Qatar- Fath Al Kheir begins 44 day historic voyage to India

Date

10/5/2015 9:48:29 PM

(MENAFN- The Peninsula)Fath Al Kheir with 30 crew members leaving Qatar yesterday.

DOHA: Traditional maritime songs resonated along the shores of Katara yesterday as Fath Al Kheir with 30 crew members embarked on a historic 44-day voyage to India to preserve and maintain Qatar’s centuries-old maritime heritage.

The journey is reminiscent of conditions through which Qataris in the past carried their sea trips at a time when pearl-diving and fishing were their primary livelihood. Wearing traditional clothes the crew said ‘goodbye’ to loved ones as they set sail on a journey that will take them to the shores of Sur Oman to Mumbai India then to Muscat and back to Katara in time for the opening of the fifth Katara Traditional Dhow Festival on November 17.

The 32-year-old traditional dhow will not use any engine during the journey Mohammad Al Sada of Katara Beach Department told this daily. “There is an engine but it will only be used in case of emergency” he added.

A highlight of the journey is a tour from Mumbai to Calicut in Kerala where the crew will visit key locations where people from the GCC including Qataris in the past used to conduct trade and have their dhows manufactured explained Al Sada.

Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti along with representatives of diplomatic missions in Doha Qatar Museums (QM) and Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) were present at yesterday’s event.

“Katara’s keenness to launch Fath Al Kheir journey stems from its commitment to embrace Qatari genuine traditions and rich heritage. The journey is an illustration of Cultural Village’s mission to revive the maritime heritage and spread awareness about our ancestors among the new generation” Dr Al Sulaiti told the gathering and thanked the embassies of India and Oman as well as QM and Nakilat for support.

Indian Ambassador Sanjiv Arora said “This journey can be perceived as a recreation of the history and culmination of the deep-rooted ties between Qatar and India.” He said the Indian embassy coordinated with competent parties in India and made required arrangements including the issuance of visas to facilitate the mission of Fath Al Khier to India. This is the second voyage of Fath Al Kheir. The first was held November 22 to December 18 2013 when it sailed to five neighbouring GCC countries including Saudi Arabia Bahrain Oman Kuwait and the UAE.

The Peninsula

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.