Last-minute Eid shoppers throng Doha markets

Major shopping centres and malls across Doha capitalised on the last-minute Eid al-Fitr shopping rush as the holy month of Ramadan ended yesterday evening.Thousands of people thronged shopping areas, causing traffic jams on roads leading to them. Even beauty centres, barber shops and car wash centres experienced a heavy rush.As always, Eid festivities in Qatar reflect the prevailing atmosphere of diversity, peaceful co-existence among a myriad of cultures and general prosperity. However, the hot and humid weather would considerably draw the residents away from open public parks, a popular destination for family outdoor activities, shifting the focus on shopping malls and other entertainment facilities.“Though it is practically impossible to go into a shopping mall and come out empty-handed, sometimes we go there just to walk around, window shopping, with no real plans for buying. Yet, seeing people going around from different backgrounds with different styles of clothing and variety of languages in the air would be a refreshing experience,” said an expatriate engineer. He pointed out that the Eid holidays are so special in Qatar in particular because of the high purchasing power of the people.Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has prepared a packed schedule of Eid activities incorporating the traditional and modern and catering for almost all categories of people. Major shopping malls (The Mall, Royal Plaza, Landmark, Hyatt Plaza and Al-Khor Mall) are taking part in hosting and organising such activities. The activities include traditional troupes, parades, African circus, fairy tales, BreaksK8 and Barney sing along, which will be featuring during the four days of Eid. There are also other activities scheduled for the Heritage Village at the Corniche, Katara, Qatar National Theatre, Souq Waqif, Aspire Zone Park and the Museum of Islamic Art Park.  Ramadan saw the spread of philanthropy and charity work, both  inside and outside the country. Many orgainsations offered a variety of programmes to assist the underprivileged and the needy and enhance the spirit of sharing among people. Such programmes also reached out to different  parts of the world, in Asia and Africa in particular.    Money exchange centres also saw remittances reaching new levels as an increasing number of expatriates were seen sending money to their loved ones in different parts of the world. “As I see these people sending different sums of money, whether small or big, to different countries around the world, I think of Qatar  as a source of  joy and relief in various corners of the globe,” pointed out an expatriate accountant at a major exchange.Though some expatriates prefer to spend Eid at their home countries with their relatives, others, who have been in Qatar for many years, said that they now felt more at home here than their countries of origin. “I have been here for more than 15 years and the country has  changed extensively. Yet, over the years things are becoming brighter though more crowded and expensive, but the spirit of acceptance of others and peace is never lacking. I continue to practice  my local culture here among my extended family and feel as if we are at home, “said a Palestinian expatriate.