The first things you notice about Amina Ahmadi are the effortless elegance with which she wears her abaya and her genuine politeness. Behind this graceful façade is a strong, ambitious, perfectionist of a woman who left a secure job and invested her savings into launching a start-up in Doha. Amina tells us about her journey from full-time architect at Qatar Foundation to co-founder of Oola, Qatar’s first modest sportswear company. Oola—the feminine form of the Arabic word for “the first” or “pioneer”—designs and sells modest sportswear in a bid to give women in hijab an alternative to women-only gyms and…
Author: Rita Di Antonio
Living with autism can be challenging if appropriate measures are not in place to support families, and schools are not provided with proper tools to fill educational gaps. In Doha, the burden is on families, who rely primarily on healthcare providers and private educational centres to cater to their children with special needs. Qatar is, however, preparing the ground for significant developments concerning autism.Professor Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair of Qatar’s National Autism Plan Working Group, has been heavily involved in the country’s efforts to provide better services to the families of individuals with autism. In this exclusive interview, he gives…
We are all responsible for polluting our planet. Simple everyday tasks such as taking a shower, driving to work or drinking coffee from a disposable cup take a toll on our natural resources. The World Wildlife Fund refers to this as our “human footprint” on the planet. Aware of the impact that its unprecedented growth can have on the environment, Qatar is committed to sustainable development—“a process that seeks to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs,” reads the Qatar National Vision 2030. Be a green heroQatar Foundation and the…
As expats, we seldom learn much about Qatar beyond the obvious traditions and religious customs. Embrace Doha strives to break this trend by offering authentic cultural experiences to expats, visitors and people doing business in Qatar.Founded in 2014 by Amal Alshammari, Embrace Doha is not your average tourist attraction—behind the curtains of Doha’s glitz and glamour, it aims to help expats discover Qatari culture and the traditions behind today’s lifestyle.“The inspiration behind Embrace Doha is also a funny story,” says Alshammari. “Prompted by my brothers, I started wearing a veil on my face at work a few years back and…
Expat life has great perks, but these often come with a price tag. Many expat families know the challenges of raising kids away from home, the grandparents and extended relatives, but some parents make an additional sacrifice—living apart from their children while abroad. We talked to some parents about living away from their kids or significant other, the reasons behind their choices and their coping mechanisms. Deciding to live apart from your child is not an easy one. But as parents, we all want to do what is best for our children—for some families this means sending their child away…
Sheraton Park opened to the public in May 2016 and has since become a popular destination for family picnics, bike rides and relaxed days off.The park, adjacent to Sheraton Grand Doha Hotel in Al Dafna, is an eight-hectare green stretch right in the heart of the city. It features an artificial pyramid-shaped hill covered in soft grass that children will enjoy climbing while parents take in breathtaking views of West Bay and the Corniche.Doha Family RatingOverall: 4.3/5Convenience: 5/5Safety: 4/5Facilities: 4/5Large, paved walkways run across and around the park, making it the perfect setting for a relaxed family walk or a…