Al Thakhira

Al Thakhira
الذخيره
Town
Al Thakhira
Coordinates: 25°44′05″N 51°32′51″E / 25.73472°N 51.54750°E / 25.73472; 51.54750Coordinates: 25°44′05″N 51°32′51″E / 25.73472°N 51.54750°E / 25.73472; 51.54750
Country  Qatar
Municipality Al Khor
Population (2004)
 • Total 13,511
Al Thakhira Beach
Mangrove forest in Al Thakhira
Al Thakhira Beach
Old mosque in Al Thakhira

Al Thakhira (Arabic: الذخيره‎; also spelled Al Dakhira and Al Zakhira) is a town on the coast of the Al Khor municipality in Qatar, about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) northeast of the city of Al Khor City. It is closely related to Al Khor City, with both having been founded by the Al Muhannadi tribe. Historically, its inhabitants relied solely on pearling and fishing for sustenance, similar to Al Khor City.

Etymology

Al Thakhira translates to 'ammunition' in English. There are two prevalent theories regarding the origin of this name. The first theory states that its inhabitants used to keep large reserves of food, money and weapons. Another theory alleges that the town was named by a group of sailors who had lost their bearings. After finding and docking at Al Thakhira, they set out to look for food, taking with them their weapons and ammunition.[1]

Geography

The area is home to Al Thakhira Nature Reserve, an island with mangroves, and a beach.[2] Together with Al Khor City, roughly 1,392 hectares of mangroves are found just off the coast, making the coastline between Al Thakhira and Al Khor City the most densely populated mangrove habitat in Qatar.[3]

History

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

A village on the east coast of Qatar, situated on a khor or inlet of the same name about 30 miles north of Doha, and consisting of about 300 houses of the Mahandah (Al Muhannadi) tribe. The people are all pearl-divers, following no other occupation except fishing and owning no flocks or herds. Fifteen pearl boats [manned by 180 men], two other sea-going boats of the mushuwah type and five fishing boats are owned at Dhakhira. Transport animals are 10 camels. Drinking water is from Lubwairdah, 2 miles to the north-west.[4]

Administration

When free elections of the Central Municipal Council first took place in Qatar during 1999,[5] Al Thakhira was designated the seat of constituency no. 27.[6] It would remain the headquarters of constituency no. 27 for the next three consecutive elections until the fifth municipal elections in 2015, when it was made the headquarters of constituency no. 26. Also included in its constituency is part of Simaisma, Umm Birka, and Ras Laffan.[7] In the inaugural municipal elections in 1999, Ali Hassan Al-Mohannadi won the elections, receiving 34.4%, or 65 votes. The runner-up candidate was Salem Abdullah Al-Shahwani, whose share of the votes was 19.3%, or 42 votes. Voter turnout was 90.5%.[6] Al-Mohannadi retained his seat in the 2002[8] and 2007 elections.[9] In 2011, Hamad Lahan Al Mohannadi was elected,[10] and retained his position in the 2015 elections.[7]

Infrastructure

Al Thakhira Port accommodates the town's fishing industry.[11] Also nestled in the town is Al Thakhira Youth Center, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.[12] It was established in 2006.[13]

A recreational facility known as Al Dhakhira Club was established in 1997.[14] The club hosts a barbershop, a south-east Asian restaurant, a children's play area, a lounge and several sports courts.[15]

In 2009, a major park was opened in Al Thakhira covering an area of 14,580 square meters.[16]

Sports

Al Thakhira has its own amateur football league.[17] In 2005, Al Thakhira FC was formed and has competed in the QFA-sanctioned Qatar Amateur League since 2013.[17]

Education

The follows schools are located in Al Thakhira:

Name of SchoolCurriculumGradeGendersOfficial WebsiteRef
Al Thakhira Primary Girls SchoolIndependentPrimaryGirls-onlyN/A[18]
Al Thakhira Model Boys SchoolIndependentPrimaryBoys-onlyN/A[18]

Demographics

YearPopulation
1986[19]1,891
1997[20]7,863
2004[21]13,511

References

  1. ↑ "GIS Portal". Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Natural Landmarks Archived 2015-07-03 at the Wayback Machine., Qatar Tourism Authority
  3. ↑ Mohammad Ahmad Shehadi (May 2015). "Vulnerability of mangroves to sea level rise in Qatar: Assessment and identification of vulnerable mangroves areas" (PDF) (Thesis). College of Arts and Sciences - Qatar University. p. 23. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [525] (556/1050)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 28 July 2015. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ↑ "Central Municipal Council". Government Communications Office of Qatar. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  6. 1 2 "إنتخابات الدورة الأولى" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  7. 1 2 "مقـار الدوائـر" (in Arabic). Ministry of Interior (Qatar). Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "الدورة الثانية" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "إنتخابات الدورة الثالثة" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  10. ↑ "رابعاً: إنتخابات الدورة الرابعة كشف بأسماء السادة المرشحين الفائزين في عضوية انتخابات المجلس البلدي المركزي (الدورة الرابعة - 2011م)" (in Arabic). Central Municipal Council. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "Ministry plans to expand fishing ports in the country". The Peninsula. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "المراكز الشبابية" (in Arabic). Ministry of Culture and Sports. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  13. ↑ "عن المركز" (in Arabic). Al Thakhira Youth Center. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  14. ↑ "AKC History". Al Khor Community. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  15. ↑ "Al Dhakhira Club". Al Khor Community. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "حديقة الذخيرة" (in Arabic). Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  17. 1 2 "QAL: Amateur, but spirited!". Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 23 May 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Qatari Schools". Supreme Education Council. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "1986 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "1997 population census" (PDF). Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "2004 population census". Qatar Statistics Authority. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

Further reading

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