The Ministry of Interior has urged the public to strictly follow the safety and security guidelines while visiting Corniche to watch the grand finale of Qatar National Day celebrations, to be held on December 18. A top official of the ministry yesterday said that the whole Corniche stretch would be a “No Parking Zone” on the day. The public must park their vehicles at the specially designated areas that include Sheraton Parking area, Qatar Club, Q-Post Parking space and the large open space behind Al Bidda Park. The Ministry of Interior would make special transit system to take the public to Corniche in the evening. Private vehicles must not cover their number plates and the vehicles with tinted glasses would not be allowed to enter into the restricted area. The State National Day Celebrations Organising Committee (SNDCOC) has rescheduled the defence parade time. Against the original time of 8am, the parade would be held in the evening. The SNDCOC is also worried about the weather playing spoilsport on the day. In case of bad weather, the organising committee would be forced to suspend some of the ‘risky’ numbers, said Salem Al Habbabi, Deputy Coordinating General, Parade Committee. There would be separate zone for families and children. The ministry has set up several booths across the Corniche, where missing children would be kept in safe custody. Any parents who found their children lost in the crowd can call 999. The police would be at their help. General complaints can also be registered at this number. Meanwhile, the much awaited light-up show of Corniche was held yesterday. The whole 5km stretch was seen bathed in blue hue last night. The organising committee is set to host a Cultural Symposium on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Sheraton Doha Hotel as part of Qatar National Day activities. Aiming to build bridges between the past and present, the two-day “Modernization & the Preservation of Tradition” symposium offers leading Qatari governmental, educational and cultural speakers a platform to connect the generations as they debate how Qatar is maintaining its unique heritage, culture and traditions. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=December2009&file=Local_News2009121451517.xml

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