Al-Rayyan الريان | |
|---|---|
City | |
  Al-Rayyan Al Rayyan City | |
| Coordinates:25°15′N51°24′E / 25.250°N 51.400°E /25.250; 51.400 | |
| Country | Qatar |
| Municipality | Al Rayyan |
| Zone | Zone 52 (Old Al Rayyan) / Zone 53 (New Al Rayyan) |
| District no. | 61 (Old Al Rayyan) / 65 (New Al Rayyan) |
| Area | |
• Total | 11.9 km2 (4.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 31 m (102 ft) |
Al-Rayyan (Arabic:الريان) is a large city in the similarly namedmunicipality ofAl Rayyan, inQatar.[3] The city and its suburbs comprise the largest population center in Qatar outside ofDoha proper, immediately to its east.[4] Consisting of all of the districts in the municipality's easternmost section, its western boundary is roughly where theAl Majd Highway runs through the municipality.[5] The city is a part of theDoha Metropolitan Area.[6] It was one of the venues for the2022 FIFA World Cup.[7]
The city's name derives from theArabic wordray, which translates to "irrigation". It was given this name due to its low elevation, allowing it to act as aflood plain during the rainy season and provide a prolonged supply of water to the numerous wild plants and crops that grew in the area.[8]
Before the massive expansion of Al Rayyan City, the two main areas in Al Rayyan wereOld Al Rayyan andNew Al Rayyan. Old Al Rayyan consisted of many traditional villages, while New Al Rayyan contained many large villas occupied by members of Qatar'sruling family.[9] As Al Rayyan City grew in the later 20th century, all of the municipality's eastern settlements were incorporated as districts in the city.[5]
Two main areas define the city's historical center: Old Al Rayyan (Arabic:الريان القديم; translit.Al Rayyan Al Qadeem') in the northern section, and New Al Rayyan (Arabic:الريان الجديد; translit.Al Rayyan Al Jadeed) in the south. As for thecity proper, several districts of Al Rayyan City are designated by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, including:[8]
When free elections of theCentral Municipal Council first took place in Qatar during 1999,[10] Al Rayyan City was divided into two constituencies: no. 18, which had New Al Rayyan as its seat, and no. 19, which had Old Al Rayyan as its seat.[11] These two constituencies would remain independent of each other for the next three consecutive elections until thefifth municipal elections in 2015, when they were merged under constituency no. 14, with New Al Rayyan as the seat. Also included in its constituency isAl Luqta,Lebday, andAl Shagub.[12]
In the inaugural municipal elections in 1999, voter turnout was 78.3% in constituency no. 18 where Mohammed Hamoud Al Shafi was elected, receiving 37.9%, or 256 votes. In constituency no. 19, Mohammed Saleh Al-Marri won, receiving 66%, or 264 votes. Voter turnout was low, at 37.7%[11] At the next elections, held in 2002, Al Shafi retained his seat in constituency no. 19 while Faraj Saeed Al Aweer was elected in no. 18.[13] In the next election in2007, Al Shafi once again retained his post in constituency no. 19 whereas Hamad Hamad Al Haoul won the elections in no. 18.[14] The2011 elections saw both Al Shafi and Haoul retain their seats in their respective constituencies.[15] For the 2015 elections, after the two constituencies were merged into one, long-time representative of constituency no. 19 Mohammed Hamoud Al Shafi emerged as the election winner.[12]
Khalifa International Stadium, one of the first large-scale stadiums in Qatar, was built in Al Rayyan City in 1976. It was later incorporated in theAspire Zone.[16] The Aspire Zone is located in theAl Waab district and accommodatesAspire Academy. Also found within the Al Waab area areVillaggio Mall and Doha Zoo.[17]
Education City,Qatar Science & Technology Park and otherQatar Foundation facilities are located in theAl Gharrafa,Gharrafat Al Rayyan andAl Shagub districts of Al Rayyan.[18][17]
The Municipal Headquarters is based out of the Old Al Rayyan district, as is the Al Rayyan Security Department and the Al Rayyan Pediatric Emergency Center.[8] On 4 October, 1982, the Al Rayyan Public Library was officially inaugurated in Old Al Rayyan by the Minister of Education,Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani.[19]
In the New Al Rayyan district, the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) maintains its stables and outdoor arena.[20] Founded in 1975 and boasting a spectator capacity of 1,500, the QEF arena is considered to be the country's main horse racing venue.[21] The New Al Rayyan Park was opened in 2004 in a residential zone on Al Atouriya Street. Covering an area of 8,827 m2, facilities in the park include a children's play area and a cafeteria while plants featured include numerousdate palms.[22]
Education City Stadium, a2022 FIFA World Cup venue, has been built in the city. It has a seating capacity of 40,000 spectators and has built in solar panels on its roof.[7][23] It hosted 8 games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup[24] and was opened on 15 June 2020.[25]
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium andKhalifa International Stadium were rebuilt in the city to host matches for the2022 FIFA World Cup. Their capacity during the tournament were 45,032 and 45,857 spectators. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium hosted 7 games of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Khalifa International Stadium hosted 8 games.
In the city there is alsoJassim bin Hamad Stadium with the 15,000 capacity. All four stadiums were used for the2023 AFC Asian Cup.
The city will host matches for the2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The undergroundAl Shaqab station currently serves theGreen Line of theDoha Metro.[26] It is located on Huwar Street in Old Al Rayyan, near its border withAl Shagub.[27] The station was opened to the public on 10 December, 2019 along with the otherGreen Line stations.[28] The station currently has no metrolinks.[29] Facilities on the premises include restrooms and a prayer room.[27]
Another station which serves Al Rayyan and is also a part of the Green Line is theAl Rayyan Al Qadeem station. It is situated in the neighboringLebday district near the border with Old Al Rayyan.[27]
Al Rayyan istwinned with:
ممكتبة الريان العامة [...] العنوان : الريان القديم [...] الشيخ محمد بن حمد ال ثانى وزير التربية والتعليم بافتتاح المكتبة عصر يوم السبت ١٩٨٢/٤/١٠.
