A military unit marching through the parade zone during the rehearsal of the National Day parade last week.

By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter

Qatar is celebrating its National Day on a grand scale with a host of events and activities being held across the country.

The main attraction of the celebrations, which coincides with the date on which the founder of Qatar Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani assumed power in 1878, is a colourful parade along Doha Corniche, between Qatar National Theatre and the Emiri Diwan.

On Wednesday, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani toured various areas in the country, visiting a number of Qatari tribes holding celebrations.

The entire stretch of Doha Corniche, from the Ras Aboud flyover up to the Sheraton Doha signal, has been illuminated with ornamental lamps as part of the celebrations.

As in previous years, the parade, which is expected to start around 8am and last about 80 minutes, will be watched by thousands of Qatar residents, both nationals and expatriates, along the more than 1.8km stretch of Corniche.

A dedicated pavilion has been erected at Al Rumeila Park for VIPs and families. There are special arrangements to seat women and children.

Besides the colourful march past featuring several units of the country's armed forces, the parade would also have participants from various departments of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), some government departments, emergency medical personnel, schoolchildren and scouts and guides, among others.

Simultaneously, there will be a parade featuring a large number of military vehicles and equipment. Aerobatic sorties by parajumpers and fighter jets from the armed forces are among the other attractions.

Traffic through the Corniche and its immediate neighbourhood would be regulated from the early hours of Thursday. Private vehicles would not be allowed through the arterial roads to the venue long before the parade starts.

From some of the parking grounds near Corniche, Mowasalat buses will ferry visitors to the venue of the parade, the transport company said in a statement.

Many traditional dhows, and private and coastguard patrolling vessels will also sail across the Doha Bay while the parade is on.

In the evening, a large number of residents are expected to throng the scenic Corniche for a glimpse of the spectacular fireworks.

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