Doha: Qatar Celebrates National Day with Much Fanfare

Pics: Sunil Crasto

Doha, Dec 19 (QNA): Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani attended on Tuesday morning the national march of the Qatari Armed Forces, the Interior Ministry, the Internal Security Force (lukhwiya) and the Emiri Guard and which presented on the Doha Corniche marking Qatar's National Day Celebrations, which falls on December 18 of every year.
 
The presentation was also attended by Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir's Personal Representative Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Special Adviser to Emir Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the adviser to Emir, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of sons of Emir.

Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed Bin Mubarak Al Kholeifi and his deputy, a number of sheikhs, the ministers and state's dignitaries, the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the state as well as a number of senior officers of the armed forces and the police also attended the event.
 
The march started with the national anthem. An 18-shot gun salute was fired welcoming Emir, then verses from the Holy Quran were recited.
 
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Maj. General Hamad bin Ali Al-Attiyah delivered a speech on the occasion in which he expressed his pride in Qatar's progress and prosperity under the continuous tender trip of the Qatari citizens thanks to the kind patronage of Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
 
Al-Attiyah said that the tender trip of the nation began with laying the foundation stone of this State by the late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, who sensed the state's requirements and its cornerstones, which contributed to put Qatar on the right track to complete the march thanks to Emir and Heir Apparent's patronage of many civilization projects contributed to achieve a quantum leap of the State of Qatar in all areas, with the commitment to customs, traditions, peaceful coexistence, good neighborliness and the international legitimacy to achieve security and peace in the world.
 
In his speech, Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah congratulated the Qatari people and people living in Qatar on what has been achieved in providing a unique form of the modern state.
 
The Chief of Staff stressed that the sponsorship of Emir and Heir Apparent of the armed forces and security institutions in the state contributed to their development of their field capacity.
 
He noted that if Qatar's National Day remind us of the fragrant of the past and its contact with the present, we take this opportunity to renew our loyalty to the dearest homeland and to Emir and pledged to remain loyal soldiers to protect the national gains.
 
The march includes lines of infantry of the army, the police and the Emiri Guard. Military equipment and machinery, including tanks and classic and modern multi-functioning armoured vehicles were presented in the parade.
 
An exciting and wonderful air show by aircraft and helicopters were also presented on skies of Qatar in addition to other presentations by sailing ships.
 
Children belonging to the Emiri Guard in addition to school students also took part in the march.