Eid Festivities in and around Doha

(IslamOnline.net) – Cultural shows, focusing on national heritage, as well as `Eid forums and social festive gatherings are meant to give Qatar's `Eid Al-Fitr five-day holiday a special taste this year.

The richness and diversity of Qatar’s culture and traditions will be the prime attractions during the Doha `Eid Festival, Qatar Tourism Authority said, according to Gulf Times daily Wednesday, November 2.

He added that the Qatar Cultural Village, set up especially for the festival, will operate for five days at Dafna, next to the Diplomatic Club, from 4pm to 11pm, stressing that a traditional fort has been purpose-built for the occasion.

The Cultural Village will present a cross-section of national life, both past and present. A traditional wedding ceremony will be enacted daily and a Qatari family will host guests in a traditional home, preparing and serving local delicacies, according to Gulf Times.

"The Qatar Cultural Show will be presented four times daily at different shopping malls as well as outdoor venues. Both productions are to highlight aspects of Qatari culture, from architecture to cuisine and theatre to traditional games."

Other activities include a traditional coffee shop that will be dispensing its wares free of charge, while the Liwan section will be presenting Qatari food.

"A mobile version of the Qatar Cultural Village will present four daily shows of 30-45 minutes each, featuring the Qatar Cultural Arts Theater, henna designs and traditional games."

Traditional activities such as yoghurt shaking and hakawati are to round off an informative and educational insight into Qatari culture and historic lifestyle, the daily added.

Further cultural highlights include a new show by famous Qatari actor/comedian Abdel-Aziz Jasem, and the children’s play Suweira and Her Daughter.

Audiences at the Doha Eid Festival will be the first to enjoy the 2005 production, a two-hour comedy show.

Gatherings

Qatar, like most other Arab and Muslim countries, will celebrate `Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Thursday, November 3.

The rich Gulf emirate is having a busy `Eid Al-Fitr schedule this year.

The youth wing of Qatar Indian Islahi Center (QIIC) -- Focus Qatar -- is organizing an `Eid Social Meet on the first day of `Eid Al-Fitr at QIIC premises at Bin Mahmoud, according to Gulf Times.

In addition, the Indian Islamic Association’s `Eid prayers will be held at the Al-Arabi Stadium grounds on the first day of `Eid, according to a statement carried by Gulf Times.

The Qatar Indian Islahi Centre’s prayers will be at the Government Boys preparatory school grounds, near Jaidah flyover.

The Confederation of Alumni Associations of Kerala (CAAK) is hosting its first ever `Eid Al-Fitr program Saturday at Qatar Malayali Samajam auditorium, the daily said.

Indian embassy charge d’affaires Rajinder Bhagat will be the chief guest. “The members should reserve their seats with the respective alumni representatives in advance,� CAAK general secretary Alex George told the daily.

Preparations

`Eid Al-Fitr in Qatar, like other Gulf states, has a special aura to it, entailing religious and ceremonial preparations.

Marking the time-honored Arab celebrations of `Eid Al-Fitr, Qatari people approach mosques in droves at early morning to perform the `Eid prayers.

Once they finish their religious rituals, Qatari women rush back home to prepare for receiving guests and relatives.

Qatari men, meanwhile, go to visit relatives, neighbors and friends to congratulate them on the Muslim feast.

At the evening, Qatari families flock to parks and cafes to spend lovely evenings chatting and laughing during the three days of the feast.