Discover how water continues to shape Qatari society through tourism, marine conservation and shipbuilding.
Most citizens and residents leave the country for cooler climes during the summer season. And there’s no better way to cool off than by taking a dip in the water, and that’s exactly what the Qatar 365 team did. First, Aadel Haleem visited the country’s newest and largest waterpark, Meryal, and discovered that it was designed to celebrate Qatar’s oil and gas industry. The park is rocking the region with its thrilling rides and unique concept. Purposefully rusty structures, quirky rides, and the waterpark’s mascot, nicknamed “Oily,” mark a turning point in Qatar’s economic history.
Laila Humairah ventured into calmer waters and discovered Qatar’s extraordinary marine life. Laila met Jassim Lari, who heads the Marine Wildlife Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Driven by his passion for nature, Jassim is on a mission to preserve Qatar’s biodiversity. From whale sharks to turtles to mangroves, the government has several initiatives in place to preserve these species for decades to come.
Finally, Laila met Ahmed Jassim Alsayegh and got an exclusive look at how traditional dhows are made. The boats are a vital part of Qatar’s maritime history. It was through these wooden boats that Qatar discovered its rich pearling heritage and lucrative trade routes. Ahmed has been designing dhows for 30 years and over time, he has incorporated the use of modern tools into traditional dhow construction. Ahmed is careful to pass down the ancient methods of boatbuilding in manuscripts and blueprints, so that young architects can learn the skills and pass them on.
