Pics: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
The atmosphere at the southern area of Katara was surprisingly lively even on a weekday with many people who thronged yesterday’s opening of the eighth annual Halal Qatar Festival.
With several new features and an assortment of food and beverage stalls along with the ongoing Mahaseel souq, the festival was a magnet to many visitors who enjoyed going through various enclosures to see unique breeds of sheep and goats on display.
Right in the middle of the venue is a large sandy enclosure with four camels which many visitors took photos of as it provides a traditional festival vibe.
Dozens of stalls offering coffee, tea, juices, snacks and traditional food are spread around both the Halal Festival and Mahaseel souq areas giving visitors a wide variety of choices.
The venue is an explosion of colours with flowers creatively draped across the area.
Halal Festival has been organised by Katara within its commitment to preserve and support the national heritage and norms.
Launching the festival, Katara General Manager, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, stressed organising the festival stems from Katara’s responsibility to educate the young generations on their national heritage in all its kinds.
Unique breeds of sheep and goats on display at Halal Qatar Festival at Katara.
“This festival is very essential for the country as it has several goals to achieve, among them is spreading awareness among the youth on heritage and definitely boosting our national livestock production,” he said.
The festival contributes in boosting the national production of livestock and provides a platform for local livestock breeders and merchants to find the best breeds locally and regionally.
A main feature of the festival is a daily auction on some of the best breeds of sheep and goats, which gives chance for other participants from neighbouring countries.
“Halal Festival is growing year after another and attracts livestock merchants and breeders from other countries who can exchange expertise and sell and buy different breeds of livestock,” said Al Sulaiti.
One of the fresh features at this year’s festival is “The Little Shepherd” contest open to children aged 10 to 14 years old. They compete through different activities of a real shepherd and are tested in their knowledge about breeding and raising sheep.
The festival also hosts other side activities such as the traditional handicraft and stalls selling traditional Qatari foods, in addition to many other activities and entertainment for children.
Meanwhile, the Mahaseel souq has been attracting many customers for its fresh vegetables, honey, dairy and meat products sold at competitive prices. Some stalls offer organic produce at cheap prices.
