The Al Maqtoora bazaar was the highlight of the first day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations at The Pearl-Qatar yesterday, entertaining scores of families and children at Souq Al Medina, Medina Centrale.
Al Maqtoora bazaar, an initiative of the Qatar Development Bank is a family-oriented event for all ages that sells several products at discounted prices.
‘Mickey and Minnie Mouse’, accompanied by a number of clowns and mascots, welcomed visitors from 4pm to 10pm with their dance performances as they roamed around the venue.
A number of stalls also distributed free ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn to children who also had games and art sessions such as face painting, colouring, and drawing at a dedicated section to occupy them.
Organised by United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl-Qatar, the event has attracted a large number visitors. Speaking to Gulf Times, UDC operations executive Elias Massaad said they are expecting more than 2,000 visitors for the three-day Eid celebration.
“We also set up a “sharing box and photo booth” and we invite visitors to have their pictures taken and from there, we will be able to know where they come from,” he noted.
He stressed that celebrating Eid al-Fitr is a tradition which they want to preserve by providing more fun and excitement to families and children in Qatar and visitors from other GCC countries. UDC has also partnered with Bedaya, the centre for entrepreneurship and career development in Qatar, for the staging of the Al Maqtoora bazaar, an initiative of the Qatar Development Bank.
The bazaar, a family-oriented event for all ages, sells several products at discounted prices, according to Massaad.
Bedaya entrepreneurship manager Yasmeen Hasan told Gulf Times that some 30 different startups are showcasing different products including perfumes, food, clothes, and applications, among others.
“Al Maqtoora is a market for small (micro) local businesses and the Eid celebration at The Pearl-Qatar is a great platform for them to showcase their products, to interact with their customers, to test their products, and to improve it,” she said.
“They usually won’t be able to access a location such as The Pearl so we are helping and supporting them to bring them here and give them more exposure,” Hasan added.
Bedaya also holds some seminars and workshops for entrepreneurs to ready them for bazaars and similar events in the country.
Badaya has also organised similar bazaars in other locations in Doha such as Aspire Park, Katara – the Cultural Village, Qatar University, and College of North Atlantic Qatar, according to Hasan.
“Last time we did it in Aspire Park and it was a huge success. Today it is the first day of Eid and I am expecting a lot of people ,” she stressed.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, entertain children at Souq Al Medina in The Pearl-Qatar.
