From the post by angelwings. Link to full post here.

With regard to the tragedy in Hastings UK, recently, we are planning to use this Monday to show our sympathy for the family of the Qatari boy who died, and also make a stand against this kind of meaningless violence. Hopefully the UK government (and others around the world) will take note and give this kind of behaviour 'zero tolerance'.

We will go to the Corniche on the Monday, exactly one week after the original stand made in the UK.

Recently, a study by Kuwaiti-based Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation (IAIGC), put Qatar’s mobile penetration at 150% as of 2007-end, behind only the UAE’s 173% penetration rate in the entire Arab world.

But Vodafone, which will be the second mobile operator in Qatar and which is preparing for a service roll out towards 2009, disagrees with those numbers, and state that the mobile penetration rate in the country stood at only 94% as of December 31, 2007.

“Recent government released reports on Qatar’s population (included in your article) state that it is near 1.5mn. Based on this and Qtel’s published customer numbers, the actual penetration is only 94%.
“Qtel subscriber base as at December 31, 2007 was 1,260,000 which divided by new population of 1,448,000 gives an 87% penetration rate. Or if you take the latest population and adjust it back to December 31, 2007 (i.e. 1,337,000) you get a more accurate 94% penetration and not 150%,” Vodafone Qatar Chief Executive Officer Grahame Maher said.

Maher said, “Also, the population in Qatar continues to change on an annual basis as expatriates arrive and leave on an average time frame of three years. Finally, with more and more capability of devices for service such as email and mobile computing we believe that many people will have multiple mobile devices. Based on this we believe there is significant growth opportunities in the country.”

An ictQATAR spokesman said, “We estimate that at the end of 2008 the mobile penetration rate for Qatar will be around 94%. As you are aware, different reports use different methodologies to determine mobile penetration numbers. Our estimate is likely lower than the number in the Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation study because of the steady, significant increase in population of Qatar and our recognition of the many pre-paid users in Qatar’s market, which can lead to inflated estimates.”

He said, “Regionally, Qatar does boast of some of the highest penetration rates in fixed line and mobile and ictQATAR expects that percentage to rise considerably in future. Also, as a result of liberalisation in the telecoms market, we expect to see high speed internet penetration rise from its current rate of 37% to approximately 56% by 2012.”

After the 3 - 0 win against Uzbekistan .... come and watch the next game to take Qatar one step nearer to the World Cup..

Tickets usually free... get there early..and get ready to Cheer!!!!!!!!!

Yallah Shabab

I have seen Qatar play Uzbek a few times and once they beat them 1 -0....and that wasn't very convincing.
This time the Qatar team romped all over the pitch and were masters of the field. The played with stamina, determination and some good footwork.
Despite the total sauna heat of Al Sadd stadium the Qatar fans turned up and cheered the time on with gusto..
It was lovely to see all the Shebab so happy... Ramadan Kareem Qatar.... South Africa is one step closer!!!
It was a great game and a great atmosphere..
and my voice is all squeaky from shouting!

I am off to have sweet dreams.......
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

With regard to the tragedy in Hastings UK, recently, we are planning to use this Monday to show our sympathy for the family of the Qatari boy who died, and also make a stand against this kind of meaningless violence. Hopefully the UK government (and others around the world) will take note and give this kind of behaviour 'zero tolerance'.

We will go to the Corniche on the Monday, exactly one week after the original stand made in the UK.

Because of the Ramadan timings, and the heat, it seems best to arrange for a silent stand at 4.45pm until 5.00pm. Thus allowing those who need to leave quickly for the Iftar period time to drive back home again. There will be no particular time of silence, except during the 15 minute period mentioned above.

To be recognised, we will BRING SOMETHING YELLOW. It can be a flower, a balloon, an armband, or even an item of clothing, anything that will distinguish the stand you are making.

There is not going to be any formal spot for meeting, other than on the actual Corniche itself, that way we don't have to ask for permits etc. We will not be forming a 'crowd' in any particular place, so a permit will not be required. Only that we will quietly walk or stand on the Corniche area, with our YELLOW distinguishing marker.

IF YOU CANNOT COME ON MONDAY, PLEASE WEAR OR SHOW SOMETHING YELLOW DURING THE DAY, TO SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH US. THE TIMING ISN'T IMPORTANT, BUT THE COLOUR WILL SHOW YOU'RE WITH US, AND THE BOY'S FAMILY, THAT DAY.

Thanks,
Angelwings.

I have a question for my fasting friends;

If I miss breakfast or basically go for anything more than about 2 hours without eating I get hunger pains, go light headed & wobbly legged and have to hunt something edible out. How do you get through a whole day without food, and even more incredibly without drink? How much does it affect your ability to perform every day tasks?

It's 4am, the Adhaan (Call to Prayer) is going off. That means that Muslims have just started fasting. The time just prior to this is called "Suhoor" which is basically an extra-early morning breakfast that we have before sun-rise when we're fasting.

I just had a slice of toast, some cereal and tea and Oreos (tm). If you're fasting, what did you just have for Suhoor? 

Hi guys. Ramadaan Kareem to all my Muslims bruvs and sis. To my non-Muslims friends, try and fast one day, it will help your body burn the excess fat taht is stored in your body.

Anyway, I just wanna share something I learned from my dad. Tell me what you think.

My father always says:

"When you help someone, consider yourself special because of all the other people who are available and who could provide that help, God Chose you as His pawn. So when He Chose you, He Will most definitely Reward you because He is All Kind.

Doha • The Holy Month of Ramadan this year has seen an increase in the number of Iftar tents set up at various locations across Qatar. Various charitable organizations and companies have sponsored large air-conditioned tents, which can accommodate more than 300 people.

"This trend of putting up tents started over the last few years," said Khalid A Fakhroo, Head of Public Relations Department, Qatar Charity. "This year almost all the tents across the country are air-conditioned," he told The Peninsula.

Qatar is being urged to accommodate more married expatriates to correct a serious social imbalance of males and females in the country.

A study, issued by the Population Permanent Committee, has voiced concern over the fact that the majority of the expatriatess in the country are either bachelors or married men who have left their wives behind, reported the Gulf Times on Monday.

It called for increasing the number of couples to correct the gender imbalance and thereby avoid social problems.

The study claimed the number of male residents is more than double the number of females in Qatar with male residents aged between 15-45 constituting 70 percent of the population.

Another recommendation was to correct the current unbalanced distribution of population in the country.

I wish you all 'Ramadan Kareem'...
Some people on QL were inquring about the Fajr 'Imsak'(start fast) and Maghrib 'Iftar' (break fast) timings in Doha so I've posted a calendar below.

Also, following is a compilation of Duas for Fasting (Ramadan)

- Dua for keeping a fast at the time of Sehar (Niyaat)

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

- Dua for breaking a fast at the time of Iftaar

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

Wa'Salaam

For those of you that are new to Doha and shall be experiencing your first Ramadan, here are a few pointers-:

1. Don't wear shorts, spaggetti straps, mini skirts or
low tops out in public.

2. Don't eat, drink or smoke until sunset when in public.

3. Don't have noisy functions at your home if you live in areas where people are fasting etc..Keep the music down and vistors indoors.

4. Try and avoid driving just before sunset as the driving is pretty wild and an accident will result in a long traffic police wait until after eating time.

5. Best time to food shop is during iftar (sunset and breaking fast time). Calm supermarket and calm traffic.

6. Even if living in a compound, do check on swimming pool rules food & bev wise... some may have restrictions despite the pool being a private one..

7. Last year the afternoon saw a packed corniche..... don't use this option as a route that will be free of traffic...its nos but at snail pace.

8. Morning traffic is congested a bit later than the usual 6.45am start due to schools and governments generally starting around 8am. Keep this in mind for getting to work etc...

9. It is fine for babies and small kids to eat and drink in public....

10. Ladies - quite a few salons are open over the lunch, afternoon period such as Nails etc.... (for those working and not ready to deal with the intense evening traffic).

12. I hear that the cinemas at the city center should do afternoon sessions so double check if lost for kids entertainment.

13. I know that Ray's Reef will open two days a week in the morning for families that don't venture out at night. I believe its Thursday's and Saturday's that they will open for morning sessions. No food and beverages on sale, so you will need to take your own for your kids.

14. Lunch and coffee's are served at the hotels, usually the coffee shops for those wanting a bite out of the house.

Can't think of anything else to add... people do add up anything in further posts that will help Doha newbies..