Meet Qatari Craftsman Keeping Dhow Tradition Alive

At the World Book Fair in New Delhi, amid books, cultures, and conversations, I met a craftsman whose hands quietly carry centuries of maritime tradition. His name is Ahamad, a Qatari craftsman who creates exquisite dhow showpieces— as a lifelong passion.

Ahamad makes about one dhow a month, or whenever time allows. His journey into this craft began early, at just 14 years of age, learning from his father, who was a goldsmith. From working with precious metals, Ahamad inherited not only technical skill but also patience, precision, and respect for tradition.

Now in his sixties, Ahamad creates dhows on request—ranging from elegant shelf-size showpieces to large dhows that can actually float at sea. His materials vary from metal to even gold, depending on the commission. He shared a story that he was asked by the government to craft a gold dhow as a gift for a visiting queen. Working against time, he completed it within a month, and the dhow was officially presented to her.

Why Nilambur Teak Matters

Before coming to Delhi, Ahamad visited the forests of Nilambur in Kerala, famous for their high-quality teak. According to him, Nilambur teak contains natural oil content, which helps dhows float better and makes maintenance easier. That is why, for thousands of years, Arab traders sourced teak from Kerala to build their ships.

No wonder that long before Christ, Kerala had navigation links with the Arab world. They came for teak and for spices. Today, he says, teak has become as precious as gold. And in Kerala Traditional dhow making in done in Beypore, a historic port town in the Kozhikode district.

His words felt like a reminder that craftsmanship is not just about skill—it is also about understanding nature, materials, and history.

Tradition Meets Technology

At the Qatar stall, I also met a young Qatari professional from the Ministry of Culture’s PR team. He invited me to try their AI-powered chatbot, developed by the Ministry. He asked me to choose three words, and I selected:

Future, Tolerance, and Justice.

The AI generated this beautiful poem:

“The future blooms in gardens of forgiveness,
Where justice waters hope’s resplendent root.
We dream of dawn that carry fairness with them,
And walk towards tomorrow’s shining fruit.”

From ancient maritime traditions to artificial intelligence—Qatar’s cultural stall beautifully reflected how the past and future can exist side by side.

Visit the World Book Fair – A Cultural Feast

The World Book Fair is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from January 10 to January 18. The exhibition spans Halls 2 to 6, and visitors can use Google or the hall charts displayed outside to locate publishers and stalls.

Here are a few helpful highlights

Theme Pavilion
Hall 5
My personal favorite—Penguin Publishers is here with a wonderful collection of books. The Authors’ Corner is also hosting panel discussions, including inspiring sessions on women in the armed forces.

Children’s Pavilion
Hall 6
Filled with stories, workshops, and creative activities for young minds.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Türkiye
Hall 4, Stall No. H-01

Ministry of Culture, State of Qatar
Hall 4, Stall No. H-02
(This is where you can meet Ahamad and see his dhow craftsmanship)

Cultural Programs
Daily from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Amphitheatre.

Shuttle Service
Available from Gate No. 10 for visitor convenience.

A Stall Worth Visiting

Do make it a point to visit the Ministry of Culture, Qatar stall—not just to admire the beautifully crafted dhows, but to meet the warm and welcoming people who proudly share their heritage and latest technology with visitors. Meeting Ahamad reminded me that behind every artifact is a human story, shaped by family, tradition, and quiet dedication.

In a world rushing toward automation, it is comforting—and inspiring—to meet someone who still measures time not in deadlines, but in the careful shaping of wood, metal, and memory.