ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER 19 October 2013 14 Dhul-Hijja 1434 - Volume 18 Number 5857 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani speak- ing after receiving the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy on behalf of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, during a ceremony at the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh yesterday. Report on page 3 Qatar mediates release of 9 Lebanese in Syria DUBAI: Nine Lebanese citizens held in Syria have been released after mediation by Qatar, Al Jazeera TV said yesterday, quot- ing Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah as saying. Eleven Lebanese Shias were seized by a Syrian rebel group in May last year while on their way home from a pilgrimage in Iran, their families said. Two were later released. Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, meanwhile, said: “The story is over. In the next 24 hours, they will be with us COLOURFUL (in Lebanon).” Their return to Lebanon will raise hopes for the release of two Turkish pilots abducted in Beirut on August 9 by the families of the nine Lebanese, who accused Turkey of doing too little to win their release. A Lebanese source said a member of the Shia family holding the pilots said the men, who appeared in a video this week saying they were in good health, was likely to be released soon. Saudi rejects UN Security Council seat RIYADH: Saudi Arabia turned down a coveted seat on the United Nations Security Council yesterday in a rare display of anger at the failure of the international commu- nity to end the war in Syria and act on other Middle East issues. The kingdom condemned what it called THE ISSUE international double standards on the Middle East and demanded reforms in the council, which has been at odds on ways to end the As the Eid Al Adha celebrations They were impressed by the wide variety Katara’s Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, fighting in Syria. See also page 5 come to a close, people have of programmes for children, many of which a first in the country, and a fireworks dis- were spread in major shopping centres from play which ran for four days enthralled Two hurt as jet ski, expressed mixed reactions on this Doha to Al Khor. thousands of people at the Cultural Village year’s festival programme. New programmes of international appeal Esplanade. boat collide off Doha such as ‘The Smurfs’, ‘Ben 10 Omniverse’ and Over 260,000 visitors, including citizens, ‘Made in the Ice Age’ were introduced this expatriates and visitors from neighbouring DOHA: Two people were critically injured hile some people lauded the year for the entire family to enjoy. GCC countries, enjoyed the most popular in a collision between a personal jet ski and efforts of Qatar Tourism Other attractions in malls included story from Medieval Arabic literature One a boat off Doha coast yesterday. Both were Authority (QTA) in organis- Carnival Dixie, Chicago Boyz, Talking Thousand and One Nights. moving in speed when the accident took Wing a richer line-up of events Friends, Over Boys, Shaolin Martial Arts, Malika Al Shraim, Director of Katara’s place. compared to the previous year, some citizens Pink Panther, Carnival Samba, Lulu Caty, Public Relations and Communication They were rushed for emergency medical felt there is still more to be done to improve Magic Show, Bubble Show and Traditional Department, was not surprised over the care, Al Sharq reported without giving details. the festival programme so that staying in Parade. huge turnout because the show was some- Meanwhile, two deaths were reported on the country would make a better option for They were shown in major malls includ- thing new to Doha audience. Thursday in two road accidents. The first people during Eid vacation. ing Lagoona, Villaggio, The Gate, Landmark, “Many visitors thronged Katara because took place in the morning on Al Khor Road. Citizens, expatriates and visitors from City Center, Hyatt Plaza and Al Khor Mall. this is a new programme. According to local Arabic daily Al Raya, six GCC countries have conveyed their appre- In addition, some shopping centres had “Katara is always keen to organise unique people were travelling in a taxi when it over- ciation of the festival through Facebook and their own programmes such as Hyatt Plaza programmes during Eid, so that every one of turned after the driver lost control. One of other social media sites. which launched the Royal Circus on the all ages from all sections of the community them, an Indonesian, died. The taxi was mov- PAGEThey praised the6 organisers, saying the first day of Eid, featuring over 50 perform- can enjoy. Katara has been attracting many ing in speed. In the other mishap, two cars festival programme was catered to all seg- ers from various countries, including the visitors as an ideal place for entertainment,” collided in Raudat Rashid area in the evening, ments of society with the multinational com- UK, Russia, Spain, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, she said. killing an Indian. Two Indians were in a car munity in Qatar in mind. Mongolia and Brazil. See also page 2 that collided with the other being driven by a Syrian. THE PENINSULA & AGENCIES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 OCTOBER 19, 2013 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Eid shows getting better Residents impressed by the array of programmes this year, but say there is room for more. BY RAYNALD RIVERA hroughout the holidays, all major venues of the Eid Al Adha Festival Tattracted huge number of visitors. Souq Waqif’s Eid Al Adha Festival has been attracting many visitors. At least 25,000 people come to the most popu- lar tourist attraction in the city every day to witness var- ied shows, the most popular of which is Titan the Robot. The variety of shows that visitors can still catch until tomorrow at the souq include Snow White show, Magician on a Stick, Bjorn the Polar Bear, Colourful Parade, Dave the Chameleon, Balloonatic, Circus: Mother Africa, Live Statues and Ian Marchant. The annual Sout Al Rayyan Music Festival has also been a major attraction in the souq programmes on a regular basis Arabic daily Al Watan. Adha because all venues were with Arabic music fans occu- throughout the year, not only Saleh Nasser Al Khulaifi, filled with people, such as Sealine pying the 2,000-seat theatre during Eid holidays. another Syrian, echoed similar which was full of single workers to watch famous Arab singers “Despite traffic we really sentiments: “Souq Waqif is a and lacked adequate facilities. every night. The nightly shows enjoyed the Eid celebrations. happy and ideal place for eve- “Qatar has a number of provide a slice of Arabic tradi- No need to go abroad because ryone to enjoy this Eid. This is resorts which should be utilised tional flavour to the whole set of weather in Doha is now pleasant, the best place for entertainment to improve domestic tourism. shows which appeal to an inter- which provides a good chance because we don’t feel like stran- They can take advantage of national audience. for people to go out, dine in res- gers in Doha.” major occasions such as Eid Al The Pearl Qatar has also taurants and visit resorts,” said Not only did people come to Adha to organise programmes joined the celebrations, host- Ahmad Al Emadi. Souq Waqif to watch the shows there for the purpose,” said ing its own Eid Al Adha festival The full opening of the but also buy at the long line of Abdulaziz Al Bouenain. offering live music entertain- Corniche road to traffic in time antique, souvenir, spice and gar- Fatahi Al Hamidi said the ment, water screen projections, for Eid holidays contributed to ment shops which made their programme for Eid Al Adha live bubble show and a dedicated a better experience for people, visit a total experience. was not enough and “the long Kids’ Zone where children could which made travelling to some The place was also secure with Eid holiday forced families to go enjoy many activities. The activi- Eid venues hassle-free, although police security beefed up, which to neighbouring countries where ties had been distributed around some roads around the city are was lauded by many. The police, more of such programmes are Porto Arabia to reach out to still congested because of a they said, could be seen every- being held”. more Eid revellers. number of ongoing works. where around the souq and had He said those families who The Museum of Islamic Art, Traffic police had to block been of great help to tourists. chose to stay in Qatar just sat Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al a part of the Ali Bin Abdullah Despite the success of the inside their homes because of Thani Museum and Al Dosari Street near Souq Waqif because Eid festival, however, some citi- limited number of places where Zoo and Natural Reserve were of the high volume of vehicles zens expressed frustration and the events were held such as also opened for public visits dur- coming to the souq, including a discontentment. Katara, Souq Waqif and some ing Eid holidays. huge number of tourists, mostly According to Jassim Al malls. Hussain Hadad, on the Qatar Tourism Authority from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwari, this Eid programme was other hand, wondered why (QTA) added more excitement Kuwait. not as big as what QTA organ- there was no entertainment city to the celebrations with activi- “We are very tired of what’s ised before.