All photos by Chantelle D’mello
Thousands of people gathered at the Imam Muhammad Abdul Wahhab Mosque early this morning to usher in this year’s Eid al-Fitr, and celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Traffic was heavy as congregants tried to make their way to the mosque several minutes before prayer began at 5:08 am, clogging up the main Al Istiqlal Street and several side roads.
With the mosque’s car park filled to capacity, many attendees left their vehicles parked in the middle of the road, on pavements and on the main road across the mosque in an attempt to make it to services on time.
Some devotees, unable to reach the mosque, could be seen praying by the sides of roads.
While some crowds left swiftly after the prayers were over, hundreds remained in the mosque’s large courtyard, meeting up with friends, greeting family and taking selfies with loved ones.
Some handed out candy and chocolate to children, and most were dressed in colorful and richly embroidered kaftans and dresses.
Car on fire
However, the festivities came to an abrupt, fiery end after an SUV burst into flames shortly after the Eid sermon, causing thick plumes of smoke to rise up in the air.
Onlookers rushed to the scene, an open-air ground adjacent to the Qatar Sports Club, where police tried to ward off the growing crowd.
Firefighters extinguished the burning car, which appeared to be empty.
https://twitter.com/AbdurahmanAM/status/621878172917698560
A family of around five with a baby could be seen talking to Civil Defence officers near the charred car some 30 minutes later.
It unclear what caused the fire, though some theorized the vehicle had been left running during Eid prayers and overheated.
Fires in summer here are common, and there has been a spate of them in buildings around the country this month, including at the Mall of Asia and Lusail City.
Because today is Friday, many Muslims will return to the mosques for weekly services. Qatar residents will also spend the day visiting loved ones.
Those looking for more to do can check out our comprehensive guide of activities around town here.
How did you spend Eid morning? Thoughts?
Al Sadd sports club is nowhere near Imam Abdul Wahhab mosque. So how come the festivities abruptly ended there?
Leaving you car on for 45mn early morning is not likely to make it burn. If that is the case then this car must be really old and badly-maintained, and shouldn’t have probably passed the inspection in the first place.
According to the pic it’s actually a fairly new Pajero/ Shogun depending on your country of origin.
I would put my money on the possibility that something was left inside the cabin that was either heat sensitive or focused sunlight to start the fire. Not the first time and won’t be the last. My advice folks is simply not to leave loose articles in cars. Apart from being projectiles in an accident they are also fire hazards in this heat.
Good
I noticed that some people leave the car engine and AC on while they are away so that it will be cool when they return to drive away !!!
Leaving a car on, no matter how long, will not cause it to catch fire. The fire originated from somewhere else. In fact, take a look at one the pictures, the front of the car is intact. Im willing to bet something left in the car caused the fire.
Then the only thing we can think of Is a cigarette !
So what? I always do it. Is there anything wrong with that?
Pollution, environmental damage, waste of the ever diminishing resources……
True and that’s something I do personally take into consideration, but in this hot weather it is very difficult to be attentive to the use of the AC whether at home or in your car. Also, I only leave it on for 10 or 15mn maximum but definitely not for 45mn or an hour
Leaving any machinery running unattended in extreme weather condition, is a hazard. However, in this case does not seem to be the cause as the midsection of the car is burned.
It is Qatar sports club, not Al sadd!
Apologies, fixed it.
Meanwhile The Peninsula reports four Qataris died in road mishap, uses the same photo of the burning car.