Staff Reporter
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| Syed Abdul Hye: rich memories |
As the country looks back on 40 years of Qatari achievement and independence since British rule, Gulf Times spoke to a prominent member of the Indian expatriate community, who arrived in Doha by ship in 1959 as a 16-year-old boy looking for the chance to make some money to send back home to his family.
Syed Abdul Hye has seen more than most in terms of the development of Qatar, arriving at a time before the discovery of the wealth of natural resources in the country and then living here throughout the remarkable growth witnessed in recent years.And since he arrived, he has become a major pillar of the Indian community, founding a school and various other organisations in which he still plays an important role.
He explained that during his time here he has lived under four different rulers, saying that each leader brought about positive change during their reign, resulting in continuous development and improvement up to the present-day Qatar.
“I have always seen growth here. Everything has got better,” he said, adding “the wheels of progress are spinning faster and faster.”
Syed spoke about his fond memories from Qatar’s past, recalling trips to Dukhan and Messaieed with friends to try and watch movie screenings which were arranged for oil company employees as there were no cinemas in Qatar at that time.
He remembers seeing his first black and white television in Qatar and sitting with friends listening to the BBC World Service on the radio, to get any information available on international events. “It was easier then because we didn’t have the worries that we see in the news every day now,” he said.
However, the country’s move to modernity has made communication with his family members throughout the world much easier.
Despite the impressive growth and improvements throughout the 52 years, one area of life that has become less enjoyable is driving.
When Syed arrived, the ‘C’ Ring Road was under construction, but there were not many other roads as the small population and lack of cars meant there were not necessary at the time.
The constant hum of traffic audible in modern day Doha is an indication of a booming economy and increasing population, but it has caused perhaps the only negative change to everyday living in Doha in Syed’s opinion.
The long-term resident has a host of stories about how life has changed in Qatar, and can even recall the names of the British officials who lived and worked here before Qatar gained independence. One day, he hopes to write his memoirs about his time here, as his children constantly urge him to record in writing the stories with which he has so often amused them.
Running throughout the abundance of memories is the sense that he never expected to see Qatar grow in what he describes as a “phenomenal” manner.
He is incredibly impressed with the work of the current Emir and the general improvements that have been made in the country over the 52 years that he has lived in Qatar.
“Under the wise leadership of HH the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the country has been placed amongst world-class ranking states,” he said, adding “Sheikh Hamad and Sheikha Moza have earned the love and respect of the younger generation around the world.”
“I feel proud to be a resident of Qatar for over 52 years and to have witnessed such enormous and unparalleled achievements,” he added.