Further relaxations in restrictions against Covid-19 have made residents across Qatar jubilant while celebrating Eid al-Adha Tuesday. They visited beaches, tourist spots, parks and shopping malls. The celebrations will continue throughout this week.
|We are having cheerful days with further relaxations coming into effect a few days ahead of Eid al-Adha,” said Advocate Issuddin KK, co-ordinator of Indian Lawyers Fraternity Forum, Qatar.
In order to spend the holidays in a joyous mood and meet his friends, the Dukhan resident came into Doha where he booked a hotel to stay with his family. “This Eid is different for a host of reasons. The doors of mosques and prayer grounds were opened for special Eid prayers. Besides, we are free to enjoy more privileges like going out and visiting tourist spots,” he said, adding that people are aware of the protocols against Covid-19.


Kids enjoying at a green area on the Corniche near Sheraton Doha


A family at MIA Park



Two kids having a good time at MIA Park



People spending the evening at the Corniche near Sheraton Doha



A boy spends a quiet moment with a cat at MIA Park


Educationist Firos PT said he is glad to meet his kith and kin while taking his family to the destinations of their choice during the holidays. This year’s Eid is special for the Doha resident as he received some guests from Saudi Arabia. “Relaxations and lifting of hotel quarantine have made travelling easy among GCC residents. I am lucky to get my friends from Saudi Arabia in Doha to celebrate Eid,” he said.
Both Issuddin and Firos noted that people have learnt to celebrate while adhering to the precautionary and preventive measures against Covid-19. “People are having a good leisure time while strictly following the protocols. I found the believers performing prayers wearing masks and keeping adequate distance between each other. No more enforcing is needed,” Issuddin said. “This trend deserves applause and we will keep improving,” Firos added.
Meanwhile, prayers and fervour marked Eid-al-Adha across Qatar. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) made more than 900 mosques and prayer grounds in various regions of the country available to receive worshippers for Eid al-Adha prayers, which started at 5.10am while maintaining the Covid-19 precautionary measures.
The ministry in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) made arrangements in 924 mosques where convenience and safety of the faithful were ensured. MME's Public Cleaning Department carried out cleanliness campaigns. Special teams with the latest equipment and machinery cleaned the prayer grounds across the country and prepared them to receive the worshippers. The Qatar Red Crescent Society deployed volunteers at mosques and prayer grounds in order to maintain safety and ensure the smooth conduct of the prayers.
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