Art of exile: Must-see film exhibit at Mathaf
Don’t miss: Google Cloud Summit, showjumping thrills and Eid shopping.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
From contemporary cinema to equestrian sports, this week’s lineup in Doha is anything but ordinary. At Mathaf, a groundbreaking film exhibition reframes storytelling across borders, while the Qatar Outlet Exhibition draws crowds with deep discounts on top-tier brands. The schedule also includes tech innovation at the Google Cloud Summit, competitive showjumping at Al Shaqab and a tranquil kayaking escape in Al Khor.
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Thanks for reading,
Reve
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.
1. Leading the week: “Your Ghosts Are Mine”
Still image from Elia Suleiman’s “It Must Be Heaven,” 2019. (Courtesy of Doha Film Institute Film Library)
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art presents “Your Ghosts Are Mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices,” a compelling exhibition spotlighting over 40 filmmakers and artists from the Arab world, Africa and Southeast Asia. First premiered during the 2024 Venice Biennale, the exhibition delves into contemporary experiences of community, exile and the complexities of transnational movement.
Spanning seven galleries and 10 immersive sections, the show explores themes such as deserts as sites of rebirth, ruins as cultural memory, borders as liminal spaces and the cosmos as a new frontier. The works merge genres — fiction, documentary, memoir and animation — blurring lines between tradition and modernity, spirituality and postcolonial critique.
Exhibition highlights include “The Dam” by Ali Cherri, “Banel & Adama” by Ramata-Toulaye Sy, “Bab Sebta” by Randa Maroufi, “It Must Be Heaven” by Elia Suleiman, and “Beirut, 1001 Views” by Lamia Joreige — each offering a distinct lens on identity, resistance and memory.
A selection of featured films is also being screened in the Museum of Islamic Art auditorium throughout the exhibition period.
Dates: Through Aug. 9
Location: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
More details here.
2. Word on the street: Qatar Outlet Exhibition
Shoppers at the Qatar Outlet Exhibition at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo courtesy of Advertiqa)
The third edition of the Qatar Outlet Exhibition returns to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre for a five-day event focused on discounted retail offerings.
Bringing together over 100 brands, both international and local, the exhibition covers a broad range of categories, including fashion, beauty, electronics, home goods and travel accessories. Items on display range from jewelry and cosmetics to footwear, appliances and tech products.
QOE25 aims to combine a wide product selection with reduced prices, offering visitors an opportunity to explore a variety of consumer goods in one location.
Dates: Through June 1
Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, Hall 5
More details here.
3. Doha diary
This picture taken on Feb. 16, 2023, shows a view of horse sculptures at Al-Shaqab Equestrian Centre in Doha, which concentrates on the breeding of Arabian horses. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Tajheezat Eid Al Adha Trade Fair 2025
Get ready for Eid with this vibrant shopping fair at Katara Cultural Village. From elegant clothing and homeware to perfumes and festive essentials, the fair is your one-stop destination for all things Eid.
Dates: Through June 5
Location: Katara Cultural Village
More information here.
Al Shaqab League
Qatar’s premier showjumping league returns, spotlighting young riders under 25 and aiming to build the region’s future equestrian champions. Expect thrilling competition, world-class talent and a strong spirit of sportsmanship.
Dates: May 30-31
Location: Al Shaqab Longines Indoor Arena
More information here.
Google Cloud Doha Summit 2025
Tech professionals, innovators and industry leaders gather for a one-day summit exploring the latest in cloud computing, AI and digital transformation.
Dates: May 29
Location: Exhibition Halls 8 & 9, QNCC
More details here.
Education Malaysia Fair in Qatar
Thinking of studying abroad? Meet representatives from top Malaysian universities, explore degree options, and take advantage of on-the-spot admissions and scholarship opportunities.
Dates: May 29-31
Location: JW Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha
More information here.
Kayaking adventure
Reconnect with nature on a serene kayaking excursion through Al Khor’s lush mangroves. Ideal for families and nature lovers, this eco-adventure offers birdwatching, swimming and guided exploration in a breathtaking setting.
Dates: Through June 3
Location: Purple Island Beach, Al Khor
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “Tribal Reawakening and the Future of State-Building in Kuwait and Qatar”
This book examines the crucial role of tribes in shaping modern Qatar and Kuwait, blending historical, political and sociological perspectives. Challenging the common view that tribes oppose state-building, it reveals how tribal alliances influenced nation formation before and after independence. Maryam Al-Kuwari explores how state manipulation of tribes sparked a rise in tribal politics, impacting social cohesion and legitimacy. With special focus on women’s roles and evolving identities, this work is essential for understanding the complex interplay between tradition and modernity in the Gulf’s political landscape.
5. View from Doha
China's Sun Yingsha poses on the podium with her trophy after winning the women's single final match of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships finals in Doha on May 25, 2025. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
6. By the numbers
- New data from data portal Country Cassette shows that Qatar leads the Arab world in average monthly salaries, at $3,937.
- According to the latest Qatar 10 2025 report by Brand Finance, Qatar National Bank remains the country’s strongest brand, valued at approximately $9.36 billion — far ahead of its closest competitors.