Al Kheesa Explained

Al Kheesa
Native Name:	الخيسة
Native Name Lang:	ar
Settlement Type:	Village
Pushpin Map:	Qatar
Coordinates:	25.4175°N 51.4589°W
Subdivision Type:	Country
Subdivision Name:	Qatar
Subdivision Type1:	Municipality
Subdivision Name1:	Al Daayen
Subdivision Type2:	Zone
Subdivision Name2:	Zone 70
Subdivision Type3:	District no.
Subdivision Name3:	117
Area Footnotes:	^[1]
Area Total Km2:	7.0
Population Density Km2:	auto

Al Kheesa (Arabic: الخيسة|Al Khīsah) is a village in the municipality of Al Daayen in Qatar.^{[2] [3]} It was demarcated in 1988.^[4] It is approximately 3 km south of Rawdat Al Hamama.^[5]

Etymology

Al Kheesa derives its name from the Arabic word for 'large garden'. It was given this name because of its abundance of gardens and cedar trees.^[6]

History

In J.G. Lorimer's 1908 publication Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, he makes mention of "Khīsah" as a nomadic settlement situated "12 miles north-west of Dohah and 4 from the east coast". In the area he observed two unlined wells, 5 fathoms deep, of indifferent water.^[7]

Infrastructure

Qatar Radio's first transmission station in 1968 was located in Al Kheesa.^[8] The village hosts the primary pumping station for the QR 3.63 billion North Doha Sewage Treatment Works, which is centered in Umm Salal Ali.^[9]

The village's historic architecture has faced a sharp decline in recent years as a result of neglect by the government.^{[6] [10]} Al Daayen Municipality is developing Al Kheesa to serve as a residential hub for its southern sector. In the future, it is anticipated to house approximately 25,000 residents.^[11]

02 Mall is a popular attraction in Al Kheesa. A branch of Qatar's oldest supermarket chain, Family Food Centre, opened up in the mall in 2019.^[12]

Transport

Currently, the elevated Al Kheesa Metro Station is under construction, having been launched during Phase 2A. Once completed, it will be part of Doha Metro's Green Line.^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: District Area Map. Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. 1 March 2019.
2. Web site: 2010 population census. Qatar Statistics Authority. 28 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142501/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/eng/publication/annabs/2014/1_Population2013.pdf. 2 April 2015. dead. dmy-all.
3. Web site: Al Daayen Municipality. Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning. 28 July 2015. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305121253/http://www.baladiya.gov.qa/cui/view.dox?id=611&siteID=2. dead.
4. Web site: Law No. 33 of 1988 on the Demarcation of the Borders of Al-Kheesa Village. almeezan.qa. 29 July 2015.
5. Book: Jaidah. Ibrahim. Bourennane. Malika. The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950. Skira. 2010. 90. 978-8861307933.
6. Web site: بيوت الخيسة القديمة تشكو الإهمال. Al Raya. Arabic. 3 February 2015. 29 July 2015. 24 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180524081635/http://www.raya.com/news/pages/35d8502d-0d3c-41b4-9d42-17232ab12bc9. dead.
7. Web site: 'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol. II. Geographical and Statistical. J G Lorimer. 1908' [1522] (1637/2084)]. Qatar Digital Library. 6 July 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
8. Book: Qatar: Year Book 1980–81. Press and Publications Department, Ministry of Information. 1981. Doha. 69.
9. Web site: Sewage treatment plant opens. The Peninsula. 7 February 2016. 5 July 2018.
10. Web site: منطقة "الخيسة" الأثرية تعاني الإهمال وتحتاج للتطوير. Al Sharq. Arabic. 6 February 2015. 29 July 2015.
11. Web site: Al Daayen Municipality: Vision and Development Strategy. Ministry of Municipality and Environment. 16. December 2017. 23 May 2018.
12. Web site: Qatar Living visits the newly opened Family Food Center in Al Kheesa. Qatar Living. 14 February 2019. 12 February 2019.
13. Web site: QAR Metro. arcgis.com. 18 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191204130524/https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=d7bdb1a6c8374913a8b98292194b187c. 4 December 2019. dead.