DOHA 20°C—28°C TODAY PUZZLES 12 & 13 D LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 14 L P Sunday, March 19, 2017 Jumada II 20, 1438 AH Community Doha College joins schools across Qatar and in over 100 countries worldwide to celebrate World Book Day. P7 P16 Community Cricket is popular in Afghanistan but almost unknown in Germany, where a group of Afghan refugees have started a cricket team. On top of his game Fashion icon Deepak Perwani on standing his ground in the fickle industry and love of acting. P4-5 COVER STORY
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Sunday, March 19, 20172 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT
LoganDIRECTION: James MangoldWRITTEN BY: James Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael
GreenCAST: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne KeenSYNOPSIS: Logan is an American superhero fi lm featuring
the Marvel Comics character Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. The fi lm is the tenth instalment in the X-Men fi lm
series, as well as the third and fi nal Wolverine fi lm following X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). The story takes place in the near future, where a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
LOCATIONS: Gulf Mall, Villaggio, City Centre
Hidden FiguresDIRECTION: Theodore Melfi WRITTEN BY: Theodore Melfi , Allison SchroederCAST: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonáeSYNOPSIS: Hidden Figures is an American biographical
drama fi lm directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder, based on the non-fi ction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about African American female mathematicians who worked at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. The fi lm stars Taraji P Henson as Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated fl ight trajectories for Project Mercury and other missions. The fi lm also features Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, with Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali in supporting roles.
LOCATIONS: Gulf Mall, Villaggio, City Centre, The Mall, Landmark
Mall Cinema (1): Machine (Hindi) 2:15pm; Veeram (Malayalam) 5pm; Kong: Skull Island (2D) 7pm; Hidden Figures (2D) 9pm; Machine (Hindi) 11:15pm.Mall Cinema (2): Beauty & The Beast (2D) 2:30pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 4:45pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 7pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 9:15pm; Sleepless (2D) 11:15pm.Mall Cinema (3): Kong: Skull Island (2D) 2:15pm; Sleepless (2D) 4:15pm; El 3atir (Arabic) 6:15pm; The Belko Experiment (2D) 8pm; Veeram (Malayalam) 9:45pm; Vengeance: A Love Story (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (1): Kong: Skull Island (2D) 2:15pm; Vengeance: A Love Story (2D) 4:15pm; The Belko Experiment (2D) 6:15pm; Sleepless (2D) 7:30pm; Vengeance: A Love
Story (2D) 9:30pm; Hidden Figures (2D) 11:30pm.Landmark Cinema (2): Beauty & The Beast (2D) 2:15pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 4:30pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 6:45pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 9pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 11:15pm.Landmark Cinema (3): Veeram (Malayalam) 3pm; A United Kingdom (2D) 5pm; El 3atir (Arabic) 7pm; Sleepless (2D) 9pm; Veeram (Malayalam) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Beauty & The Beast (2D) 2:30pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 5pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 7:30pm; Sleepless (2D) 9:45pm; Sleepless
(2D) 11:30pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Kong: Skull Island (2D) 3pm; Kong: Skull Island (2D) 5pm; Trapped (Hindi) 7pm; Beauty & The Beast (2D) 9pm; Veeram (Malayalam) 11:15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Veeram (Malayalam) 2pm; The Belko Experiment (2D) 4pm; El 3atir (Arabic) 5:30pm; Hidden Figures (2D) 7:15pm; A United Kingdom (2D) 9:30pm; Vengeance: A Love Story (2D) 11:30pm.Asian Town Cinema: Veeram (Malayalam) 5:45, 8:15 & 10:45; Badrinath Ki Dulhania (Hindi) 5:30pm; Trapped (Hindi) 5:30 & 10:15pm; Angamaly Diaries (Malayalam) 6 & 8:30pm; Machine (Hindi) 7:30pm.
Spring WorkshopWHERE: TCA QatarWHEN: Until March 30TCA Qatar is organising its Spring
Workshop from March 15. The workshop will consist of painting (age 5-15), calligraphy (age 5-15) and abacus (age 5-15). It will also have sessions on speaking etiquettes, debating and dressing for occasions in diff erent sessions targeted at two age groups: 10-14 and 15-18. For further details, please get in touch with the organisers at 6652-3871.
Beauty and the BeastWHEN: March 30, 31WHERE: ISL QatarThe Performing Arts Department of ISL
Qatar will present the much anticipated production of “Beauty and the Beast” on March 30 and 31. Tickets are QR50 and can be purchased at the Reception Desk or Admin offi ce of ISL Qatar. Performance times are: 6pm on March 30, 2pm on March 31 and 6pm on March 31. Doors open 30 minutes before the start of the play. For further inquiries, please call 4433-8600 or e-mail at [email protected]
JR RépertoireWHERE: Qatar Museums Gallery in
Katara (Building 10)WHEN: Until May 31JR, the celebrated French artist, is the
subject of a major retrospective show in Qatar being held by Qatar Museums at QM Gallery Katara in Doha.
JR is amongst a handful of world-renowned artists that combines art and engaged actions through large-scale outdoor installations, fi lms, photographs and videos, using the streetscape as his canvas and his inspiration, which he claims as the largest art gallery in the world.
JR creates “Pervasive Art” that spreads uninvited on the buildings and slums around Paris, on the walls in the Middle East, on the broken bridges in Africa or the favelas in Brazil. He remains anonymous and doesn’t explain his work, allowing the subjects, protagonists, spectators and passers-by to
raise their own questions.The exhibition will feature some of the
key series that have made the artist famous around the world as well as a video lounge where selected video works can be viewed.
Francophonie Days in QatarWHEN: Until March 31WHERE: Around QatarThe Embassy of France in Qatar and the
Institut Français du Qatar are celebrating the Francophonie Days in Qatar from March 14 to March 31.
Activities during the Francophonie Days include concerts of Caribbean music, theatre, linguistic and artistic competitions and screenings of French movies.
After the opening, the festivities continued on March 18, with the “Olympiads of the Francophonie” (from 2pm to 6pm at the Voltaire School in Al Waab).
On Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, the public will meet Ymelda Marie Louise and her musicians, a Caribbean band. On March 23, the musicians of Qatar Music Academy will perform with Ymelda Marie Louise’s band. They will take place at the Ritz-Carlton’s garden at 8pm.
Finally, cinema afi cionados will have the opportunity to watch, for the fi rst time in Qatar, the latest Emmanuelle Bercot movie, La Fille de Brest, released in France in November 2016.
All these events are free. Detailed programming is available on the website of the French Institute of Qatar at the following address: www.institutfrancais-qatar.com
Off -road biking tour WHERE: ZekreetWHEN: FridaysBlue Pearl Experience Qatar is off ering the
country’s fi rst off -road biking tour. Ride in the desert on a fatbike to explore the local fl ora and fauna, spot desert wildlife, hike up jebels, chill in the magic of the Richard Serra statues and this unique landscape.
Participants will get to cross the desert riding fatbikes from Zekreet to the Richard Serra statues, on a route of approximately 13kms. The route is easy to ride and suitable for people with average fi tness. You must be able to ride. Kids aged 9 and older are also welcome. The fee is QR220 (QR190 for ages 9-14) and includes bike and safety equipment. The activity lasts about 2.5 hours.
For details and booking, please visit the company website on http://www.clubbluepearl.com/news-feed/
Imperial Threads: Motifs and artisans from Turkey, Iran and India
WHERE: Museum of Islamic ArtWHEN: Until to November 4This exhibition focuses on the exchange
of artistic and material cultures between the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. Highlighting MIA’s masterpiece carpets, among other artworks, from Turkey, Iran and India, these objects will be contextualised within the historical circumstances of politics and artistic production of their time, primarily from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
Picasso-Giacometti WHEN: Until May 21WHERE: Fire Station Artist In ResidenceThis exhibition brings together more than
120 works by Picasso and Giacometti, drawn from the collections of the Musée national Picasso-Paris and the Fondation Giacometti in Paris, as well as exceptional loans from French and other international collections, covering paintings, sculptures, sketches, photographs and interviews with the artists.
The exhibition refl ects two years of research undertaken by the Fondation
Giacometti and the Musée national Picasso-Paris, which reveals for the fi rst time the previously unknown relationship between these two artists, who, despite an age gap of twenty years, shared many moments, both personal and professional.
It has been organised in six sections, evoking diff erent aspects of each artist’s production, including the development of their work as young artists through to their modernist creations, showing the correspondences between their works, the infl uence of the surrealist movement, and the return to realism during the post-war period.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of lectures and an extensive education programme, as well as a self-guided handbook for the visitors.
A richly illustrated catalogue published as co-edition with Flammarion will accompany the exhibition, featuring new essays by art historians and the curators of the exhibition.
Reggae Beachfest DohaWHEN: Thursdays and Fridays WHERE: Oyster Beach Bar at St. Regis
HotelTIME: 8pm onwardsIn collaboration with Reggae Beachfest
in Dubai, Qatar will witness the best rasta nights around. The organisers say, “We’ve got the setup sorted to get you feeling the Caribbean vibe. Along with our resident band Earthkry all the way from Jamaica, we have so many big names in the Reggae scene lined up at this huge beachfest!” Entrance fee is QR50 at the door. For more information, please call 44460105
Senorita-Ladies NightWHERE: The Club at St. RegisWHEN: TuesdaysTIME: 7pm The Club at St. Regis promises the ‘fi nest
weeknight in town with Cuban and Latin rhythms’. The event starts at 7pm. The dress code is “strictly fabulous-Latin vibe” and there are no entrance fees. For more information, please call 4446-0105.
Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (from 1963 until tomorrow)
WHERE: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Riwaq
WHEN: Until April 16Qatar Museums presents a monograph of
one of the most renowned modern artists of the Arab world: Dia al-Azzawi. The exhibition, showcasing over 500 works across fi fty years and a range of media, aims at mapping an itinerary of modernism and profi les the practice of the Iraqi artist. The exhibition is curated by Catherine David, Deputy Director of Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.
Revival of Qatar’s musical heritage and Qatari Folk singing programme
WHEN: Thursday, Friday until April 28WHERE: Beach 15, Katara TIME: 6pm to 10pm
Residents will have the opportunity to watch and enjoy authentic Qatari musical arts and folk singing every weekend until April 28, 2017 at Katara.
The second edition of this cultural show dubbed as ‘The Revival of Qatar’s Musical Heritage and Qatari Folk Singing Programme’ is in line with Katara’s continuous efforts to preserve the heritage of Qatar’s ancestors.
Some sideline activities at the event include training sessions, competitions, exhibitions, documentary research, publications, and lectures and seminars.
Chamber Music at MIA: Music of Qatar and Germany
WHEN: April 13TIME: 6pm-7pmWHERE: Atrium, Museum of Islamic ArtThe next monthly free chamber
music concert by members of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in the atrium of Museum of Islamic Art will be on April 13, with the West Bay skyline as a backdrop. No tickets or reservations required. All ages welcome. Seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
Qatar Superstock 600 Championship Round 3
WHERE: Losail International CircuitTIME: 10amWHEN: March 23, 24 and 25Qatar SuperStock 600 is a new road
racing championship organised by Qatar Motor Motorcycle Federation and Losail Circuit Sports Club.
The championship will have 12 races over 6 rounds at the Losail International Circuit.
The riders are competing using one-make bikes that will be used for the rest of the season, a stocked 600cc bike. The organisers bill it as “a great chance for every competitor to test themselves and fight for the title in fair racing conditions and in a professional environment”.
Grandstand and Paddock area are open for free to all the spectators.
Al Gannas(For school students) Until March 31, 20179am–NoonAl Gannas SocietyFree ( For boys only, requires
registration) Al Gannas association is participating in
the “Our culture is a school” programme, by organising many activities for the students every Monday and Wednesday of the week.
These activities include explanations on hunting and related items tools, kinds of falcons and preys, in addition to workshop on how to carry a falcon, set a traditional tent (made of goat & camel hair), prepare traditional Arabic coffee and start a fire. For further details, visit katara.net
Qatar Music Academy(For school students) Until March 28, 201711am–2pmFree (Requires registration) Qatar Music Academy focuses on
teaching its students the principles of Arab and Western music. As part of the “Our Culture is a School” programme, Qatar Music Academy has offered interested schools the opportunity to attend various workshops. These workshops will include an introduction to Arab and Western music and instruments, as well as the teachers giving a brief overview of the educational music programmes at the Academy. For further details, visit katara.net
MAESTRO: Deepak Perwani at the launch of his opulent Bridal studio recently in Karachi.
— De
Most designers
understand that you’re only
as good as your last collection. Anybody
can come and take the throne next
season
SUNDAYCONVERSATION
5Sunday, March 19, 2017 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITYCOVER STORY
By Muhammad Asad Ullah
Deepak Perwani is a contentious fi gure, alternatively loved and loathed depending on what he does with which person at which show, at what time — who he
chooses over who else, who he sets back, who he builds, who he helps out and myriad other reasons that crop up frequently in an industry given to gossip and backbiting like no other.
It’s a place where everyone knows everyone else, people love and loathe yet cannot live with or without each other. And perhaps, at the very centre of all that has transpired in the history of the Pakistani fashion industry, there is Deepak Perwani.
Perwani, who started his label in 1994, is closing in on a quarter century of sustaining signature style and cuts. “The industry has grown out to be bolder, older, wiser and securer,” Deepak tells Community in an exclusive interview at his opulent studio, opened recently in Pakistan’s megapolis Karachi.
When he entered the industry, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin was a struggling model, who celebrated his silver jubilee as designer last year whilst Perwani still has two years to make that mark; however, you can’t but sit up and take notice. Deepak has an explanation for this, “I think what HSY basically meant was that he has completed 25 years in fashion in the period he was into choreography, modelling and I think he used to do television in those days as well. 1994 is when I started, so yeah diff erent strokes for diff erent folks.”
This small town boy from Mirpurkhas has always made things happen. From designer to organising fashion shows to being an actor, Deepak has done it all. He has done shows in Pakistan, Miami and Milan, made Guinness World Record for largest Kurta in the world, served as Brand Ambassador for Special Olympics, raised funds for special children and worked tirelessly to bring new breed of designers in the industry as Chairperson of Fashion Pakistan Council.
While Deepak remembers quite well becoming aware of fashion for the fi rst time when he was in New York, he considers fashion as a blank canvas.
“I became aware of fashion when I was really young. I remember being very fashionable when I was a kid. I had a pop swatch, Reebok tennis shows, neon friendship bands and the entire era of Boy George and Madonna for inspiration. Well that’s when baggy pants came out; it was a big deal to have them. It was all about the fact that whether you’re wearing two pleats or you’re wearing three pleats and then it became one pleat. Well, then I went to college in New York, and then used to merchandise for Maises and stuff like that. I was only 19 years old,” he recalls. “You’re the artist and you’ve got the paints and paint brush and you can paint what you like and that’s the beauty of this blank canvas of fashion,” he says.
Stella McCartney, for instance, might design clothes that are meant to last and pieces that aren’t going to get burnt, but Perwani picks a hole in the former’s mantra, somewhat agreeing to disagreeing, thinking fashion to be diff erent for making it big in the industry.
“I think fashion is a very fi ckle business. Fashion designers are creative people and tend to be very sensitive. They tend to be bipolar. What really holds the power or the muscle is the design at the end of the day. Your respectability or strength or sustainability only comes from design. We believe in one thing and most designers understand that you’re only as good as your last collection. Anybody can come and take the throne next season. That’s what makes you a mover and shaker,” says Perwani.
“If we look at the dynamics of fashion, I used to think fashion regurgitates every decade but now it regurgitates after seven years. By that I mean same trends coming in again. Not just locally but even internationally, we’ve seen designers appear and disappear; sometimes you slow down, sometimes you’re tired — it’s all about sustaining creative design. That’s what makes you go forward,” says the ace designer.
No matter how you may feel about him, if
there’s someone who has attained a mark in Pakistani fashion, chances are he or she will have worked with Deepak Perwani. And when he organises a fi esta like Fashion Pakistan Week, they all come. About introducing new breed of designers since the time he has joined fashion industry, he says, “I’ve been trying to introduce as many designers as I can for a long time now. Pretty much every successful label right now — Amna Aqeel, Nauman Arfeen, Zaheer Abbass, Sania Maskatiya, Deepak n Fahad, Adnan Pardesy, Sanam Chaudhry — it’s a long list! We’re very proud we managed to put young designers, gave them space, importance and just everything to shine.”
Although he is one of the few powerhouse menswear designers in Pakistan, who comes up with an entire men’s wear collection every
season rather than just few pieces, Perwani has not been nominated for the Lux Style Awards for quite a few years now whilst many young designers with only a few jackets to their credit are up for nomination. “We don’t submit our nominations to Lux Style Awards. We have seven Lux Style Awards — a record for winning the most awards as a designer. We’re kind of done. It’s rather like agree to disagree. We need to believe in system and system needs to revolve and evolve. I’m not going to say (it’s about) nepotism but it’s redundant. If you say your award is credible, the award must also evolve and redefi ne itself every decade. You cannot put a young and very senior designer in one space and insult one,” Perwani contends.
While designers have been busy producing and designing lawn for loyal shoppers for the past few years, including Perwani, we are glad to take a break from the lawn fever and have something new to hear about. This ultimate Capricorn Goat, who is a master at multitasking has not forethought about running into lawn wars this season, keeping an interest towards luxury lawn because, according to him, lawn people are generally in a hurry, they might have come to the domestic market for lawn but their mentality still lingers for “kapra market” (cloth market), just to sell the cloth. “We did lawn eight years ago. I don’t take credit for it but I think why Orient Textile Mills is Orient Textile Mills is because of Deepak Perwani, which was a great collaboration and as label, we did wonders for each other. I’ll be honoured to say they were the best people to work with.”
Also making a successful debut in television dramas as an actor with Kadoorat in 2013 alongside Sanam Saeed and Soteli in 2014 alongside Sabreen Hisbani, Perwani feels he would have been an actor if not a designer. “If I wouldn’t have been a designer, I would’ve been an actor. I’m a very decent actor — at least that’s what I’m told. Taking part in all those dance competitions during my school times, I also did a biscuit ad when I was a kid.”
Talking about his education, he says, “Well till about three years ago, I was very proud of the fact that I was a college dropout, but hey I’ve graduated! I’ve done BBA in Marketing and Advertising.”
Where Deepak Perwani has launched his online store for Doha buyers after doing a show at Pakistan Fashion Week Doha, he concludes, “It’s very important to be a force to reckon with.”
STAR POWER: Deepak Perwani takes a bow at Winter Festive-Fashion Pakistan Week last season with showstopper Ayeza Khan.
CENTRE-STAGE: Deepak Perwani post his showcase with Adnan Malik and Sikandar Rizvi.
Sunday, March 19, 20176 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
‘Come Sail Across The Seven Seas – Bon Voyage 2017’ at Sri Lankan schoolThe students of the Staff ord Sri Lankan School Doha staged an event titled “Come Sail Across The Seven Seas – Bon Voyage 2017.” The students of the primary school performed several dances representing various nationalities. These included a Kalikan dance, a Venician dance, a European and African cultural mix dance, and a German folk dance. The students of Grade 2B also presented a drama titled “Beauty and the Beast.” Finally, the students gathered together to sing “Heal the World.”
7Sunday, March 19, 2017 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
DPS-MIS places third in Botball Robotics Contest 2017The DPS-MIS team bagged the third place in the 13th annual Regional Botball Robotics Challenge at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar recently. The team designed, built and programmed two robots. The task of the first robot was to climb a steep slope, collect a variety of small game pieces at diff erent intervals and deposit them in a container. The second robot was involved with the
stacking of four similar rectangular blocks kept at diff erent locations, and also other minor tasks such as knocking over certain game pieces from fixed locations. The team consisted of 8 students, Aakash Jain, Devang Acharya, Aadharsh Roshan, Reuben Suju Varghese, Abhimanyu kumar, Rudra Rupani, Bilal Assadi and Nihit Agarwal. The team was guided by Computer HOD Avishek Jha.
Doha College celebrates World Book Day
Doha College joined schools across Qatar and in over 100 countries worldwide to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the world’s biggest celebration of reading –
World Book Day. Staff and students at Doha College
celebrated their love of books and reading, in a week-long series of concerted activities across the year groups. It was a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and, most importantly, a celebration of reading.
In the Secondary school, there were quizzes, “drop everything and read” (DEAR) sessions, a short story read out across fi ve lessons, a book sale in the library, a recycled book sale organised by the Eco Committee and everyone got to dress up as book characters.
In Primary, apart from the book character costumes, children talked about their favourite books in circle time, and they had secondary students coming to read to them throughout the day. Teachers and staff
read their favourite books to the children in various location around the school, for which children had signed up in advance. The most popular were The Maze Runner, The Secret Society of Dragon Protectors, Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The objective of celebrating World Book Day was simple: to get everyone reading. The tagline for World Book Day this year was ‘Do Something Booky’ and the children had a great time collecting evidence of the ‘booky’ things they had done.
Doha College have “excellent” libraries in both Primary and Secondary, with librarians on hand to help children choose age appropriate books too. All children have dedicated library slots where books are shared and borrowed. The children can come to the library at any time after school to choose their favourite books. The libraries are stocked with the most popular and up to date books from all the children’s favourite authors. Additionally, as a digital school, Doha College provides all children with access to Kindle readers on their ipads.
The school believes that the more books children read, the faster their vocabulary is expanded. Reading books regularly stimulates children’s imagination, accelerates their emotional development and fosters natural curiosity. Children quickly learn to visualise the scenarios from the stories by reading the text alone. As children read diff erent books, their knowledge on various subjects increases
multifold. In addition, everything that they learn at this age stays in their mind for a long time to come. Here are some titles of recommended reading: The Gruff alo, Winnie the Witch,
We’re going on a Bear Hunt (age 5-8), Fantastic Mr Fox, Horrid Henry, The Illustrated Mum (age 8-10), Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tom Gates (age 10-12, and over).
Staff and students at Doha College celebrated their love of books and reading, in a week-long series of concerted activities across the year groups.
Sunday, March 19, 20178 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
Turkish Airlines promises multiple comforts for its passengers
Entrance to the Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul.
From the exclusive arrival lounge at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, the “Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul,” to advanced personal screens with updated options, Turkish Airlines says it is
continuously working on improving its award-winning service quality even further.
In addition to its ever-expanding route network – Kharhiv (Ukraine), Conakry (Guinea), Phuket (Thailand), Voronezh and Samara (Russia) being the latest additions of this year – the airline that fl ies to 296 destinations in 120 countries “excels in products and services designed to take the passenger experience to an even higher level.”
One of the main advantages for the travelers who choose Turkish Airlines is the exclusive arrival lounge at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, a place of rest and relaxation for those who seek comfort and refreshment immediately after they land.
Off ering travelers a warm Turkish welcome, the arrival lounge which is located on a 250 square metre area, can accommodate 38 people and is open from 5am until 1am.
With all its practicality and convenience, the place is designed for comfort, allowing travelers access to all kinds of tools for managing their business, as well as abundant gastronomic options including world-famous Turkish cuisine. A library, the latest editions of local and international magazines, and newspapers and Wi-Fi access, are among some of the other facilities. The visitors will also fi nd relaxation areas, equipped with showers, dressing rooms
and an ironing room with staff to attend their needs.
This is a lounge with exclusive access for Turkish Airlines Business Class passengers arriving in Istanbul and Elite Plus members traveling in Economy Class.
Turkish Airlines Lounges now feature new wireless charging stations that let passengers charge their compatible mobile devices through power outlets located on the tables. Passengers will also be able to use these stations in Turkish Airlines’ Taksim Sales Offi ce.
Other services recently implemented by the airline to make overall journey easier for the traveler is the shuttle available between San Diego and Los Angeles (which passengers can book directly with the ticket number and their contact details).
The shuttle operates between San Diego and Los Angeles between set pick-up and drop-off points.
For passengers departing out of Los Angeles: Passenger will be picked up at San Diego Zion Market parking lot (Address: 7655 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92111). Drop-off location is LAX Airport Tom Bradley Terminal Departure level.
For passengers arriving in Los Angeles: Passenger will be picked up at LAX Airport Tom Bradley Terminal Arrival level under the Turkish Airlines sign. Drop-off location is San Diego Zion Market parking lot (Address: 7655 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92111) For more information visit: www.shuttle777.com
BJFQ mourns Doha-based Bangladeshi journalist’s deathA prayer and mourning meeting was held by Bangladesh Journalist Forum-Qatar (BJFQ) at Nazma Ramana restaurant on the death of Doha-based eminent Bangladeshi journalist and Channel I (privately owned television network in Bangladesh) Qatar representative, Musa Ahmed Bokotpuri. He was suff ering from diabetic nephropathy and died in his hometown of Chittagong last week.The meeting was presided over by BJFQ president Prof Aminul Haque and moderated by literary Secretary Mafijur Rahman. First Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy in Qatar Nazmul Hoque attended the programme as the chief guest, while Bangladesh Biman’s country Manager
Mohammed Mustafa was a special guest speaker. Other speakers were Noor Mohammed Noor, Maulana Yousuf Noor, Abdus Sattar, Shahidul Haque, Salahuddin Ahmed, Shafiqul Islam Prodhan, Kapil Uddin, Islam Mollah, Shamim Ahmed, Shahjahan Shaju, Allauddin Ahmed, Mejabahula Karim Babla, Shahedul Islam Shahed, Shariful Haque Saju, Hahibur Rahman, Ashraful Islam, Malek Ahmad and Lokman Ahmed.The speakers highlighted the contributions of Musa Ahmed Bokotpuri to the Bangladeshi community in Qatar during his 32 years of stay, particularly in the field of print and electronic media. Bokotpuri wrote two novels during his lifetime.
9Sunday, March 19, 2017 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITYEshaman Manpower Co. starts operations in Al WakrahThe inauguration of Eshaman Manpower Co. was held recently in Al Wakrah in the presence of guests and company associates. Hasan A K Chougule and M S Bukhari were the chief guests. The ceremony was attended by top dignitaries of various institutions and establishments. An off icial of the company said that Eshaman Manpower Co. is in the process of extending its network and has tied up with several international counterpart manpower recruiting agency in Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Philippines and some African countries.
Natural Pause kicks off the Sacoor Brothers Spring/Summer 2017 collection and is available across all its boutiques now. Characterised by comfort and
simplicity, with elements of active wear, Natural Pause is the fi rst of three themes within the SS17 collection, and features elements of minimalism dominated with neutral tones.
In this Natural Pause collection, Sacoor Brothers off ers an urban style that provides functional and comfortable proposals based on a minimalist trends. Focused on neutral colours and options that favor comfort, but never forgetting style, Natural Pause is the ideal suggestion for a smooth transition between seasons.
With a collection based on a clean state of mind, Sacoor Brothers combines various elements of their signature style, adding a touch of simplicity making it possible to incorporate this collection into everyday life. Without neglecting the elegance, intrinsic character, Natural Pause proposals are ideal to accompany every occasion. These beautiful pieces off er linear shapes, with neutral combinations of colours catering to suit every taste and off ering unexpected details of sophistication.
Man Collection Spring Summer 2017Comfort and sophistication are the
features that defi ne the Menswear collection Sacoor Brothers for this season. Soft tones that intersect with the signature touches are evident in piquet polos, shorts, but also seen discreetly in the classic suit collection.
With a unique quality, the classic collection features smooth fabrics with
texture, and with more sober tones. Minor details, such as the discreet pockets inside the jacket, create a classic look, a comfortable and functional outfi t. One of the highlights of this classic collection is the Travel Suit, comprised of wool-elastane off ering travelers a comfortable, wrinkle-free option while traveling, and allowing them to look their best upon arrival.
All the pieces of the collection are married perfectly with the suggestions of footwear and accessories. This season’s classic shoe collection is more relaxed, featuring the suede loafer or the sport sneaker. Sacoor Brothers also presents a judicious selection of accessories to complement each outfi t, including wallets, belts, duffl e bags and backpacks.
Woman Collection Spring Summer 2017Delicate, romantic and subtlety are the
moods of the female collection for this season. With soft colours and fabrics; blazers with distinct lapels for a vintage look, essential pencil dresses for a classic look; any woman can easily fi nd her favourite Spring style.
Keeping the importance of the female elegance and form, while allowing the lightness of movement; all parts of this collection are adorned with almost imperceptible details that enhance the femininity of the woman. The Polos, Sweaters and T-shirts off er dainty pockets, and a wider fi tting for a natural and relaxed look, yet always maintaining femininity.
This collection also off ers detailed accessories of bags, purses and belts, designed for the contemporary woman. Classic yet chic designs with metallic accents
in silver and gold suitable for all occasions; as well as classic sandals and shoes for a more casual style for those who follow the fashion trends.
Kids Collection Spring Summer 2017The Kids Spring Summer collection labeled
Summer Sunshine is a must have for all Kids wardrobes. This fun collection full of bright colours, feminine touches for the girls and adorable looks for the boys will allow every child to enjoy the new season. Like Father-Like Son and Like Mother-Like Daughter looks can be found in this collection, to give a more mature look to boys and girls, their matching parent pieces can be found in the Sacoor Brothers boutiques.
Sacoor Brothers unveils Natural Pause collection
Sunday, March 19, 201710 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
Chiyoda Almana conducts its Annual Beach Cleaning CampaignChiyoda Almana Engineering Company celebrated its 9th Foundation Day recently by conducting its Annual Beach Cleaning Campaign in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality & Environment in Qatar (Baladiya).On March 6, the corporate campaign was conducted at Sealine Public Beach in Mesaieed. More than 200 company employees and their family members participated in the environmental activity.Chiyoda Almana has been holding the beach cleaning activity for seven years now as part of its
CSR programme. Madoka Koda, Managing Director of Chiyoda Almana, said, “Through many years Chiyoda Corporation and Chiyoda Almana has been operating in Qatar and we are always striving to expand our contribution to Qatar business and to extend this contribution to support the society through various CSR activities. Harmony between energy and environment has been always a corporate objective conveyed to Chiyoda Almana from Chiyoda Corporation. We will keep environmental protection as highest priority.”
ESCADA opens new store at Mall of QatarESCADA celebrated the opening of its new store in Doha recently with an exclusive event. The 220 sqm store is located in the luxury wing of the Mall of Qatar and is designed in the new ESCADA store design concept called ‘The Lounge’. At the opening, Sameera Fakhri, Director of the Bin Yousef Group and host of the event,
welcomed around 150 guests including Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, Editor in Chief of Grazia Arabia, and representatives from several international embassies. The event included complimentary styling advice from media partner Grazia Arabia as well as blogger Clumsy and Chic, and fashion, lifestyle and beauty Youtuber Lady Aysha.
Oola now available at Sports CornerSports Corner and Oola have announced a partnership in Qatar that allows Sports Corner to sell exclusively Oola products in its showrooms. Sports Corner says it is committed to support local initiatives in general and women initiatives specifically. Oola is a newly
established company that is specialised in providing contemporary and high quality sportswear for women who prefer loose-fitting options and women wearing hijab. The collection will be available exclusive at Sports Corner in City Center, Al Khor and on Salwa Road.
11Sunday, March 19, 2017 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITYINFOGRAPHIC
Sunday, March 19, 201712 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS
Adam
Pooch Cafe
Garfield
Bound And Gagged
Codeword
Wordsearch
Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Down: 1 With a bang; 2 Ice-boat; 3 Petersham; 4 Tick; 5 Lose height; 6 Group; 7 Travail; 8 Rayon; 13 Abstracted; 16 Have a shot; 17 Desolated; 19 Opposes; 21 Section; 22 Rides; 23 Obese; 25 Irma.
ARIESMarch 21 — April 19
CANCERJune 21 — July 22
LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22
CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19
TAURUSApril 20 — May 20
LEOJuly 23 — August 22
SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21
AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18
GEMINIMay 21 — June 20
VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22
SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21
PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20
Be aware that as the Sun is getting ready to move into your sign he is
leaving your past karma zone behind. What is there you need to do
before embracing your new year?
Mars the planet of motivation and passion in your eleventh house of
hopes, wishes and friendship makes this a great time for you to get
others involved in your plans and dreams.
Stop focusing on all the issues you have right now and think about
getting them over and done with so that you can move onto more
exciting stuff .
It’s time for you to up the ante and put more of your cards on the
table today Capricorns. You’ve been playing it way too safe for way
too long.
Embrace all that you have learnt about yourself and the people in
your life so far in 2017. Your birthday month is 30 days away...give or
take. Are you ready for it?
Travel is something many of us get to do and whether for work and
or pleasure, it’s always an experience. Now more than ever you have
the travel bug, don’t you?
If nothing else, you have learnt a valuable life lesson, haven’t you
Scorpios? As much, like hard work and disappointment as it felt
during the lesson, you can now sit back and realise just how much
you gained.
As an Aquarius, you know how important it is to live your truth
and be honest – with yourself and with others. Right now, with so
much planetary play in your communication zone, you have a lot of
wisdom to impart.
Stop asking so many questions today and believe that you and you
alone know the right answer and can deal with whatever situation is
in front of you alone without any help from anyone else.
Sometimes you come up against insurmountable odds Virgos and
you are too quick to give up and give in. Adversity builds character
and the harder something is the greater the reward when things
work out.
If you’re currently burning the candle at both ends and trying way
too hard to keep up with the Joneses/Kardashians, etc...it’s time to
find time to rest up, relax and most importantly, meditate.
You don’t always think inside the box Pisces. In fact, more often than
not you think outside of it. You are one of the most creative signs
in the zodiac and always know how to solve even the most diff icult
issues.
“Date night” is an activity people typically look forward to with great anticipation. The good news is, your plans don’t
have to be elaborate for evenings together to turn out romantic and fun. Sometimes the most-satisfying date nights are the relaxing evenings spent at home with the one you love, while enjoying a simple meal you’ve prepared with each other. For planning your next dinner rendezvous, here are fi ve great reasons to put seafood on the menu.
Seafood is a healthier dinner optionSeafood and other lean meats both average
about 45 calories per ounce, but seafood usually contains more “good fats” that have been shown to lower cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. Many types of seafood, such as salmon, also are rich in vitamin B-12, which supports your metabolism and neurological functioning.
Seafood off ers plenty of fl avor possibilities
Far beyond what beef or chicken might have to off er, seafood provides an ocean of fl avor
choices. Start your date night with shrimp and then move on to crab cakes or lobster if you’re looking to really impress. Or, if fi sh is more to your liking, salmon, fl ounder, or tuna can all be prepared in a variety of ways.
A dish to match your eveningDate night is what you make of it. You could
go casual with shrimp cocktail or pasta, or you can make it a more-formal aff air. Whatever type of evening you plan, there’s a seafood dish to match.
Seafood’s a cinch to prepareNo need to spend an entire evening preparing
something complicated. A quick visit to the frozen food aisle will help you get cooking with brands eff ortless meal solutions to help make date night a breeze. For more recipe inspiration and ideas, head to SeaPak.com.
You can get creativeTo prepare a tasty seafood dish, the only limit
is your imagination. Once you decide what you’re in the mood for, you can fi nd a seafood option to match.
5 reasons seafood is a great choice for a relaxing date night
Sunday, March 19, 201714 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
Sunday, March 19, 2017 15GULF TIMES
COMMUNITYSHOWBIZ
I used to think I’m a ragpicker: Anushka
Actress Anushka Sharma says as a child she used to feel like a ragpicker because of her habit of collecting wrappers.Anushka talked about her childhood hobby when she became a part of TV show Yaar Mera Superstar with Diljit Dosanjh to promote her forthcoming fi lm Phillauri, read a statement. When host Sangeeta told Anushka that she has heard that as a little girl she used to collect
chocolate wrappers, Anushka said: “My mom used to hit me a lot for this.” “So, what I used to do is that when I was returning home from school — our school was very near as we lived in the Army cantonment where school used to be inside only — so, while walking on the road, wherever I would fi nd a wrapper on the way, I would pick them and even the ones that we ate the chocolate from... I would pick up wrappers from the road,” Anushka said. “I (used to) think I’m a ragpicker.”
The actress said: “I used to collect so many, I would put them inside shoe boxes and I would store them under my cupboard. One day, my mom opened the cupboard and saw some ants, and the way she got angry and shouted, saying ‘Have you lost your mind, who keeps these kinds of things’. I’m telling her very seriously, ‘Mom it’s my collection’ and she goes like ‘What kind of collection is this?’ I used to collect stamps, coins. I used to have a very nice stamp collection, coins I would collect, and this also, it was my hobby.” — IANS
By Steven Zeitchik
Syrian journalist and activist Kholoud Helmi was struggling with her emotions.
“It’s too much sometimes,” she said. “I feel like a chocolate that has a shell outside, but inside it’s hollow. People don’t want to hear the pain. And if I cry days and nights, it won’t change anything.”
Helmi, from the Damascus suburbs, could be forgiven her tears. Her brother long ago went missing and is feared dead in the nearly 6-year-old conflict; an uncle, cousins and many friends have been killed.
“Sometimes you lose control.
And then you go to bed, hug your pillow, weep and get up and don’t show any of it when you get up the next day,” Helmi said in an interview.
The 33-year-old is a key subject in Cries From Syria, Oscar nominee Evgeny Afineevsky’s harrowing new documentary about the conflict’s victims. She was in a side room at the Council on Foreign Relations last week after a screening of the film.
Cries From Syria, which had its premiere on HBO last Monday, shows a side of the war few Americans know or are willing to expose themselves to. The movie is graphic, even by the gruesome standards of the unfortunate subgenre of Syrian war documentaries. A father tries to save his children on a rickety
boat as one by one they drown. A school is razed by a missile. A town filled with children is decimated by a chemical attack.
Before the screening, Sheila Nevins, HBO’s documentary chief, took the stage.
“I’m glad you’re laughing now because you won’t be laughing later,” she said to a smattering of nervous laughter.
The audience then watched silently and sometimes weepily as Afineevsky and a battalion of citizen journalists showed the victims, particularly children, caught in the vise of Bashar Assad’s military in its conflict with the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian Democratic Forces and various jihadi groups.
With the death toll approaching half a million and the displaced
topping 6 million, the conflict has long descended into humanitarian catastrophe, and the audience watched children talk about the loss of dreams and a reason, even slightly, for hope.
(Filmmakers have sought to explore various angles of the issue: Sundance saw the debut of several movies, including Cries, Matthew Heineman’s ISIS-oriented citizen-journalist tale City of Ghosts and Firas Fayyad’s Last Men in Aleppo, which won a grand jury prize. Last month at the Oscars, The White Helmets, about the rescue workers in particularly violent areas of Syria, took home the prize for documentary short.)
After the Cries screening, a panel of experts joined Helmi and Afi neevsky at the front of the room.
“I challenge anyone to see this movie and not understand why people are fl eeing,” said Ciaran Donnelly, a senior vice president at the International Rescue Committee, addressing the Western backlash to refugees and the presidential travel ban that it engendered.
Afi neevsky, the Russian American fi lmmaker who earlier in the day had recorded Charlie Rose, explained why he shifted from the Ukraine setting of his Winter on Fire.
“This is a refugee crisis the world has not experienced since the Second World War,” he said. “I needed to go back in history, like a time machine, and fi nd out, in-depth, why so many people were leaving their homes.”
He added, “We, through the press, have fear of this people. In order not to have fear I made this movie.”
Someone in the audience asked whether the Trump administration would take a more aggressive approach in Syria to halt the atrocities. “Trump is not a reversal of Obama — he’s a doubling down of Obama,” demurred Philip Gordon, a senior fellow at the Council.
The room grew quiet when Helmi spoke. She laid out the endgames being played by various leaders. The moderator asked her whether she felt the US government was supporting opposition groups.
She paused, and her voice grew quiet and laden with meaning.
“No,” she said.Helmi lives in Turkey now, where
she is instrumental in refugee causes including schools and newspapers — part of a band of women in the refugee underground, many of whom have lost children, trying to rebuild Syria in absentia.
She said her work is aimed at future generations; she believes anyone of a certain age now has lost its opportunity amid the violence and displacement.
“I lost the whole universe when I left,” she said. “But I believe I’ll be back to Damascus one day. I really do. At that point I won’t feel so much like I lost my hometown or lost so many people.”
She managed to keep some moments of humour through the pain.
“The last time I came to the US (at Sundance) the president signed a travel ban two days later. And now,” she said, alluding to Trump’s reissued executive order, “I’ve come again, and he’s signed another one.
“Maybe,” she added drolly, “I should stop coming to the US.” —Los Angeles Times/TNS
Making Syria’s Cries heardPOIGNANT: A still from Cries from Syria.
RECALL: Anushka Sharma.
Sunday, March 19, 201716 GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
Afghan refugees bring cricket to Germany
Cricket is popular in Afghanistan but almost unknown in Germany, where a group of
Afghan refugees have started a cricket team. But as Germany steps up its deportations
of Afghan asylum seekers, the team’s founder is fighting to stay in the country
By Andre Klohn
The cricket bat swings through the air and the little yellow ball sails through the gym, past several fielders, and
smacks against the wall.Batsman Sadeeq Shinwari
smiles with satisfaction. Together with a group of other refugees from Afghanistan, the 20-year-old has founded a cricket team as part of a local sports club in the north German town of Preetz.
Every Tuesday since mid-February, the group has gathered in the gym to practise their favourite sport.
“We’re not that interested in football,” says Abdulwase Haleem, who came up with the idea at the end of last year.
He’s been living in northern Germany for 15 months. He tried football and was even quite good at it, but his heart belongs to cricket.
“That was our national sport, I started playing as a child,” says the 25-year-old.
At least a dozen Afghans have come to the small school gym this evening. Before they reach for their bats they form a small circle and two new players introduce themselves.
Some of the refugees have come from further afield to play, from Ploen for example, 14 kilometres away, and the city of Kiel, half an
hour away by car. Marlene Sachse is the only
woman in the group. The refugee worker played an important role in setting up the team.
Of the around 350 refugees currently living in Preetz, there are 50 Afghans.
“Abdulwase is integral to everyone here,” says Sachse. She partnered up with the FT Preetz sports club and secured the team the use of the gym.
“We’re the third club in the
state of Schleswig-Holstein to offer cricket,” FT Preetz chairman Ralf Loehndorf says. “We’re trying to get it rolling.”
Loehndorf is also trying to get sports equipment for the cricket team via sports associations.
Without their help, it would be almost impossible in a small club like FT Preetz, which has only 600 members. A full team kit including bats, helmets and leg guards costs around 25,000 euros (26,500 dollars).
Up till now the refugees have trained by themselves. “I hope that a few Germans will join us soon,” says Sachse.
Today’s two new cricket players fill out membership forms for the club during the session to make sure the insurance is sorted. Their first year is free.
At home, Shinwari played semi-professional cricket at a sports school. Together with Haleem and two other Afghans, he has taken on the role of coach.
“Marlene, you’ve made my dream come true,” he tells Sachse. But his future in Preetz is uncertain.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has rejected his asylum application, a decision which he is appealing.
If he isn’t allowed to stay in Germany he wants to apply in another country.
“Some of the boys are here for three years and then they get rejected,” says Sachse. “What’s the point of that?”
Germany should take note of how its northern neighbour Denmark deals with applications, she says. There, authorities usually make a decision within weeks.
Haleem had an interview with BAMF five months ago and is still waiting for a decision.
“In Afghanistan I worked as a translator for the army,” he says.
Because of this, Sachse thinks his chances of being granted leave to remain are good. “I don’t want to imagine what will happen otherwise,” she says.
The refugees are still on the lookout for a proper grass cricket pitch for the summer months. And then perhaps they can have their first match against another club.
Until then they’ve got lots to do. “We need to train,” says Haleem. “Lots of us haven’t had the necessary training for years.”
And perhaps he will eventually be granted his other dream of staying in Germany, he says. -DPA
Every Tuesday since mid-February, a group of Afghan refugees in Germany has been gathering to play a sport most Germans have never even watched.
The refugees are still on the lookout for a proper grass cricket pitch for the summer months, as they continue to practice indoors.
