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Qatar Museums (QM) has announced several exhibitions that will be presented across its cultural institutions throughout spring 2021. Members of the community can look forward to exhibitions covering a wider range of interests, including contemporary art, natural history and the art of collecting. On March 7, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art will open “Kader Attia: On Silence”, a major solo exhibition dedicated to the work of the artist over the last two decades, curated by Abdellah Karroum, Director of Mathaf, with Assistant Curator Lina Ramadan. The exhibition will feature a wide range of work across all media and include site-specific installations, sculptures, collages, drawings, video, and photography. On Silence explores themes of postcolonial trauma and the ensuing decades of psychiatric ‘repair’ at the social and individual level. The artist’s intention and curatorial approach is to provoke the viewer’s emotional and physical experience while encountering works placed at various levels in the museum galleries, seen from above, from underneath, and from within but rarely straight on. There will be two important commissions featured in connection with Doha. Launching in March at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) is Mal Lawal 3. Following the success of its previous editions in 2012 and 2014, Mal Lawal evolves in 2020-2021 to provide a platform that brings together private collectors and helps support and further establish the practice of collecting in Qatar. The collections showcased in 2020-2021 present the personal stories of the collectors and highlight their passion for art, culture and heritage. The largest solo survey to date of the work of the American artist Jeff Koons (b. 1955) in the Gulf region, Jeff Koons: Lost in America will be presented at QM Gallery AlRiwaq as part of the 2021 Qatar-United States Year of Culture. Organized by the renowned curator Massimiliano Gioni, the exhibition, which opens on March 28, will feature over 60 artworks drawn from the full span of Koons’ four-decade long career, including many of the artist’s major works such as Rabbit (1986), Balloon Dog (1994–2000) and Play-Doh (1994–2014). In Koons’ paintings and sculptures, everyday objects and industrial materials are transformed into engaging artworks that pose questions about desire and hope, the self and transcendence, individuality and the masses. Lost in America presents a panoramic view of American culture as seen through Koons’ own autobiography, beginning with his childhood in suburban Pennsylvania. Accompanied by texts compiled from interviews, statements and quotes collected throughout Koons’ career that guide the viewers through each gallery, the exhibition doubles as an expansive self-portrait. Works from many of Koons’ best-known series like The New (1980–87), Banality (1988), Celebration (1994–), Popeye (2002–2013) and Antiquity (2008–) will be displayed alongside recent works exhibited for the first time. NMoQ, in collaboration with ExxonMobil Research Qatar, will present a special exhibition on dugongs called “Seagrass Tales, Dugong Trail” launching on March 30. These shy marine mammals have inhabited the waters surrounding Qatar’s peninsula for more than 7,500 years. The Arabian Gulf is home to the world’s second-largest population of dugongs, after Australia. Recently, the largest herds in the world, comprising between 600 to 700 dugongs, have been recorded in Qatar. Holding both a special cultural and environmental significance, the dugong was chosen as the museum’s official mascot. Meanwhile, QM has three ongoing exhibitions namely “Grey Times” running at Fire Station Artist in Residence until July 24, “A Falcon’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud Al Thani” at the Museums of Islamic Art until April 10, and “Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from The al-Sabah Collection” at NMoQ until February 3.

Flower Festival at Souq Waqif was opened for visitors from today. The festival showcases many local nurseries and provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to buy saplings of various flowers. The Flower Festival is organized by the Souq Waqif administration and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment represented by the Agricultural Affairs Department and the Public Parks Department. The festival will continue till February 9, 2021 and is open from 9am until 9pm in the western square of Souq Waqif.

Qatar University (QU) is planning to establish branches in a number of Asian and African countries, its president Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham announced on Monday. During its weekly meeting, Qatar’s legislative Shura Council along with the president of Qatar University discussed future plans to expand the state’s higher education institution building on the remarkable progress the national university has made in the Arab and International university ranking tables. Dr. Al Derham proposed a plan to establish multiple branches of the university in different destinations in the Asian and African continents by 2022. Qatar University ranked 245th globally and fifth among Arab universities according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2021. Outlining the developments and achievements of the institution, Al Derham confirmed that “there are plans to develop technical research at the university, including the establishment of the Qatar University Technical Company.” He said that this project is in its final stages and is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The University’s president added that aside from empowering its research department, the QU is also working on enhancing its financial stability. During the discussions at the Shura Council, Dr. Al Derham also shed light on QU’s efforts to attract more Qataris to work at the university, paving the way through its Qatarization program. Members of the Shura Council highlighted the importance of equipping graduates with the qualifications needed for them to compete in the job market both domestically and abroad. “According to QS World University Ranking, Since 2014 Qatar University moved up 306 places. Over the eight considered years, the institution moved up six times and did not present negative performances. In the 2021 Edition, the institution performed among the top 21% in the QS World University Rankings,” QU said in a statement on its website. During the session, members of the council were also briefed on the development witnessed by the university in establishing faculties of medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and health sciences.

Doha’s citizens and residents stated that the deceased man was a brigadier in the Qatari navy. Qatari citizen Muhammad Buhaza was buried at the Mesaimeer cemetery on Tuesday, hours after he was found dead at sea. Buhaza was declared missing after going on a fishing trip in the Thakira Sea on Monday when his boat and belongings were found abandoned. A search party was launched and his body was found at sea a day later. Residents of Qatar took to social media to mourn his death using the hashtag #محمد_بوهزاع [#MuhammadBuHaza]. According to several sources, Buhaza was a brigadier in the Qatari navy and made frequent trips out at sea. His nephew also told local Qatari newspaper, Al Sharq that his uncle went on the fishing trip alone. Local media personalities and activists said the deceased was known for his generosity and kindness and shared prayers for his family. “May God have mercy on Mohammad Buhaza and accept him in heaven with the martyrs. Our condolences to his family,” said prominent media personality Fahad Buzwair. Qatari Muslim preacher Ayed Al Qahtani also expressed his deep condolences on Twitter. “I ask God Almighty to have mercy on him and to make his grave a meadow in the gardens of Paradise. He was one of the most pious and humble men I’ve known,” said Al Qahtani.

An exciting new dawn has come to one of Qatar's most historic cities, which sits close to Doha on the way to beautiful desert landscapes. The gateway to the desert opened its doors to the world on 18 December 2020 with a spectacular debut that included the Amir Cup final. Al Rayyan, where Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located, is known for its love of traditions and local culture, as well as its hugely popular football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club. The close-knit community here is deeply committed to the team, whose new arena will host up to 40,000 fans at FIFA World Cup 2022™ matches. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, built on the site of a venue with the same name, incorporates symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular undulating façade. The facilities surrounding the stadium also mirror the country, with sand dune-shaped structures recalling the beautifully wild lands to the west. Al Rayyan welcomes football fans from around the world with open arms, eager to show them the rich culture of Qatar. Thanks to its location on the edge of the desert, preserving nature and its gifts has long been a priority in resilient Al Rayyan – and this arena is no different. The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy has delivered the venue using environmentally friendly building materials and practices. Every part of the stadium district has been designed with sustainability in mind. After the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ has come to a close, almost half of the stadium's 40,000 modular seats will be removed and given to football development projects abroad. The smaller post-tournament arena will enable Al Rayyan to maintain the intimate, neighbourly character it's famous for.

Eight countries will participate in the first Qatar International Open Parachuting Championship, which will be held in the first week of February.Eight countries will participate in the first Qatar International Open Parachuting Championship, which will be held in the first week of February.Eight countries will participate in the first Qatar International Open Parachuting Championship, which will be held in the first week of February. The unique championship to be held from February 5-8 at the Doha Sealine Dropzone will see teams from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Slovenia and Qatar taking part. In a post on social media, Qatar Air Sports Committee, organisers of the championship invited all to attend the first Qatar International Open Parachuting Championship, which will be held at the Sealine area between 7am and 5pm. There will be two competitions in men’s category – 4-way formation skydiving and accuracy landing. The opening of the championship will be on Friday, February 5 at 4pm in Sealine.

The State of Qatar has again retained its global distinction in safety as Doha, the capital of Qatar, has been declared as the second safest city in the world. In 431 cities covered in the report, Doha has been placed at number 2 in terms of safety and low crime rate. Doha secured 87.96 in safety index while its crime index is just 12.04, according to Numbeo’s Crime Index by City 2021. Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide, provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution. According to the classification rules of the report, cities have been ranked in reverse order that the city that occupies 431st place is the city with the lowest crime rate and ranks first in terms of safety and security. Doha scored a total of 12.04 points in crime index, being the second lowest scorer of the points starting from zero to hundred points. According to this classification, Doha becomes the second safest city (at 430 position) out of 431 cities covered in the report with a score of 87.96 points in safety index. The top 10 safest cities included Abu Dhabi, UAE; Taipei, Taiwan; Quebec City, Canada; Zurich, Switzerland; Sharjah, UAE; Dubai, UAE; Eskisehir, Turkey; Munich, Germany; and Trieste, Italy. Qatar had also retained its position as the ‘Safest Country’ globally as per the 2020 mid-year Crime Index by Numbeo released in July last year. The Numbeo database publishes its annual reports since 2009, based on the measurement of the crime rate in the countries of the world. The index of crimes in countries is measured according to the laws of those countries as it considers that there are acts that constitute crimes in some countries dissimilar to other countries, which gives a real measure of the rate of crime in countries in accordance with applicable laws. The placing of Doha at top of safest cities in the world reflects overall security and safety situation in Qatar thanks to the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Interior in its vision of achieving maximum security and stability in society and protecting people's lives and property.

UAE-budget carrier flydubai will resume services to Doha on January 26, with a double daily service from Dubai International to Doha’s Hamad International Airport. It is the third UAE airline to re-launch services to Qatar in more than three years after Air Arabia and Etihad Airways. Qatar Airways on Wednesday announced that it would resume flights to the United Arab Emirates, starting with services to Dubai on January 27 and to Abu Dhabi the next day. The announcements comes after the historic Al Ula declaration signed by Qatar and an Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. The agreement marked the beginning of the end of a three-and-half year travel and trade blockade imposed on Qatar by the quartert. The agreement paved the way for the reopening of airspace by the four Arab countries and resumption of flights. While Qatar Airways has already resumed services to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, it is expected to re-launch flights to Bahrain soon.

In a statement posted on Twitter Qatar Airways cautioned prospective job seekers against fake employment offers. “Prospective employees are being targeted with fake employment emails/advertisements, that appear to be from Qatar Airways or Qatar Airways Group subsidiaries, sent by unauthorised employment agencies and unknown domains asking for personal information and in some cases money to proceed with a job offer,” the airline said. Some other big corporations have also recently warned people against fake employment offers and scamsters try to make quick money from unsuspecting job hunters. All emails should be checked for their authenticity and cross verified. The airline also mentioned that they do not request payment from candidates during the recruitment process. “All emails relating to employment opportunities will only be sent from a verified Qatar Airways email address (@qatarairways.com.qa or @.<>.qatarairways.com), and all job postings are only available on the Qatar Airways official website and official social media channels. Qatar Airways does not request payment from candidates during the recruitment process. “If you suspect that you are being scammed, please advise Qatar Airways immediately on reportfraud@qatarairways.com.qa. Our official vacancies can be seen at https://careers.qatarairways.com,” the airline said in the statement.

Al Khor Carnival 2021 The 18-day festival will have fun rides, cultural activities, inflatable park and shopping. Visitors can also enjoy mouth-watering food by the many food outlets and food trucks at the venue. Where: Al Bayt Stadium Park Al Khor When: 23 January 2021 - 6 February 2021; 12pm-10pm International Art Exhibition at Doha Festival City Celebrate international art works by artists from around the world at International Art Exhibition, representing Qatar, Russia, Denmark and India among others. Where: Ground Floor, Doha Festival City When: 15 January 2021 - 28 February 2021 Scientific Applications in Cultural Heritage Forum Qatar National Library is organizing the first edition of the forum which begins from January 25 to 30. Held virtually, the forum will feature lectures and presentations on pigments and dyes in manuscripts and heritage objects by leading experts in the field. Damascus, Levant Exhibition - Katara In cooperation with the Embassy of Syria in Doha, “Damascus, Levant” Exhibition by The Artist/ Salah Eddin Al Bizri Where: Building 18, Gallery 2 Doha When: 17 January 2021 - 29 January 2021; 10am-10pm Marmi Festival 2021 The festival, organised by Qatar Al Gannas Society, Marmi Festival is considered one of the important features of the original Qatari culture. It presents various aspects of tradition and heritage, and this festival is aimed at reviving them among the new generations. Where: Mesaieed (Sealine) When: 1 January 2021 - 31 January 2021; 4pm-8pm Mal Lawal 3 Cars Classic cars edition is exhibited at Mal Lawal 3, a unique platform that celebrates collecting and bringing together private collectors from Qatar to showcase their collectibles. This time the exhibition has cars from two established local car collectors. When: On until August 1; 9am to 7pm (Friday 1:30pm to 7pm) Where: National Museum of Qatar Torba Farmers Market The popular market is back at Ceremonial Court in Qatar Foundation with the Covid-19 precautionary measures in place. Offering a wide range of products including freshly-baked goods, fruits, vegetables, homemade preserves, syrups, and handicrafts, the market is a hit among the community. Where: Ceremonial Court in Qatar Foundation. When: Only on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, until April Tasty Street Tasty Street Qatar, a drive-thru food festival organised at Katara with over 300 food kiosks. The event will be held until March 2021. Where: Katara Shakespeare Street When: Ongoing until 31 March 2021, (3 pm – Midnight) If you know of any other event we missed out please inform us and we will get it listed. Source : @peninsula_qatar

Qatar Airways Holidays has announced the final extension of its Travel Bubble Holidays packages to the Maldives, providing travellers with more flexibility to plan a last-minute, quarantine-free gateway to the tropical paradise island. The travel period is extended until February 20 for bookings with minimum three-night duration and last outbound date from Qatar on February 17. To celebrate the success and mark the end of the very popular Travel Bubble Holidays between Qatar and the Maldives, Qatar Airways Holidays will offer customers free upgrades, including use of additional resort facilities, water sports activities — such as canoeing, laser sailing, snorkelling and windsurfing — as well as special food and beverage offerings for all new bookings made before February 15, all at no extra cost. In November 2020, Qatar Airways Holidays announced the creation of its Travel Bubble Holidays package allowing Qatar citizens and residents to holiday safely with no quarantine or self-isolation requirements on return for citizens and no exceptional entry permit, quarantine or self-isolation requirements on return for residents of Qatar. Even though the Maldives is no longer part of the Green List countries published by the Ministry of Public Health, the Travel Bubble Holidays are unaffected. All packages include return flights between Qatar and the Maldives on Qatar Airways’ exclusive flights for Travel Bubble Holidays customers, accommodation on a full board basis, return airport transfers, and all taxes. Travel Bubble Holidays’ packages are available to book on the Qatar Airways Holidays website or from a local travel agent. Three high-end luxury properties including the Sandies Bathala Maldives 4-star resort, Diamonds Thudufushi Beach 5-star resort and Amaya Kuda Rah 5-star resort — each situated on their own private island — are exclusively available for guests travelling from Qatar. For the safety of themselves and fellow travellers, Travel Bubble Holidays guests mustt take a PCR test in Doha and get a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours before departure. This is a requirement of the Maldives government and sign a release form committing to the terms and conditions of the exclusive Travel Bubble Holidays. Take a rapid PCR test at Hamad International Airport. Results will be available within 15 minutes, and passengers will be allowed to travel if negative. Arrive in the Maldives, where no additional tests are needed, and take a transfer by speedboat directly to the resort. Return to Maldives airport via speedboat transfer on the day of departure. Take a rapid PCR test upon arrival into Doha. If negative, return home without the need to quarantine or self-isolate. Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It also provides assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. Source: @peninsula_qatar The Peninsula Newspaper @QATARAIRWAYS

Doha: The country witnessed a decrease in visibility due to a sandstorm which occurred in some parts of Doha. On Twitter, QMD stated: "We are observing a decrease in the horizontal visibility in most regions of the country, and currently reaching 2 KM in the capital Doha." In the same statement, QMD also urged everyone to take extra precaution during this weather condition. To ensure safety in the event of exposure to waves of dust, QMD advised citizens and residents the following: 1. Avoid direct exposure to dust and dirt. 2. Take care by washing the face, nose, and mouth frequently. 3. Keep wearing a mask to avoid dust from entering your respiratory system. 4. When dust gets into the eyes, avoid rubbing them, and rinse immediately with water. On Tuesday, QMD stated that strong winds are likely to continue until Friday, January 22. QMD also issued a marine warning as current sea states range between 7-11 ft rising to 14 ft at times. The northwesterly wind speed also ranges between 22-32 KT gusting to 40 KT. Due to this weather condition, QMD advised people of Qatar to avoid all marine activities including: 1. Free swimming 2. Boat trips 3. Scuba diving 4. Free diving 5. Surfing 6. Fishing tours 7. Windsurfing Source @peninsula_qatar