Simaisma (Arabic: سُمَيْسِمَة More also spelled Sumaishima) is a small coastal town on Qatar’s east coast, 30 km north of the capital, Doha. The city is characterized by old houses and mosques, relics from before the discovery of oil and natural gas in Qatar.
Boundaries were set in 1988. Small mangrove thickets line the coast. Although geographically located in the city of Al-Daen, administratively it is part of Al-Khor.
History of the Simaisma in Qatar
The J.G. Lorimar Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf reported in 1908 on Cimaisma:
A walled village on the east shoreline of Qatar. It is located at the bottom of a small bay about halfway between Lusail and Al Khor. A mile east of it, at the southern end of the same bay, is the village of Ardhaen, with which it is closely related.
About 250 families of the Al Bu Kwala tribe live in Sumaysmah, along with some Kibiza tribes. Here he has 50 pearl boats, 600 men on, 10 other ships and he also has 10 fishing boats. Livestock includes 6 horses and 70 camels. Drinking water is taken from the Awainat Bin Hussein Well, six miles west. There is also a small well called Harikat Smathuma near the village, but the water is bitter.
In an early 1904 transcript of the Lorimar Gazetteer, he states that in 1883 Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed al-Thani “wanted to settle here, or pretended to settle there.” One of the city’s symbols is the Simais Ma Mosque, built in 1938. He is one of the oldest surviving mosques in Qatar. In addition to the minaret and prayer room, there was also a madrasah where young students received Islamic instruction.
Simaisma was also the site of a battle in 1768 between Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, chief of the Zubarah tribe, and the Muslims, who were based in Freiha. The reason for the battle of Simaisma was that Sheikh Mohammed refused to pay taxes to al-Musalam after building the al-Musalam fort. Al-Musalam was defeated and their power soon waned as a result of this devastation.
Top 4 Attractions of the Simaisma in Qatar
1. Beach
Known for its idyllic scenery, Simaisma Beach is a popular tourist destination in the country. It is located near Al Simaisma Family Park and stretches for about 1km. Visitors have access to dozens of shaded lounge areas. There are about 39 hectares of mangrove forest just off the coast.
2. Parks
Simaisma Family Park was established in 1991 on 5,099 square meters of land. Park facilities include basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds. The landscaping consists of 11 types of seasonal shrubs and flowers and 3 types of palm trees.
In June 2012, a leisure facility called Shimasuma Olympic Park opened. The park has many facilities such as soccer fields, swimming pools, mosques, cafes, and youth centers.
3. Simaisma Resort
Murwab Hotel Group opened Simaisma Resort in February 2016. The place has 52 villas and 4 restaurants.
4. Simaisma Youth Centre
Simaisma has a youth center established in November 2007 and officially inaugurated in June 2008. The Kashta exhibition opened on October 18, 2014. We will exhibit materials related to cultural properties, folk crafts, and camping.
Transport in the Simaisma
Simaisma is connected to the community’s main thoroughfare by the Simaisma Road, a seven-kilometer driveway. There is no public transportation in the city.
The Simaisuma Island Bridge is a 450-meter-long bridge that connects Simaisuma mainland and Simaisma Island.
How To Reach Simaisma Beach Qatar?
Qatar’s main airport is Hamad International Airport and most airlines land there. When traveling by car, there are fixed routes that must be followed. To do this, take the Al Khor Road, enter the Lusail International Circuit, enter the Simaisma Viaduct, continue straight for a few kilometers, turn two roundabouts, turn left, and park on the beach.
Education of the Simaisma
The city’s first formal boys’ school opened in 1957. A year later, a girls’ school was opened. Simaisma’s public schools offer only primary education. Students usually continue their further education at Al Khor.
Sports of the Simaisma
Simaisma hosted the first points of the final step of the Tour of Al Zubarah in December 2015. And some part of the second step of the 2016 Tour of Qatar was also held.
The town has a small football stadium where amateur football teams play. Simaima FC won the Non-Professional Al-Huryan League for the second consecutive year in 2013 and 2014
Archaeology of the Simaisma
During an archaeological expedition, a gypsum vessel was discovered at Simaisma that should have resembled Ubaid pottery. Two of his round tombs from the 5th century BC have also been found in the city. BC, the oldest burial site ever discovered in Qatar
Hotels near Simaisma Beach
- Premier Inn Doha Airport
- Oryx Airport Hotel
- sleep ’n fly Sleep Lounge South Node, Doha Hamad International Airport – Transit Area
- Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha
- Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
- InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa
- Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
- Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
- The St. Regis Doha
- The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar
