Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi (second left), Director of American Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zayed bin Rashid Al Mansour Al Nuaimi (fourth left), and Ambassador
On the occasion of Canada’s National Flag Day, Canadians in Qatar yesterday celebrated the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, in Doha at the St Regis Hotel.
H E Mohammed Abdul Wahid Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, attended together with Ibrahim Yousif Abdulla Fakroo, Ambassador and Chief of Protocol, Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Eritria and Zaid Al Naimi, Director, American Affairs, and several other diplomats and officials.
Adrian Norfolk, Ambassador of Canada, addressing more than 400 guests, said, “Canada’s relationship with Qatar is more than just the connection between our governments. Our relationship is built on direct people-to-people connections.”
“Canadians and Qataris have been strengthening the bond between our two peoples for decades who have helped to forge the links between Canada and Qatar that you see today. There are almost 9,000 Canadians living in Qatar and they are present in all sectors of Qatar’s economy, and dozens of Canadian institutions are playing an active role in developing Qatar’s future,” he added.
A ceremonial cake was cut by the dignitaries to mark the occasion.
Canada’s Confederation was established on July 1, 1867.
Over the years since the Confederation, Canada has seen numerous territorial changes and expansions, resulting in the current configuration of ten provinces and three territories. On February 15, 1965, the red and white design with a single maple leaf was raised for the first time in Canada’s capital of Ottawa, Ontario.
