Saturday, January 31, 2009

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Qatar

Chinese New Year as known and celebrated in Asia or Chinatown in many parts of the world is a non-event in Qatar.

Nobody even know it is Chinese New Year in Qatar. It does not even get a mention in the local newspapers despite it being an important festival celebrated by more than a quarter of the world's population.

There is not a remote trace of Chinese New Year in Qatar even in the large shopping malls. No CNY music, no festive banners and not even a trace of red.

There is a small sprinkling of ethnic Chinese in Qatar. Many would have returned home to celebrate Chinese New Year but a fair number of mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, HongKongers, Malaysians and Singaporeans remain behind.

Most of these ethnic Chinese remaining in Qatar would quietly celebrate CNY in private home celebrations or have meals in the few available Chinese restaurants.

In the meantime, the rest of the Qatar's population go on with their daily lives.


Life goes on as usual on Chinese New Year in Qatar

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