Al Jemailiya (Arabic: الجميلية, romanizedAl Jumaylīyah) is a town in the municipality of Al-Shahaniya, Qatar.[2] It used to be the seat of Al Jemailiya Municipality before it was incorporated into Al Rayyan Municipality in 2004.[3] In 2014, the town was incorporated into the newly created Al-Shahaniya Municipality.[4] The town lies roughly 30 km north-west of the Al-Shahaniya Exit of Dukhan Highway. It has been designated a District Centre for Al-Shahaniya Municipality, meaning that it is being developed to serve the needs of nearby communities, such as Al Suwaihliya.[5]

Al Jemailiya
الجميلية
Town
Entrance into Al Jemailiya
Entrance into Al Jemailiya
Al Jemailiya is located in Qatar
Al Jemailiya
Al Jemailiya
Coordinates: 25°37′15″N 51°4′55″E / 25.62083°N 51.08194°E / 25.62083; 51.08194
Country Qatar
MunicipalityAl-Shahaniya
ZoneZone 73
District no.210
Area
 • Total27.6 km2 (10.7 sq mi)

Etymology

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The name derives from the Arabic word 'jamila', which means 'beauty'. It was so named because of its relative abundance of vegetation.[6]

Various alternative transliterations of the name exist, such as Al Jumaliyah, Lijmiliya, Al Gummaylah and Al Jumaylīyah.[7]

History

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In J.G. Lorimer's 1908 publication Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, he makes mention of "Jimalīyah" as a nomadic outpost situated "16 miles east-north-east of the foot of Doḩat Faishshākh". He stated that the inhabitants received good water from a masonry lined well at a depth of 18 fathoms.[8]

During the 20th century, the town served as an autumn camp for the Al Naim tribe, grazing their livestock here and alternating between Al Jemailiya, Murwab, and Al Suwaihliya.[9] As part of an initiative by the government to provide housing for residents of rural areas, 60 new houses were built in Al Jemailiya in 1980.[10]

In 1983–84, Al Jemailiya was included as part of a major project by the Ministry of Public Works valued at QAR 535 million to develop sewage infrastructure in the country's rural settlements.[11]

Al Jemailiya was incorporated in Al-Shahaniya Municipality after the municipality was formed from parts of Al Rayyan Municipality in 2014.[4] According to the Ministry of Environment, there were about 75 total households within the town limits in 2014.[12]

Geography

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Al Jemailiya Road, which links the northern and southern sections of the town.

Al Jemailiya is in north-west Qatar. The village of Al Qa'iya is to the north-east.[13] It forms part of the northern section of the central belt region. As part of this section, the area has varied topography, including hills, plateaus, and rawdas (depressions), which distinguishes it from the flatter areas to the north and east. The area to the southeast of Al Jemailiya is notable for having some of the highest elevations in this part of Qatar. There are hills in this vicinity with elevations ranging between 41 metres (135 ft) to 49 metres (161 ft) above sea level.[14]

The town is made up of two adjacent villages which formed around the Al Jemailiya well. Transport between the two sections is facilitated by Al Jemailiya Road and Lebsayyer Road. The two villages are:[6]

Al Jemailiya Municipality

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Al Jemailiya Municipality's location.

In the 2004 census, when Al Jemailiya was a municipality, it was recorded as having administered Al Utouriya, Al Jemailiya (town), Umm Bab, Al Nasraniya, and Dukhan.[3]

When it was a municipality, it bordered the following municipalities:

In 2004, Al Jemailiya Municipality was merged with Al Rayyan Municipality.[7]

Municipality demographics

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The population of Al Jemailiya Municipality:

Al Jemailiya Municipality population
March 2004[3] March 1997[15] March 1986[16]
10,303 9,836 7,217

In the 2004 census, out of a municipal population of 10,303, the number of Muslims amounted to 6,782, Christians amounted to 965, and the remaining 2,566 inhabitants identified as following other religions.[17]

The following table is a breakdown of registered live births by nationality and sex for Al Jemailiya. Places of birth are based on the home municipality of the mother at birth.[18]

 
Neighborhood in Al Jemailiya.
 
A park located in the central part of the town.
Registered live births by nationality and sex
Year Qatari Non-Qatari Total
M F Total M F Total M F Total
2001 34 29 63 25 18 43 59 47 106
2002 72 68 140 22 26 48 94 94 188
2003 28 32 60 34 29 63 62 61 123
2004 26 34 60 18 18 36 44 52 96
2005 33 11 44 28 22 50 61 33 94
2006 24 37 61 30 34 64 54 71 125
2007 7 15 22 19 24 43 26 39 65

Visitor attractions

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Mosques

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There are a number of mosques dating to the mid-20th century in the town. As a result of mass migration to the capital Doha over the years, most mosques were deserted.[19]

 
A mosque in Al Jemailiya.

Bin Duham Mosque, erected in 1942, is one of the few dilapidated mosques in Al Jemailiyah. It has two entrances on the north and south side, respectively. The minaret, in the north-east section, lies on a thin base and is barrel-shaped. An outdoor prayer area is accessible through four pathways in the courtyard, while the prayer hall has three entrances leading from the outdoor area. The roof covering the prayer areas was constructed using plaited reed mats overlain with a mixture of mud and straw.[19]

 
Ruined mosque in Al Jemaliya, on the outskirts of the Khalil bin Mubarak bin Atiq Al Mansouri Farm.

Another old mosque in the village is Al Suwaheet Mosque, which was constructed in 1940. It has two entrances in the east and south, respectively. Its minaret extends 7.3 m (24 ft) high and is separated into three segments of nearly equal size. The outdoor prayer area can be accessed through five rectangular pathways in the courtyard. There is also an indoor prayer hall.[20]

The oldest and smallest mosque is Al Amiri Mosque. Opened in 1939, it continued to remain in operation after the abandonment of the other mosques. It has a southern and northern entrance. The minaret is small and has a narrow base with no ornamental markings. There are outer and inner prayer areas. The mosque has undergone a number of renovations in its history, resulting in its roof being overlain with corrugated metal and concrete block pathways being created for the open prayer area.[21]

Culture

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Shops in Al Jemailiya.

Al Jemailiya Youth Center was opened on 17 June 1996. Among the activities it organizes are Quran recitation, educational seminars and lectures, courses in information technology, and artistic pursuits such as painting classes and theatrical productions. It offers association football facilities and exercise equipment, and occasionally organizes and hosts local sports tournaments. Classes in Nabati poetry, also known as "Bedouin poetry", are also held here.[22]

Healthcare

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As part of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment's Al Azab program to help improve the healthcare for livestock, a modern veterinary clinic was opened in the town.[23]

Operated by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), the Al Jemailiya Health Center provides several laboratory and diagnostic services.[24]

Qatar National Master Plan

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The Qatar National Master Plan (QNMP) is described as a "spatial representation of the Qatar National Vision 2030".[25] As part of the QNMP's Urban Centre plan, which aims to implement development strategies in 28 central hubs that will serve their surrounding communities, Al Jemailiya has been designated a District Centre, which is the lowest designation.[26]

Development in Al Jemailiya is oriented towards developing public services and constructing more mixed-use buildings so that it may serve the needs of nearby settlements. Some of the proposals include opening a themed retail complex and establishing a farmers' market. Among the buildings to be constructed as part of the plan are a 4,159 m² civil defense centre, a similarly sized primary health care centre with emergency facilities, and a 22,278 m² youth centre.[5]

Education

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The following schools are in Al Jemailiya:

Name of School Curriculum Grade Genders Official Website Ref
Al Jumailiya Girls Schools Independent Primary – Secondary Female-only N/A [27]
Al Jumailiya Boys Schools Independent Primary – Secondary Male-only N/A [27]

References

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  1. ^ "District Area Map". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. ^ "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. ^ a b c "2004 population census". Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b Hisham Yassin (16 January 2014). "بلدية الشحانية تضم %35 من مساحة الريان الحالية" (in Arabic). Al Arab. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Centre Plans and Zoning Regulations" (PDF). Ministry of Municipality and Environment. pp. 173–180. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  6. ^ a b "GIS Portal". Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Municipalities of Qatar". Statoids. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  8. ^ "'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [1521] (1636/2084)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 6 July 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ Ferdinand, Klaus; Carlsberg Foundation's Nomad Research Project (1993). Bedouins of Qatar. Thames & Hudson. p. 59. ISBN 978-0500015735.
  10. ^ Qatar: Year Book 1980–81. Doha: Press and Publications Department, Ministry of Information. 1981. p. 106.
  11. ^ "535 مليون ريال لتطوير شبكة الصرف" (in Arabic). Al Raya. 3 January 1985. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  12. ^ Paul Sillitoe (1 August 2014). Sustainable Development: An Appraisal from the Gulf Region. Berghahn Books. p. 230. ISBN 9781782383727.
  13. ^ "Qatar Socio-Economic Atlas". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  14. ^ "طبوغرافية شبه جزيرة قطر" (in Arabic). Qatar Historical Encyclopedia. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  15. ^ "1997 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  16. ^ "1986 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Population By Religion, Gender And Municipality March 2004". Municipality of Development Planning and Statistics. March 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Home page". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  19. ^ a b Jaidah, Ibrahim; Bourennane, Malika (2010). The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950. Skira. p. 252. ISBN 978-8861307933.
  20. ^ Jaidah, Ibrahim; Bourennane, Malika (2010). The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950. Skira. p. 256. ISBN 978-8861307933.
  21. ^ Jaidah, Ibrahim; Bourennane, Malika (2010). The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950. Skira. p. 262. ISBN 978-8861307933.
  22. ^ 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. pp. 161–163. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  23. ^ Sanaullah Ataullah (7 January 2019). "New veterinary centre to come up in Abu Nakhla". The Peninsula. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  24. ^ "Al Jumailiya". Primary Health Care Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  25. ^ "About Qatar National Master Plan". Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  26. ^ "About the Centre Plans". Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Qatari Schools". Supreme Education Council. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 18 July 2015.