How Does Al Wajbah Fort Contribute to Qatars History and Culture - Coursework Example

Submitted too: How does Al Wajbah Fort Contribute to Qatar’s History and Culture? A PAPER SUBMITTED by Qatar offers many historical tourism opportunities throughout the country. With a profound and colorful history dating back well over 2000 years, Qatar offers a unique and rich archaeological destination for affluent world travelers in a unique niche. Some of the most attractive and lucrative archaeological destinations revolve around forts and castles that have signifigant historical references to modern culture. One of Qatar’s best examples of this type of tourist opportunity is the Al Wajbah Fort in the Doha.(Toth,1993) There are many remnants of forts and castles that bear the glory and tradition of this Arabian country. But, AL Wajbah Fort is not only the oldest fort in Qatar it carries a particular mystique that is most attractive to the historic tourism niche. This site of fort Al Wajbah is famous for the battle fought there in 1893 A.D. or 1310 A.H. that helped shape the modern independence of Qatar. .(Toth,1993) Introduction: Although the peninsular land mass that makes up Qatar has sustained humans for thousands of years, for the bulk of its history the arid climate fostered only short-term settlements by nomadic tribes. The desolate nature of the terrain created a fiercely independent people. Qatar was more often than not independent and a participant in the great Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean trade route. (Hodge, 2010) Many ideas were introduced into the peninsula from Africa, and Southeast Asia. Today, the traces of these early interactions with the oceanic world of the Indian Ocean still survive and flourish. As ancient commerce flourished throughout the area a network of loose trade routes was established throughout the peninsular area that encompasses modern Qatar. As these routes became defined civilization followed in the guise of permanent settlement. .(Toth,1993) One of the earliest permanent settlements along the ancient Bedouin Caravan routes was at New Al Rayyan, a mere 15km west of the ancient city of Doha. (Hodge, 2010) The location offered not only water and shelter to merchants and travelers it offered a unique strategic position as the doorway to Doha and its important harbor. (Hodge, 2010) Eventually the location became a village that in 1882 A.D.or 1309 A.H. was further enhanced by the people of New Al Rayyan with a fortification that we today refer to as the Al Wajbah Fort. .(Toth,1993) The strategic importance and historical narrative offered by Al Wajbah Fort present a unique tourist opportunity to modern Qatar. Its relevant historical value and substantive architecture create what is arguably the best and most well preserved fortress on the entire peninsula.(Mylles, 2003) The problematic question for Qatar is how to tap the potential of Al Wajba Fort without destroying its cultural relevance. This paper will explore possibilities and options of how Al Wajba Fort could be better utilized as a catalyst for historical tourism. II. Contextualization: Al Wajbah Fort is more than just a valuable land mark, it is a symbol of independence and self-determination that crystalizes the national spirit of the people of Qatar. Historically speaking the Al Wajbah Fort is pivotal in understanding the history of the nation. The Modern history of Qatar began in the early 18th century; when the present Al-Thani ruling family of Qatar, which originated from the Al-Maadhid (a branch of Bani Tamim) tribe of Ushaiqir in the province of Al-Washm of Nejd, arrived in the southern part of Qatar. . (Hodge, 2010) In1871, the peninsula fell under the control of a foreign force when it became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. . (Hodge, 2010) Mohammed bin Thani opposed Ottoman designs on Qatar, but his son, Jassim bin Mohammed, accepted Ottoman sovereignty in 1872. . (Hodge, 2010) Although Jassim bin Mohammed very much disapproved of the Ottoman presence, he hoped that with Ottoman support he could dominate those sheikhs in other towns who opposed him and rebuff Bahrains claims on Az Zubarah. .(Toth,1993) Jassim bin Mohammeds ambivalent relations with the Ottomans deteriorated to the point that in 1893, Medhet Pasha, an Ottoman governor of Ihsaa, sent a military force to Doha to arrest him, ostensibly over his refusal to permit an Ottoman customhouse in Doha. Fighting broke out, and Jassim bin Mohammeds supporters drove out the Ottoman force from Doha.(Byers, 2013) This set the stage for a culminating battle at Al Wajbah Fort. The Battle of Al Wajbah Fort was the defining moment for Qatar independence and serves as the capstone engagement that brought about self-determination for the formation of the modern state. The battle took place on March 25th 1893. Jassim bin Mohammed led men from all tribes on the peninsula, to fight the ottoman army at the fort . (Toth,1993) They were outnumbered by Ottoman army but they still managed to conquer Al Wajbah. The battle itself was costly, 400 Qataris were killed, and this included women, men and children. .(Toth,1993) The results of the battle led to a treaty that would later form the basis of Qatar emerging as a separate country. Some Qatari nationalists describe this battle the seminal event of Qatars Second War of Independence. .(Byers, 2013) An understanding of Qatar and politics of the region rests clearly on the historical relevance of the battle at Al Wajbah In truth, prior to the battle of Al Wajbah the country never felt safe, small and poor among its larger, wealthy neighbors the nation existed in a precarious and dangerous state until the battle signified the determination of the people to be free of colonial influences and foreign potentates once and for all. Realizing this historical point is how to understand the current foreign and domestic policy of Qatar as a sovereign nation. Qatar National Day is celebrated as an opportunity to recognize the actions of Qatars forefathers who endured severe hardships and paid a dear price for the unity of their nation. Qatar National Day also emphasizes the identity and history of the country, embodies the ideals and aspirations that the country was founded on and pays tribute to the men and women who participated in building the nation. .(Byers, 2013) Al Wajbah Fort should resonate throughout each and every National Day as the field of honor that bore out modern Qatar. As it should be most citizens view Al Wajbah Fort in the context of the struggle for Qatar’s independence from colonial domination. This translates directly to the intent of Qatar’s National Day and emphasizes the importance of sacrifice and unity for modern Qatar. .(Byers, 2013) Al Wajbah Fort resonates a strong feeling of pride among all the nations’ citizens, not just on National Day but through the course of our understanding of what defines the nation and how it will move forward. In analogy Al Wajbah Fort is the Alpha to modern Qatar’s Omega. It is the beginning, the starting point of the nation. III. Conceptual Model: Traditionally, destinations have responded to a decline in visitor numbers by increasing their marketing expenditure (Page, Connel-2009). This strategy seems not to be working as more and more destinations are spending more on marketing, with limited results. In the past destinations believed that it was enough to have only the tourists and destination resources of low salaries, attractive exchange rates etc. for them to compete and be successful in the international tourism industry. (Page, Connel-2009) This approach gave rise to the formulation and implementation of strategies and policies that are aimed mainly at stimulating tourist volumes. In most cases results have not been as expected, leading to questioning of this strategy. Empirical evidence has shown that to secure long-term profits and continued patronage, it is essential to have competitive advantages (Page, Connel-2009). Al Wajbah Fort offers a particular opportunity for the nation of Qatar to establish a firm Historical Tourism site that is unique and strategically placed in its historical context and larger dimension of current national prestige. A destination, according to the New Shorter Oxford Dictionary is defined as ‘the place to which a person or thing is going, the intended end of a journey. Al Wajbah Fort could potentially offer an amalgam of tourism products and services, which could be effectively marketed under a brand name of the destination and focused on Qatari nationalism. Al Wajbah Fort offers a symbolic physical space in which visitors could spend at least one day as part of a larger historical tour or more importantly experience a limited high value visitation to an exclusive resource market which by definition establishes a considerable advantage in tourism competitiveness. .( Fyall, Garrod, Leask, Wanhill. 2008) The two key points to be recognized within this conceptual model are Destination Attractiveness and Destination Competitiveness. The attractiveness of a destination reflects the feelings and opinions of its visitors about the destination’s perceived ability to satisfy their particular desires.( Fyall, Garrod, Leask, Wanhill. 2008) The more a destination is able to meet the needs of the tourists, the more it is perceived as an attractive value for the tourist’s resources.( Fyall, Garrod, Leask, Wanhill. 2008) By definition, a destination can be said to be competitive if its market share, measured by visitor numbers and financial returns are increasing. .( Fyall, Garrod, Leask, Wanhill. 2008) Therefore, a destination’s competitiveness is linked to the economic prosperity of the residents of the country.(Mason, 2008) Furthering this overall competitiveness could be associated with the ability to deliver an experience that is more uniquely satisfying than that offered by other regional or international destinations. .(Mason, 2008) In reality these two key points are intermingled but somewhat different in perspective. In rational terms the very elusive and restricted regard given to Al Wajbah Fort offers an element of both Destination Attractiveness and Destination Competitiveness.. The simple fact that Al Wajbah Fort lies inside the walls of the Royal Palace which now encloses the fort and the Oasis below creates an aura of mystery. This offers Al Wajbah Fort a very unique and powerful advantage as pointed out clearly in Diary of a Visit to Qatar, by C.C. Mylles “I was keen to visit and photograph the place. However, ringing a friend for advice, I was informed that access to Al Wajbah fort was limited. .The grounds of the Royal Palace enclose the fort and the Oasis, and photography is no longer allowed.” (Mylles, 2003)) This “elusive” quality establishes a distinct Destination Attractiveness and Destination Competitiveness on par with a tour of Buckingham Palace in Great Britain. There are few images available of the fort and its almost exclusive nature defines its possibilities as a tourism asset with substantial Destination Attractiveness and Destination Competitiveness. IV. Conclusion: Our Research questions establish a broad preamble to the problem statement offered in this paper. The context and recommendations offered must be gauged in a delicate manor to help preserve the integrity of Al Wajbah Fort and its symbolic importance to the Qatari people. Al Wajbah Fort is the seminal battle in the Second War of Independence fought by the Qatari people against oppressive foreign rule.(Toth, 1993) It is the very symbol of Qatar’s fight for independence and should be the focal point of each National Day in Qatar . It’s elusive and restricted access draws tourists to see Al Wajbah Fort as something reserved for the prevue of Royalty and Foreign dignitaries. Our Problem Statement reflected on how Al Wajba fort contributes to Qatar’s history and culture. In reality the Fort is more than just a valuable landmark, it is a symbol of independence that is revered and protected by the nation as a whole. Rationalizing these facts, the recommendations brought forward must be done in a delicate and politically correct fashion to ensure the integrity of Al Wajba Fort for future generations of Qatari people. Recommendation 1- Continue to restrict access to Al Wajba Fort, foster the “elusive” persona of the Fort and increase its Destination Attractiveness. Recommendation 2-Establish a Historical Advisory group to control product placements and general access to the Fort including image availability. Recommendation 3-Preserve and foster the symbolic imagery of the Fort to enhance its Destination Competitiveness as an elite destination that is restricted and difficult to visit. Above all Al Wajba Fort is a historic landmark that is a gift to be respected by the people of Qatar. Ultimately it’s utility as a tourist destination is limited but its importance to the culture and the history of the nation is paramount to any economic returns. BIBLIOGRAPHY Toth, Anthony. Qatar: Historical Background." A Country Study: Qatar (Helen Chapin Metz, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (January 1993). Mylles, C.C. Diary of a Visit to Qatar, BP Archive, Warwick University, Archive Reference 135500 (2003). Buyers, C.. The Al Thani Dynasty. Royalark.net. (pg. 4-7) Retrieved 2013 Hodge, J. Qatar: Sand, Sea, and Sky. Milam Press, Library of Congress Federal Research Division (2010) Page, S.J. and Connell, J. Tourism: A Modern Synthesis ,Cengage Learning EMEA; 3 edition (April 7, 2009) Fyall, A. Garrod, B. Leask, A.and Wanhill, S.Managing Visitor Attractions (Second Edition) Elsevier Ltd.(2008) Mason, P. Tourism Impacts, Planning and Management, Second Edition, Taylor & Francis; 2 edition (May 20, 2008) Read More