First MIA Park Bazaar during Ramadan draws huge crowd

DOHA: For the first time it opened for Ramadan, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park Bazaar was yesterday a major destination for people who wanted to spend their Ramadan weekends sampling authentic international cuisines while buying a variety of products from home-based   businesses.

The atmosphere which characterises the holy month could be felt around the area as bright lights and Islamic motifs hung around the bazaar’s perimeter. During Ramadan, the bazaar is open every Friday and Saturday from 7pm till 12am.

Immediately after Iftar, the dozens of food stalls at the bazaar began welcoming hundreds of people who tried the wide variety of food on offer at attractive prices.

Virtually every kind of cuisine including Chinese, Thai, Filipino, Syrian, Turkish, Indian and Qatari food, among others were sold at attractive prices starting at QR5.

“I like the food here because they are homemade following authentic recipes which people have brought with them from their home countries, something that you can rarely find in restaurants,” said Anna, a Filipino resident seen queuing at one of the stalls selling Filipino street food.

From Chinese dim sum to Filipino halo-halo to Indian samosa, the food stalls have something to offer to please every palate.

“I spent only QR35 to taste Indian, Thai and Chinese food that’s why I’m adding this to my favourite places to go to eat out in weekends,” said Ahmed, one of the visitors who chose to spend his Iftar at the bazaar.

People also headed to the bazaar to buy unique gifts, handicraft, works of art, jewellery, perfumes, toys, accessories, clothing and other souvenir items which are sold at very affordable prices. With a vibrant variety of products sold in each stall, the bazaar is a melting pot of trade and tradition as vendors sell products sourced from their home countries.

There are around 150 stalls at the bazaar.