Eid Al Adha celebrations in Qatar are more inclusive this year as Eid festivities have been planned not only for families as in previous years but also for single workers, a segment of society which was mostly ignored in the past.
DOHA: Cultural programmes by well-known performers, a cricket match with legendary players, and football matches are some of the events to be held today and during the Eid holidays. Entry to most of the events, especially those to be held at West End Park (cricket stadium) in Industrial Area and at Al Khor Sports Club, will be free of charge.
Eid Al Adha (festival of the sacrifice) is widely recognised as a time for sacrifice, prayer, reflection and philanthropy, as Muslims across the globe share bounties and honour familial and communal bonds.
Muslims celebrate today, offering morning prayers and enjoying festivities in the evening with their family and friends. For others, too, the week-long national holiday provides an opportunity to relax.
Eid prayers will be performed at 5.42am today, according to Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
The prayers will be held in nearly 300 locations around Qatar, including some with space for families.
The Ministry of Interior is organising entertainment and cultural events for expatriates as part of an ‘Eid Al Adha Fest 2014’. The events, being staged in association with six expatriate communities, will be held at West End Park (cricket stadium) in Industrial Area and at Al Khor Sports Club.
The events are being held for single workers and families between 5pm and 10pm at West End Park, and from 3pm onwards at Al Khor Sports Club. Audiences will get the opportunity to win prizes at these events and there will be separate seating arrangements for families.
Artistes from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese and Indonesian communities will perform in a cultural show depicting their traditional dances and music.
The Al Khor stadium, which can accommodate 8,000 people, will host a football match and a tug of war between teams representing companies from 3pm onwards. Performances by members of the Nepalese community will start at the main stadium at 5pm.
A team of performers from Indian Cultural Centre will present Hindi songs and dances. There will also be a dance presented by Gujarati Samaj, a folk song performance by Bangiya Parishad, a cultural performance by Ideal Indian School, a traditional show by Kerala Cultural Association, and a cultural show and dance by Skills Development Centre.
The Nepalese community will present folk songs, traditional dances and a cultural show, while the Pakistani community will present Urdu and Pashto songs, a cultural performance and a traditional dance.
The Sri Lankan community will present songs, a Sri Lankan and Arabic dance, a Sri Lankan drumming session, a traditional song and traditional dances.
A traditional song, a costume show with music, a folk song and a traditional dance will be performed by the Bangladeshi community.
The Indonesian community will present the Indang dance, Rantak Besapi dance, Dolanan dance, Pulus dance and Rampak Pemudi dance.
The audience will get the opportunity to win 250 prizes sponsored by Malabar Gold and the Ministry of Interior in lucky draws at West End Park and Al Khor Sports Club. Children will be given special gifts.
T20 Cricket Festival
The ‘Eid T20 Cricket Festival’ will bring top-class world and Asian cricketers to Doha in a T20 match. The first of its kind cricket event will be held at West End Park on Monday.
Legendry players Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya will lead unofficial sides at a T20 match organised by West End Park in association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Lara will lead the star-studded World XI while former Sri Lanka captain Jayasuriya will lead the Asia XI team. They will be joined by popular cricketers Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa, Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn of Australia, Imran Nazir of Pakistan and Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh.
Tickets for the match, which is expected to attract many fans from countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, are priced at QR35 and QR50.
The tickets can be purchased at the cinemas at West End Park, at Grand Mall and online at www.q-tickets.com.
Shreya Ghoshal live in Concert
Shreya Ghoshal, a popular Indian singer, will perform live tomorrow at West End Park from 7.30 pm onwards.
The award-winning playback singer mainly sings in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam films, as well as in other languages such as Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya and Punjabi.
Tickets for the show are on sale at different outlets at prices ranging from QR50 to QR1,000.
The show is expected to draw a big crowd from the Indian sub-continent.
QTA ‘Eid Celebrations
Citizens and residents staying in the country during Eid Al Adha have many options to choose from to spend the holidays as Qatar Tourism Authority is hosting ‘Eid Celebrations in Qatar’ at 16 locations across the country.
Malls, museums and leisure and tourist destinations will host activities and events to celebrate Eid for people of all ages, starting today.
After cancelling their events for Eid Al Fitr earlier this year to show solidarity with Palestinians during an Israeli military offensive, Katara and Souq Waqif, two of the most preferred destinations for citizens, residents and tourists in Qatar, are back with a slew of events and activities.
Malls
For one week starting today, major shopping centres in Qatar will be filled with entertainment for mall-goers.
The shows and activities start at 4pm at City Centre Doha, Lagoona, Hyatt Plaza, Landmark, The Mall and Al Khor Mall.
The shows and activities to be held in the malls include Dora’s Ballet Adventures, face painting, freestyle football, traditional Arda dance, Fritters show, Shaun the Sheep, Tannoura dance, Oriental Parade, Adventure Time, Steve Kaos, Bubblez and Balloonz show, Dan Druff Circus show, Mr Potato Head, speed painting show and Sweets for Kids show.
Other Locations
The Heritage Village and Al Bidda Park are hosting various Eid activities from 5pm until midnight for four days starting today.
The Pearl Qatar is also hosting a number of events for three days starting today. The shows and activities are free and scheduled from 6pm till 10pm.
Aqua Park is also organising an Eid Al Adha festival from today until Monday from 4.30pm until 8.30pm with entry fees of QR100 for children and QR130 for adults.
For adrenaline junkies, paragliding tours are being held at Sealine for a fee of QR250. The tours will be held from 3pm to 6pm until Friday.
Qatar Shooting and Archery Association is also conducting shooting practice at Lusail Shooting Club for those above 18 years of age.
There are also free tours of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum until October 11 and of Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve from tomorrow until Wednesday. THE PENINSULA
