Wikipedia

Al-Shahaniya (city)

Al-Shahaniya City (Arabic: مدينة الشحانية, romanized: Madīnat Ash Shīḩānīyah) is a city in Qatar, located in the similarly named municipality of Al-Shahaniya.[2]

Al-Shahaniya City
مدينة الشحانية
City
View of the Leaning Mosque and Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
View of the Leaning Mosque and Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Al-Shahaniya City is located in Qatar
Al-Shahaniya City
Al-Shahaniya City
Coordinates: 25°22′20″N 51°12′17″E / 25.37222°N 51.20472°E / 25.37222; 51.20472
Country Qatar
MunicipalityAl-Shahaniya
ZoneZone 80
District no.451
Area
[1]
 • Total
39 km2 (15 sq mi)
Satellite imagery of Al-Shahaniya City in 2010. The camel racectrack can be seen in the bottom left.

Qatar's most notable camel racetrack, Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack, is located in the city.[3]

Etymology

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Al-Shahaniya derives its name from a plant known locally as 'sheeh' which was valued for its anti-inflammatory effects.[4] It is also spelled Al-Sheehaniya.[2] The plant's Latin name is Artemisia inculta; it is an aromatic perennial that frequently grows in the Middle East and North Africa region but which is scarce in Qatar due to its unsuitable soils.[5]

History

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20th century

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In J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Al-Shahaniya is described as a 'Bedouin camping ground' with a 35-feet deep masonry well yielding good water in 1908.[6]

As part of an initiative by the Qatari government to provide free housing to its citizens, 86 houses had been built in the town by 1976.[7]

In 1983–84, Al-Shahaniya was included as part of a major project by the Ministry of Public Works valued at QAR 535 million to develop sewage infrastructure in major settlements outside of Doha.[8] In July 1985, the government announced it had begun a campaign to distribute fresh water to rural villages in Qatar suffering from water shortages. As part of this campaign, QAR 21,000 was allocated towards water distribution in Al-Shahaniya.[9]

21st century

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In 2008, the city was described as severely lacking in essential services. Only 40% of Al-Shahaniya and its surrounding areas had access to drinking water, with the remaining residents paying exorbitant prices to transport drinking water in water tanks. Furthermore, only 60% of the region had functioning sewage systems. As for the city itself, its main streets lacked any sort of lighting and were pothole-ridden mainly due heavy truck traffic. All roads within city boundaries, including the highways, had been constructed between 2003 and 2004 by Al Rayyan Municipality and had not been renovated since. There was no health center, though one was scheduled to open that year after many postponements. A lack of family venues and sports fields were also noted. At the time, none of the city's streets were named or numbered, causing significant difficulties for residents receiving mail delivery and emergency services. This was despite the Committee for Naming and Numbering Houses and Streets holding meetings on the issue since 2004.[10]

Al-Shahaniya became the third city in Qatar after Madinat ash Shamal and Al Wakrah to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in September 2020.[11] It was recognized by UNESCO for its "plant a tree" initiative, in which the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) oversaw the planting of 2,000 sidr trees along roads in Al-Shahaniya Municipality. Furthermore, it was also recognized for its solar energy project in Al Kharsaah and its preservation of native species such as the Arabian oryx at reserves such as Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation and the Al Dossari Zoo & Game Reserve.[12]

Geography

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Al Shahaniya is situated in central Qatar. Nearby areas of interest include the village of Lehsiniya and the Al Dehailiyat Army Camp to the east, the village of Umm Leghab to the north-east and the village of Al Khurayb to the north. It is approximately 47 kilometres (29 mi) from Dukhan, 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Zekreet, 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Doha and 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Al Nasraniya.[5]

The city forms part of the central zone of the central belt region. As part of this section, the area varies in elevation, the northern section containing more hills while gradually flattening out towards Al Shahaniya. To the west of the Al Utouriya-Al-Shahaniya Road, there is a notable change in the landscape, opening up into a wide, spacious plain.[13]

 
Roadside vegetation including shrub of Ochradenus baccatus

Common vegetation found in Doha include fern-leaf peony (Fagonia tenuifolia) in sandy depressions,[14] eyelash plant (Blepharis ciliaris),[15] salam trees (Vachellia flava) in sandy depressions,[16] rimth (Haloxylon salicornicum),[17] sheeh (Artemisia inculta),[5] and, on rare occasions, wild chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).[18]

The following areas are considered to be localities or extensions of Al-Shahaniya city:[5]

Infrastructure

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Visitor attractions

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Rocky desert of Al Samriya near the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

In 1979 Qatar's government portioned off a 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) area of Al-Shahaniya as a sanctuary for Arabian oryxes, making it among the first protected environmental areas in the country. Oryxes for the reserve were transported from Muaither Farm by sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saud Al Thani.[19] There were around 100 animals in the reserve in 1988.[20] Aside from oryxes, there is an area of the reserve where red-necked ostriches are housed.[19]

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum is a massive 530,000 m2 (5,7 million sq ft), 3-building museum established in Al-Shahaniya in 1998.[21] It is located in Al Samriya, a locality of the city and is accessible through Dukhan Road.[22] Adjoined to the museum is the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Mosque, which is notable for its architecture, as it is leaning at a four degree angle, a similar angle to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.[23]

Al-Shahaniya Park opened in 2014 over an area of around 26,000 m2 (280,000 sq ft). Facilities include a mosque, a football field, a volleyball court and a basketball court.[24]

Government services

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104 Street in the Lebsayyer area of Al Shahaniya
 
Camels crossing the road in Al-Shahaniya near the camel racetrack in the Lebsayyer locality

A wide-scale public defense complex was inaugurated in 2010. Branches of various security organizations are hosted in the complex, such as the Dukhan Security Department. Two notable buildings in the complex are the Shahaniya Services Centre, which manages passports and travel documents and the Shahaniya Civil Defense Centre.[25]

North of the public services complex, off Al Utouriya Road, is the municipal headquarters. Qatar's Ministry of Agriculture has set up an Agricultural Services Center in the city.[26]

In April 2018, the Animal Production Research Station was established in the city by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Spanning roughly 78,000 square meters and constructed at a cost of QR 30 million, its facilities include a research station, animal sheds and a veterinary clinic.[27]

Healthcare

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Healthcare in the city is served by Al-Shahaniya Health Center. Among its facilities are a dental clinic, a radiology clinic, a women's clinic and a general clinic.[28]

Industry

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View of Al-Shahaniya from Dukhan Highway

Oil and gas

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Natural gas and oil distribution pipelines and pumping stations are located in Al-Shahaniya City and several of its suburbs.[29] There are several labor camps in Al Shahaniya.[30]

Agriculture

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The Arab Qatari Agricultural Production Company was founded in 1989 in the city.[31]

Roza Hassad opened Qatar's first large-scale flower-growing facility in Al-Shahaniya City in 2012. Flowers are grown hydroponically, and seventeen different species were planned to be grown at the time of its opening.[32] Production in its 5,500 m2 (59,200 sq ft) greenhouse is mainly oriented towards roses. The company has established shops in Doha where it sells its locally produced flowers.[33]

Sports

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Robotic camel jockey at Al-Shahaniya Camel Racetrack

Qatar's main camel racetrack and camel training facilities are also located in Al-Shahaniya city.[34] Robots are used to jockey the camels.[35] One prominent competition that takes place on the track is the annual Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani's Camel Festival.[36]

Al Samariyah Equestrian Centre is located near the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum.[37]

Administration

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When free elections of the Central Municipal Council first took place in Qatar during 1999,[38] Al-Shahaniya was designated the seat of constituency no. 24.[39] It would remain the headquarters of constituency no. 24 for the next three consecutive elections until the fifth municipal elections in 2015, when it was made the headquarters of constituency no. 23. Also included in its constituency is Al Khurayb, Al Nasraniya, Umm Leghab, and Lehsiniya.[40] In the inaugural municipal elections in 1999, Faleh Fahad Al-Hajri won the elections, receiving 54.2%, or 149 votes. Runner-up that year was Ali Mohammed Al Dossari, receiving 45.8%, or 126, of the votes. Voter turnout was 86.8%.[39] Shaher Saud Al Shammari was elected in the 2002 elections.[41] He retained his seat successfully in the next elections in 2007.[42] In the 2011 elections, Mohamed Zafer Al-Hajri was elected as the constituent's representative.[43] Al-Hajri retained his seat in the 2015 elections.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "District Area Map". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b "2015 Population census" (PDF). Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. April 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack". Online Qatar. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  4. ^ Heba Fahmy (4 April 2015). "What's in a name? The meanings of Qatar districts, explained". Doha News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d "District map". The Centre for Geographic Information Systems of Qatar. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ "'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [1528] (1643/2084)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Farʻal-Maṭbūʻāt wa-al-Nashr". Qatar Year Book. Press and Publication Department, Ministry of Information of Qatar. 1976. p. 64.
  8. ^ "535 مليون ريال لتطوير شبكة الصرف" (in Arabic). Al Raya. 3 January 1985. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ^ "توصيل المياه العذبة لقرى منطقة الشمال" (in Arabic). Al Raya. 4 July 1985. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  10. ^ Ghanem, Abdel Hamid (1 January 2008). "الشحانية.. مدينة منسية!" (in Arabic). Al Raya. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  11. ^ Saleem, Fazeena (23 September 2020). "Al Shahaniya joins Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. ^ "بلدية الشحانية تنضم الى شبكة اليونسكو العالمية لمدن التعلم" (in Arabic). Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  13. ^ "طبوغرافية شبه جزيرة قطر" (in Arabic). Qatar Historical Encyclopedia. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Fern-leaf Peony". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Eyelash Plant, Njiaa". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Salam". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Rimth". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Wild Chamomile". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Al Sheehaniya Reserve". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  20. ^ Alexandra Dixon (1988). Conservation and Biology of Desert Antelopes: Including the Proceedings of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of "Operation Oryx" Symposium. Christopher Helm. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7470-1604-5.
  21. ^ Mohammed Hassan Al-Kuwari; Maryam Khulaifi; Jamila Abdulla Ahmed; Sawsan Al-Haddad (2013). "دليـل المؤسسات الثقافية في قطر (Directory of Cultural Institutions in Qatar)" (PDF) (in Arabic). Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-22.
  22. ^ Fran Gillespie (26 November 2011). "24 hours in Doha". Oryx Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016.
  23. ^ Al Amir, Salam; Dwivedi, Ankita (30 May 2023). "The 'leaning mosque of Doha' causes stir online". The National. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Al Shahaniya Park opens to public". Qatar Tribune. 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  25. ^ "Qatar: Public security complex opens in Shahaniya". The Peninsula. 8 August 2010.[dead link‍] Alt URL
  26. ^ "Qatar Landmarks". Ministry of Development Planning. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Livestock research centre opens in Al Shehaniya". Qatar Tribune. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Al Sheehaniya HC". Primary Health Care Corporation (Qatar). Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  29. ^ "Contracts executed by the company" (PDF). Al Darwish Engineering WLL. p. 9. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  30. ^ James Montague (24 August 2017). The Billionaires Club: The Unstoppable Rise of Football's Super-rich Owners. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-4729-2313-4.
  31. ^ "Arab Qatari Agricultural Production Company". Arab Qatari Agricultural Production Company. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Qatar opens 'first of its kind in Middle East' flower facility". Doha News. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  33. ^ Chantelle D'Mello (13 December 2013). "PHOTOS: Qatar flower facility Roza Hassad holds open days for public". Doha News. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  34. ^ "Sports". Qatar Tourism Authority. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  35. ^ "Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Emir attends part of Founder's Camel Festival Competitions". The Peninsula. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  37. ^ Anand Holla (7 July 2016). "Six things to do this Eid" (PDF). Gulf Times. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Central Municipal Council". Government Communications Office of Qatar. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  39. ^ a b "إنتخابات الدورة الأولى" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  40. ^ a b "مقـار الدوائـر" (in Arabic). Ministry of Interior (Qatar). Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  41. ^ "الدورة الثانية" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  42. ^ "إنتخابات الدورة الثالثة" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  43. ^ "رابعاً: إنتخابات الدورة الرابعة كشف بأسماء السادة المرشحين الفائزين في عضوية انتخابات المجلس البلدي المركزي (الدورة الرابعة - 2011م)" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
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