Qatar was festooned with National Flag colours of white and maroon all over the country. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attended the 10th National Parade. The show began with the National Anthem followed by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Eighteen artillery rounds were fired to mark the National Day. H H the Emir and H H Father Emir also participated in Arda which was held in Emiri Diwan Yard. All the tribes of Qatar were also in harmony.
Pride, patriotism, unity and cohesion were evident as tens of thousands of citizens and expatriates gathered along the Corniche to witness the National Day parade and to express solidarity with Qatar and its leadership. The day was an occasion for citizens to remember the achievements of their predecessors. National Day commemorates the anniversary of the establishment of Qatar by the late Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani. The celebrations were held under the slogan of ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’.
The National Day parade’s grandeur was multiplied with aerial displays of various types of warplanes, combat, helicopter, reconnaissance, transport and cargo aircraft followed by Emiri Cavalry and Camel Corps of the Emiri Guard and the Guards of Honor. Nationalities from Asia to Europe and Africa to Australia were present. Among a variety of other colours, the show also bore reflection of Qatari heritage as a good number of Qatari men at the venue were carrying traditional swords to display their emotional attachment with their cultural heritage.
This year, Qatar National Day takes special significance due to unjust siege imposed on Qatar. Qatar has remained steadfast in the face of more than six months of blockade and is spearing ahead with confidence in implementing all its development plans and preparations for hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Qatar to everyone’s testimony succeeded at unprecedentedly managing the Gulf crisis with wisdom and great respect to itself. “The great Qatari community took into consideration its relations with its GCC brotherly countries and the principles and customs of dispute, which made the country earn the world’s respect,” he added.
The siege has proved that the Qatari people have a strong sense of awareness, conscience, high moral standard and national prestige. The economic development in the run up to hosting the 2022 World Cup is being admired and appreciated by the whole world.
