Rush near the Departure Terminal gates of the Doha International Airport as many rushed out of the country for Eid Al Adha holidays. (SHAIVAL DALAL)

DOHA: ATMs ran out of cash, choke-a-block roads gave motorists the jitters and parking lots of popular shopping malls ran out of capacity as shoppers went all out for last-minute Eid shopping yesterday evening.

Qatar’s traditional Souqs and shopping malls were seen bustling with activity in the evening. The Central markets did hectic business in vegetables and fruits in the morning.

To avoid chaos, small retailers temporarily shifted their fruit stalls outside their shops.

Roads leading to Doha’s popular shopping centres saw shoppers come in droves. Najma and D-Ring Road saw frequent traffic snarls in the evening.

The traffic density was very high on D-Ring Road, C-Ring Road and Corniche in the evening. The departure lounge of the Doha International Airport also witnessed a huge rush.

The Traffic Department had a tough time controlling vehicular movement in many areas.

Tailors across the city scurried to finish orders before clients gatecrashed to demand the outfits. Despite the popularity of ready-made garments, tailoring shops have been busy receiving orders for traditional outfits.

Government agencies, private entities and youth clubs have lined up a series of socio-cultural activities to mark the celebrations. On each of the ten days of the holidays, surprises are in store. The events include art and handicrafts shows, musical concerts featuring popular singers, including popular Lebanese crooners Nancy Ajram and Fares Karam.

The Heritage Village and Souq Waqif are all set to draw a large number of footfalls during the festivities. Gondolania Entertainment City, the largest entertainment theme park in Doha, is all set to open its door on the first day of Eid.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has designated 210 mosques and prayer grounds for performing the Eid Al Adha prayers.

If there are rains, the prayers will be held in all the mosques where the Friday prayers take place. The Ministry has asked all Imams to lead the prayers in their mosques, if the open prayer grounds cannot be used because of rains. Eid Al Adha prayer is scheduled for 6.15am.

Sources at the Meteorology Department, however, said there were no chances of rain this morning. However, scattered rains are expected by the evening.

The Department has forecast ‘slight haze and some scattered clouds with chances of rains, accompanied by thunder.

The country would experience more rains in the next two days, along with strong cold winds that would cause the temperature to fall.