All photos by Chantelle D’mello
Car aficionados in Qatar who are craving a dose of excitement need look no further than the Corniche each evening for their daily dose of exotic and expensive cars.
Every year, young Qatari men gather daily in Ramadan for about an hour before sunset to showcase the very best of Qatar’s vehicles – from Lamborghinis to Maseratis, to vintage Patrols and Land Cruisers.
Yesterday, hundreds of cars lined up on the Corniche near the Sheraton Doha hotel at around 5pm, passing hoards of young men who had gathered to witness the spectacle.
What’s on display
Drivers, eager to be photographed, cruised at a glacial pace. As they spotted cameras, many paused mid-drive to flash a thumbs up or peace sign.
Police presence on the Corniche at this time is heavy, and officers have blocked off several turning lanes for traffic coming into West Bay – though lanes remained open for those heading out of the downtown area.
The closures were frustrating for many of the non-participants caught in the jam who had no choice but to go straight down the Corniche into West Bay, but appeared to help maintain a smooth flow of traffic.
Almost entirely male-dominated, the parade lasted around 45 minutes. A few smiling children were also present, poking their heads out of sunroofs and car windows, waving eagerly, like royalty to plebeians.
This year, muscle and sports cars aside, small was all the rage. Custom Fiats, Mini Coopers and jeeps made their rounds with as much pomp and show as their larger counterparts.
A few motorbikes, some macho and metallic, others in shades of pink and yellow, also partook in the parade.
How to catch the show
Those interested in catching the Ramadan car parade should come to the Corniche near Rumaila Park between 4:30pm and 5:50pm. For those who want front-row seats, you may have to park in the emergency lanes lining the Corniche road.
Most cars took two to three laps of the Corniche, before heading out to break their fasts. Some stragglers remain until the call to prayer sounds, at around 6:30pm, before leaving for the day.
Every year, the car display, though criticized as unnecessary and ostentatious, continues to be a unique Qatar tradition.
For those who aren’t ready for the fun to be over after the parade, head over to the Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque (State Mosque) near TV Roundabout to see the firing of the cannon, which signifies the end of the fast.
Thoughts?
I think Qatar has developed the sixth pillar of Islam. Must be seen driving around in fancy cars before breaking fast. (Crashes optional)
seatbelts on children optional….
I agree that you comment is funny. However, I would appreciate if you refrain from such comments in the future. Let’s not use religion in our jokes. This applies to all religions, obviously.
Thanks for your understanding.
God gave me a sense of humour. (Depends on opinion). It would be rude not to use it and a waste of one of gods gifts.
Now this comment was inappropriate
why? his jokes were far from offensive
If you are happy with developing the “sixth pillar of Islam”, then we differ significantly.
This is offensive and I don’t appreciate such jokes.
You have the right to be offended, but you do not have the right to never be offended. It is the differences in humanity that makes it wonderful.
In my first message, I was overly polite in order not to offend you by me asking you not to offend me. I expected the same from you.
People exercising mutual respect and appreciating differences is a pillar of modern civilization. My only humble request was not to make fun of religion. It is indeed surprising that you consider it inhumane and insist on your right to offend others.
I find it offensive that you find it that it is your right never to be offended by anyone else. It is a pillar of modern civilisation to have freedom of speech, without over sensitive types screaming that have been offended and wanting the other person to be silenced.
As a wise man once said, I respect your right to have your beliefs, but that respect does not extend to what those beliefs contain, if that offends you then so be it.
As a civilized person, I will not reply to you in the same manner.
I hope one day, when your principles will be offended, you will remember your “wise” man.
Why should religion be exempt from mockery? Many of its totally mythical and ridiculous claims make it an easy target, and given its general detriment to human advancement and development, I think making fun of it and opening peoples’ minds to the obvious lack of a supernatural creator should be central to any modern society.
Let’s significantly agree to disagree.
P.S. Please do not comment about religion before studying it
I don’t appreciate seeing cars being driven at speed by young maniacs, yet I see it every single day. I don’t appreciate seeing cars being paraded during Ramadan, flaunting ostentatious wealth, with a blatant disregard for the law, other people’s safety and their sensibilities.
Good for you, now your saying this as a reply to me instead of a general comment because?
I don’t think Doha News should be encouraging people to park and obstruct the emergency lanes. If necessary they should park in marked spaces or areas and use that novel form of transport called walking to get to see the action.
Yeah, I was a bit shocked about this as well … these are for emergencies, and I beg to differ but watching a parade is not an emergency …
What’s not to like? It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s a harmless bit of fun, and a nice tradition
Kids hanging out of sunroofs? No seatbelts on? Encouraging unsafe practices that lead to death or serious injury of children…thats what is not to like.
Chill it, man. They’re driving at 5kph.. Ok, so it’s not 100% safe, but what is? Don’t get yourself so bent about it.
It’s encouraging unsafe practices that leads to death…chill it and head to Hamad ER bro…see for yourself….dead and maimed kids (entirely preventable) is what gets me bent pal…
Kids hanging out of sunroofs, no seat belts on…stupidity at its highest. And I see the police are there just watching it all go by!!!!
All those Police and still no seat belts / children hanging out of roofs – but eh its ok its Ramadan
It’s ok anytime from what I see.
“Ramadan car parade”… never heard of anything more stupid than this.
So, tomorrow they will have “Harley in Ramadan” and “Eid dune bashing” 🙂
These guys crave attention, luxury cars, exotic endangered pets (e.g. cheetahs as shown being driven around in cars on YouTube), low value number plates, “special” telephone numbers etc. They impress only themselves. Why pander to their egos on Doha News?
These guys are an antisocial bunch, caring little for the inconvenience caused to others. Better ignored!
Totally agree.
But they worked so hard for their spoils of wealth! So I am so in awe of them.
actually we hardly do any work and still get bad twice as much as anyone who would put in twice the amount of work.. that’s four times the pay for the same amount of work…
“Ramadan car parade”… never heard of anything more stupid than this.
So, tomorrow they will have “Harley in Ramadan” and “Eid dune bashing” 🙂
subpecies: Ramadan truck parade and Lamborghini parade…..depending…
Traditions have to start somewhere. I know many people think this is stupid, but so are many long lasting traditions everywhere around the world, we just take them for what they are because they’ve been here for ages, and we dont like to accept this because of all the road safety issues in Qatar, when in fact this is harmless and fun for a lot of people. I never go, nor do I care about it, but I don’t think it should incite such negativity
DN, Why are you encouraging and even promoting such blatant law breaking and endangering of children’s lives ? Irresponsible journalism?
Every culture has their things.if this is one,so be it. I can understand the kids and safety concerns,but we are talking slow speeds here. It’s when they allow the kids to play about in everyday traffic not seatbelted and perhaps no safety locks on doors that should not be allowed.
All those drivers and passengers, some of them young children hanging out of sunroofs and only one person wearing a seat belt. No comment from Doha News. Where were the police? Why was no one cautioned about it?
i think if is not in Ramadan, then i will say lovely carnival like atmosphere. Good for youths, enjoyable for visitors and tourist if it done properly and bind by law supported and organize by Traffic Department. Not a bad ideal to do it once a year but not in Ramadan period.
You cant call this a parade? The cars are not decorated at all. This is just a traffic Jam.
Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade in New York City…. Now that’s the definition of a parade…. Ooooh or how about the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans, Bahamas or Brazil… Wow! now those are parades. This traffic jam was unnecessary. LOL!
Lovely cars but it pains me to see so many children not wearing their seat belts, especially those sitting on the front seat. And seriously, this isn’t what Ramadan is about. Come on Qatar, you’re better than this!