Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation is set to launch the Katara International Hunting and Falcon Exhibition, “S’hail 2017”, on September 20.
The event will feature local, Arab and international participants, including 54 from Qatar, 15 from Kuwait, five from Spain, and four from Pakistan. There would be three participants from Germany and one each from the US, England, France, South Africa, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon.
Participants include suppliers of hunting vehicles, tools, equipment and falcon-related entities.
Commenting on the exhibition, Katara general manager and chairman of the International Hunting and Falcon Exhibition organising committee Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said: “The exhibition has been named ‘S’hail’ – which is a star that is traditionally known for being closely linked to the hunting seasons.
“Katara always opts for traditional names for its festivals and competitions, such as El-Meyna and Al-Habbal competitions, Senyar Championship for fishing and pearl diving, Marmi Festival, and Al Galayel competition.”
“Through this common practice,” he said, “Katara aims to highlight the cultural heritage in Qatar and the wider region and help combine tradition and modernity in our creative efforts to build bridges with our heritage on the one hand and with the world on the other.”
“Such creative efforts would enrich the cultural process, which will hopefully keep expanding, evolving, growing and thriving,” he added.
Katara has sought to provide a “hunting ground” atmosphere to the audience during the exhibition and lined up traditional sessions that are reminiscent of those held in the desert in addition to a variety of unique events and activities.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be introduced to different falcon species, with more than 400 falcons coming from three local farms as well as from nine foreign breeding farms in Spain, Germany, France, and Russia.
The exhibition will also feature several falcon veterinary clinics, including Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital, which will conduct the necessary tests for falcons to be bought at the exhibition.
The Ministry of Interior will be one of the distinguished participants at the exhibition as an office will be set up at the venue to raise awareness among the attendees about all matters related to purchasing and using hunting weapons and observing safety guidelines as well as all the services offered by the ministry in this regard.
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment will participate in the exhibition through two offices: one for issuing falcon “passports and health card” and the other for displaying houbara bustards in addition to other ministry exhibits.
The organising committee has been keen to host the world’s best hunting arms companies to exhibit different kinds of weapons (long-range shotgun/medium-range shotgun/short-range shotgun/air gun) and accessories such as telescopes, spare parts, and hunting gear.
The audience will be in for an interesting experience at the exhibition, which will feature a simulated shooting and air gun event with the participation of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association and Al Rami Sports Club.
Visitors will also enjoy discounts up to 15% at all Katara restaurants during the exhibition as well as discounts from Qatar Airways in addition to other offers.
The S’hail 2017 exhibition will welcome a number of international hunting-related brands that cover areas such as camping gear, hunting arms and tools, and safaris, which would be offered with discounts.
The event will include cultural stands from several countries, including Morocco, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey.
These countries will introduce the visitors to their cultural heritage in hunting and falconry, displaying exhibits such as hunting clothes and tools.
Underlining the role of arts in promoting heritage, the exhibition will host 15 artists who will paint, at the site, portraits of the hunting environment.

Ooredoo is named 
‘Gyrfalcon sponsor’

Ooredoo has announced that it has been named the “Gyrfalcon sponsor” of the Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition, “S’hail 2017”.
Held at Katara, the event is expected to attract visitors from around the region.
Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, Ooredoo’s director of PR and Corporate Communications, said: “Ooredoo is a major supporter of Qatari culture, traditions and educational initiatives.
“We are proud of our heritage, and proud to be part of this event.”