(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Beach goers are taking heed of the Ministry of Interior's advice to be cautious while going for a swim this Eid Al Adha.
During Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, four people drowned while swimming off public beaches.
For many Kenyans in Qatar, Eid Al Adha has brought back memories of losing two members of their community, who drowned near Al Wakra beach during Eid Al Fitr.
A number of Kenyans said that the community was still in shock from that tragedy and many were avoiding swimming and beaches in their celebrations this Eid.
"There were some other people swimming and many were on the showers, even after realising that the couple was missing in the water there was no lifeguard to immediately search and help save their lives," said one Kenyan resident, who preferred anonymity.
I was myself a fan of swimming on holidays like Eid, but with a situation like what I saw last time, I cannot take further risks," he said.
Beaches in Al Wakra, Mesaieed, Katara, Al Khor, West Bay, Dukhan, Al Shamal and Al Udaid South are popular with those who go for a swim on holidays.
Members of various communities were taking part in scores of festive events yesterday in shopping malls, farms, beaches and other places in Doha and other cities to celebrate Eid.
Mohammed Bashir Nasir, president of the Nigerian Muslim Community in Doha, an association with about 300 members, said that they planned to have Eid Al Adha celebrations in Al Dowsary farm in Al Shaihaniya today. The event will bring together couples, children and even single Nigerians living in Doha.
"The arrangement is always that each family that slaughters a goat should also prepare food for about 10, 15 or 20 other people, and also drinks, so that we have enough food and drinks for everyone," Nasir said.
According to O J Miller, a Nigerian community leader, there are 2,000 to 3,000 Nigerian Muslim expatriates in Qatar, and during Eid Al Adha families get together to celebrate. "Many families arrange to celebrate Eid Al Adha together in one place," he said.
Miller said that on the sidelines of the celebrations, Nigerian Muslim expatriates were also expected to pray for their country to overcome the many problems that have recently affected them.
Inflation in Qatar has affected some expatriates' Eid celebrations.
"Last year, I bought a sheep for QR400, and this year similar sheep was selling for QR650," said Musa, a Ugandan expatriate.
He pointed out that besides the price of the animal, one had to pay to get it slaughtered in an abattoir as slaughter of animals at home is banned in the country.
An Indian expatriate who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity also said that inflation had dented his Eid Al Adha celebrations this year, with his rent going up from QR3,500 to QR4,000, which had affected his monthly budget.
He said prices of basic foodstuff had also gone up recently while there had been negligible increment in his salary.
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