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| Ambassadors’ wives with SDC officials |
A total of 25 embassies based in Qatar took part in the two-day event.
Proceeds of the bazaar will be donated to the SDC’s vocational training and development department which trains individuals to improve their knowledge and skills in their chosen career.
“Given that the Diplomatic Bazaar is one of our major fundraising events, we are thrilled at the success of this year’s bazaar,” SDC executive director Amal al-Mannai said.
“We would like to thank all the diplomats and exhibitors for their enormous contribution as well as Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Katara for sponsoring the event,” she added.
During the bazaar, wives of the ambassadors of the participating countries hosted stalls, featuring traditional gift items and souvenirs from their respective countries for sale.
Unique performances such as traditional Greek dances were also part of the event.
Countries present at this year’s bazaar included the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Greece, Peru, Turkey, The Netherlands, Algeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Venezuela, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, Iran, and Oman.
Turkey ambassador’s wife Figen Yunt said: “After three months of preparation, the result is absolutely wonderful. We have managed to bring the best of Turkey to Qatar. In addition to raising funds and enriching our cultural knowledge, the diplomatic bazaar serves as a reunion for the individual communities as well. It helps us as embassy representatives reach out to our own communities in Qatar.”
Diplomats also saw the bazaar as a way of promoting their cultures, as well as encouraging unity amongst the different groups of people residing in Qatar.
Palestine ambassador’s wife Hanani Ghannam said: “The bazaar is an excellent initiative to bring the different communities in Qatar together and support a common cause. And it helps us see countries through the eyes of culture and
tradition.”
Wife of the Malaysian ambassador Sabariah Jazri said: “I am particularly glad to be part of this event because it has given me the opportunity to promote my country, Malaysia, amongst all the different communities present in Qatar, on a single platform.” In addition to SDC staff, a total of 30 volunteers from the centre’s volunteer bank participated in the Diplomatic Bazaar and were involved in different phases of the bazaar from initial organisation to guiding guests during the event.
Over the years, the Diplomatic Bazaar has become part of Qatar’s community fabric, fostering cultural exchange between the diverse groups of residents based in Qatar.