QATAR KNANAYA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (QKCA)

Qatar, a peninsular Arab country in the Middle East Asia, hosts an expatriate population that exceeds its own population. Relying mainly on the oil and gas industry, the country has advanced in its infrastructural, social and cultural development in the recent decades. Heading towards hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar accommodates innumerable number of expatriate workers from different countries all over the world, irrespective of their ethnicity, language or religion. According to the 2019 statistics, the Indian population in Qatar amounts to approximately 691,000, out of which the majority are from Kerala.

Being an ideal host country, Qatar demonstrates the most supreme approaches to care for the needs of all the residents. The expatriates constitute approximately 89% of the country’s population, out of which around 14% are Christians. Qatar not only grants permission to various denominations among Christians to perform religious rituals, but also protects the Religious Complex where all the churches are located. The Catholic Community is the majority, and they belong to the Latin, Syro Malabar and Syro Malankara parishes in Qatar. For their spiritual needs, the Knanaya community in Qatar depends on Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary which follows Latin rite and St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church which follows Syro Malabar rite.

Qatar Knanaya Cultural Association (QKCA) took its inception in 1991 as a small community that gathered occasionally in the houses of its members, with the aim of inculcating in its members, especially the future generation, the pride of being a Knanayite, by familiarizing them with the history, traditions, customs as well as to make them grow in the esteem of our unity and uniqueness. Providing opportunities and encouraging them to identify their talents and abilities is also the aim of the association. QKCA has now grown to be one of the biggest associations affiliated to the Indian Embassy in Qatar. It has a concrete structure well-defined by its by-law for membership, administration, election and activities. With a strength of more than 1000 members, QKCA excels in sports and cultural activities. The Pius X Family Unit which was established in 2014 in St Thomas Syro Malabar Church works as the prayer group exclusively for the Knanaya Catholic community. QKCYL which started in 2014 as well actively unites the Knanaya youth who work in Qatar, and nurtures the pride of Knanaya unity and uniqueness. The women in the Knanaya community in Qatar gather at times under QKCWA, helping one another to share their concerns and feelings over work, families and children. The executive committee of QKCA has representation from all the foranes of Kottayam Knanaya Archdiocese, QKCYL, QKCWA and Pius X Ward Unit. Moreover, the parish council of St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church has two members – a male and a female – representing the Knanaya community in Qatar.

QKCA always serves as the perfect epitome of Knanaya unity by extending its generous hands towards the problems of its members especially when they suffer from diseases. In addition, when a member dies in Qatar, QKCA exemplifies Knanaya fraternity by bearing all the expenses to transfer the body to Kerala. When the association celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2016, it donated a house to a Knanaya family in Madampam forane. QKCA also contributed to donate a house to a family in Uzhavoor forane in 2018. By meeting yearly at the four major events namely Onam, Sports Day, Picnic and Annual Day, the association provides opportunity to the members to exhibit their talents in sports and cultural activities. QKCA Children’s Club actively coordinates all the Knanaya children in Qatar and thrives to nurture the innumerable talents in them. QKCA Music Club provides additional opportunities for the singers and music lovers in QKCA to demonstrate their talents in singing. Moreover, QKCA 4X4 Club coordinates occasional desert trips for bachelors and families in the association. The involvement in the activities of QKCA has enabled many people to outshine in leadership, social work, art, writing, acting, public speaking, sports and many other talents.

The development of QKCA into a well-structured popular association owes extremely to the efforts of the elders who set the platform by establishing the association, and the former presidents namely Thomas Thengummoottil, Kurian Kudakkasseril, Abraham Pathiyil, Simon Pathiyil, George Manuel, Stephenson Analil, Dominic Chackonal, Baby Lukose Chemmachel, Jijo Lukose Thazhathuvettikkattil, Thankachan Maveliputhenpurayil, Jose Kurian Inchenattil, Jibu Mambillil and Biju Stephen. QKCA continues its gallops now under the leadership of Harly Luke Thomas Thuruthuvelil (President), Benett Jacob Chirackal (General Secretary) and Smithu Jose Menamattathil (Treasurer).

Having grown from a small gathering to a big association affiliated to the Indian Embassy of Qatar, QKCA enjoys a unique reputation of excellent and efficient coordination of activities, active participation of maximum members and a peculiar sense of unity and cooperation. The younger generation of QKCA being inculcated with the values of Knanaya entity, the association continues to grow as one community, spreading the message of oneness and love.