Souq Waqif

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]

 

The souq comprises many narrow alleyways

 

Seller in Souq Waqif

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]

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]

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]

 

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.

A 980-seat indoor theatre known as Al Rayyan Theatre is located in the souq.^[18]

• Souq Al Wakrah

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Souq Waqif.

• The official Website of Souq Waqif Art Center