Doha: With an expatriate population of almost 85 per cent, it wouldn’t be surprising to find Qatar emptying out during the summer holiday season. The fact that Eid holidays fall during the same period give an added incentive to foreigners to head home.

Things, however, aren’t that simple. Most of the numbers are made up by the labour workforce who, after sending remittances and setting aside money for their own expenditure, do not have enough money left to buy expensive airline tickets. “I prefer to save money or send it home for my family’s use instead of thinking about going home myself,” Abdul Wahab, a Pakistani labourer, told Gulf News.

Most of these workers have now grown accustomed to spending the most celebrated Muslim holiday in or around their labour accommodation. In recent years, regional communities have arranged festivals for this mostly South Asian workforce. The Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) is one such body that puts together Eid-linked entertainment programmes that include singing and dancing performances, along with raffle draws and prizes.

These associations often combine with local municipal bodies in industrial towns and far-off labour-based regions to offer some kind of respite for those forced to stay away from home in such times.

The fact that each section of the society finds its own way of celebrating Eid is evident from events such as “Chaand Raat Mela”, which is organised by the Pakistan Women’s Association (PWA). The PWA is a fraternity of Pakistani women settled in Qatar and has been involved in arranging functions that are reminiscent of the pre-Eid night-time festivities typical of Pakistan, including last-minute shopping, henna designing, games for kids and eating out.

The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is also known for using Eid as an opportunity to lure people and provide incentives for the expatriates planning to stay back. Popular public centres such as Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif and The Pearl have been part of the local Eid celebrations for the last few years. Special concerts, exhibitions, children’s festivities and fireworks have been the main attractions for those thronging these venues. This year, however, a last-minute announcement was made by both Katara and Souq Waqif that in respect of the current situation in Gaza, they will not be offering much except for the children’s programmes.

Most expatriates from countries that are in the midst of a crisis face the same predicament as Mohammad Jabari, who left his family behind in Egypt in search of better opportunities in Doha. He now works as an office administrator and takes language classes in the evening as he looks to support his family back in Cairo. “It’s hard to be away from my wife and little boy on this special occasion but what can I do? I can’t go back because there is so much uncertainty in my country,” he reflects pensively while speaking to Gulf News.

For others, spending Eid in an alien country is not much of a concern, especially if it means earning a few extra riyals and receiving Eid gifts from employers. Shabbir Motorwala, who came to Doha from Mumbai to work as a retail manager, is happy to be away from home on Eid. “Being a manager at one of the biggest electronics shops in the country means that I do not get the day off on Eid as it is one of the biggest days for our company business-wise” he says. After offering early-morning Eid prayers and spending some time with his family, Shabbir arrives at work to help customers looking to buy Eid presents for friends and family.

For non-Muslim expatriates, Eid brings an opportunity to mix with the locals as well as other Muslims celebrating the end of the holy month that teaches tolerance and respect for the less fortunate. As for the more fortunate ones, it is yet another opportunity to return home with friends and family or go on a vacation and earn some air miles.

 

Hafsa Adil is a freelance journalist based in Doha