Lights Out, Change On!" – Qatari Kids Takeover Doha Festival City’s Control Room to Dim Mall Lights for Earth Hour

This Earth Hour, Doha Festival City, Qatar’s destination for vibrant experiences, fashion and entertainment, handed over the controls to the next generation. On Saturday, March 22, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, 14-year-old Omar Nusair Al-Ejli and 6-year-old Ibrahim Nusair Al-Ejli—two young mall visitors and Qatari Earth Hour advocates, dimmed 50% of the mall’s lights, leading a symbolic moment for change.

And they have a challenge for visitors beyond Earth Hour: Join them in turning off unnecessary lights at home and become changemakers for the planet.

Earth Hour is a global movement where individuals, businesses, and cities switch off lights for an hour to promote energy conservation. By putting young voices at the forefront, Doha Festival City reinforces its commitment to sustainability, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 and fostering eco-conscious practices in the community.

This initiative was part of Festival Cares, the mall’s community engagement program dedicated to social and environmental impact. More than a shopping destination, Doha Festival City empowers visitors to take part in meaningful change.

"At Doha Festival City, we believe in the power of youth," said Christopher Barton, Director – Asset Management, Qatar, Al-Futtaim Real Estate. "By giving Omar and Ibrahim the controls, we’re proving that change starts with every one of us. We invite everyone to join them and take action beyond this year’s Earth Hour."

As part of their challenge, Omar and Ibrahim are encouraging every household in Qatar to appoint a "Young Earth Hour Officer"—a family member responsible for switching off unnecessary lights one hour before bedtime, every night.

"If we can switch off the lights at Doha Festival City, you can do it at home—small actions today will light up a better future for Qatar!" said Omar and Ibrahim Nusair Al-Ejli, urging families across the country to take part.

Beyond Earth Hour, Doha Festival City remains a leader in sustainability, with smart lighting systems, optimized HVAC operations reducing energy consumption by 25%, and 23 EV charging stations, with Tesla Superchargers in the works. Recognized for its efforts, the mall received the Silver Award for Sustainability Excellence from the Middle East Council’s Shopping Centre Awards in 2024.

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