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Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Sultan Dakhil Al Harbi wins 4th roundof Mthayel Nabati Poetry Competition
QNA Doha Poet Sultan Dakhil Al Harbi won the fourth episode of the second Mthayel Nabati Poetry Competition. Organised by the Ministry of Culture under the theme 'Morality Has its Signs', the event was held at the Mthayel Theatre. This milestone qualifies Al Harbi for the final round, where he will compete with the poets who advanced in the previous episodes. Speaking to the press, the Director of the Publications and Artistic Works Department at the Ministry of Culture, Mubarak bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, emphasised that the competition is steadily advancing towards its objectives by offering a platform for creative poets. He pointed to the competition's relevance to everyday themes that resonate with people's lives and highlighted the enthusiastic engagement it has drawn from audiences across the region, contributing to the discovery of promising poetic talents ahead of the final episode, which coincides with the nation's National Day celebrations. He further noted that 'Good Faith' will be the theme of the fifth round, scheduled for June, as part of the ministry's unwavering commitment to instilling noble moral values in the collective consciousness through Nabati poetry, which reflects the ethos and traditions of the community. The fifth round is dedicated to both Qatari poets and residents of the State of Qatar. Participants wishing to compete are required to compose Nabati poems of no fewer than twelve lines, strictly adhering to the designated theme. Entries must be submitted along with a completed participation form available on the contest's official website, Al Khalifa stated. Poet Sultan Dakhil Al Harbi, winner of the fourth episode and finalist in this edition, stated that the competition among the five participating poets was exceptionally intense. He noted that he had previously taken part in Mthayel on several occasions and that this month marked his successful breakthrough. Al Harbi described Mthayel as one of the foremost competitions in the Nabati poetry scene across the region, emphasising that all his fellow contestants performed at an equally high standard. He acknowledged that the competition's rules stipulate only one winner per round and extended his best wishes to the other participants. The fourth episode featured intense competition among the five poets, who presented their compositions before the judging panel and the audience, drawing inspiration from a verse by Qatari poet Khalid bin Muajeb Al Hajri. Their poetic performances contributed to advancing new poetic voices and reinforcing the role of Nabati poetry in the cultural landscape. The contest forms part of the ministry's energised efforts to nurture poetic talent, spotlight literary distinction, and promote the national poetry movement, as Mthayel stands among the flagship competitions and remains a storied pillar of Gulf and Qatari heritage. In essence, the competition aims to reinforce the relevance of Nabati poetry among younger generations, encourage creative expression in a contemporary yet heritage-rooted form, and spotlight standout poetic talent. It builds on the ministry's notable success in recent creative competitions.
The National
18-04-2025
- The National
'Salam Alaykum': How Seoul's most popular street market is welcoming Muslim tourists
As soon as I set foot in Myeongdong Street, Seoul's most popular shopping and street food district, my senses were immediately overwhelmed – in the best way possible. The aroma of sizzling meats and the chatter of customers and vendors under the bright lights of the street stalls created a magnetic energy that kept me going back day after day during my brief visit to the South Korean capital for a journalists' conference. But it was one specific sign on a takoyaki cart that truly reeled me in. It bore the greeting 'Alsalam ealaykum,' written both in English and Arabic. Underneath was a placard with prices and a note at the bottom that read: 'Muslims can eat.' Takoyaki, which is Japanese for grilled octopus, is a savoury, ball-shaped snack made of a wheat flour batter and typically stuffed with octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion. The fact that it tasted divine and was also halal, permissible under Islamic law, was a win-win situation. 'Do you know what that means?' I asked the vendor, as I placed my order and watched him prepare it. 'Of course, it's a greeting for Muslims and means 'peace be with you',' he answered, confidently. 'It's my way of welcoming people here and letting them know my food is for everyone.' Myeongdong Street began introducing halal food options in 2016, around the same time South Korea set a plan in motion to attract and better serve Muslim travellers. While pork and alcohol are a huge part of the country's culture and people's lifestyle, officials have seen the potential in the halal tourism market and have taken measures to cater to it. Over the past decade, South Korea has increased the number of halal-certified restaurants, introduced a comprehensive guidebook to help tourists easily locate these establishments and set up more prayer rooms in key locations around cities. The country has also introduced initiatives like the Salam Seoul Festival, an annual event celebrating Islamic culture and showcasing the capital's commitment to inclusivity, and Halal Restaurant Week Korea, another annual festival where hundreds of halal restaurants host events as a gesture to make South Korea a Muslim-friendly destination. By 2019, the number of annual Muslim visitors to South Korea had surpassed one million, only to plummet the following year with arrival of the pandemic. But it has been rising since then, reaching 985,000 in 2023 − a 33 per cent increase from 2022 − and was projected to have crossed one million last year. Queuing at one of the halal-certified food stalls in Myeongdong was Hamad Al Harbi, a Saudi tourist who was on his sixth trip to Seoul. 'This is one of my all-time favourite cities, I never get bored of it,' the 44-year-old engineer told The National. His first visit to Seoul was in 2014, during which he said he lived off Italian food for lack of halal options. 'The past few trips have been different though,' said Mr Al Harbi. 'I don't worry about what to eat any more, and I keep coming back for the food experience.' Wanting his family to experience the magic of Seoul, Mr Al Harbi travelled to the South Korean capital with his wife and two children for Eid Al Fitr, and made sure to stay in a hotel near Myeongdong Street. 'We visit the street market every night, and we enjoy all the food they offer, from the tteokbokki [simmered rice cake] and Korean fried chicken to the hotteok [sweet Korean pancakes],' he said. 'With everything clearly marked as halal, and the country's efforts to accommodate Muslims with food, skincare and other products, we feel welcome, so we'll definitely be back again soon.'
Gulf Insider
16-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Ramadan 2025: Surge in demand for culinary items in Saudi Arabia
Demand is surging in Saudi Arabia for plastic and paper items associated with food gatherings in Saudi Arabia during the current Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan, which began this year on March 1, is noted for family gatherings and indulgent meals after a day-long fast. Sales of items such as cups, plates and spoons have seen an increase in the run-up and during the Ramadan season from restaurants and families, who use them extensively during the holy month. The upsurge has prompted some shop owners to take advantage and hike up prices. Since the last week of Shaaban, the lunar Islamic month preceding Ramadan, prices have gone up by SR4 for paper cups. Prices of plastic utensils, mainly plates, vary according to size, but generally they have doubled to reach SR10 apiece for large plates, the Saudi newspaper Al Watan reported. Mohammed Al Harabi, a vendor of paper products, said that since the first day of Ramadan, the demand for his items has increased. These items are so widely used at family gatherings during Ramadan that their prices have gone up. 'They are the preferred choice for women in Ramadan,' Al Harbi said. He also cited a rise in demand for all types of paper napkins, whether for the table or scented napkins, aluminum foil rolls and packaging used to preserve food and keep it hot. According to him, the boom in the restaurant and banquet sector in Saudi Arabia is fuelled by an increase in demand for ready-made meals and group fast-breaking Iftars during Ramadan. 'Restaurants and bakeries need paper materials in large quantities, a matter that is positively reflected in the sales,' he added. Chef Maha Taher said most families prefer to use paper to facilitate preparing the sunset Iftar and the pre-dawn Suhur meals. This is particularly true for women workers whose schedules are tight during Ramadan.
