25 February 2017
Raynald C Rivera

The sixth annual Halal Qatar Festival opened yesterday at the southern area of Katara, providing visitors a glimpse into animal trade as an important aspect of rich Qatari tradition.

Through this festival, which runs until March 4, Katara sheds light on the crucial role livestock breeding and trade played in the past as well as attempts to preserve this integral component of Qatari culture and heritage.

“Halal Qatar Festival is considered to be one of the essential events hosted by Katara, as the festival attracts local and regional visitors. The festival offers an opportunity for Katara’s audiences to witness various sheep breeding aspects while considering its significant role in providing us a range of products,” said Katara General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti.

This year’s main events include Al Mazain-a beauty contest for sheep and goats, Al Mazad-a public auction of livestock and barns-enclosures which showcase different types of halal (goats and sheep) including Syrian sheep, Arab sheep and Aaridy goats among others.

“This year’s organizing committee sought to organize a festival, which builds on the event’s success by offering new contests and issuing new conditions and regulations. An exciting expansion of the event this year involves allocating more prizes that includes 27 cars to be awarded to the winners,” said Al Sulaiti.

Regionally popular among halal events, the festival has attracted not only local participants but also those coming from other GCC countries. Some participating livestock owners are also present at the festival to introduce visitors to the various kinds of halal.

In its sixth edition, the festival has seen an increase in the number of activities including exhibitions of photography, handicraft and traditional cuisine in addition to folkloric songs and traditional games. The festival also hosts an old souq, traditional tent and horse and camel rides.

This year’s festival also witnessed the participation of more Qatari companies engaged in the production of food and non-food products related to livestock such as milk, dairy products and handicraft.

“Katara has always recognized the importance of promoting local enterprises in a manner that is both sustainable and competitive. Halal Qatar Festival is in line with its efforts to provide a platform to such businesses, to display their livestock products to the public,” said Al Sulaiti.

The festival is open from 8am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 10pm. Public auctions are held in the evening while submission of entries for Al Mazain competition are held in the morning with the judging and announcement of winners held in the evening.

© The Peninsula 2017