Obliteration: Doha exhibit documents Gaza’s story of survival
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
This week, we begin with a powerful exhibition at Katara Cultural Village — an emotional photographic journey through Gaza’s devastation and resilience. We then shift to the elegance of the Zinatha Women’s Exhibition, where Arabian fashion and design take center stage. Finally, we return to Katara for the Doha Family Shopping Fair, offering a lively mix of shopping, family fun and enticing discounts.
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1. Leading the week: Obliteration – Surviving the Inferno
Belal Khaled, Tales Narrated by Hands, at Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025. (Photo courtesy of Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar)
Katara Cultural Village is currently hosting “Obliteration – Surviving the Inferno: Gaza’s Battle for Existence,” a moving photographic exhibition chronicling the destruction and resilience of Gaza’s people amid relentless war. Part of the Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar 2025, the exhibition traces the violence of the war that began after Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and highlights its devastating toll on civilians, infrastructure and everyday life.
The exhibition unfolds in five impactful stages, each documenting a chapter of Gaza’s ongoing tragedy. Through powerful images and accompanying texts, visitors bear witness to one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time. The showcased works were produced by photographers who lived the reality they portray, supported by the Photo Humanity Grant, an initiative dedicated to visual storytelling involving humanitarian issues.
Featured photographers include Mahmoud Abu Hamda, Majdi Fathi, Belal Al Hams, Ali Jadallah, Belal Khaled, Ahmed Salamah, Fatima Shbair, Jehad Al Shrafi and Abdulrahman Zaqout. Curated by Bahaaeldin Abudaya, chief curator of contemporary art at Fire Station, the exhibition compels reflection on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the resilience of its people against overwhelming devastation.
Dates: Until June 20
Location: Katara Cultural Village (behind the Over the Counter Café)
Find more details here.
2. Word on the street: Mina Pre-Owned Boat Show
A traditional vessel sails past yachts during the Qatar Boat Show at the Old Doha Port on Nov. 6, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Old Doha Port is introducing a new event in Qatar’s maritime scene with the launch of the Mina Pre-Owned Boat Show, the country’s first exhibition focused on the resale of boats and marine vessels.
Hosted along the scenic Mina Corniche, the event offers a unique opportunity for boat owners, buyers and marine enthusiasts to explore pre-owned yachts, superyachts, fishing boats, jet skis and traditional dhows — all manufactured in 2007 or later with no size restrictions. The open-air show creates a dynamic space where high-value assets can be exchanged, promoting access to Qatar’s growing maritime market.
Alongside the vessel displays, the event includes on-site maintenance service providers and a selection of food and beverage options. Taking place in the late afternoon and early evening, the Mina Pre-Owned Boat Show offers visitors a chance to explore a new aspect of Qatar’s maritime market.
Dates: May 5–7
Location: Mina District, Old Doha Port
Find more details here.
3. Doha diary
Qatari singer Dana Al Fardan performs at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022. (ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Zinatha Women's Exhibition, 5th Edition
The fifth edition of the Zinatha Exhibition will take place at one of Qatar’s most luxurious destinations, Galleria Al Hazm, celebrating “women’s fashion, beauty, and culture.” Visitors will experience a showcase of elegance, sophistication, and modern design in celebration of the essence of Arabian women.
Dates: May 1-9
Location: Al Hazm Mall
More information here.
Doha Family Shopping Fair
Head to Katara Cultural Village and visit the Doha Family Shopping Fair, the largest shopping tent on the southern side, featuring a wide selection of products, family activities, and special promotions.
Date: Until May 13
Location: Katara Cultural Village, South
More information here.
QPO PRESENTS: Dana Alfardan’s tempest premiere
Experience the world premiere of Tempest, an exciting new orchestral composition by the acclaimed Qatari composer Dana Alfardan, performed live by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.
Date: May 2
Location: Katara Cultural Village, Opera House
More information here.
Build Your House Exhibition, 6th Edition
Discover the latest innovations and services in homebuilding and design at the 6th edition of the Build Your House Exhibition.
Date: Until May 1
Location: QNCC
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “What Strange Paradise”
Omar El Akkad’s “What Strange Paradise” tells the gripping story of Amir, a nine-year-old Syrian boy who survives a shipwreck while fleeing his homeland, and Vanna, a teenage island native who, despite feeling like an outsider herself, risks everything to help him. Through alternating timelines, the novel traces Amir’s past and his desperate journey toward hope, presenting a profoundly human portrayal of displacement, empathy, and survival in a world often marked by indifference.
5. View from Doha
Fabio Di Giannantonio of Italy and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team arrives on the grid during the MotoGP race during the MotoGP Of Qatar. (Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
6. By the numbers
- Qatar ranks second in the Arab world for TikTok usage, with 84.1% of the population active on the platform, according to the Data Reportal 2025.
- Six Qataris have been named among the Top 100 Most Powerful Arabs in the World (2025) by Gulf Business, including H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani — reflecting Qatar’s global influence across culture, finance, energy, aviation and sport.