DOHA: Twenty-six participants have signed up for the second edition of Fath Al Kheir voyage as registration closes tomorrow, organisers say.
For this edition, the 32-year-old Fath Al Kheir dhow embarks on a journey to India to revive centuries-old maritime heritage of Qatari ancestors as they reached foreign shores in search of livelihood.
Ahmed Al Hatmi, Director, Beach Department, Katara, and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said 26 participants had registered and there was a huge turnout of young Qataris.
Al Hatmi said they also received inquiries which confirmed the enthusiasm of Qatari youth to events that enhance their relationship with the legacy of their ancestors.
Participants have passed medical tests and are preparing for physical tests from August 30 until September 3. They must go through tests such as swimming, climbing and rescuing and must accumulate 45 out of 70 points to pass.
The 45-metre dhow was built for then Emir in 1983 by Amireya workshop to promote tourism trips of the Ministry of Information and Tourism. It is now part of the collection of Qatar Museums Authority. Katara is taking care of the maintenance and preparation of the dhow for its voyage under Captain Hassan Issa Al Kaabi.
The journey will last 48 days. The dhow will leave Katara Beach on October 1 and return on November 17 in time for the launch of the fifth edition of Katara Traditional Dhow Festival. The dhow will reach Sur, Oman, on October 15; arrive in India on October 25, return to Muscat on November 15 and conclude journey in Doha on November 17.
The first voyage was held from November 22 to December 18, 2013 under the patronage of Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
It sailed to five neighbouring GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE. The inaugural journey was first-of-its-kind initiated by Katara to revive centuries-old maritime heritage Qatar shares with neighbouring countries.
The Peninsula
