Souq Waqif
 | |
| Native name | سوق واقف (Arabic) |
|---|---|
| Location | Doha, Qatar |
| Coordinates | 25°17′14.58″N 51°31′59.54″E / 25.2873833°N 51.5332056°E |
| Construction | |
| Completion | Late 19th century-early 20th century |
Souq Waqif (Arabic: سوق واقف, romanized: Sūq Wāqif, lit. 'the standing market') is a marketplace (souq) in Doha, in the state of Qatar. The souq sells traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It is also home to restaurants and shisha lounges. The original building dates back to the late 19th to early 20th centuries in a traditional Qatari architectural style. It was renovated in 2006.
Location
[edit]It is located in the district of Al Souq which is situated in the centre of Doha.[1] As it was a market used for trading activities, the area used to be located immediately adjoining the shore to allow for boats to access it from Doha Bay. Souq Waqif's position relative to the bay was significantly altered throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s due to land reclamation for the Doha Corniche, which shifted the coastline approximately 335 metres (1,099 ft) northward.[2]
Present-day, the area between the souq and the coast comprises a northern expansion of the market itself, Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, and Souq Waqif Park. The current distance from the northern edge of Souq Waqif to the coast is about 215 metres (705 ft). This space encompasses two major roadways: Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, a 20 metres (66 ft) wide four-lane road with a 40 km/h speed limit, and Al Corniche Road, a 35 metres (115 ft) wide eight-lane thoroughfare with an 80 km/h limit. These roads account for over 25% of the distance between the souq and the coast. While the physical distance is relatively short, pedestrian access is complicated by traffic infrastructure.[2]
History
[edit]
The souq was founded at least a century ago in proximity of the dry river bed known as Wadi Musheireb. The phrase “Souq Waqif”, stems from the fact that traders used to set up shop at the gates to show off their wares.[3] It was a gathering place where Bedouins and locals would trade a variety of goods,[4] primarily livestock goods.[5] However with the boom in prosperity in the 1990s, the Souq fell into decline and in 2003, most of it was destroyed in a fire. This event initiated a restoration program by the government in 2006, with the purpose of preserving its architectural and historical identity. The first phase of restoration was funded by the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah al Thani and his wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.[6] Buildings constructed after the 1950s were demolished whereas older structures were refurbished. The restoration was completed in 2008.[7] Traditional heating methods are employed by utilizing wood and bamboo imported from various areas of Asia.[5]
The weekly market became a key spot for trade and for sharing news and information, which helped move not only physical things but also knowledge. Souq Waqif was created over a century ago along the banks of the Msheirib wadi as a weekend trading center to allow commerce between Bedouins and the local populace. Merchants and residents conducted transactions while standing because of the inundation of seawater on both sides of the Wadi, which had encroached upon the market. [8]
Tourism and attractions
[edit]The Souq is considered a tourist attraction within Doha.[9][10]
A yearly spring festival around April[11] hosts many theatricals, acrobatics and musical performances.[12] An event featuring WWE wrestlers, called Souq Waqif Storm, attracted the most spectators. There was discussion over the possibility of a repeat festival.[13]
A clear spike to the number of tourism that took place in Souq Waqif was during football events, like the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cups. When looking at the AFC Souq Waqif was a place that brought individuals from different backgrounds, and many different nationalities, where they gathered with their countries flag and sang chants to show their support. [14] Also during the World Cup we saw the same with the football fans, although double the amount of people. As people showed their pride to the country by bringing billboards and structures to represent who they are cheering for. During these events we saw the number of tourists increase significantly, as it was the place were fans gathered to chant together, and these celebrations stayed all night long. [15]
Shops
[edit]The Souq has the first hotel that opened in Qatar named Bismillah, which was opened in the early 1900s, by a wealthy businessman named Abdullah Al Thani. Both of the historic buildings are very large and fancy. They have tiled balconies where you can watch people in the Souq. These apartments' kitchenettes and living rooms are in the modern Arabesque style.[3]
Alongside the boutique hotel there are may shops around the Souq. There is a section for women, where we see them selling traditional women clothing, and they also sell perfumes and different strong Arabic smells, and jewellery shops where they sell Gold. Other than the women section the Souq has shops for men clothing, souvenirs, small supermarkets, and many family owned shops that sell traditional Qatari souvenirs. There is also many different restaurants that serve different cuisine, mostly Qatari and Middle Eastern. [16]
Pet area
[edit]
There are pet stalls in Souq Waqif which sell a variety of domestic pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles and birds. The sub-par living conditions of the pets has been the subject of advocacy campaigns in recent years, with proponents arguing that the animals suffer from a lack of proper healthcare and exposure to adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, some customers allege that stall owners falsify vaccination records.[17] There is also a separate area in the souq reserved for falcon handling.[4] The falcon souq, as it's called, sells not only falcons but also the needed accessories such as landing pads and GPS guidance systems for the birds.[6] Within the vicinity is also a Falcon Hospital.
Al Rayyan Theatre
[edit]A 980-seat indoor theatre known as Al Rayyan Theatre is located in the souq.[18]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Traditional shopping and back street bargains in Doha". Time Out Doha. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ^ a b Khan, Abida H.; Major, Mark David; Tannous, Heba O.; Paquet, Tarryn (October 2021). "Tradition, Transformation, and Re-creation in Two Marketplaces: Souq Al Wakrah and Souq Waqif, Qatar". Habitat International. 116. ElSevier. doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2021.102438.
- ^ a b "SOUQ WAQIF: An ode to history, culture". Issuu. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b Victoria Scott. "Souq Waqif, Doha". Qulture. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ a b Rachel Morris (3 August 2011). "Souq Waqif, Doha's resilient, labyrinthine market". BBC. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ a b Morris, Rachel. "Souq Waqif, Doha's resilient, labyrinthine market". Retrieved 2017-11-13.
- ^ Exell, Karen; Rico, Trinidad (2014). Cultural Heritage in the Arabian Peninsula: Debates, Discourses and Practices. Ashgate. p. 199. ISBN 978-1-4094-7009-0.
- ^ Begum, Khadiza. "The labyrinthine Souq Waqif preserving Qatar's history, culture". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "doha city tour". Retrieved 11 Nov 2017.
- ^ Natalie Avon (3 December 2010). "5 destinations to explore in Qatar". CNN. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Souq Waqif Spring Festival 2015". NRI Cafe. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Wrestlers to compete for Qatar title during Souq Waqif festival". Doha News. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Souq Waqif fiesta ends on high note". Gulf Times. 18 April 2015.
- ^ Adil, Hafsa. "Asian Cup final brings FIFA World Cup frenzy back to Qatar's Souq Waqif". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Qatar 2022/ Souq Waqif... Ideal Tourist Destination for World Cup Fans". www.qna.org.qa. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ الشلبي, رنيم (2024-08-14). "دليلك الشامل لسوق واقف - قطر". عيش الحياه القطريه (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ Nada Badawi; Victoria Scott (25 May 2014). "Thousands sign petition urging better conditions at Qatar's pet souq". Doha News. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ Raynald C. Rivera (18 October 2013). "Popular cartoon shows entertain audience". The Peninsula. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
External links
[edit]