Doha, 16, February, 2017: Msheireb Properties, developers of the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for education, science and community development, hosted a fun and engaging sports programme for all its employees, in support of Qatar National Sports Day.

All staff, including the company’s construction workers, and their families were invited to take part in host of entertaining activities and sports events which included jousting gladiator duels, basketball, table tennis, Zumba, yoga, inflatable sumo wrestling, tug of war, dart ball, and kabaddi. Held at Msheireb Downtown Doha’s Heritage Quarter, the day saw hundreds of employees come together to enjoy a little healthy competition to take home an array of trophies and prizes, which included sportswear and vouchers.

Commenting on the success of this year’s National Sports Day activities, Noora Al Rumaihi, ‎Manager of Communications and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties stated, “Our staff are an important asset to the company, their hard work and commitment enables us to reach our goals and deliver the vision we have for changing the lives of the local community. Therefore, it’s important that they are healthy, happy and have good relationships with their coworkers. We believe that team building days such as these not only help us operate like an inclusive family, but work towards inspiring our staff to think about their own health and fitness and work towards improving their wellbeing.”

Underlining the vision and objectives of Qatar’s National Sports Day, Msheireb Properties enabled employees to embrace the benefits of healthy lifestyle and constructed dedicated sports and games facilities on site and arrange for the transportation of all volunteers, workers and colleagues to ensure everyone could join in the celebrations and energise their fitness goals.

Qatar National Sports Day is a public holiday held on the second Tuesday of February every year. Since its inception in 2012, the day has aimed to promote sports and educate the residents of Qatar about the ways they can reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle. It’s also an opportunity to bring communities closer together based on the sporting principles of inclusion, unity and participation.

 

All staff, including the company’s construction workers, and their families were invited to take part in host of entertaining activities and sports events which included jousting gladiator duels, basketball, table tennis, Zumba, yoga, inflatable sumo wrestling, tug of war, dart ball, and kabaddi. Held at Msheireb Downtown Doha’s Heritage Quarter, the day saw hundreds of employees come together to enjoy a little healthy competition to take home an array of trophies and prizes, which included sportswear and vouchers.

Commenting on the success of this year’s National Sports Day activities, Noora Al Rumaihi, ‎Manager of Communications and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties stated, “Our staff are an important asset to the company, their hard work and commitment enables us to reach our goals and deliver the vision we have for changing the lives of the local community. Therefore, it’s important that they are healthy, happy and have good relationships with their coworkers. We believe that team building days such as these not only help us operate like an inclusive family, but work towards inspiring our staff to think about their own health and fitness and work towards improving their wellbeing.”

 

Underlining the vision and objectives of Qatar’s National Sports Day, Msheireb Properties enabled employees to embrace the benefits of healthy lifestyle and constructed dedicated sports and games facilities on site and arrange for the transportation of all volunteers, workers and colleagues to ensure everyone could join in the celebrations and energise their fitness goals.

Qatar National Sports Day is a public holiday held on the second Tuesday of February every year. Since its inception in 2012, the day has aimed to promote sports and educate the residents of Qatar about the ways they can reduce health risks associated with an inactive lifestyle. It’s also an opportunity to bring communities closer together based on the sporting principles of inclusion, unity and participation.

 

Doha, Qatar: November 15, 2016: Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), was presented with two awards at the first annual Qatar Sustainability Awards on Monday, November 14.

Msheireb Mosque and the National Archive two iconic properties within Msheireb Downtown Doha, Msheireb Properties flagship urban regeneration project, were bestowed the honours due to their excellence in the successful execution of sustainability in master planning. Msheireb Mosque captured the prize in the religious building category, while the National Archive was the winner in the government buildings classification.

Qatar Sustainability Awards are officiated by Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) and aim to recognize the efforts, commitment, and contributions of individuals, institutions and organizations in furthering sustainable development and environmental protection in Qatar and beyond. A jury, comprised of senior sustainability and green building experts, practitioners and sustainability academics were charged with choosing the winners from a competitive list of nominees.

Accordingly, the Msheireb Mosque and the National Archive have been recently awarded LEED gold certification and platinum certification respectively, denoting excellence in green building strategies and practices. These two newly built structures have achieved maximum energy efficiency in construction and design, which restrict reliance on air-conditioning units via environmentally friendly applications. Their energy recovery air systems allow the precooling and regulation of indoor temperatures and their superior district cooling systems deliver chilled water through low energy consumption. Further energy mitigation features, include solar panelling that generate high levels of usable electricity in both buildings throughout the entire year.

“We are truly honoured to receive these awards. As a regional pioneer in sustainability, Msheireb Properties strives to consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative in the areas of sustainable master planning and design. As we move forward with our completion of Msheireb Downtown Doha, these awards reinforce our vision to continue to meet and exceed the highest international environmental standards in community development and urban regeneration projects,” said Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Officer – design and delivery, at Msheireb Properties.

When speaking of the practices of green building and sustainability in the business sectors, Ms. Noora Al-Rumaihi, Manager-Communication and Public Relations at Msheireb Properties said, “Often times companies believe that it’s not cost effective and routinely too inconvenient to function and build sustainably. Yet the truth is quite the opposite. Organizations should be encouraged to move beyond current methods and feel emboldened to look upon sustainability and conservation as fundamental aspects of societal development and business advancement.”

The Msheireb Mosque is located within Phase 1 of Msheireb Downtown Doha near the Msheireb Museums and is easily accessible from around the Msheireb neighbourhood and the adjoining souq area. The newly opened mosque can accommodate 600 worshippers, and houses dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. The National Archive is the storehouse of Qatar’s history and heritage and also serves as a facility for public assemblies. It is situated near the northeast corner of Msheireb Downtown Doha, overlooking Doha Bay and adjacent to the Eid Prayer Ground and Souq Waqif.

Msheireb Properties was celebrated at the Awards’ ceremony for their miraculous revitalization of the old commercial district of the city while still retaining and recapturing Qatar’s heritage and architectural traditions. The 31-hectare QAR 20 billion development aims to enrich the lives of both individuals and communities – encouraging more sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour, while offering a better understanding of the local and regional heritage through its unique lifestyle and environment.

Doha, Qatar; November 04, 2016: For the fifth consecutive year, Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, is proud to announce that it has hosted the Annual Risk Management Forum in Doha at the Bait Bin Jelmood, in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

The theme of this year’s forum addressed ‘Walking on Shifting Sand: Managing Uncertainties in the Region’. The challenges of managing risks in the ever changing regional and global economic environment and conditions, including the proposed methods and approaches for tackling constant change and ways of risk mitigation adaptation.

Now in its fifth year, the risk management forum has a growing reputation for effectively predicting and confronting the most prevalent threats facing organizations and the global business community. The 2016 event was attended by a large cross-section of business and risk management experts from a variety of industries and backgrounds including, auditors, consultants, engineers, contractors, IT experts, oil & gas executives, project and program managers and real estate developers.

The diversity of delegates and guest speakers at this year’s affair added to lively schedule of activities which included discussions and lessons on a multitude of organizational threats. The panel of experts spoke on key risk management issues such as the future of risk management, risk culture building, risk leadership and business resilience modelling.

“I am truly proud of what we have achieved during the 5th Annual Risk Management Forum. Through the resolve and the vision of Msheireb Properties, we have built this platform into the premier risk management symposium in the Gulf and will continue to leverage best practices from a diversity of industry leaders to mitigate risk and to induce systemic standards across a full breadth of industries. In 2016, we boasted a cavalcade of world-class thought leaders and decision makers from a multitude of sectors,” said Mr. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO Msheireb Properties.

“This year’s forum, also served to remind the international business community that it is only through proactive engagement and meticulous planning that tangible benchmarks and outcomes emerge that precipitate effective implementation of discursive risk management practices. I am delighted that it is the 5th Annual Risk Management Forum that stands as the testament to this business culture evolution,” he added.

Msheireb Properties’ mission is to support the wider aims of Qatar’s Economic Vision for 2030 by changing the way people think about urban living and improving their overall quality of life through innovations that encourage social interaction, respect for culture, and greater care for the environment. Their projects improve the lives of both individuals and communities – encouraging more sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour, and a greater understanding of local, regional, and international heritage and history through immersive experiences. The 5th Annual Risk Management Forum is representative of their continued commitment to enhancing the social and economical dynamism, cultural heritage and quality of life in Qatar.

Leading sustainability organisations and environmental advocates have stepped up their efforts to advance Qatar’s sustainability movement by supporting the Qatar Green Building Conference 2016 – The Action.

The second annual Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) conference will bring together leading environmentalists, academics, and sustainability experts to discuss Qatar’s sustainability agenda and its long-term sustainability objectives in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030).

The conference, which takes place from 13th – 15th November at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), will tackle some of the key environmental and social sustainability challenges in Qatar and beyond, focusing on three overarching themes: ‘Future Sustainable Cities’, ‘Green Business is Good Business’ and ‘Sustainability as a Lifestyle’.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has this year signed up as the conference’s platinum sponsor. The real estate company’s projects are redefining urban living by encouraging social interaction, preservation of Qatar’s heritage and culture, and consideration for the environment.
Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, QGBC Director, said: “The Qatar Green Building Conference provides a unique platform for industry stakeholders to showcase their sustainability goals to a broader audience. The conference is designed to provide participants with a platform to debate topical sustainability issues while receiving invaluable insights from leading practitioners and members of academia.”

“It’s a privilege to welcome Msheireb Properties on board as our platinum sponsor. We have a shared mission to help Qatar realise its national sustainable development goals through strategic partnerships and comprehensive research endeavours. We welcome endorsements from other stakeholders to support the conference,” Eng Al Shamari added.

Mr. Abdulla Al-Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer of Msheireb Properties, said: “We are both proud and emboldened to be sponsoring the Qatar Green Building Conference 2016. This platform symbolises a principal opportunity to align two Qatari organisations that are on the vanguard of technological advances in the establishment and revitalisation of urban centres and the modernisation of Qatar and to transform the way that people think about. Sustainability is at the core of Msheireb Downtown Doha, while leading cities in the conservation of energy and the materials utilized in design and execution. With Msheireb Downtown Doha, we were emboldened to establish a new architectural language guided by seven steps, which meld traditional Qatari architecture with modern sustainable aesthetics and techniques. These innovations are derived from our guiding principal and our pledge to leverage Qatar’s vibrant cultural heritage and renaissance to achieve historical heights in transformative architectural master planning.”

“Moreover, Msheireb Downtown Doha is leading in sustainability. The buildings have LEED gold and platinum certifications, making it the first project with largest number of buildings having LEED certifications in the world. Qatar Green Building Conference 2016 is distinctively illustrative of our resolve to continue to be leaders in sustainability and to share our expansive knowledge and expertise with decision makers, thought leaders and esteemed colleagues from the construction and architectural industries. We hold steadfast that it is not only our mandate to devise and create pioneering cities and to revitalize communities, but it is also our mandate to be visionaries to educate and also to inspire,” Mr. Al-Mehshadi concluded.

Qatar Green Building Conference has received endorsements from a number of prestigious organisations. These organisations include the British Standards Institutions; The Chartered Institute of Building; Engineers Australia; The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Middle East Facility Management Association; The Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar; Architects Hub Qatar; Al Fazaa Volunteer; Climate Control Middle East Magazine; Qatar Construction Sites and GLAM Interior and Design magazine.
This year’s conference will coincide with the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), which will address the global sustainability agenda.

QGBC is a member of QF and supports its mission to foster a progressive society as well as promote sustainable development. For more information about the conference, please visit: http://www.qatargbc.org/conference/home.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) announced today its relocation to Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). New QFC firms will be able to operate from this new designation starting mid-2017. Existing firms can decide to migrate then, or starting 2018. This relocation will serve as a foundation for Qatar’s new financial city.

Unlike other financial zones in the region, this new financial city will be open to all businesses, local and international and will not be exclusively restricted to QFC licensed firms. As such, it will be closer to other international financial and business districts. The mixed-use development will comprise more than 100 buildings, with a combination of prime commercial and residential properties, retail, cultural and entertainment areas.

The inclusion of a number of national entities and government buildings within Msheireb Downtown Doha as a whole represents a significant step toward the realisation of deeper collaboration and economic integration. Msheireb Downtown Doha will encompass five heritage quarters and multiple geographic phases. Tenants will include major government buildings, heritage quarters, four heritages houses within Msheireb Museums, a school and the National Archive, as well as the recently opened Mosque. The result will be a lively urban neighbourhood, which as well as hosting the Qatar Financial Centre and its licensed firms, will also offer leisure facilities and a number of residences including townhouses, upscale apartments and hotels, all centred around a new public square, Barahat Msheireb.

Announcing the QFC’s newest and largest designation, CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida said: “The Qatar National Vision 2030 economic development pillar stipulates the need for open and flexible economic structures, which QFC offers through its business-friendly platform. It also states the need for the creation of a stimulating business climate capable of attracting foreign funds and technologies, and encouraging national investments. At the QFC, we have been steadily building such an environment. Through this relocation, we are taking a giant leap forward on the path of economic diversification.”

“The Qatar Financial Centre’s relocation to Msheireb Downtown Doha is representative of Msheireb Properties enduring promise of enhancing the economic and financial dynamism at Msheireb Downtown Doha. It also revives the history of Msheireb area which has always been a major centre of business and trade. This designation is further emblematic of our commitment to driving leadership, innovation and excellence through challenging convention and finding new methods of leveraging our developments for the way people and companies live, work and conduct business in an integrated, enriching and sustainable mixed-use community,” said Msheireb Properties CEO Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi.

Al-Mehshadi added: “Msheireb Downtown is distinguished by its high-tech infrastructure and being a leader in smart city solutions which consists of state-of-the-art technology that integrates multiple information and communications systems required in the financial sector. Additionally, this relocation will impart confidence to international investors and partners, and will enhance Qatar’s position as a major regional and international financial hub. This will play a central role in diversifying the economy as part of our pledge to the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Offering businesses and their occupants a modern integrated working lifestyle, Msheireb Downtown Doha blends traditional Qatari heritage and aesthetics with modern technology, and has a strong focus on sustainability. With more than 100 buildings targeting LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) gold and platinum ratings, it will be home to the world’s highest concentration of LEED buildings in the world.

The project also leads in terms of transportation and facilities with cars and traditional services placed underground and a full-scale public transport network, with the aim of creating a pedestrian and environmentally friendly atmosphere. The project will be served by Msheireb station, which has been billed as the hub of the upcoming Metro network, being the major interchange station for the lines.

Following the QFC’s relocation and move of QFC firms, other QFC entities including the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA), the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) and the Qatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA) will relocate as well. Their relocation is expected to be complete in 2019.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has announced that the Msheireb Mosque, located in the heritage quarter of Msheireb Downtown Doha, is now open to the public for prayers.

Located within Phase 1 of Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), the Msheireb Mosque is in close proximity to the Msheireb Museums and is easily accessible from around the Msheireb neighbourhood and the adjoining souq area. Spread over an area of 1,400sqm, the newly unveiled mosque can accommodate 600 worshipers, and house dedicated prayer halls for both men and women. It also has a dedicated parking area and lifts from the basement.

Msheireb mosque incorporates a specifically tailored daylight and sunlight design, to create dynamic sun patches inspired by Qatari motifs within the main hall during prayer hours, and needs no artificial lighting during daylight hours. Embracing key principles of Islamic art, geometric patterns and designs, the Msheireb Mosque fuses Modernist ideas with a historically familiar arrangement of Islamic volumes, spaces and thresholds.
The concept of the mosque is based on the principles of simplicity, functionality and spirituality of traditional Qatari mosques combined with a modern interpretation to create a calm and serene environment for prayer and worship.

The mosque features a beautiful facade and landscaping with pomegranate, olive and date trees which are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The design of the building is based on traditional Qatari mosques, which have for centuries used orientation, shading, natural ventilation and water to create comfortable environments for prayer and worship.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer at Msheireb Properties, said, “The new Msheireb Mosque is a major milestone in this new, dynamic area. Our aim was to develop a sanctuary for worshipers that embrace the key principles of Islamic art and architecture. In line with our commitment to preserve Qatar’s heritage and religious traditions, it will offer worshipers a comfortable and calm environment to pray. We look forward to giving the community an opportunity to experience the new mosque.”

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, celebrated the International Museum Day 2016 with interactive activities at Msheireb Museums that helped raise awareness of the importance of protecting and enhancing the cultural landscape in Qatar.

Located in the Heritage Quarter at Msheireb Downtown Doha, Msheireb Museums hosted students, academics, media and other invited guests from key local Ministries and educational establishments to mark the 2016 edition of the global event held under the theme ‘Museums and Cultural Landscapes’.
There were several elements to Msheireb Museums’ celebration of culture on International Museum Day 2016 that began with opening remarks from Hafiz Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums. The first of these was a lecture delivered by Dr. Robert Carter, Professor of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology at UCL Qatar, who shared his insights into the development of Msheireb and Doha with evidence from archaeology, oral history, maps and aerial imagery. Dr. Carter specialises in the Archaeology of the Arab and Islamic World and has extensive knowledge into the origins of the Gulf towns.

The very insightful talk was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges in adapting the heritage houses used by Msheireb Museums to make them suitable for the 21st century, including the methods of restoration, protection and conservation used to create ‘living heritage’.
Guests were also invited to explore a photo gallery exhibit, which showcased the architecture of Msheireb’s Museums, beautifully combined with local poetry.

Eng. Ali Al-Kuwari, Chief Officer- Design and Delivery at Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb Museums is a cultural and heritage benchmark at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where visitors can experience the way of life in the past. The museums are equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology that allows the guest to have an in-depth understanding of major events that have shaped our history. On the occasion of the International Museums Day, it was our pleasure to host these events that enhance the cultural scene in Doha. We hope our guests have enjoyed this experience and have a better understanding of some of our heritage treasures.”

International Museum Day has been acknowledged on May 18 since 1977, with more than 35,000 museums participating in 2015 across 145 countries. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.

Msheireb Museums mark a very significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable regeneration project. The Museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. They reveal unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development in inspiring to create trusted environments in which the people of Qatar will engage, converse and exchange.

Msheireb Museums are an integral aspect of the inner city’s regeneration of the old commercial centre with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses, Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House, into world-class museums forms a vital part of the Msheireb Downtown Doha development.

Platinum Sponsor Of Third Annual Event Organised To Support The Advancement Of The Nations Migrant Workers Community

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has confirmed its continued support to protecting the rights of migrant workers in Qatar, as Platinum Sponsor of the third annual conference on Labour Rights Protection, to be held on the 1st of May to mark the International Workers Day.

Following two successful editions in 2014 and 2015, the third annual conference will be held under the theme “Paramount Reforms”, and will highlight the importance of cancelling the Kafala system and implementation of more stringent practices and measures to ensure the rights of workers are respected and protected. The conference will also present case studies on best practices from Qatar and the region, and discuss reports conducted by private companies in their efforts to safeguard labour rights and provide an improved situation for migrant workers in Qatar.

Held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for Qatar, the daylong conference will include two active sessions and will conclude with the launch of the latest ‘White Book’ that highlights the major achievements and challenges for further development and advancement of the country’s blue collar community. The event will also honour private and public institutions that have made significant contributions in this field.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said, “We are proud to be once again supporting this key initiative, which represents a vital development pillar of our 2030 National Vision. As a nation, we are committed to providing high-standards of work and living conditions to all workers”.

“Msheireb Properties pays a lot of importance to ensuring the overall well-being and safety of this very important community who are helping transform our country, and we strongly believe that dignified working and living conditions are essential to unlocking true human potential and development. At, Msheireb Properties, we carefully and constantly monitor the issue of human rights and all contractors assigned to the project must abide by the regulations set out in our Migrant Workers’ Welfare Charter, in addition to Qatar’s own labour laws. We are confident that the outcomes from the conference will further support the advancement of the country’s migrant workforce and help us all make better informed decisions.”

The event will bring together local government officials, representatives of international and local rights organizations and decision makers from private companies to discuss and debate this pertinent issue and develop policies and recommendations that will benefit the large migrant workforce and assist with sustained growth and development of Qatar.

Key topics to be discussed during the conference includes the role of the government in protecting worker rights and new reforms implemented to improve their conditions, responsibilities of operating companies to safeguard worker interests, vision and mission of human rights and labour organizations for enhancing work relationships, sharing best practices from responsible organizations in Qatar and the relevance of local laws and international standards amongst others.