CELEBRATIONSTHURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016

Qatar Tourism Author-ity (QTA) is preparing for a season of festivi-ties, which will have the Eid Al Fitr celebrations

and Qatar Summer Festival (QSF).Working closely with partners in

the public and private sectors, QTA has finalized a five-day schedule of activities for the Eid Al Fitr celebra-tions in Qatar.

“The celebrations begin on the first day of Eid under the theme ‘Capture Joy’ and will offer a variety of entertainment activities at venues across Qatar, including sports organi-sations, malls, cultural landmarks and Qatar National Theatre,” Rashed Al Qurese, chief marketing and promo-tion officer, said.

Visitors to the malls will enjoy family entertainment shows such as: Alice in Wonderland (City Center Doha), Sleeping Beauty (Dar Al Salam), The Little Mermaid (Ezdan Mall), Snow White (Lagoona Mall), Iftah Ya Simsim (Hyatt Plaza) and Dora’s Friendship Fiesta (Al Khor Mall). There

will be parades in the participating shopping malls between 5pm and 10pm, featuring drummers, walk-about birds, Koka stilt walkers and live statue.

Other shows, which will be on rotation at Qatar’s malls throughout Eid, include Doctor Bubble, Equilib-rium on the Reels, Comedy Show, Tanoura Performance, Ardha Tra-ditional Dance, Oriental Dabke and Kids Magician.

The children’s play “The Hunter and the Pirates” will be on show at Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif between 4.30 and 6.30pm, with ticket prices ranging from QR30 to QR300.

QTA’s partners will be putting on a wide variety of cultural and enter-tainment offerings, including live entertainment at Katara — the Cul-tural Village starting at 6.30pm and culminating in a firework spectacle at 9.30pm.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum will be offering free tours while horse riding sessions will be available at the Al Samariyah

Equestrian Centre. A wide variety of entertainment

options will take centre stage as well at Aqua Park, Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, The Pearl-Qatar and Aspire Zone Foundation.

The Qatar Air Sports Committee

will offer aerial paragliding tours at Sealine Beach.

The third edition of the QSF will feature a range of attractions such as special hotel rates, cultural events, shopping promotions and weekly raf-fles with prizes worth up to QR2mn.

The month-long celebration will start on August 1 at the Doha Exhibi-tion and Convention Centre.

According to QTA’s Festivals and Tourism Events director Mashal Shahbik, QTA took its visitor-centric approach this year one step further.

Hotels will be offering special packages such as ‘pay for two nights and stay for three’ in hotels, and ‘pay for five nights and stay for six’ in hotel apartments.

Select establishments will pro-vide additional incentives covering a variety of options including free breakfasts, late check-outs, free meals for children when accompa-nied by their parents (a maximum of three children per family) and free transfers to and from Hamad Inter-national Airport.

These offers are also available to residents booking during the same period. QTA has also been busy pro-moting the festival in a roadshow across the other GCC countries, which attracted over 500 travel trade pro-fessionals looking to include Qatar in their summer travel packages.

Held under the theme, ‘Colour Your Summer’, QSF offers a variety of colourful experiences including concerts, comedy events and sports events involving celebrities from across the region.

Qatar readies for Eid celebrations

CELEBRATIONSTHURSDAY 30 JUNE 20162 2201666

CHAIRMANSheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid Al-Shafi

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMohammed Salim Mohamed

ADVERTISING MANAGERALI WAHBA

SUPPLEMENT EDITORP K Niaz

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

PRODUCTIONViswanath Sarma

IMAGE PROCESSINGMohd Sajad Sahir

BY IMAM ALI SIDDIQUI

Eid Al Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid Al Fitr is a very joyous day; it

is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan. Eid Al Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zulhijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is also very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (as). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb. Although Haj has no relation with the Eid Al Adha, but the five days long rituals of Hajj are also done during this month culminating on 9th of Zdilhijjah. Many rituals of Hajj are enactment of the struggle of the family Ibrahim (as) specially his second wife Hajirah (as) and her son Prophet Ismael (as). Ayishah (May |Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw) said: “For every people there is a feast and this is our feast.” (Sahih Bukhari) Anas reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked the Ansar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet told them: ‘Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.’ (Hadith)

MEANING The root word for Eid is ‘aada meaning

he or it returned. Literally it means “the time of return of joy and of grief”. Therefore it signifies a festival. The word Eid appeared in Sura Al Maida, Table Spread, chapter 5 meaning a solemn festival. The Disciples of Isa (as) requested him to pray to his Lord to send down a Table Spread with festive food to eat of it, satisfy their hear, and may be Witnesses to the miracles (Quran 5:115-6). Isa (as) prayed to Allah: “O Our Lord! Send us a Table Spread with festive food, that there may be for us, for the first and last of us - Eid, a solemn festival and a Sign from You; and provide for our sustenance, for You are the Best Sustainer.” (Quran 5:117)

THE SUNNAH OF EID Keeping with the tradition of Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH), Muslims are encourage to prepare themselves for the occasion of Eid. Below is a list of things Muslims should do in preparation for Eid:

1.Wake up early. 2.Offer Salat al-Fajr. 3.Prepare for personal cleanliness take care of details of clothing, etc. 4.Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr. 5.Brush your teeth. 6.Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones. 7.Use perfume. 8.Have breakfast on Eid Al Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice. 9.Pay Zakat Al Fitr before Salat Al Eid (on Eid al-Fitr). 10.Go to prayer ground early.

11.Offer Salat Al Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc. 12.Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground. 13.Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salat al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Mughrib on the 9th Dhu alhijah and last until the Asr on the 12th Dhu al-ilhijah:AllahuAkbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ilaha illa-lah. Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahi alhamd.(Allah is greater. Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater. Allah is greater. And all praises are for Allah).

SALAT AL EID BEFORE KHUTBAH Ibn Abbass reported: “I participated in the

Salat Eid Al Fitr with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Salat al-Eid before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)”. Hadith

reported by MuslimWHO SHOULD OBSERVE EID PRAYER Umm Atiyah reported: ‘The Messenger

of Allah commanded us to bring out on Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, young women, hijab-observing adult women

and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaat but participated in good deeds and Du’a (supplication)’. I (Umm Atiyah) said to the Holy Prophet (PBUH): ‘O! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment.’ He replied: “Let her sister cover her with her garment.” Hadith reported by Muslim. On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.

EID PRAYER Salat Al Eid is wajib (strongly

recommended, just short of obligatory).

It consists of two Rukat (units) with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The Salat is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and struggle for Allah should be aroused in the community. At the conclusion of the Salaat the Muslims should convey greetings to each other, give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their nonMuslims neighbours, co-workers,

classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.

SACRIFICE AND EID AL ADHA Those who have enough wealth to pay

Zakat must offer the sacrifice for Allah. It is the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and a strongly recommended Sunnah. A lamb, sheep, goat, cow, buffalo, or camel can be offered as the sacrifice. There are seven shares in a cow, buffalo and camel. The sacrifice should be accomplished by slaughtering the animal after Salaat-al-Eid. The sacrifice also called Udhiyah or Qurbani last for three days from 10th Zdilhijjah until the sunset of 12th Zdilhijjah. The meat should be divided into three shares: one for the family the second for relatives and friend and the third share is for the poor and the needy.

The significance of Eid celebrations

With the sighting of the cres-cent moon the monthlong fast of Ramadan will be over, and on the wfirst day of Shawwal, ‘Eid Al Fitr’

will be celebrated in Qatar and other parts of the world.

People of other faiths, especially those with limited interaction with Muslims know little about Eid Al Fitr. They know that Mus-lims on the day wear new clothes, offer special prayers and eat sweets. But the day has much more significance for them which is rarely talked about.

Before celebrating Eid Al Fitr, Muslims, who have the means to do so, are required to give Zakat Al Fitr (charity) one Saa of food (about QR15) for each member of the family at the end of the fasting to the poor.

The main purpose of Zakat Al Fitr is to provide the poor with the means with which they can also celebrate the festival along with the rest of the Muslims. This can be called a levy on the fasting person from Allah based on the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “The fasting of the month of fasting will be hanging between

earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the Dwivine Presence without paying the Zakat Al Fitr.”

Apart from helping the poor and the needy, this is also a prescribed way to atone for inadvertent indecent act or speech during the fasting month.

By paying Zakat Al Fitr, Muslims thank Allah for having enabled them to observe the obligatory fast during the holy month. According to Muslims’ belief, Ramadan is the month of Allah in which many significant events took place, including the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Muslims, during the holy month of Ramadan, thank Allah for the Holy Book and all that He has given to Mankind such as food, water, air, sun and all the other living and nonliving things, by abstaining from food, drink, smoking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk and devote themselves to prayer.

Eid Al Fitr is more than a feast

On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfil their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

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Explore Eid getaways inTurkey, Sri Lanka and Thailand

With the Eid Al Fitr weekend just a few days away, here are top budget friendly getaways to consider for that much needed break from the humdrum toils of day-to-day life.

From rafting in Antalya to reliving the British colo-nial era in Sri Lanka, there is a weekend adventure just waiting

to be explored.Khaled Diab, Regional Gen-

eral Manager of QNET MENA said: “We all deserve to unwind and relax once in a while in far away places to reconnect with ourselves and expel all the stress away. With our fantas-tic Q-breaks travel packages, you are spoilt for choice while keeping your budgets intact.”

Antalya, TurkeyExplore this Turkish Riviera and

taste Antalya’s adventurous side with daily hikes into lush cedar for-ests of the Koprulu Canyon National Park. Take an exciting day trip con-quering raging rapids, a visit to the majestic Duden Waterfalls or the Gulf of Antalya islands where you can have your own private get-away in one of the secluded beaches. Take time to visit Kaleiçi, its old quarter, where your enter through Hadri-anus Gate and explore sites such as the fluted minaret and mosque, Yivli Minare, and the Ottoman clock

tower in Saat Kulesi.Prominent Asian direct sell-

ing company QNET through its travel arm, Q-breaks, gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit Turkey. Explore the scenic coastal town of Kaleiçi in the Antalya region of Turkey with the Q-Breaks 5 days /4 nights Doğan Eid Break Pack-age which includes complimentary dinner, complimentary cocktail, complimentary late check-out and early check-in.

Doğan Hotel lets you enjoy the vacation of your dreams, with excel-lent hospitality, wonderful food, and warm memories to bring home with you.

Dadella Galle,Sri Lanka

A location that will help you relive the British colonial era with, Tamarind Hill is a sprawling man-sion that gives you the feel of going back in time. Book for a 4 days/ 3 nights stay to experience an idyl-lic life, a feeling of going back in time. Preserved to its finest details, this luxurious house allows you to enjoy the charm of a bygone era and

to feel what it truly is like to have lived those days. If you’re a big fan of architecture from the old days, these suites would fit your every need. If you want a more special, intimate holiday experience that focuses on discreet, personalised service, this get-away destination is for you.

Koh Samui, ThailandIf you’re a foodie traveller, Prana

Resort Nandana is the perfect get-away for you. In Thailand, a common greeting is “Have you eaten yet?” and is a sign of how important food is to the Thai way of life. ‘Sum rap thai’, or ‘the way Thais eat’ is a complex and joyful expression of taste, visual presentation and balance over the course of a meal. Enjoy the delight-ful flavours of Thailand, Chaweng’s colorful nightlife, entertainment and shopping centres and a chance to get away from it all with calm-ing stretch of the pristine Bangrak Beach, Samui’s finest beach with breathtaking panoramas to the Gulf of Siam and home to a luscious land-scape of indigenous Thai flora.

Q-breaks packages can be pur-chased through QNET Independent Representatives.

CELEBRATIONSTHURSDAY 30 JUNE 20166 2201666

Indulge in sumptuous dishes and tasty treats as you cel-ebrate Eid with flair at The Square. Enjoy the very tempt-

ing dessert bar and ice cream bar.

Eid: Day 1 Lunch 12:00 – 16:00• International Buffet at QR155 Dinner 18:00 – 23:00• International Buffet at QR180

EID: Day 2 and 3 Brunch 12:00 – 16:00• International Buffet at QR255

including soft drinks• International Buffet at QR355

including house beverages Dinner 18:00 – 23:00 International Buffet at QR180

For reservations and more information please call +974 4015 8888 or email icdohatc.square@ihg.com

EID SPECIAL PACKAGE

Take advantage of our Eid pack-age starting from QR650 per night.

Package includes:• Deluxe room for 2 adults.• Breakfast at The Square.• Complimentary Internet Access.• Complimentary early check in

at 12am – subject to availability.• Complimentary late check out

at 17:00 – subject to availability.• Complimentary access to the

Health and Fitness Club.• 20% off on Food and Beverage.• 20% off on laundry.• Rates are subject to availability

and may change without prior notice.

• Children’s meal and accommo-dation are chargeable based on hotel policy.

• Extra 3rd adult charge will apply for QR175 on extra bed including breakfast.

• Valid only during Eid.

While all Mus-lims join Eid Al Fitr prayers, which is offered

collectively in the morn-ing in open prayer grounds, mosques and big halls, peo-ple from different countries and cultures enjoy the lat-ter part of the celebrations differently with great enthusi-asm and fanfare in their own ways. People from different communities opt for different ways of festivities during Eid.

Some go to visit relatives, friends, neighbours, col-leagues and acquaintances to exchange Eid greetings and offer delicious sweets and meals. While others spend Eid holidays by going abroad, and many find various other ways of enjoying themselves even in the hot and humid weather conditions in Qatar.

The annual Eid and Sum-mer festivals have become major events in promoting

Qatar as a unique holiday destination, said a Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) spokesperson.

“For most sectors in Qatar this period is the beginning of a lull in activities, but for ours it is the peak in our calendars, especially with the arrival of the Eid Festival and Qatar Summer Festival 2016,” said Saif Al Kuwari, Director of PR and Communication at QTA.

He addressed the QTA’s third Annual Tourism Indus-try Ramadan Ghabga, on behalf of Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer, QTA. The event brought together QTA’s part-ners in the public and private sector and others at the Kem-pinski Marsa Malaz – The Pearl.

The Annual Tourism Industry Ghabga is one of many platforms for the mem-bers of the tourism sector to connect, exchange ideas and

find new and innovative ways to develop the sector through partnerships.

The Eid Festival and Qatar Summer Festival expects to drive up regional tourism numbers with a range of new attractions, cultural events and brand promotions lined up every year.

The annual festivals aim to increase the number of inbound tourists in the long-term by building sustainable events into Qatar’s calendar, is building on the success of past years through events organised in collaboration with public and private sector partners to reinforce Qatar’s position as a preferred fam-ily tourist destination within the GCC.

“We have a lot of work coming up through the Eid and Summer festivals and I want to thank everyone for coming together to prepare for these two nation-wide

events and show our visitors that Qatar is a world –Class hub with deep cultural roots,” said Al Kuwari. The month long Summer Festival tar-gets visitors from the GCC with entertainment activities for families in a festive, safe environment that reflect their heritage. In 2015 the festival featured shows to suit dif-ferent age groups and tastes — from open-air public dis-plays, theatre and classical concerts to comedy, films and popular Eastern and Western musical perform-ances. Qatar’s hospitality and retail sectors were engaged in ensuring the success of festivities.

Eid Al Fitr celebra-tions will be extend to all parts of the country as tour-ism hotspots presented a number of exciting shows, performances and activities throughout the Festival to vis-itors and residents alike.

More tourists expected at Eid and Summer festivals

InterContinental Doha - The City Eid offeringsCelebrate Eid with us at The Square!

Eid celebrations with fireworks display at Katara.

CELEBRATIONSTHURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016 7

This summer, retreat to the allure of Four Seasons Hotel Doha, an award-winning oasis-like prop-erty well appointed in the heart of Doha’s cosmopolitan city,

and experience an unforgettable geta-way. Ideally located along the Arabian Gulf, families are invited to reconnect and recharge over the Eid holiday at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, featuring a selection of unique experiences and packages that enable more family-fun time.

The resort-like Hotel, positioned along an expansive 250 metre (820 foot) private beach and recognized at the Qatar Tourism Authority’s annual Hotel Awards for its top-rated service standards and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner for consist-ently great guest reviews, is equipped with eight grotto pools and nine distinct restaurants and lounges, as well as Doha’s award-winning Spa and Wellness Centre, offering treatments and facilities that appeal to the entire family. In addition, the Hotel’s youngest guests can participate in the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program, which features daily edu-cation programs such as art and crafts, movie nights, water polo and many more.

To celebrate the excitement of summer,

Four Seasons Hotel Doha is currently offer-ing the Doha Escape package, featuring a 20 percent value with a starting room rate of QR 1,100 per night for two adults, with a mini-mum two-night stay. The package includes the following:

• Luxurious accommodations • Complimentary use of Kids

for All Seasons• Special welcome amenity• Complimentary use of pool, beach

and Spa facilities

• Complimentary valet parking Additionally, the Hotel is offering a Stay

Longer in a Suite – Third Night Free package, with an average rate beginning at QAR 1600 per night. The package includes the following:

• Complimentary third night with every two consecutive paid nights in a sea view suite

• Complimentary Internet access• Luxurious accommodations• Complimentary use of Kids for All

Seasons

• Special welcome amenity• Complimentary use of pool, beach

and Spa facilities

On the Eid day, Nobu Doha will reopen its door after a month of closing during Ramadan period. The award winning restaurant features an artfully curated culinary and cocktail menu by renowned chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, com-plemented by an unparalleled ambiance with a main dining room and three distinct

lounges throughout the tri-level restau-rant. Chef Andrew Bozoki, Nobu Doha head chef has prepared a new special summer omakase menu to delight guests this summer.

Escape to Four Seasons Hotel Doha this summer and relax, rejuvenate and recon-nect with loved ones. Room reservations can be made by contacting the Hotel’s res-ervations number on: +974 4494 8700, by e-mail at: reservations.doh@fourseasons.com or online.

Four Seasons Hotel Doha invites families to reconnect and recharge this summerHotel’s summer packages make for an easy family escape for the Eid holiday season