Don't exist, live!
QL has a new winner! We have already announced our previous two winners for this Ramadan writing competition, and now it's time to announce this week's winner.
Congratulations, Isha Imran Hasnain (ishahdr on QL), you have won two Iftar vouchers at Warwick Doha Hotel! Enjoy the well deserved experience!
Read Isha's article below.
Don’t Exist, Live!
By Isha Imran Hasnain
The purpose in life is definitely not to “exist” but to “live!” Get out there, explore, and have some fun - but where?
If you’re in a fast evolving country such as Qatar, perplexing questions as the former tend to balloon in lay-man’s mind, eager to explore every facet of the world. With so many fun-filled options bubbling in Qatar, where should you go and where should you not? Especially if you have a family, you must be looking for the best place to take your spouse and kids along, correct? But where to?
Einstein says we need to learn from personal experiences, but I believe that the disposition of today’s modern century demands that we learn from the experiences of others. So, let us beg the question of “where-to” and talk from experience of others for your benefit.
Let me have the honor of being the guinea-subject here and put ahead of you my experiences per se in an attempt to ignite sparks of curiosity and interest in your minds to visit the three hang-out places on top of my visit-list in Qatar with family or friends alike.
First and foremost is the “The Museum of Islamic Art,” designed by the prominent Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. This is located on a petite harbor in Doha Island. This place would incontrovertibly make you go “WOW” regardless of your cultural background. Housing a vast collection of mind-numbing artifacts from around the world, this Museum unsurprisingly holds the stance of the largest in the country. Collections of ceramics, jewelry, glass, ancient texts, heritage, and symbols have all been securely preserved in this gallery which would awe you and make you forget yourself while you’re exploring the different floors of this place. Whether you’re a history fanatic or not, wouldn’t you just want to go check out what our ancestors have been having fun with in the past, huh? Duh, you would!
Photo credit: Satish Chelluri
Hold on! Don’t just leave for the Museum yet… Listen to what’s next…
What excites me next in Qatar is “The Pearl”. If the name in itself doesn’t send a chill down your spine - either one of us has issues. Back to the point, while the place is a “romp” in itself with a bunch of restaurants, stores, cafés and much more, it’s a beautiful place just to go out there and walk. Yes, walk. Breathe. Forget your worries and believe that you are in a different place all in itself.
I remember the first time I visited I was literally in a state of “jaw-dropped-down-to-the-floor” awe because of the place’s beauty and all I could hear myself chanting was “SubhanAllah” (WOW in layman translation). Visit it if you don’t want to miss out on Qatar.
Photo credit: Sanjiban Ghosh
Last but in no way the least, “Souq Waqif” located in Doha is not less of a wonder, this is what my better-half (best friend cum husband) and I personally feel. Spending time with family in the Souq is no less of some quality-time spent because here you are given the lovely chance to enjoy the simple things in life (which you may agree has become quite rare to find in today’s fast moving world).
Get in touch with your roots in Souq Waqif, enjoy the culture your grandparents can relate to and smile on. Enjoy the little Gelato ice sticks in the center of the Souq with your loved ones or forget yourself while having the humble ladies put henna on your hands. Escape to a personal world while you’re sitting on the wooden benches in the corridor and having kebabs or hummus with your family. Smile, and sigh. Both at the same time.
Photo credit: Hanosh C. Raghunath
Be there for the sake of just being and for no other purpose. Isn’t that a liberating thought for the soul in itself? Souq Waqif gives you just that.
However, let’s not just take my word for it.
Like the adage goes- People don’t learn anything by being told. Go ahead and visit these places. Find out for yourself. Don’t Exist. Live!
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Win a free Iftar or Suhoor for two!
Indeed well deserved beautifully written very good