14 September 2007
DOHA - The rising cost of living, fuelled mainly by soaring house rents, is one of the major issues which are likely to be hotly debated at the Ramadan tent to be hosted by the Center of Environment Friends (CEF).
Called the 'Green Tent', it is the most prestigious of platforms for debate by social activists and experts on topical and sensitive political, economic and social issues during the fasting month.
The Tent made waves last year when prominent Qatari businessman and activist, Hassan Al Jefairi, publicly lambasted the various public services for poor quality. Lacunae in civic and health services were what he mostly focused on.
This year, Al Jefairi said he was all set to raise the issue of skyrocketing house rents during the debate on inflation. Rents are the largest contributor to galloping inflation, he said.
People are suffering and they include both nationals and expatriates, said Al Jefairi. Among the other key public issues to be discussed by experts at the Green Tent this year include the new traffic law, the importance of greenery as highlighted by the Holy Quran, diabetes and the growing menace of obesity in the country.
The high rate of road accidents and unhealthy food habits which cause obesity, are some of the major issues facing our society, said the activist. The Green Tent starts on Sunday.
Giving an insight into the popular Ramadan tent culture, Al Jefairi said the concept took root in Qatar about 10 years ago. Before that people used to simply hold family get-togethers after the late night prayers (taraweeh) and play various types of games.
"Our (Qatari) games are mainly Indian," he told this newspaper. Carrom was one of the most popular indoor games played by families during the fasting month.
With the onset of the Internet era a little over 10 years ago, things changed and people began craving for more information. Thus began the culture of Ramadan tents.
According to Al Jefairi, broadly two kinds of tents are held during Ramadan. One is the religious tent where discourses on Islam take place, while the other seeks to provide Islamic entertainment: Islamic music, for instance.
The third and the last kind of Ramadan tent is now growing in popularity and this is the one being held by the CEF where debates on topical political, economic and social issues are held by experts and community workers, said Al Jefairi.
DOHA - The rising cost of living, fuelled mainly by soaring house rents, is one of the major issues which are likely to be hotly debated at the Ramadan tent to be hosted by the Center of Environment Friends (CEF).
Called the 'Green Tent', it is the most prestigious of platforms for debate by social activists and experts on topical and sensitive political, economic and social issues during the fasting month.
The Tent made waves last year when prominent Qatari businessman and activist, Hassan Al Jefairi, publicly lambasted the various public services for poor quality. Lacunae in civic and health services were what he mostly focused on.
This year, Al Jefairi said he was all set to raise the issue of skyrocketing house rents during the debate on inflation. Rents are the largest contributor to galloping inflation, he said.
People are suffering and they include both nationals and expatriates, said Al Jefairi. Among the other key public issues to be discussed by experts at the Green Tent this year include the new traffic law, the importance of greenery as highlighted by the Holy Quran, diabetes and the growing menace of obesity in the country.
The high rate of road accidents and unhealthy food habits which cause obesity, are some of the major issues facing our society, said the activist. The Green Tent starts on Sunday.
Giving an insight into the popular Ramadan tent culture, Al Jefairi said the concept took root in Qatar about 10 years ago. Before that people used to simply hold family get-togethers after the late night prayers (taraweeh) and play various types of games.
"Our (Qatari) games are mainly Indian," he told this newspaper. Carrom was one of the most popular indoor games played by families during the fasting month.
With the onset of the Internet era a little over 10 years ago, things changed and people began craving for more information. Thus began the culture of Ramadan tents.
According to Al Jefairi, broadly two kinds of tents are held during Ramadan. One is the religious tent where discourses on Islam take place, while the other seeks to provide Islamic entertainment: Islamic music, for instance.
The third and the last kind of Ramadan tent is now growing in popularity and this is the one being held by the CEF where debates on topical political, economic and social issues are held by experts and community workers, said Al Jefairi.
© The Peninsula 2007
