Doha: (NHRC: 24/8/2009): Her Excellency Acting Secretary-General, Maryam Al-Attiyah, gave a news conference at NHRC HQ on Thursday (20/8/2009) during which Her Excellency reviled that NHRC was launching three major media campaigns, "You have the right", "Citizens and Residents Rights" and "The Human Rights Camp".
The first campaign "You Have the Right", which lasts for the coming three months, is already under way and was opened on the first day of Ramadan, the holy Muslim lunar month of fasting. It targets all people in Qatar, citizens and residents. In this regard NHRC is launching special programmes through Qatar TV, Radio Gulf Voice and the media centre at the Falgio Trade Complex.
The information campaign "Citizens and Residents Rights" will be launched in October; while "The Human Rights Camp" is to be launched early next year.
Al-Attiyah added that NHRC is currently preparing a bookbinder for children about their right to recreation, leisure and entertainment. In addition, the bookbinder is intended to help children keep in touch with their children’s games heritage. In this context, NHRC will before sunset prayers on the 14th of Ramadan celebrate on Doha Corniche, in the courtyard of the gun, the "Garangoa" festival- which is believed to have its roots in the pearl-diving tradition of the region. Over the years, the festival has gained more popularity with several expatriates joining the celebrations. On that day, NHRC will give away 3000 Garangao kits.
The festival traditionally entails children going out on that evening clad in their traditional clothes, and knock on every door in their neighborhood, which will be ready to receive them with sweets and nuts. They collect the goodies in the special cotton bags, hanging loosely from their necks. Kids will be seen wandering around the streets until late into the night singing the special Garangao song.
The celebrations now represent a blend of both old and modern. Several Qatari clubs and organizations, which are instrumental in popularizing the festival, have come out with a variety of cultural events to mark the occasion.
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