.
Former Time Out Doha editor Jessica Davey-Quantick took a trip to the National Library and said it was everything she dreamed of and more (she’s quite the book lover). Read her account and her interview with Qatar National Library Director Dr Claudia Lux.
Work on your photography skills
Perfecting existing skills or starting up a new hobby altogether is a great thing to do during Ramadan, as you find yourself with more time. So, if photography is something you’re interested in then the team at the Katara Art Centre have just the session for you. They’ll be hosting ‘Passage of Time’ – a photography workshop on indoor and outdoor light. It lasts from July 25 to 31 and is open to all amateur and beginner snappers. The photographs taken throughout the sessions will then be compiled and exhibited at the centre. Katara Art Centre is in building 5 at Katara Cultural Village. Sessions run from 8.30pm to 9.30pm; QR100 for two sessions.
Call 4408 0244.
Try a Ramadan spa package
You could always treat yourself to a little pampering in the evenings. Some of the spas throughout the country are offering special promotions to tie in with the theme of the month. One particularly impressive package is a 50-minute Moroccan Hammam at Six Senses Spa in Sharq Village and Spa, which also includes a 50-minute de-stress massage using aromatic oils and a half-hour express facial for QR1,250 (call 4425 6999). Another option is at the Remede Spa in The St Regis Doha where you can buy any treatment you want and then get a half price voucher on your next treatment to use during Ramadan (call 4446 0300). It’s open until midnight this month, too.
West Bay cruisin’
Going on a dhow cruise out into the West Bay waters is a must-do on any resident’s and tourist’s Doha to-do list. It’s one of the coolest things to do here at the best of times, but during Ramadan it’s even better. There are a few tour operators that offer packages, including Qatar Ventures (www.qatar-ventures.com), which takes you sailing in the moonlight on a traditional Qatari dhow as a chef prepares and serves a dinner buffet. So get some friends together and do something a bit different for iftar or suhoor.
See how our neighbours do it
Each country in the Gulf has its own unique traditions during Ramadan, so why not visit one and take a break during the quiet period? In Dubai, for instance, there are many tents open and events in the evenings so you can see how our nearby neighbours do things. The same goes for Abu Dhabi where there are some very extravagant feasts on offer. For something a little more authentic and outdoor-sy we recommend checking out the deserts and wadis of Oman.
View Charity in Doha
View Ramadan dos and don’ts
View Ramadan in Doha 2013
Pick up some mad skills
There’s plenty for the cultural and arty types to try their hand at, as throughout the month there are courses and workshops going on at the Museum of Islamic Art that kids and adults alike are welcome to attend (visit www.mia.org.qa for more information). For instance, there are seven sessions of a painting history course where you’ll be inspired by Persian and Mughal paintings in the MIA’s collection to create your own miniature. For children there are lessons in linoleum print making where they’ll create their very own antique Turkish calendar from scratch (on July 3, 10, 17 and 24). If Arabic calligraphy is something that interests you, courses in the Ruq’ah script are also available on July 6, 13 and 20. This is ideal for calligraphy beginners so make a note in your calendar if you want to learn more.
The heart of Islam
Get straight to the heart of Ramadan by learning more about Islam with the teachers at the Fanar Islamic Cultural Centre. Based in the mosque on the corniche, next to Souq Waqif, Fanar hosts lectures about Islam, takes visitors on tours of religious sites inside and outside of the city and you can sign up for Arabic classes while you’re at it. It even offers the opportunity to listen to the Friday sermon (the khutbah) in English. These activities go on all year round so you can drop in whenever you want, but there will be more interest throughout Ramadan as it reaches out to non-Muslims.
Call 4425 0164.
Celebrate the Qatari kid’s day
Garangao (which is known by other names in the rest of the GCC countries) marks the 14th day of Ramadan and is one for the children. Typically, kids will dress in traditional clothing and knock on doors in their neighbourhood, as they collect sweets and nuts in a cotton bag. There’s even a special song they sing as they do it. If you want to join in with your own kids then we recommend heading to Katara Cultural Village where every year it tends to hold celebrations throughout the day and all nationalities are welcome.
Play some board games
While nowadays it’s become the norm to head to an elegant tent and just eat the food at iftar during Ramadan, in more traditional settings it’s usual to play a few games. As long as the venue allows it (it’s best to ask before you go, particularly at the classier joints), then a great way to wile away the moonlit hours is to take a chess set, pack of cards or a backgammon board and challenge your friends. Trust us –before you know it’ll be the small hours of the morning. Make sure you keep it strictly friendly though because gambling is haram (forbidden) in Islam.
See some indie movies
The cinema is always a great option for a Ramadan eve, but if you’re sick of all the Hollywood blockbusters and IMAX flicks then the Doha Film Institute (www.dohafilminstitute.com) is an interesting alternative. Right at the beginning of the month, on July 4 and 5, it is screening the film Tora Bora as part of the series ‘Hekayat Khaleejiya’. This is a drama about two parents looking for their son in the mountains of Afghanistan, and the showings are followed by a Q&A with the director Walid Al-Awadi and the actor Saad Al-Faraj. On July 25 and 27, the next installation of the ‘DFI UK Cinema Showcase’ will air, with a screening of The Bridge on the River Kwai, a British-American classic set in World War II about a colonel who is overseeing the construction of a railway bridge.
Head to the bustling souqs
There’s nothing quite like a Ramadan evening when the festive spirit is almost tangible and one of the best places to experience this is down in the hustle and bustle of the souqs. The most popular marketplace, Souq Waqif (located down Grand Hamad Street, just off the Corniche) is a great place to go for an evening meal and a cup of karak, followed by a stroll through the souvenir shops and streets where local craftsmen will be showcasing their wares. Close by, you’ll find the Gold Souq, which is the perfect place to pick up some fancy Ramadan or Eid gifts as there are plenty of shops offering customised jewellery made of gold, precious metals and stones.
Also, make sure to check out Najma’s Souq Haraj, also known as Doha’s ‘second-hand souq’ – a place to find fantastic bargains, particularly on furniture. According to the Peninsula, it may soon be taken over by developers with plans to build a commercial centre and two hotels there instead. So visit now before it disappears.
Wandering souqs
For a comprehensive list of all the souqs that Doha has to offer, head to www.timeoutdoha.com and search for ‘Souks in Qatar’. We’ve left no stone unturned.
Iftar on the open water
This might sound strange, but why not try dining in a donut on the seven seas for iftar? Okay, we’ll explain. The Diplomatic Club has this pretty unique offer where you can get eight people together and eat aboard its ‘BBQ Donut’, which will take you out onto the West Bay waters to enjoy the views while you tuck into some fancy grub. Basically, it’s a floating ring of seats and you and all your guests can sit around a grill while out on the open water. It’s a relatively new concept in Doha, having launched late last year, and its keeping going for Ramadan as something a bit different to do for iftar until 10pm. It costs QR180 per person and includes chilled juices, water and soft drinks.
Call 4484 7450.
Let’s get physical
Aspire Zone is incorporating sports, culture, religion and family-orientated activities under the banner of Hayyakum B Aspire – a two-week Ramadan festival. It’s set to kick off at the end of July and will feature sports such as beach football, basketball, table tennis for the disabled, volleyball and remote control car racing – to name a few. The idea behind it, says president of Aspire Zone Foundation Mr Hilal Al Kuwari, ‘is to help all members of the community stay active throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, which, this year, falls during the middle of summer.’ Plus, this year’s festival (the third of its kind) is set to be even bigger, with almost double the amount of sports than in 2012 and a number of cultural, religious and charitable events added, too. Even if you’re not an athlete, you can still participate and head down to cheer on the teams. Register online at www.aspirezone.qa/ramadan.
Tap into your inner Shakespeare
Everybody loves a little bit of the spotlight, particularly budding actresses and actors, so a summer acting workshop at the Doha Players Villa is a fun way to boost your confidence and improv skills at the same time. You’ll be split into age appropriate groups and be led by American actor, teacher and director Joel Adams, who has over 30 years of acting experience under his belt. He plans to use theatre games and improvisational exercises to teach the basics of body and movement, voice and speech and characterisation. The workshops will be held every Saturday and although it started on June 24, Joel says you’re more than welcome to join in whenever you’re ready (before August 26) as he’ll have notes to fill you in on what you’ve missed.
Call 6699 5321 or email jbadams@fastmail.net.
Shop till you drop
It’s the great Khaleeji (Gulf) past time – shopping. While the malls and most stores won’t keep regular working hours (it’s best to call ahead to find out exact opening timings) shopping centres will be packed in the evenings with bargain hunters. It’s Ramadan AND it’s summer so expect some scorching sales. Now is the time to go on that shopping spree you’ve been putting off and buy lots of presents for people while you’re at it because Ramadan is a giving time after all. Check out our shopping directory on page 70 for more information on what’s available.
Go for a staycaytion
Can’t get away for the summer? There are always options to treat yourself to a mini staycation within Qatar. The Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, for example, up until September 15 (except Eid), is offering summer deals at four of their properties – Arumaila, Musheireb, Al Mirqab and Al Najada. With it you get to check-in early and check-out late, have access to all of its recreational facilities, free WiFi, plus refreshments aboard a traditional Qatari dhow. Also, if you stay longer than three nights you’ll get a voucher worth QR300, which is redeemable at any of the seven restaurants throughout the hotels.
Call 4433 6666.
