Al Thakhira
الذخيره
Town
A view of Al Thakhira from the beach.
A view of Al Thakhira from the beach.
Al Thakhira is located in Qatar
Al Thakhira
Al Thakhira
Coordinates: 25°44′05″N 51°32′51″E / 25.73472°N 51.54750°E / 25.73472; 51.54750
Country Qatar
MunicipalityAl Khor
ZoneZone 75
District no.307
Area
[1]
 • Total23.7 km2 (9.2 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2004)
 • Total13,511
 • Density570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)

Al Thakhira (Arabic: الذخيره, romanized: Adh Dhakhīrah, lit. 'Ammunition') is a town on the coast of the Al Khor municipality in Qatar, about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of the city of Al Khor City and 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the capital Doha. It is closely affiliated with Al Khor City, with both having been founded by the Al Muhannadi tribe. Like other coastal settlements in the area, its inhabitants historically relied solely on pearling and fishing for sustenance.

Etymology

Al Thakhira translates to 'ammunition' in English. There are two prevalent theories regarding the origin of this name. The first theory states that its inhabitants used to keep large reserves of food, money and weapons. Another theory alleges that the town was named by a group of sailors who had lost their bearings. After finding and docking at Al Thakhira, they set out to look for food, taking with them their weapons and ammunition.[3]

Alternative forms of the name include Ad Dhakhīrah,[4] Adh Dhukhayr,[5] and Al Zakhira.

Geography

Mangrove forest in Al Thakhira

Together with Al Khor City, roughly 1,392 hectares of mangroves are found just off the coast, making the coastline between Al Thakhira and Al Khor City the most densely populated mangrove habitat in Qatar.[6]

In a 2010 survey of Al Thakhira's coastal waters conducted by the Qatar Statistics Authority, it was found that its average depth was 4.7 meters (15 ft) and its average pH was 8.07. Furthermore, the waters had a salinity of 49.04 psu, an average temperature of 24.66°C and 6.64 mg/L of dissolved oxygen.[7]

Al Thakhira Reserve

The area is home to Al Thakhira Nature Reserve, which encompasses the small island mangrove-covered island of Umm Far, parts of the coastline, and multiple wadis and sabkhas. Mangroves are very common in the reserve, and it is one of the few areas of Qatar to boast natural tree growth.[8]

History

J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf gives an account of Al Thakhira in 1908:

Close-up view of the historic Al Thakhira Mosque in 2012.

A village on the east coast of Qatar, situated on a khor or inlet of the same name about 30 miles north of Doha, and consisting of about 300 houses of the Mahandah (Al Muhannadi) tribe. The people are all pearl-divers, following no other occupation except fishing and owning no flocks or herds. Fifteen pearl boats [manned by 180 men], two other sea-going boats of the mushuwah type and five fishing boats are owned at Dhakhira. Transport animals are 10 camels. Drinking water is from Lubwairdah, 2 miles to the north-west.[9]

Development

A rendering of the new commercial district made in 2014

RRC STUDIO Architects Milan was behind a project to expand Al Thakhira two-fold in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As part of the project, 275,000 m² of new commercial and residential infrastructure was created. Protected areas for mangroves in the town's north and south sectors were also designated.[10]

Administration

When free elections of the Central Municipal Council first took place in Qatar during 1999,[11] Al Thakhira was designated the seat of constituency no. 27.[12] It would remain the headquarters of constituency no. 27 for the next three consecutive elections until the fifth municipal elections in 2015, when it was made the headquarters of constituency no. 26. Also included in its constituency is part of Simaisma, Umm Birka, and Ras Laffan.[13] In the inaugural municipal elections in 1999, Ali Hassan Al-Mohannadi won the elections, receiving 34.4%, or 65 votes. The runner-up candidate was Salem Abdullah Al-Shahwani, whose share of the votes was 19.3%, or 42 votes. Voter turnout was 90.5%.[12] Al-Mohannadi retained his seat in the 2002[14] and 2007 elections.[15] In 2011, Hamad Lahan Al Mohannadi was elected,[16] and retained his position in the 2015 elections.[13]

Al Thakhira recorded the highest voter turnout percentage at 73.8% in the 2019 municipal elections.[17]

Landmarks

Harbor

Fardhat Al Thakhira Harbor serves the town's fishing industry, of which there are plans to expand in the near future as of 2017.[18]

Beach

Al Thakhira Beach

Al Thakhira Beach is one of the largest tourist attractions in the town. Running for approximately 10 km, much of its coast is made up of sabkhas (salt flats). Salt-resistant mangroves grow abundantly along its coast. It is a popular spot for bird watchers.[19] Furthermore, it is a popular spot for kayaking and fishing.[20] Sea-turtles are known to regularly nest on this beach during late Spring and early Summer.[21] It is one of the best-preserved beaches in Qatar and receives periodic renovations and cleanups under the auspices of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME).[22]

In March 2019, the 1,800 meter-long and two meter-wide Al Thakhira Walkway was opened alongside the beach. The promenade features a 1,250 m² playground, 93 light poles, dozens of seating areas and a 2,000 meter-long cycle route.[23]

Parks

In 2009, a major park was opened in Al Thakhira covering an area of 14,580 m².[24] Sharq Garden, a public park, was inaugurated in March 2019. It spans an area of 4,841 m², of which about 3,500 m² comprises vegetated areas. A footpath stretching for 320 meters and with a width of two meters runs through the park.[23]

Sports

Al Thakhira has its own amateur football league.[25] In 2005, Al Thakhira FC was formed and has competed in the QFA-sanctioned Qatar Amateur League since 2013.[25]

A recreational facility known as Al Dhakhira Club was established in 1997.[26] The club hosts a barbershop, a south-east Asian restaurant, a children's play area, a lounge and several sports courts.[27] Also nestled in the town is Al Thakhira Youth Center, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.[28] It was established in 2006.[29]

Education

The following schools are located in Al Thakhira:

Name of SchoolCurriculumGradeGendersOfficial WebsiteRef
Al Thakhira Primary Girls SchoolIndependentPrimaryGirls-onlyN/A[30]
Al Thakhira Model Boys SchoolIndependentPrimaryBoys-onlyN/A[30]

Demographics

YearPopulation
1986[31]1,891
1997[32]7,863
2004[33]13,511

References

  1. ↑ "District Area Map". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Al Thakhira, Zone 75, Qatar on the Elevation Map". elevationmap.net. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "GIS Portal". Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Ad Dhakhīrah: Qatar". geographic.org. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  5. ↑ "Adh Dhukhayr: Qatar". geographic.org. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  6. ↑ Mohammad Ahmad Shehadi (May 2015). "Vulnerability of mangroves to sea level rise in Qatar: Assessment and identification of vulnerable mangroves areas" (PDF) (Thesis). College of Arts and Sciences - Qatar University. p. 23. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Qatar Infrastructure Statistics" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. May 2012. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  8. ↑ "Al Thakhira Reserve". Qatar e-Nature. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  9. ↑ "'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [525] (556/1050)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 28 July 2015. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ↑ "New City Al Dhakira Qatar". RRC STUDIO Architects Milan. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Central Municipal Council". Government Communications Office of Qatar. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  12. 1 2 "إنتخابات الدورة الأولى" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  13. 1 2 "مقـار الدوائـر" (in Arabic). Ministry of Interior (Qatar). Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  14. ↑ "الدورة الثانية" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  15. ↑ "إنتخابات الدورة الثالثة" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "رابعاً: إنتخابات الدورة الرابعة كشف بأسماء السادة المرشحين الفائزين في عضوية انتخابات المجلس البلدي المركزي (الدورة الرابعة - 2011م)" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  17. ↑ Shafeeq Alingal (17 April 2019). "Sixth CMC elections see 50% voter turnout". The Peninsula. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  18. ↑ "Ministry plans to expand fishing ports in the country". The Peninsula. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Al Thakhira Beach". Online Qatar. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "List of 10 amazing beaches in Qatar". The Peninsula. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  21. ↑ "Advancing Sustainable Development: Qatar National Vision 2030" (PDF). General Secretariat for Development Planning. July 2009. p. 74. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  22. ↑ "Top 5 Al Khor summer destinations worth a visit this weekend!". iloveqatar.net. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  23. 1 2 "New park, walkway open in Al Thakhira". Gulf Times. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  24. ↑ "حديقة الذخيرة" (in Arabic). Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  25. 1 2 "QAL: Amateur, but spirited!". Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "AKC History". Al Khor Community. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  27. ↑ "Al Dhakhira Club". Al Khor Community. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  28. ↑ "المراكز الشبابية" (in Arabic). Ministry of Culture and Sports. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "عن المركز" (in Arabic). Al Thakhira Youth Center. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  30. 1 2 "Qatari Schools". Supreme Education Council. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  31. ↑ "1986 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  32. ↑ "1997 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  33. ↑ "2004 population census". Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

Further reading

  • Ali bin Khamis Al Mohannadi; Ali Al Mannai & Ali Abdullah Al Fayadh (2005). ذاكرة الذخيرة (Memory of Al Thakhira). Doha: National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage.
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