An agent of Socialisation

Lulu Hypermarket in Qatar: A world-class achievement. Lulu has retail outlets ranging from The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Yemen and Qatar. Being sourced out of EMKE Group, Lulu has over 20,000 employees of different nationalities and is planning on expanding chains to Saudi Arabia and India.

Lulu has served the society well with its presence. The products sold in the hypermarkets are of top quality and of affordable prices. Not only that, whatever comes to mind of items, either groceries or textiles, is always found. Very rarely that you would need any other shop to go to once you enter Lulu.

It is an agent of socialization because it brings different people together; I never once went to Lulu and not found someone I know shopping in the same isle. Being announced by Qatar Living as one of the most important tourist destination when in Doha, It seems very clear that Lulu has been keeping it’s top end protected.

Bringing people together in so many ways can bring the society even closer together, as so many meet different needs when shopping, all aim for the same goal, necessity for the home and family life. Some make it a trip to take the children on a ride in the weekend, others just to satisfy a need in the household.

From as much as I have taken these visits to Lulu, I surely can say being there every other day I’ve become an expert at knowing all the different ways in which Lulu has improved, failed and even evolved. Also extensive knowledge on where everything is, which makes it very sufficient for me to do my shopping there.

In a sociologist’s point of view, Lulu brings about diversity and culture to its name. It brings forth materials that are affordable and brings about change is efficient shopping methods to regular consumers who are well aware that they are receiving the best service and quality of production.

Besides having made a huge advertisement to Lulu, it is a great place to be to meet different people of different nationalities and backgrounds, all under one roof.

Souq Wagif

Visiting the city of Doha would not be completed unless one sits in one of the coffee shops at Souq Waqif and enjoys the tranquility that the place possesses. Souq Waqif is one of the best and favored destinations for many citizens and visitors, because it offers a genuine cultural atmosphere that is inspired through the ancient-looking buildings. The souq provides the visitors with the appealing sense of the Arabic and Islamic civilizations that are remarkably outstanding on the detailed and mesmerizing designs. The whole concept of having a distinguished design of the souq’s buildings is to identify the visitors with the story of Qatar back in the days when houses were built from clay, and notice the major transformation that occurred over the years. With the availability of traditional stores, visitors experience the old shopping habits that revolved around Qataris and merchandise.






‘Wagif’ in Arabic means standing in a rigid position, but this name was not the very first name that was used to call this souq. It was known as Souq Almakbarah, which means cemetery souq. Previously, there used to be a cemetery that was right in front of Souq Wagif, but it was then taken over to build a parking area for the visitors, and that was when the name changed to ‘Wagif’. One of the outstanding features of the souq, is the first hotel built in Doha that was named ‘BismAllah’ when it first was built. The hotel consists of 15 rooms and a restaurant next to the reception area.





Aside from the hotel, there is ‘Asheerij Café’ that serves traditional coffee and dishes such as Harees, algeemta, madrooba and bajela. This café has an open space right on its second floor for visitors to enjoy shisha in the fresh air. Also, it attracts people to come in by hosting various khaliji musicals to rise up the traditional atmosphere.





What I personally like about Souq Wagif is the diverse atmosphere that is built when citizens and tourists come together. A group of foreign people can sit in a traditional coffee shop and discuss an entirely different culture. This sort of interaction remarks the fondness that occurs between two totally different cultures that are brought together for amusement and relaxation.