Traditional Qatari dhow Fath Al Khair 2, which set out on an Odyssey to India more than 40 days, will return to the Doha shores Tuesday to coincide with the start of the Fifth 5th Dhow festival at Katara.
"The dhow is steered wholly by local oarsmen," Katara general manager Dr Khalid al-Sulaiti said yesterday. Thanking Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora, Qatar's ambassador to India Ibrahim Abdullah al-Abdullah and Qatar's Consul General to India Hamad bin Mohamed al-Dosari and Qatar ambassador to Oman Ali Bin Fahad al-Shahwani among others, both Dr Khalid al-Sulaiti and head of the festival organising committee Ahmed al-Hitmi said the successful completion of the dhow's journey to India and return to Qatar reflected not only the determination of the local people but also showed how closely their lives have been linked with the maritime life for centuries. The dhow stopped in Oman during the voyage to India and back.
While stressing that maritime heritage is an integral part of the Gulf lives, Dr al-Sulaiti also said the interest of Katara in fostering this authentic tradition stemmed from the centuries long interest, which has all along been inherited by successive generations.
Qatar Petroleum is the main sponsor of the festival while the Fath al-Khair journey was sponsored by Nakilat. Qatar Petroleum CEO and President Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said their organisation is honored to sponsor the Dhow festival. "This is due to the festival's endeavour to safeguard the history and legacy of not only Qatar but also the whole of Gulf region," he said. Nakilat general manager Abdulla bin Fadala al-Sulaiti expressed delight in being the golden sponsor.

Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/462952/fath-al-khair-to-reach-katara-tuesday

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

QNE

Start a discussion