Doha’s Bird Eye Views July 2013

It’s always fascinating to see Doha from above. I wish I could fly. The below pictures were taken onboard Qatar Airways flight to Jakarta last month, 3rd July 2013.

Ras Abu Aboud Intersection and desert rose-inspired National Museum under construction

Doha Corniche starts appearing on right

MIA Park looks gorgeous here

Doha Bay and skyscrapers of West Bay

West Bay areas. The Sheraton Park Project and Doha Convention Center Project can be seen here

Another view of West Bay

Doha Intercontinental Hotel and The St. Regis complex, and Katara

Katara and its Katara Hills development, and West Bay Lagoon

Love this! North-South view of Katara and West Bay and Corniche

Another North-South view of Doha. Newton International School on the bottom center

Dahl Al Hamam Park can be seen here. Just below it is Tawal Mall under construction

West-East view of Doha

Look at that green patches of Doha’s Central Park under halt

The loooong awaited Hamad International Airport on further right. Also, the F-ring road under construction and Barwa Village on the bottom of picture

.: ramadan notes 5: better than a 1000 months

“And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months ( Al-Qadr:2-3)”

As the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) informed us, the Night of Power (Arab: Al-Qadr) can be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan and he further went into more detail by informing us that it is in the odd nights.  It means the night of 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is.

If Ramadan were a marathon race, the last 10 days of Ramadan is as if that sprint (to finish line). This is the time for Muslims to really buck up in their religious deeds when night comes. Ramadan will soon be over. If we manage to secure The Night of Power (Laylat Al-Qadr) just once in our lifetime, it’s like doing religious deeds for 83 years. And the night comes every year!

In Qatar, on the last 10 days of Ramadan, tarawih  (extra prayers performed by Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan) are shortened, leaving closing prayer (Witr) to be done on the last third of night, to be added up later with more and longer tarawih prayers. A mosque nearby my villa compound, for instance, conducts 11pm – 12.30am midnight prayers whereas other mosque starts at 12am or 1am. Who can’t resist the temptation of 83 years equivalent rewards of good deeds? Even if it requires staying awake past midnight praying to Allah. Those who can afford to devote their time in the remembrance of God stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship is called Iʿtikāf (retreat). They observe a fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, performing voluntary prayers and studying the Quran, day and night, apart from the obligatory prayers which they perform with the congregation.

We know, however, some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting prayers, good deeds and the Night of Power.

I pray that each and everyone of brother/sister Moslem manage to secure The Night of Power and May Allah be pleased with all of you.