All photos by Chantelle D’mello
Qatar National Day festivities kicked off yesterday with the raising of the flag at Darb Al Saai in Al Sadd.
The actual holiday itself is on Dec. 18, but the Darb Al Saai grounds have been used as a way for visitors to learn more about Qatar’s past, with farm animals, food and other items on display and for sale.
Al-Adaam is now rising high in the sky of Darb El Saai, with Qatar national anthem being played#QND2015 pic.twitter.com/b7z5HjlSKT
— اليوم الوطني لدولة قطر (@NDQatar) December 8, 2015
This year, security is much tighter at the grounds, as all visitors now have to go through a checkpoint. The main gate is inaccessible, and entry is made through various peripheral gates.
Also in a departure from previous years, there will be no fireworks.
Meanwhile, several ministries and large organizations such as Qatar Foundation and Hamad Medical Corp. (HMC) have stepped up their presence.
And the Supreme Council of Health is conducting health checkups at its tent, checking blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as offering flu shots.
Heritage
In a throwback to the olden days, the grounds contain an open area where goats and sheep can be seen grazing, and another where camels and horses roam.
There’s also a nod to the country’s pearl-diving past in an area with sunken boats in the sand.
For those interested in learning about Qatar’s military, there’s an area set up for mock practices and drills.
Meanwhile, traditional black tents have been set up for some vendors to serve karak, gahwa, and other Qatari foods in the center of the grounds.
Shopping
In addition to perusing various ministry and heritage tents, those who come hungry can check out a food court tent with stalls that sell traditional Qatari food as well as juice, snacks and other items.
In the run-up to National Day, small businesses are also selling plenty of maroon and white clothes, jackets, pillowcase and other merchandise, some of it with with Emir and Father Emir’s faces on it.
Darb Al Saai is open to the public until Dec. 20, from 8am to noon and 4pm to 11pm daily.
More information about it can be found on the QND Facebook page here.
Who’s going? Thoughts?
