BY SACHIN KUMAR
DOHA: The rise of social media is helping Qatar’s National Day celebrations go beyond its borders. Expatriates from different countries were seen taking pictures and selfies from phones and sharing it on social media with friends and family members.
The craze to take pictures from smartphones was so high that every second there were flash lights of phone cameras hitting people’s faces. Expatriates said that posting pictures on social media allowed their friends and family members to get acquainted by Qatari people and culture.
“My friends are curious to know about Qatar and its culture. Pictures of National Day celebrations posted on social media will give them a glimpse about Qatar and its culture,” said an Indian expatriate.
“The programmes organised here are entertaining and the Wakra stadium events are grand. I have taken many pictures of programmes and the surrounding which I will post on my Facebook account. My friends and family members, through facebook, will get to know that I enjoyed National Day celebrations,” said Mohammed Raju Ahmed, owner of a computer sales and maintenance shop at Mushaireb.
“The good thing about today’s celebrations is they are designed for expatriates. I am happy and these photos give me opportunity to tell my friend that I am happy here,” said Mohamed, a Bangladeshi national, at Al Wakra with his friends to celebrate National Day celebrations.
Expatriates started posted pictures and videos of National Day celebrations since morning on Facebook and twitter. Most of the pictures were of military parade on Corniche. Once the parade was over, they started posting photos of events happening in Al Khor, West End Park, Al Wakra and other areas.
“Pictures and videos taken in Doha always excite my friends on facebook. In Nepal we do not have such a big stadium. I am sure pictures taken today will also surprise my friends again. Students performing in traditional dress and songs are in my language which has made my day,” said Bhola, a Nepalese worker, at Al Wakra Sports Club.
Fall in the prices of smartphones have allowed expatriates to take more pictures and videos. “I could not take pictures of National Day celebrations last day because I had basic phone and not smartphone. Now I have a smartphone and have taken lots of pictures which I will share on facebook,” said an expatriate worker.
The Peninsula
