DOHA: Ezdan Mall in Gharrafa marked its much anticipated soft launch yesterday with the opening of 35 of its 105 shops, many of which are first in Qatar.
The first of several malls set to be unveiled by Ezdan Holding Group, the 142,792 sqm three-level shopping mall features the first Tim Hortons in Qatar, in addition to a massive portfolio of more than 50 exciting new brands that would be unveiled very soon.
Over 100 trainees from Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs attended the opening event marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of a plaque and featured performances by Shafallah's Student Orchestra.
"We are honoured to have shared this significant day with Shafallah Center and are awed by the children's skills," said Ezdan Mall General Manager Malik Awan.
The mall has announced a placement programme that would award jobs to young graduates of Shafallah Center in addition to a special kiosk allotment worth QR1.5m for the centre wherein creative art pieces by the Shafallah children would be displayed and be available for sale.
"I thank Ezdan for this opportunity given to the students which can make them more confident in the future. This also promotes awareness to the community that people with intellectual disabilities can do a lot of things if given the opportunity," Sameera Al Qassimi, Managing Director of Shafallah, told the media at the event.
Brands like NewYorker, Johnny Rockets, iSpot, Altinbas, Riva, Maghrabi are the first of the many brands that are gearing up for opening in the month of May.
"A central location, an enormous assortment of fashion brands, coupled with a wide range of eateries and café offers Ezdan Mall the leverage to become 'a social place for the family' to meet-greet-and-shop in Qatar," said Awan.
During the event Ezdan Mall also announced plans to launch "22 Million Trees by 2022" -- a tree plantation project for a greener Qatar, in-line with their community centred vision.
Through this initiative, Ezdan Mall aspires to inculcate in the residents of Qatar, the desire for healthy living and care for the environment. It will be a springboard for a greener culture across Qatar, also supporting the National Vision leading up to 2022.
Ali Al Obeidly, Group CEO of Ezdan Holding and Abdel-Rahman Al Haji, a Shafallah trainee planted the first of 22 million trees to be grown all over the country in the coming years for the community-based project. Hundreds of free saplings were given away to the guests at the inauguration.
© The Peninsula 2013
