— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) February 1, 2026
I was surprised to read about a 5.3‑magnitude earthquake in southwestern Iran this morning, about 263 km from Doha. At 8:11 AM, I was just preparing breakfast and didn’t notice a thing. Authorities confirm there’s no danger to Qatar.
The weather is wonderful—this is the best time of year for walking in parks. While walking through Al Bidda Park, I met a few kitties asking for food. It seems they used to rely on a small restaurant that has since closed, and they’re too urban to hunt for themselves.
If you love projected images, as I do, modern art, and the vibrant colors of India, then you must see the Rooted Nomad immersive exhibition about M. F. Husain.
He was an Indian artist born in rural India who went to the city with no money, determined to become an artist. At the very beginning, he even slept on the streets. Over time, he rose to become an internationally recognized modern artist.
Some of his paintings remind me of Picasso, which is why I privately call him “the Indian Picasso.” He was also incredibly versatile and intensely productive, creating more than 40,000 paintings during his lifetime.
At a certain point in his life, he gave up wearing shoes as an act of solidarity with those who could not afford any. He lived to the age of 95 and died in London as a citizen of Qatar.
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The joint tactical exercise of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) security agencies, named Arabian Gulf Security 4, officially began on January 25 and will run until 4 February 2026.
This exercise brings together security forces from across the Gulf to enhance coordination, tactical readiness, and regional security. Such collaborations are vital for strengthening cooperation and preparedness in addressing emerging security challenges in the region.
The Ministry of Interior of Qatar shared the announcement on their official Facebook page, highlighting the importance of joint training and knowledge sharing among GCC nations.
This event underscores the commitment of Gulf countries to collective safety and rapid response capabilities.
The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar has been very active lately, shutting down places where fake doctors were performing beauty procedures.
Just last week, news broke about a medical beauty surgery in which someone was posing as a doctor without holding a degree. Then, yesterday, five workers were caught working without proper permits or legal certification.
And today, it was confirmed that an entire dermatology section was shut down after authorities discovered that nurses were performing beauty laser procedures without a specialist present.
What a serious breach of the law!
Unfortunately, the names of the clinics involved have not been released. However, you can check whether a doctor is licensed by consulting the official Ministry list.
A simple rule: if a clinic is unwilling to share their specialists’ license information, don’t trust them. Your safety should always come first!
From the plush, caramel-rich Medjool of Morocco to the firm, nutty Deglet Noor of Algeria and the dark, "holy" Ajwa of Medina, the Middle East and North Africa offer hundreds of distinct date types that vary wildly in taste and texture. From syrupy and soft to dry and bread-like,… pic.twitter.com/zQRWZqp8Tr
— TasteAtlas (@TasteAtlas) January 24, 2026
It’s unusual for Lunar New Year and Ramadan to coincide, since both calendars are lunar but start from different cycles. This means February 2026 will be a “double lunar month”, rich with moon-themed cultural and spiritual significance. 🌕
I have been visiting food festivals in Qatar for many years now. I still remember the very beginning, when it was just a small event near an exhibition center. Over time, I watched it grow, year by year. My personal favorites were always the editions held at MIA Park — open space, greenery, sea breeze, and room to breathe. Those festivals felt relaxed, welcoming, and truly enjoyable for families.
Unfortunately, this year’s festival was not our favorite — to put it mildly.
The location was near a stadium, surrounded by concrete, with no trees and no grassy areas where children could run freely. It took place in January, when the weather can be unexpectedly cold, which already made the experience less pleasant. But the most disturbing issue was the overcrowding.
The fenced area designated for the festival was simply not large enough for the number of visitors. Moving around was extremely difficult. Exploring the stalls, browsing freely, or just enjoying the atmosphere felt almost impossible. Dear readers, as in previous years, I would have loved to share a rich festival experience — but this time, it was hard even to walk around, let alone explore.
When I saw the crowd in front of a Thai restaurant, I genuinely wondered how people could wait that long for a single dish. Then I noticed a café with an equally impressive line. However, the longest queue of all was in front of the ladies’ toilets — with a minimum waiting time of half an hour.
I honestly don’t know whether the organizers considered that such facilities are not optional extras. These are urgent necessities, especially at a food festival, and certainly not something people should have to wait 30 minutes for.
We quickly bought some street food from Polka — mainly because there was no queue — and decided to escape to the metro. Ironically, even the metro toilets were overcrowded, with a waiting time of 10–15 minutes. At that point, the best solution seemed obvious: we went home.
The festival may have offered beautiful programs, fireworks, drone shows, and wonderful gastronomic adventures. But when basic needs are not properly provided — space to move and sufficient toilets — the overall experience becomes stressful rather than enjoyable.
And that is a real pity.
A festival should be a celebration, not an endurance test !
