Regional/Cultural Day
Falconry Season Opening
The start of the falconry season is marked by gatherings at desert camps outside Doha, where falconers bring their birds for the first hunts of the year. Falconry has been practiced on the Arabian Peninsula for over 4,000 years and is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Qatar, the falcon (saqr) is a national symbol, appearing on the emblem alongside a dagger and sea waves. Falcons are trained to hunt houbara bustards, and a single prized bird can cost over $1 million at the Souq Waqif falcon market. The opening day includes competitions for the fastest falcon, and the traditional falconers' greeting: "Allah yaafeek" (May God protect you and your bird).