eid Archives • Middle East 24/7

As a number of GCC member states have already announced the dates for the Eid holidays, movement is expected among nationals and residents within the Gulf Region for their holiday vacations.

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Out of the few countries in the GCC, there’s one that continues to aspire and raise its tourism efforts, and to make a mark among travellers coming from all parts of the world. For the uninitiated, Qatar is a small country in the Arabian Gulf, which has a rich cultural roots as well as modern-day services, luxuries and amenities.

Qatar’s Tourism Council to Boost Activities During Eid, Summer — Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Tourism Council Offers Discounts During Eid, Summer Period

In order to strengthen its bid, the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) in collaboration with over 30 partners has announced to hold an array of tourist attractions, offering discounts on flight tickets and hotels, shopping promotions, attractive entertainment programmes for Eid Al Fitr and during the summer for families and individuals under Summer in Qatar 2019 (SiQ) to boost tourism, as shared in a report by MENAFN.

Acccording to Mashal Shahbik from the QNTC, “SiQ forms part of QNTC’s strategy to enrich and diversify the country’s tourism offering, particularly in the area of family and urban entertainment.”

Shahbik added that this year marks greater collaboration among QNTC’s partners in the public and private sectors, who have taken the initiative to create more tourism offerings. SiQ is part of QNTC’s focus on developing sustainable, year-round tourism, boosting a traditionally slower season in Qatar, she explained.

In line with this, a wide selection of unbeatable discounts on travel and hospitality, combined with dazzling shopping deals, promotions and packages offer a complete summer experience in the country. Of note, Qatar Airways’ deals include 25 percent discount on flights to Doha from May 30 to August 15, as well as a 25 percent discount on Al Maha Airport’s Meet and Assist / Lounge Services.

Under the hospitality sector, 12 hotels from Katara Hospitality, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, Al Najada Hotel and Souq al Wakra Hotel from Al Rayyan Project Management, and nine hotels from Marriott International hotels are participating in this year’s program offering 25 percent discount on best available rates on accommodation from June 4 to August 16.

Participating establishments including Fraser Suites West Bay, The Curve Hotel, Wyndham Grand, Regency Doha, La Cigale Hotel, Oryx Rotana, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Torch, Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel and Amari Doha are also participating in the summer programme by offering up to 25 percent off in services and amenities. Meanwhile, Katara Hospitality is offering an exclusive 40 percent discount for the residents of Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.

For its part, Qatar Museums offer Culture Pass discounts on SiQ activities, retail, and access to cultural and community classes. Members can avail of special discounts at select locations including Trimoo Parks, QSports, KidzMondo Doha, Megapolis, Minipolis, Go Fun, Circusland, Power Loads, Bounce, Kidzania, live shows, concerts, and others.

Meanwhile, up to 70% shopping discount along with other promotions are offered across nine participating Malls: Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Tawar Mall, AlKhor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, and Al Mirqab Mall. For a minimum purchase worth QAR 200, guests can qualify for one of the three raffle draws with a total worth over QAR 2 million in cash & car prizes, with a MacLaren as the grand prize.

For your entertainment pleasure, Katara Cultural Village will have cultural performances, family shows, and fireworks during the 4 days of Eid Al Fitr & Eid Al Adha. Meanwhile, Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakrah Eid Festival will feature cultural performances, musical acts and family shows for guets of all ages.

These are just a few of the many promotions and discounts to be offered to guests and residents of Qatar starting the Eid period continuing into the rest of the summer. Be sure to check with your favourite shopping places for amazing deals and prices on your retail and dining choices.

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As Muslims all over the world are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan through prayers, fasting, and participating in charitable events across the city, it pays to take note of the upcoming holidays that are set to take place after this month.

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In Muslim countries such as Kuwait, Ramadan represents a time of solemn prayers and long fasts. It also gives Muslims time to be in thoughtful reflection of the teachings of the Q’uran. In short, Ramadan represents a time of penance and sacrifice, but in the Islamic calendar, not all events are as pensive and somber, as following the Ramadan is a time of celebration, also known as Eid, which represents such a time similar to the New Year of other nationalities.

What You Need to Know About Eid in Kuwait

But since the dates for the actual holidays in the Islamic calendar are based on lunar sightings and movements, Muslims and residents do away with waiting for official announcements made by relevant authorities in their host countries.

However, as Ramadan was marked on May 5 in Kuwait, it will last until June 4, which will then mark the beginning of the Eid or Eid Al-Fitr in the country.

What is Eid?

Following a whole month of religious prayer and fasting, Eid represents a time for Muslims all over the world to go without fasting, which also equates to lavish revelry and celebrations across the country.

Eid, as an important calendar date, also marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal, which is opened with a great feast to officially end the period of fasting observed during Ramadan.

As a public holiday in Muslim countries such as Kuwait, residents exchange greetings such as “Eid Mubarak,” which translates to “blessed celebration” during Eid Al-Fitr. For the citizens and residents, whether Muslim or not, this friendly greeting serves as a sign of unity and friendship, so it’s important to pick on this short phrase as a sign of respect and warm reception towards others in public.

What can you expect during Eid?

During this time, most Muslims would wake up early in the morning to offer prayers inside mosques. Many people then celebrate this time by shopping for beautiful clothing and joining public festivities and celebrations. Also, it’s customary for friends and family members to exchange gifts and greeting cards.

Aside from Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims also celebrate Eid Al-Adha, which officially begins a month after the former. This date falls in the middle of the twelfth and last month in the Islamic calendar.

The holiday was based on the event when Allah showed himself to Ibrahim in a dream and instructed him to offer up Ishmael, his son, as a sacrifice, and a way to prove his faith. The story is similar to Abaraham and Isaac’s in the Christian religion.

Furthermore, during this time, practicing Muslims sacrifice animals as part of their tradition with some variations in handling and practices, based on their country’s laws.

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