DOHA: Thousands of workers enjoyed Eid festivities and also learned about relevant rules and regulations, thanks to the various entertainment-cum-awareness events organised by the Ministry of Interior to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.

The events, which took place in the Asian Residential City of the Industrial Area and the Al Khor Industrial Zone, included popular and folklore performances, which were praised by the spectators, who represented the Indian, Nepalese, Bengali and Sri Lankan communities.

“The organization of such programs and events reflects the ministry’s interest in all those who live on this land and its continuous keenness to reach out to the communities to enhance the community partnership,” Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior said.“This keen interest does not stop at the organization of the celebrations, but there are many events that are organized in order to raise the awareness of the Asian communities with the laws and regulations in force in the country,” he added.

Director of Community Police Department Colonel Sultan Mohammed Al Kaabi pointed out that such events provide an opportunity to disseminate a series of security and cultural awareness programs, strengthen the relations between the police and the community and enhance joint cooperation to achieve greater security and safety.

The Department of Community Police, the General Directorate for Drug Control, the Human Rights Department, the Research and Follow-up Department, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the Al Fazaa Police Department and the General Directorate of Traffic participated in presenting the awareness programmes.

About the traffic safety, Lt. Abdul Wahid Ghareeb Al Anzi, Traffic Awareness Officer at the General Directorate of Traffic, said that such events were a chance for the MoI departments to raise awareness in the areas of security and safety, laws regulating the entry and exit of expatriates, the labour market and other laws and regulations.

“The run over accident decreased due to many efforts that we are conducting with these communities. We presented to them a number of valuable tips, focusing mainly on how to cross a road and which are the proper places to do so, advising them to wear light colour dresses and any reflective thing around their arms during night when they want to cross a road and not to be busy with their mobiles while crossing the road,” he added.

For his part Lieutenant Mohammed Nasser from the Search and Follow up Department has warned from trafficking in visas and anyone who seized trafficking in visas will be fined QR50,000 and the buyer of the visas will be expelled from the country.

He also advised people in case of anyone not getting exit permit to complain to Grievances Committee at the Ministry of Interior and also in case of any dispute between the worker and his sponsor to complain to the Technical Office at the Department.

“Workers also must know that the working for others without permission of the sponsor is illegal and the fine of it may reach to QR12000 and deportation from the country,” he explained.
Lieutenant Nasser asked people to always carry their IDs with them and it was not allowed for anyone to move without it, adding that on expiry of a tourist visa, fine of QR200 is imposed for each day of delay.

Al Fazaa Police Department also participated in the celebration of the communities in Barwa complex in Al-Khor city. During its awareness mission, a number of issues were mentioned, which may be absent from the minds of many expatriates in relation to patrols.

Among it is that in case the patrol vehicle showing blue and red lights on the top, it means the vehicle is on a security and safety patrol. Al-Fazaa also has a humanitarian duty, in addition to their security mission, they provide assistance to all in need.

The Drug Enforcement Department also provided a number of tips related to fighting against drugs advising travellers not carry medicines which may be banned. Also, the workers were advised to must not carry the bags of others while traveling under any circumstances.