The two-day programmes, organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in association with Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and Barwa Group, were spread over more number of venues compared to the previous years to accommodate more people and performers.
The events are being held at six locations such as Asian Town, Labour City, Barwa Baraha, Al Wakra Sports Club, Al Ahli Sports Club and Barwa Workers Recreation Complex at Al Khor.
Several departments of the MoI, such as Traffic, Civil Defence, Community Policing, Al Fazaa, Permanent Committee for Drugs and Alcohol Affairs, Search and Follow Up Department and Public Relations Department presented awareness messages on various topics.
A section of the audience at Asian Town. PICTURES: Ram Chand
There were three locations at Industrial area for the programmes this year. Indian, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan artistes and popular Asian orchestra teams performed various cultural events in Asian Town (cricket stadium parking area), Labour City (playground) and Barwa Baraha (playground).
Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi Community teams and artistes from many Indian associations presented some spectacular shows on the occasion. The events included songs in different languages, dances, cinematic dances, Bollywood fusion and awareness thematic shows as well as folklore and traditional shows.
At Asian Town, members of Indian and Bangladesh expatriate communities presented a number of cultural programmes. Large number of workers, especially residing in the Industrial Area and the nearby places, attended the event at Asian Town.
The awareness presentations included talks on traffic safety, pedestrian safety, awareness messages on risks of drug abuse and mental stimulants usage, risks of carrying materials from known and unknown people without verifying its contents when coming to Qatar.
In between the cultural programmes, the organisers repeatedly announced several instructions and safety measures to be followed on various occasions. They included how to take care in case of cooking gas leakage, procedures on bringing medicines to Qatar, types of medicines not permitted to be brought to Qatar as well as the quantity of medicine allowed.
Another presentation highlighted the importance of carrying the original Residency Permit card at all times- not photocopies- as well as presenting them to the authorities if asked for verification.
The audience also were briefed that they should keep away from any accident sites to make sure that safety and rescue personnel reach without any obstruction. It was also advised that people should refrain from taking pictures of accidents’victims and sharing them on the social media.
A singer performs at Asian Town
Thousands of residents attended several entertainment, cultural and awareness programmes that began at locations across the country for various expatriate communities on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
