Doha: Sheikh Hassan bin Abdulrahman Hassan Al Abdullah Al-Thani signed his book 'Tuwairat Al-Fala in the Qatari Environment' at the Katara Publishing House booth at Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), with the audience of readers interested in Qatari heritage and environmental studies in attendance.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of Katara Publishing House, Amira Ahmed Al Muhannadi, stated that the book is one of the few that delves deep into the bird species of Qatar. What sets it apart, she noted, is its rootedness in the traditional names of birds passed down through generations, preserving an integral part of Qatari cultural heritage. She underlined the house's openness to this type of work that aims to safeguard heritage and make it accessible to future generations.
The record turnout to obtaining signed copies from the writer is a strong indicator that heritage conservation remains a matter of profound importance for Qatari citizens, she said, expressing her hope that Sheikh Hassan bin Abdulrahman Hassan Al Abdullah Al-Thani will continue publishing foundational works that distill lived experience and indigenous knowledge in a way that contributes meaningfully to promote environmental awareness across the Qatari community.
For his part, the author explained that the book is a diminutive colloquial term referring to small-sized liffu birds cherished in Qatar, whether for the quality of their meat, their vibrant plumage, or their captivating, often playful movements. These include, for instance, 'Tayr Umm Salem' and 'Tayr Al-Qubaa', admired for their elaborate displays during nesting and mating seasons, as well as other species renowned for their proximity to humans and their absence of fear.
As for the motivation behind the book, the author observed that younger generations have begun to distort the names of native Qatari bird species, often without sufficient knowledge. That realization led him to compile a book that safeguards the original names of Qatar's cherished birds.
He literally relied exclusively on the inherited nomenclature passed down from Qatari forebears without modification and his only addition was a brief account of each bird's physical appearance, feather coloration, and general behavior in the wild.
The birds featured in this volume are among the most prominent, though not exhaustive, as Qatar is home to a wide range of species, peaceful birds, raptors, land and water birds, as well as nocturnal varieties, the author underlined.
The author promised his readers, particularly those who attended the book launch, that an upcoming release of the artworks would feature a broader survey of bird species native to the Qatari environment.
Tentatively titled 'The Tree of Qatar's Birds', the book will catalog over 400 species, produced in collaboration with a group of young Qatari professional photographers.
He indicated that additional work is currently under preparation, including a volume on mammals, reptiles, and lizards of the Qatari environment, as well as a standalone book dedicated to insects, presented with their heritage names and accompanied by striking images captured using high-resolution cameras in their natural habitats, images that, in his words, will dazzle any observer.