Now in its ninth edition, the annual Halal Qatar Festival, launched at Katara Cultural Village yesterday, proves a not-to-be-missed heritage event which centres on livestock trade as an important aspect of Qatari culture.
With the opening of the nine-day festival, the southern area of Katara becomes a one-stop shop vibrant with many activities including Al Mazad — public auction of Halal (sheep and goats), Al Izab — barns where different breeds of halal such as Syrian and Arab sheep are showcased, and the Al Mazain — a competition for the most beautiful sheep and goats as its main features.
Different breeds of sheep and goats were showcased in 10 enclosures as public auctions of and competitions among the best breeds of sheep went underway yesterday at the festival.
A Bedouin tent where the process of traditional weaving (Al Sadu) is being demonstrated, from spinning the sheared sheep’s wool to dyeing to weaving using a ground loom is one of the attractions at the festival.
Traditional costumes and hand-woven products with traditional Sadu patterns such as bags and boxes are on display at the tent.
Horse and camel rides are also available at the venue while a number of games such as inflatables are also some of the features children visiting the festival will certainly enjoy.
Food products including traditional Qatari cuisine can be bought at dozens of food stalls and carts around the venue.
A dozen more stalls selling traditional crafts, dairy, toys, antiques, spices, bukhoor incense, oil fragrances, dates, sweets and homemade biscuits are also another crowd-puller at the event, in addition to several stalls offering veterinary services and animal feeds.
This year’s festival has a strong educational element with several activities being organised for schoolchildren in a fun way such as lectures, workshops and competitions.
Inaugurating the festival, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara, underlined how the festival had become a major event which attracts Halal breeders and those interested in the industry in Qatar and other neighbouring countries.
“Every year we strive to develop more in different aspects, as this edition witnesses a new set of competitions and new activities, in addition to the main events included in the festival every year,” said Al Sulaiti.
“The festival has made a great leap in highlighting the importance of Halal, especially among young people, as a heritage which is of great importance to a wide segment of society,” he stressed, adding that it is part of Katara’s role as a cultural institution to preserve and revive ancient heritage in the hearts of new generations by enhancing the festival every year to present it the best way.
Halal Qatar is located adjacent to the Mahaseel souq which sells fresh vegetables, honey, dairy and meat products during Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays turning the festival into a one-stop shop.
The products which also include organic produce are sold at Mahaseel souq by local farms at very competitive prices.