DOHA: Several high-profile events were cancelled as part of three-day mourning in Qatar following the death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The opening of Sout Al Rayyan Radio’s annual music festival featuring some of the region’s prominent artistes in Souq Waqif was among the events cancelled.
Sout Al Rayyan Radio said on its Twitter account that the event, also supposed to be broadcast on the popular Arabic Channel Rotana, has been cancelled.
Radio stations and television channels in Qatar cancelled their programmes and aired the recitation of the Holy Quran as part of the mourning.
Other events cancelled include, The Colour Run, a community event presented by Sahtak Awalan (Your Health First).
During the 5km fun run participants can run, jog, walk or even push their children in strollers around the course under a shower of coloured powder.
The event was supposed to be held at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) today.
Katara Cultural Village also cancelled the Second Leshta (Winter) Festival 2015, which opened on Thursday and was supposed to end on Monday.
“The Katara organising committee for the festival will be stopping to showcase its activities to the public,” said a statement in Arabic posted on Katara’s Twitter account.
The Qatar Winter Career Camp 2015 supposed to take place at QNCC today was also cancelled.
Many citizens and expatriates took to social media to mourn and pay their tributes to King Abdullah. “The Muslim world has lost a great father, a great leader and Qatar has lost a great friend,” said one tweeter.
“The Islamic and Arab nations lost a great leader who stood as an advocate for Arab causes and rights and who helped spread peace, tolerance, justice and benevolence. The achievements of the late King Abdullah for Saudi Arabia and its people are the best testimony to his devotion and generosity,” another resident said on a local networking forum called Qatarshares.
Another tweet said, “The kind king will never die; he will always stay alive in our hearts.”
Tributes was also paid to King Abdullah’s modest and unmarked grave. One citizen tweeted, “A simple grave for one of the world’s most powerful kings.”
The Peninsula
