Traffic jam around Souq Waqif as people rush for last-minute Eid purchases yesterday. Abdul Basit
DOHA: Qatar is all set to celebrate Eid Al Adha today and the meteorology department has forecast pleasant weather during the holidays.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has prepared 278 mosques and prayer grounds across the country to perform the special Eid prayers. The prayers will be held at 5.47am. Special arrangements for women will be available at 31 prayer venues.
Several expatriate organisations have also organised Eid prayers in collaboration with the ministry. Hundreds of expats are expected to attend these congregations, where translation of the Eid sermons in their languages will be available.
The grass ground at Al Arabi Sports Club and a portion of the parking area at Lulu Hypermarket will be converted into prayer grounds, mainly for Indian expats, with special facilities for women.
Animal sacrifice being an important ritual of Eid Al Adha, the livestock market in Abu Hamour and the attached slaughterhouses are expected to witness huge rush today and in the following days.
Shopping malls, butcheries and groceries saw huge crowds last evening, with people rushing for last-minute Eid shopping.
Barber shops and beauty salons were also bustling with visitors until late in the night. Roads leading to all major shopping centres were clogged for hours yesterday.
The West End Park in Mesaimeer, close to the Industrial Area, and its Grand Mall Hypermarket have been attracting a huge number of visitors since their opening on Friday. A musical show targeting Indian expats will take place at the open amphitheatre at West Park this evening.
The renovated Corniche road, which is expected to be fully open to traffic by this morning, will smoothen traffic in the city and add colour to Eid celebrations.
All major roundabouts on the Corniche have been converted into intersections, equipped with a smart traffic control system.
The Doha International Airport and the Abu Samra border post have been witnessing huge rush over the past few days, with many people heading to the neighbouring countries for the Eid holidays.
Dubai has emerged as the most favourite destination for expats while a number of citizens travel by road to the neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Doha has also been attracting a number of visitors from other GCC countries.
All popular festival venues in Doha and other places are expected to attract huge crowds, with a pleasant weather expected during the holidays. No strong winds or a sudden dip in temperature are forecast by the Meteorology Department in the next four days. Temperature would hover between an ideal 23-35 degrees Celsius in Doha and a dip by one or two degrees is expected in outer areas like Wakra and Al Khor.
The Peninsula
