Al-Shahaniya (city)

Al-Shahaniya derives its name from a plant known locally as sheeh, which was valued for its anti-inflammatory effects.^[4] It is also spelled Al-Sheehaniya.^[2] The plant's Latin name is Artemisia inculta; it is an aromatic perennial that frequently grows in the Middle East and North Africa region but which is scarce in Qatar due to its unsuitable soils.^[5]

In J.G. Lorimer's Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Al-Shahaniya is described as a 'Bedouin camping ground' with a 35-feet deep masonry well yielding good water in 1908.^[6]

As part of an initiative by the Qatari government to provide free housing to its citizens, 86 houses had been built in the town by 1976.^[7]

In 1983–84, Al-Shahaniya was included as part of a major project by the Ministry of Public Works valued at QAR 535 million to develop sewage infrastructure in major settlements outside of Doha.^[8] In July 1985, the government announced it had begun a campaign to distribute fresh water to rural villages in Qatar suffering from water shortages. As part of this campaign, QAR 21,000 was allocated towards water distribution in Al-Shahaniya.^[9]

In 2008, the city was described as severely lacking in essential services. Only 40% of Al-Shahaniya and its surrounding areas had access to drinking water, with the remaining residents paying exorbitant prices to transport drinking water in water tanks. Furthermore, only 60% of the region had functioning sewage systems. As for the city itself, its main streets lacked any sort of lighting and were pothole-ridden mainly due heavy truck traffic. All roads within city boundaries, including the highways, had been constructed between 2003 and 2004 by Al Rayyan Municipality and had not been renovated since. There was no health center, though one was scheduled to open that year after many postponements. A lack of family venues and sports fields were also noted. At the time, none of the city's streets were named or numbered, causing significant difficulties for residents receiving mail delivery and emergency services. This was despite the Committee for Naming and Numbering Houses and Streets holding meetings on the issue since 2004.^[10]

Al-Shahaniya became the third city in Qatar after Madinat ash Shamal and Al Wakrah to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in September 2020.^[11] It was recognized by UNESCO for its "plant a tree" initiative, in which the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) oversaw the planting of 2,000 sidr trees along roads in Al-Shahaniya Municipality. Furthermore, it was also recognized for its solar energy project in Al Kharsaah and its preservation of native species such as the Arabian oryx at reserves such as Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation and the Al Dossari Zoo & Game Reserve.^[12]

Al Shahaniya is situated in central Qatar. Nearby areas of interest include the village of Lehsiniya and the Al Dehailiyat Army Camp to the east, the village of Umm Leghab to the north-east and the village of Al Khurayb to the north. It is approximately 47 kilometres (29 mi) from Dukhan, 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Zekreet, 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Doha and 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Al Nasraniya.^[5]

The city forms part of the central zone of the central belt region. As part of this section, the area varies in elevation, the northern section containing more hills while gradually flattening out towards Al Shahaniya. To the west of the Al Utouriya-Al-Shahaniya Road, there is a notable change in the landscape, opening up into a wide, spacious plain.^[13]

Common vegetation found in Al Shahaniya include fern-leaf peony (Fagonia tenuifolia) in sandy depressions,^[14] eyelash plant (Blepharis ciliaris),^[15] salam trees (Vachellia flava) in sandy depressions,^[16] rimth (Haloxylon salicornicum),^[17] sheeh (Artemisia inculta),^[5] Picris babylonica,^[18] Pulicaria sicula,^[19] Alhagi graecorum,^[20] and, on rare occasions, wild chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).^[21]

The following areas are considered to be localities or extensions of Al-Shahaniya city:^[5]

• Al Samriya (25°21′20″N 51°16′04″E / 25.355424°N 51.267881°E / 25.355424; 51.267881), a village that hosts the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum.
• Lebsayyer (25°23′47″N 51°12′05″E / 25.396514°N 51.201332°E / 25.396514; 51.201332), also spelled Al Busayyir, a residential area south of the camel track.
• Al Fara (25°21′31″N 51°13′19″E / 25.358681°N 51.221893°E / 25.358681; 51.221893), a farming area named after the rawda (depression) it is situated in.
• Al Braithat (25°20′50″N 51°15′37″E / 25.347115°N 51.260215°E / 25.347115; 51.260215), a farming area named for its friable soil.
• Mazraat Al-Shahaniya (25°23′00″N 51°13′49″E / 25.383282°N 51.230360°E / 25.383282; 51.230360), a farming area.
• Rawdat Al-Shahaniya (25°23′03″N 51°13′33″E / 25.384285°N 51.225733°E / 25.384285; 51.225733), a rest-house located in a rawda.
• Wadi Baheesh (25°22′31″N 51°12′18″E / 25.375209°N 51.205121°E / 25.375209; 51.205121), a farming area situated in a wadi (dry river valley).

In 1979 Qatar's government portioned off a 12 km² (4.6 sq mi) area of Al-Shahaniya as a sanctuary for Arabian oryxes, making it among the first protected environmental areas in the country. Oryxes for the reserve were transported from Muaither Farm by sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saud Al Thani.^[22] There were around 100 animals in the reserve in 1988.^[23] Aside from oryxes, there is an area of the reserve where red-necked ostriches are housed.^[22]

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum is a massive 530,000 m² (5,7 million sq ft), 3-building museum established in Al-Shahaniya in 1998.^[24] It is located in Al Samriya, a locality of the city and is accessible through Dukhan Road.^[25] Adjoined to the museum is the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Mosque, which is notable for its architecture, as it is leaning at a four degree angle, a similar angle to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.^[26]

Al-Shahaniya Park opened in 2014 over an area of around 26,000 m² (280,000 sq ft). Facilities include a mosque, a football field, a volleyball court and a basketball court.^[27]

A wide-scale public defense complex was inaugurated in 2010. Branches of various security organizations are hosted in the complex, such as the Dukhan Security Department. Two notable buildings in the complex are the Shahaniya Services Centre, which manages passports and travel documents and the Shahaniya Civil Defense Centre.^[28]

North of the public services complex, off Al Utouriya Road, is the municipal headquarters. Qatar's Ministry of Agriculture has set up an Agricultural Services Center in the city.^[29]

In April 2018, the Animal Production Research Station was established in the city by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. Spanning roughly 78,000 square meters and constructed at a cost of QR 30 million, its facilities include a research station, animal sheds and a veterinary clinic.^[30]

Healthcare in the city is served by Al-Shahaniya Health Center. Among its facilities are a dental clinic, a radiology clinic, a women's clinic and a general clinic.^[31]

Natural gas and oil distribution pipelines and pumping stations are located in Al-Shahaniya City and several of its suburbs.^[32] There are several labor camps in Al Shahaniya.^[33]

The Arab Qatari Agricultural Production Company was founded in 1989 in the city.^[34]

Roza Hassad opened Qatar's first large-scale flower-growing facility in Al-Shahaniya City in 2012. Flowers are grown hydroponically, and seventeen different species were planned to be grown at the time of its opening.^[35] Production in its 5,500 m² (59,200 sq ft) greenhouse is mainly oriented towards roses. The company has established shops in Doha where it sells its locally produced flowers.^[36]