By : Fazmina Samat
Time flies too quickly. It feels like just yesterday that 2016 was the “present,” but in January 2026, it will officially be remembered as something from a decade ago.
2016 was a wild year that gave us unforgettable global trends, political shake-ups, and even major milestones right here in Qatar. Let’s rewind and relive the moments that defined that year:
The World was obsessed with :
- Pokémon Go: Streets, parks, and malls everywhere were packed with people chasing virtual Pokémon.
- Fidget Spinners: The little toy that spun its way into everyone’s hands.
- The Dabbing Craze: From kids to athletes, everyone was striking the dab.
- Bottle Flip Challenge: Landing a water bottle upright was suddenly the peak of skill.
- The Mannequin Challenge: Entire groups freezing mid-action while Rae Sremmurd played in the background.
- PPAP Song: “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” was stuck in every head across the globe.
Noteworthy headlines that were unforgettable
- Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.
- Brexit became a reality as the UK voted to leave the EU.
- Zika virus dominated global health discussions.
- The iPhone 7 was launched, introducing water resistance and removing the headphone jack.
- Scary Clown Pranks spread fear and memes worldwide.
- The Rio Olympics brought unforgettable moments to sports fans.
Milestones in Qatar
- Sheraton Park officially opened, becoming a favourite leisure spot.
- Qatar hosted the UCI Road World Championships, putting cycling in the spotlight.
- Sara Masoud made history as Qatar’s first-ever female Paralympic medalist.
- Snapchat introduced filters, changing how everyone shared moments in Doha and beyond.
- Hamad International Airport launched its indoor trainline, easing passenger movement.
- Mall of Qatar finally opened, cementing itself as a landmark shopping destination.
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