Purple Saturday puts inclusion in the spotlight across Qatar
Also this week: rocket races, local dates, and summer fun across Doha.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
As July winds down, Qatar’s summer lineup continues to offer something for everyone. This week, we highlight Purple Saturday, an initiative centered on inclusion and accessibility. Also on the calendar: space-themed activities for kids at the Mall of Qatar, the return of the Souq Waqif Dates Festival and hands-on creative workshops for all ages.
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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: Purple Saturday
Qatari influencer and motivational speaker Ghanem Al Muftah takes a selfie with attendees during Purple Saturday festivities. (Photo courtesy of The Peninsula Qatar)
A celebration of inclusion and empowerment arrives in Qatar this week as the country marks its first Purple Saturday, an initiative dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities through exclusive offerings and greater community access.
Launched by Visit Qatar, the Qatar Tourism Authority’s promotional arm — and in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry — the event is set to take place annually on the last Saturday of July. The initiative is inspired by a program that originated in Saudi Arabia in 2021 and has now grown into a GCC-wide movement, symbolizing regional unity and solidarity.
This year, Purple Saturday began on July 26 and will continue through Aug. 1 as part of the Qatar Toy Festival, to which individuals with disabilities have complimentary access. Sixteen hotels and retailers are also taking part, offering customized services and exclusive promotions to people with disabilities for the duration of the festivals.
Eligible individuals can unlock the benefits on offer by downloading a digital ID card from the Ministry of Social Development and Family website. Purple, the global color of disability awareness, sets the tone — one Saturday at a time — for a more inclusive Qatar.
Dates: Through Aug. 1
Location: Qatar Toy Festival, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (and at participating hotels and retailers)
More details here.
2. Word on the street: Planet Explorers — A space adventure for kids
Children dress up as astronauts at Planet Explorers, the Mall of Qatar’s interactive space-themed zone. (Photo courtesy of the Mall of Qatar via Instagram)
This summer, let your child’s imagination take flight — or better yet, launch into orbit — at Planet Explorers, a space-themed adventure for kids in the Mall of Qatar. From rocket races to astronaut dress-up, this immersive event offers a stellar mix of education and play designed to spark children’s curiosity and inspire young minds.
A galaxy of hands-on activities awaits. Kids can race rockets, catch meteors, build their own paper space shuttles and explore the planets through sensory play. Budding astronauts can even suit up for a photo op and step into the shoes — or space boots — of real-life explorers.
The Planet Explorers experience blends fun with learning in a safe and engaging space. With the interactive zone open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Aug. 16, families can drop in at their convenience for a playful journey that’s truly out of this world.
Dates: Through Aug. 16
Location: Mall of Qatar
More details here.
3. Doha diary
Visitors shop for treats at Souq Waqif’s 10th Local Dates Festival. (Photo courtesy of Souq Waqif)
Local Dates Festival at Souq Waqif
Now in its 10th edition, the Local Dates Festival returns to Souq Waqif with a flavorful showcase of Qatar’s finest locally grown dates. Stroll through traditional stalls at the souq’s Eastern Square, sampling fresh varieties of “rutab” and discovering or revisiting delicious date-based products. The festival also features family-friendly activities celebrating local culture and agricultural heritage.
Dates: Through Aug. 7
Location: Eastern Square, Souq Waqif
More information here.
Summer Fun Days at 974 Beach
Cool off with beachside games, live entertainment, giveaways, and tropical refreshments during Summer Fun Days, a program sponsored by the Ministry of Municipality at the 974 Beach in Doha. With select women-only days, this vibrant event blends relaxation with fun for the perfect seaside escape.
Date: Through Aug. 2
Location: 974 Beach
More information here.
Art lessons with Ismail Azzam
Join renowned Iraqi artist and curator Ismail Azzam at the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art for portraiture-focused workshops using pencil, charcoal and paint. Designed for artists with basic to intermediate skills, the sessions, every Sunday and Tuesday, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., offer an enriching space to acquire and improve technique, receive guidance and take part in creative exchange.
Dates: Every Sunday and Tuesday
Location: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
More information here.
- Create your own jewelry and shine with creativity! With Farah Yamout
As part of the Fire Station’s Youth Summer Program, this hands-on jewelry-making workshop offers participants ages 14–22 the chance to create their own custom accessory using traditional metal-forming techniques, such as sawing, texturing, and surface finishing. Led by the Lebanese jewelry sculptor Farah Yamout, the workshop fosters creativity and craftsmanship and culminates in a group exhibition showcasing the original designs.
Dates: Aug. 3–7
Location: Wood Shop, Fire Station
More information here.
Ladies day at Sea Caves Waterpark
Ladies Day is back at Sea Caves Waterpark with sun-soaked fun, exclusive vibes and complete privacy. Enjoy thrilling slides, refreshing pools and a laid-back atmosphere from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Come with your friends or visit on your own.
Dates: Every Wednesday through Aug. 27.
Location: Sea Caves Waterpark at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “My Life Journey in Qatar and Abroad”
“My Life Journey in Qatar and Abroad” presents a heartfelt and practical account of Ismail Ali Abdulla Al Emadi’s life from his early years in Qatar to his university studies in the United States and on to his professional career, including serving as Qatar’s ambassador in Washington. Motivated by the challenges faced by many Qatari youth during their school years and early work life, Al Emadi shares valuable lessons on ambition, self-reliance, cultural openness and goal-setting. Spanning seven chapters, it offers advice to young readers on how to avoid common pitfalls and pursue a successful future with confidence. This inspiring memoir is a meaningful resource for new generations navigating life’s complexities.
5. View from Doha
Visitors attend the tenth edition of the yearly Local Dates Festival at Doha's Souq Waqif on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
6. By the numbers
- Scoring 64.76, Qatar ranks third among Arab countries in the 2025 list of most technologically advanced nations published by “CEOWORLD Magazine.” The rankings, with a top score of 100, are based on innovation, digital infrastructure and technical workforce.
- According to mid-2025 data from Numbeo, Qatar ranks fourth globally and second in the Arab world on the local purchasing power index, with a score of 169.9. The index measures the ability of residents to buy goods and services with their local income, using New York City (index = 100) as the baseline.