The Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will provide a comprehensive programme of social, religious and sport activities throughout the holy month of Ramadan, it was announced yesterday.
“In line with its commitment to the local community, the Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) aims to keep our facilities the preferred destination for people in Qatar during Ramadan,” said Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri, corporate communications manager.
“Every year, our mandate is to provide religious and sport activities that are accessible to everyone. In order to achieve this goal, we are committed to organising exceptional events that will help members of society keep fit. Through these initiatives, we look forward to being the destination of choice for our community to enjoy during the evening hours of Ramadan,” he explained.
Aspetar will compile a comprehensive Ramadan calendar that will feature a range of information, including daily prayer times.
For the third year in a row, AZF will organise its Ramadan Sports Festival. The programme has expanded this year to involve 11 different activities for men, women, children and people with special needs.
The activities will include beach football, volleyball, football, basketball, and football for juniors, American football, handball, car racing by remote control and table tennis.
Ramadan Sports Festival will also offer special activities for women in co-operation with Qatar Women’s Sports Committee, in order to encourage women to stay active during the holy month.
As egalitarianism is one of the basic concepts in Islam, AZF in co-operation with Qatar Paralympic Committee, will also organise a special table tennis tournament for people with special needs.
Aiming to appeal to children, AZF will organise a number of fun activities including, games, a Fun Zone and bouncy castles and colouring and painting at Aspire Dome. Families will have the opportunity to leave their children at the Fun Zone in Aspire Dome, while performing different sports at Ramadan Sports Festival. They will also have the option to run or jog at “Splash and Dash” and take part in other activities organised by Aspire.
Mid-Ramadan, children in Qatar traditionally celebrates ‘Garangao’ by wearing folkloric clothes and asking for candies and nuts. This year, AZF will organise a special traditional event, full of engaging activities to ingrain the values of giving and unity and to celebrate traditional legacies.
The Garangao celebration will be held on July 11, from 7.30pm until midnight. During this time, Aspire Park will be transformed into a giant recreational and sports centre. Children will be able to watch or participate in a number of activities including, running, stilt walking, acrobatic shows tightrope walking and learning calligraphy.
In line with its social corporate responsibility, AZF in co-ordination with Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF), will distribute 1,000 Iftar meals daily.
Meals will be offered to individuals located on roads close to Aspire during the time of Maghrib prayer. Part of the annual ‘Iftar on the Road Project,’ this Iftar will include: a bottle of water, dates, yoghurt, pie, fruits and a light meal.
Building on the successes of last year, AZF in collaboration with RAF, will also host the Ramadan programme entitled, “Bashayer Al Rahma.” This initiative will focus on a series of activities during Ramadan that speak to the significance of the holy month including, presentations and seminars by religious scholars about different Islamic themes.
More information about AZF’s activities and schedule during Ramadan could be had from www.lifeinaspire.qa
‘Fasting for Health’ drive
In order to encourage the community to continue exercising during Ramadan, Aspetar is re-launching its popular campaign, ‘Fasting for Health’.
The one month programme, which also ran last year, will include tips designed to help members of the community to keep fit and healthy.
These tips will be available on various social media platforms and will target not only the local residents but residents of the Gulf region. The helpful tips have been developed by the hospital’s leading sports experts.
