Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar is having it's gala opening tonight. Here is a sneak peak via Qatar's other gem:

More discussion on Qatar's Islamic Museum.

Inspired by a previous thread, and my dear husbands vocal example, I urge all QL'ers to speak up when you see someone smoking where it is prohibited. Don't let these people subject our children to being "secondary smokers". This is the height of ignorance and selfishness.

Can you do it? Let us all here at QL know about it.

The economic slowdown has now hit the Middle East. Dubai's largest construction company Damac is laying off over 2000 200 workers. Projects launch dates are being pit back. Asset rich multi-millionaires here have no cash and properties sales are now just not happening.

I'm personally feeling the affects here in Dubai.

How is the Qatar economy performing and has anyone there starting feeling the pinch yet?

Your views would be appreciated. :)

Hi, is there a age limit at the cinema here in Doha? My Son is 4 year old is it possible to enter in cinema with me and my wife? Someone told me the kids are not allowed in the cinema. We want to watch movie together. Thanks

I have heard about Doha Community Orchestra and The Doha Singers for quite sometime. But this is the first time I watched their performance.

This Saturday 22nd November is the opening party for the Museum of Islamic Art (have any QLers been invited?), and on the 1st December it will finally throw open its doors to the public.

The art world is getting excited, and I think the museum is something Qatar should be very proud of, despite the issues and delays encountered during its construction.

Even if you're not an art fan you wont want to pass up the chance to visit the museum. It's not everyday something like this opens on your doorstep so make the most of the opportunity.

The following article gives an insight into what you can expect. I've only posted the first few paragraphs but please follow the link at the end to read the rest as it's very interesting.

Art's New Oasis

As global art sales fall, a $300 million museum is set to open in the Gulf state of Qatar. An inside look at what the institution backers want to make into the Met of the Middle East.

By Kelly Crow

Next week, the art world will descend on the tiny Gulf country of Qatar to see the museum that oil and gas built.

Qatar's emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, has given only a few people a peek into his country's first major art institution, the I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art. Now, with the financial crisis and falling art sales dampening the global mood, the $300 million-plus museum's Nov. 22 opening party is turning into a major event of the art season. Some 1,000 major collectors and museum directors, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Philippe de Montebello, are flying in for the occasion. Many are also getting booked into the city's fleet of new hotels for free.

The museum's curved staircases

The museum is hard to miss, sprouting from an artificial island in the Persian Gulf located just off the sandy shore of Doha, the capital city. The architect Mr. Pei, inspired by the geometric forms of a 13th-century fountain at a mosque in Cairo, shaped the five-story museum like a staggered set of creamy building blocks, each cube adjusted just enough to catch a triangle of harsh light or deep shadow.

Visitors can reach it by boat -- there is a dock for dhows, an Arabian-style fishing vessel made of wood -- or by traveling a palm-lined path and crossing a small bridge.

The Qatar Living Filipino Expatriates in Qatar held their First Desert Safari this weekend. From what I hear, over 35 people took off into the desert and had a great time.

Congratulations to all those who made the trip a success.

(P.S. If you're a Filipino in Qatar, why not join one of the fastest growing groups on Qatar Living?)

Oh boy, I hope this stays calm. The Islamic Republic News Agency is reporting that

A group of students from various universities staged a protest in front of the Qatari embassy here on Saturday to condemn the move orchestrated by some Arab countries on normalizing ties with the Zionist regime.

The protestors carried placards, some of which read: 'No Compromise, No Submission', 'Fight Until Destruction', 'Muslims Should Be United', 'Zionist Regime Should Be Wiped Off the World Map'.

At the end of the protest, the students issued a statement to denounce the move.

Don't come crying in this forum when you get flashed!!!
http://www.thepenins...
DOHA: The Department of Traffic and Patrol said yesterday it had plans to soon install radars at every traffic intersection in and around Doha city to prevent motorists from violating speed limits. “We are awaiting fresh stocks of radars to arrive. As soon as we get them we will be installing them at each and every intersection,” Brigadier Mohamed Marfia, from the safety wing of the traffic and patrol department, told this newspaper.