Archive for September, 2010

It’s almost Eid!

6 Sep, 2010  5 Comments

As Eid is approaching near the end of Ramadan, there’s a lot of celebration in the air. If not for Eid itself, many are looking forward to the holidays.

So what’s it all about? Quite simply, we have two Eids a year, they’re a Muslim person’s Christmas(s). This one is called Eid Al Fitr. After a long month’s fasting during Ramadan, it’s God’s gift of partying. Yep. He’s saying “Thanks for trying your best to understand how precious life is, now go party!”.

It lasts for 3 days and is usually filled with festivities. Children will go around from house to house, sing songs and get money, kids will also play and probably go a bit insane with their new found fortune and buy candy.

It’s also a time where inheritances are distributed and the, once children, and now adults, give to their parents in appreciation for all they’ve provided for when they were young.

Although a religious occasion, I guess that it’s ‘money’ that many think about. I remember when I was younger, I’d get around 200-300 QR on the first day and be so excited! That’s alot of sweets!!

Some places usually light up fireworks, there’s live entertainment, and usually plays and theater shows at the Qatar National Theater.

Oh! Don’t forget to say “Eid Mubarak” on Eid! (That’s our Merry Christmas).

Read ‘A Qatari’s Eid’ for more.

note: (I know it says Eid ul Adha in the image, but I still wanted to share the colorful image :) )

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.