Qatar Day 1 - Doha

Our first stop upon arriving in Doha, after the hotel and a long sleep, was the National Museum of Qatar. This museum is housed in a beautiful building built in 2019 and architected by Jean Nouvel. The building was inspired by the desert rose crystal, which can be found in Qatar.

The National Museum of Qatar

Battoulah

This giant mask greeted us just inside the entrance. The Battoulah is a metallic mask that is worn by women to cover their face in Arabic Countries.

The Pearl Carpet of Baroda

This carpet has approximately 1.5 million Basra Pearls along with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. It was commissioned in 1865 by India’s Maharaja of Baroda Gaekwar Khande Rao. It was originally intended as a cover for the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed at Medina.

The Winning Card

This envelope was opened when it was announced that Qatar would host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You

This exhibit, called “Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You”, asked the visitor to turn of their screens and focus on activating different senses as the lights changed colors.

Your Brain to Me, My Brain To You

This exhibit, called “Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You”, asked the visitor to turn of their screens and focus on activating different senses as the lights changed colors.

Flag of Glory

This flag was in the courtyard of the National Museum and is a representation of a forceful nation. Designed by Ahmed Al Bahrani, as one hand supports the other, the unitedly raise the flag with an unstoppable force.

Flag of Glory

Down the street from the National Museum, some graffiti showing the Flag of Glory.

I don’t know what this message says, but it was painted on the wall near the exit of the museum. According to Google Translate, it says:
”In. God, O Singer of all varicose veins, and you have the world, and what was buried.”

The next museum on the agenda was the Museum of Islamic Art. The building was designed by the famous architect I. M. Pei, whose other well known works include the Louvre redesign in Paris, the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, and the National Gallery East building in Washington, DC.

Museum of Islamic Art

Walkway up to the museum.

Iraqi Train Posters

There was an exhibit asking the question “Oh, Baghdad, who afflicted you with an evil eye?” that was quite interesting. The idea that Baghdad was a beautiful city full of promise and then turned at some point. I found these train posters to be interesting.

Infinite Expression

Created by Mster Caligrapher Ustad Ali Baba Awrang from Afghanistan. This artwork, was created for the museum and was inspired by the Blue Qur’an. During the creation of the artwork, he was absorbed in the layers of calligraphy and connecting the past to the present.

Folio from the "Blue Qur'an"

End of verse 33 to verse 37 of the Qur’an, this illuminated copy was created in the 9th century CE. Written in golden kufic letters on an indigo-dyed parchment.

FountainHead

This piece is considered to be one of the museum’s masterpieces. In the shape of a female deer, this fountainhead once decorated a large basin in the courtyard of a palace.

War Mask

This Late 15th or early 16th century CE mask would have been attached to a helmet and was designed to not only protect the face but scare the enemies. A gold Arabic inscription al-’adan across the brow is a reference to Paradise (i.e., Eden), where the warrior was guaranteed entry upon death.

View of the Dhow Harbor from the Museum

The West Bay

View of the Museum from the Corniche

Falconry is a huge pastime in Qatar and, as a result, the sport has its own Souq. These falcons were in shops awaiting purchase.

Falcon Souq

Falcon Souq

Souq Waqif has been the center of commercial activity in Doha for centuries. Although much of the area has been developed after a fire in 2003, Bedouin would bring their sheep, goats, and wool here to trade. Today it’s a maze of shops and restaurants and is always a hubub of activity.

Souq Waqif

This is one of the main streets in Souq Waqif and our dinner is at he second building on the left.

Al Bandar Restaurant

We were on the hunt for seafood for dinner and this Lebanese and Syrian restaurant had just what we wanted.

Al Bandar Restaurant

Our dinner. This is a Rabeeb Fish. I’m not sure what it would be called here at home, but is probably closest to Perch. Regardless of what it’s called, it was quite tasty.

This next set of pictures was, without question, the most embarrassing part of the trip. These are pictures of the USA Pavillion in the fan areas. Every country has a display where they present something interesting or unique about their country. The USA’s display was, in a word, awful.

The USA Pavilion

Just wait until you see what’s on that car to the left.

The USA Pavilion

Cheese. Nothing says USA more than cheese.

The USA Pavilion

This is the dancing version of the Statue of Liberty.