A dazzling fireworks display wowed thousands of people at Katara yesterday who celebrated the first day of Eid Al Fitr. Pic: Abdul Basit
Doha: Muslims around the country celebrated Eid Al Fitr on the first day with prayers performed in 590 mosques and other locations. And to commemorate the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, big crowds was seen taking advantage of the holidays at a number of tourist attractions, such as the Cultural Village Katara and the Old Doha Port, as the celebrations continue over the next few days.
A wide selection of programmes, including music, contests, stage plays, a fireworks display, an entertainment parade, folk art sessions, gift-giving (Eidiya), and various kid-friendly activities, were presented to guests in the said areas from the afternoon until late in the evening.
Many parents and their children were seen enjoying the atmosphere in Katara village. When The Peninsula spoke to several of the visitors, they said that this year’s Eid celebration is very joyful and entertaining.
The occasion brings friends and family closer together, according to Marivic Padua, who’s spending the holiday with her son and mother. “I asked my friend Rocelle to spend the first day of Eid here together with her husband and three children, our families have been friends for over six years now and we always plan together when holidays like Eid come. Because of these musicals and stage performances, the programme at Katara is more interesting, and we also get to learn more about our second home through these stage plays. And our kids even joined the Eid quiz which was fun.”
“Since we have been living in Qatar for eight years, we have made an effort to spend Eid in various locations. Today, we are at Katara, and tomorrow, we will visit either Souq Waqif or Souq Wakra. The kids like these events, particularly since they can make new friends. Eid, in my opinion, is more than just a holiday; it’s about meeting new friends and gathering together to celebrate,” said Abdul from Syria.
Meanwhile, many people can also be seen spending the Eid holidays at the Old Doha Port, home to the Mina District, Grand Cruise Terminal, and Box Park.
The port Eid celebrations will last for five days, or until April 25, and include marine folk art sessions in the Mina District, parade bands and roving entertainment, as well as kid-friendly events like face painting and bubble shows. Aside from these, marine activities are also happening throughout the day including paddle boarding, water ski boarding and kayaking.
As one of the country’s quickest-growing tourist attractions, the area will be celebrating Eid for the first time this year after it was opened for the World Cup last year. According to Engr Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, Executive Director of the Old Doha Port, they are eager to conduct year-round activities to “reinforce the idea and to remind people about the origin of the place.”
Esther from the Netherlands, who is celebrating Eid in the Old Doha Port, stated that folk performances and introducing the traditional style of celebrating Eid are two ways to preserve the Qatari culture. “In this digital era, we still need to reflect on the past and value what we had previously. We must understand why we are celebrating this holiday for us to have a deeper understanding of Eid.”
A broad choice of events has also been planned for everyone to celebrate Eid in other well-known tourist attractions such as Souq Waqif, Souq Wakra, Lusail Boulevard, The Pearl-Qatar, and Al Shaqab.
