Doha: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is participating in the Darb Al Saai events with a comprehensive interactive pavilion aimed at reinforcing concepts of digital safety and promoting positive and responsible use of technology among all age groups, with a particular focus on children and youth.
According to Qatar News Agency, this participation comes as part of the ministry’s commitment to linking digital awareness with community engagement, presented through innovative methods that combine entertainment and education. The ministry’s involvement reflects a holistic vision to build a digitally aware society capable of keeping pace with rapid technological development while preserving positive values and behaviors in the digital space. It also underscores the ministry’s role in awareness and development by offering purposeful knowledge content in a modern style that meets community needs and aspirations.
The pavilion includes a range of games and recreational activities designed for children, carefully crafted to deliver simplified awareness messages about safe internet use. It also features youth initiatives focusing on raising digital awareness and developing technical skills, including specialized workshops to enhance capabilities and introduce participants to the latest concepts in technology, alongside interactive activities highlighting the importance of safe and responsible use of digital tools in daily life.
Meanwhile, the “Qatari House” event offers a living model that recreates authentic aspects of Qatari life before the discovery of oil and gas. The exhibit has become a key stop for visitors at Darb Al Saai, with its design inspired by traditional architecture, reflecting local identity with depth and simplicity. It provides an opportunity for visitors to explore the spirit of their ancestors.
Abdullah Ghanim Al Maadeed, head of the “Qatari House” event, said the goal has remained constant since its launch: preserving heritage and presenting aspects of daily life as experienced by Qataris before the 1940s. He stressed that the “Qatari House” has become an essential element of Darb Al Saai’s program thanks to its rich cultural and educational content, which attracts all age groups and strengthens awareness of national heritage.
Visitors begin their tour at the majlis, the social space for receiving guests, then move to side rooms dedicated to coffee preparation, including winter seating and a fire pit. The event also dedicates space to handicrafts, hosting skilled artisans practicing traditional professions such as ”naqda,” which has seen renewed popularity in recent years. Other sections showcase the traditional kitchen, cooking tools, tea preparation, and household courtyard activities. The hosh (courtyard) serves as the heart of the Qatari House, hosting live demonstrations such as folk arts and wood-fire cooking.
In parallel, the Theater Affairs Center is participating in Darb Al Saai with a series of artistic performances. These include “Hazawi Hadiya,” stories from popular heritage presented daily on the main stage by actress Hadiya Saeed with young actor Salman Salem, written by Nof Al Jassiman and Rania Hidaya. The show introduces children to Qatari heritage vocabulary, instills authentic values, and strengthens national identity.
The center also stages the puppet musical “Naila and the Wolf,” which explores themes of good and evil, as well as “Fareejna,” a street theater performance in the festival’s traditional market that depicts Qatari life in the 1970s and 1980s. Another daily show, “Juha at the Arab Cup,” features Qatari actor Mundher Thani in a comedic portrayal of the folkloric character Juha.