(MENAFN- The Peninsula) #Qatar National Day Joelyn Baluyut | The Peninsula
Are you ready to show your patronage to Qatar through clothes? Gear up as we show you around Souq Waqif where you can preview and buy some accessories and garments to dress you, your kids and even your car!
From t-shirts, to dresses, caps, scarves, shawls, wigs, masks, batoolas (mask that covers the mouth and nose), necklaces, pins, bracelets, headbands, stickers, mini flags, and even balloons, phew, that's a lot, these and more you can find on the site of Doha's century old trading market.
The alleyways of the Souq boast magnificent treasures of heritage, culture through handicrafts, and antiques. And as the nation in a few days will celebrate National Day, shops start selling commemorative products that will depict our love and adornment for this nation.
But before dwelling to the products, a little background of the Qatar flag and its colour where marketers use to incorporate to items. This is what they call“branding.”
Qatar has a distinction on its flag size and colour. It is in the ratio of 11:28 making the only flag in the world having more width twice than its height. The white serrated band which has nine white points symbolise the country's inclusion in the Reconciled Emirates on the Arabian Gulf in the wake of concluding the Qatari-British treaty in 1916. Qatar is the ninth member, thus the nine-point serrated line.
And its colour, which was then red was replaced to maroon or“Ladaam,” in Arabic. According to Qatar e-Government portal Hukoomi, Ladaam or dark red colour is“the colour of the banner of the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, may God rest his soul.”
It added:“The Qatari flag, with its unique maroon colour, fascinated ancient civilizations whose cultural heritage still considers it a symbol of prestige and dignity. This glorious colour places Qatar's flag among the most outstanding flags in the world, particularly among the Arab countries, which share with Qatar the same religion, neighborhood and descent, however, most of them have the red, not the maroon, colour in their flags.”
People often mistaken the Qatari flag from Bahrain. The latter's colour is red with five white triangles formed on serrated strip at the hoist.
That is why the integration of the maroon colour and the nine-point serrated line can be seen on products being sold in the market.
Salesman Asif Mohamad from Al Amal Trading who has been working in the said shop for 15 years said they started selling dresses with Qatar flag design two weeks ago. Price starts from QR50 to QR100.“Compared two years ago, we are selling more, and most of our customers are tourists from USA, Spain, and Italy.”
For Zahi Bin Omar working at Bin Turki Al Subaie shop who marked his 10th year anniversary in the store said they have new offers this year which are most selling because of the winter season – shawl and scarf.“We are gaining the momentum on sales now, people are coming and buying as the government loosens COVID-19 restrictions,” he added.
Expect the nation be painted with maroon on Qatar National Day. It's common to see children wear a dress or a uniform during the momentous day; girls dress in a Qatar flag, and boys wear a replica of the Lekhwiya field and operation and Armed Forces uniforms.
Let's narrow down the products from styling oneself to making one car stand out.
From top, the head. Curly wigs that separates the colour white and maroon into halves are available; and if you don't want a wig, try baseball caps or a beanie to warm your head as winter is upon us; and for girls, a headband with or without a ribbon, flowers on that curve shape; now to batoola, a metallic-looking fashion mask traditionally worn by Muslim Arab women, but this time, it's coloured maroon and white; and wear something around your wrist, a bracelet. And of course, don't forget the mask. How about a necklace with gold ensemble? That would be a perfect classy touch.
Scarves and shawls are also selling fast to keep you warm; pin for a subtle touch of patronage; a mini flag to keep on waving as the wind blows. And don't forget to dress up the car, car hood cover with Qatar flag design. Some people even painted and designed their cars for the special occasion, most common is putting the numerical number 18, and even portraits of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Who doesn't love balloons? These are likewise for sale where balloonist roam around Souq Waqif. Ansar from Kerala, India said:“We have this heart-shaped designed balloon with the Qatar National Day logo along with the date“18 December” on one side, and the photo of H H the Amir on the other side.”
And for people who don't have the luxury to shop in Souq Waqif, don't worry, you can buy online via IN-Q by Qatar Museums. They have several commemorative clothes, t-shirts, pendants, necklaces, notebooks, laptop cover, cushions, Lekhwiya uniform, Armed Forces uniform, and even tote bags to choose from. Its website can be accessed through beauty of Souq Waqif never fails to amaze locals and tourists alike. And as Qatar Tourism perfectly described it, the area is“like an anachronism, particularly against the backdrop of Doha's dramatic modernist skyline. With its mud-daubed buildings, the market harkens to a bygone era while remaining a hub of activity, where commerce and gossip collide. Souq Waqif's winding alleys offer a tableau of traditional street life.” Majestically, shopping around the old market is a walk of history, more so, purchasing items to celebrate Qatar National Day.
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