Local Dates Festival Kicks Off in Doha

Doha, July 29 (QNA) - The Local Dates Festival kicked off at Souq Waqif Thursday evening.The festival is organized by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment in collaboration with administration of Souq Waqif, the festival will continue until August 14, coinciding with the dates harvesting season in Qatar. Held under the auspices of HE Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, the festival was opened in the presence of a number of senior officials of the ministry and with participation of a number of local farmers. The festival events include showcase and sale of all types of freshly harvested local dates, particularly khalas, khanizi, arzis, barhi and hilaly. The event aims to introduce locally produced varieties of dates on one hand, and promote cultural awareness and heritage associated with date palm on the other hand.It also highlights the value of date as food and its health benefits.(QNA)