A Qatari flag spread across 1,750sqm has been crafted out of sand in the Sealine area, as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday. A number of Qatari men were engaged in creating the 50m long and 35m wide flag over 22 days. The sand flag was unveiled by the Minister of Youth and Sport HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, the Minister of Environment HE Ahmed Amer Mohamed al-Humaidi, and the leader of the initiative Sheikh Saud bin Hamad al-Thani on Tuesday. Environment friendly materials were used to craft the flag out of sand and give it the national colours, the daily added.

 

 

QNA/Doha

 

Qatar’s embassies in several world capitals held receptions to celebrate the National Day.

Qatar’s Ambassador to Poland Hadi bin Nasser Mansour al-Hajri congratulated HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,  HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and Qatari people on the occasion.

The Ambassador al-Hajri praised the strong Qatari-Polish relations.

The ceremony, held at the Sheraton Hotel in Warsaw, was attended by Piotr Mysliwiec Bhakta, head of the Department of Africa and Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and some members of the Polish parliament, including Yask Jhalak, head of the Qatari-Polish parliamentary committee, Robert Rostock, former Polish ambassador to Qatar and Mariusz Zawisza , president of the Management Board, Polish Oil and Gas Company and a number of ambassadors of Arab, Islamic and foreign countries accredited in Warsaw in addition to a group of businessmen and representatives of the academic and cultural and community sports.

In Thailand’s capital Bangkok,  Qatar’s Ambassador Jabor bin Ali al-Dossari  held a reception ceremony at the Plaza Athenee hotel to celebrate Qatar’s National Day. 

In a speech on the occasion, Ambassador al-Dossari expressed his congratulations to HH the Emir, HH  the Father Emir and the Qatari people on the occasion. “The celebration of this day reflects the eternal national spirit and a renewal of loyalty to the wise leadership our dear home where we are marking this anniversary and our country is enjoying progress and development at all levels”. 

He praised the good relations between Qatar and Thailand, noting that after a few months the countries will celebrate the  35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In Morocco’s capital Rabat, Qatar’s Ambassador Abdullah bin Falah bin Abdullah al-Dossari held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day celebrations.

Moroccan Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Abdesslam Seddiki and former minister of foreign affairs and co-operation Saad-Eddine el-Othmani attended the ceremony along with Moroccan Royal Football Federation president Faouzi Lakjaa, Social Democratic Movement’s Secretary General Abdessamad Archanes, and Reform and Development Party’s Secretary General Abderrahmane el-Kohen.

Several ambassadors and diplomats accredited to Morocco were also present as well as party leaders, Moroccan military officers, university professors, civil society activists, media personnel and businessmen.

During the event, al-Dossari hailed the development in Moroccan-Qatari ties and praised the co-operation between the two countries. 

In Pretoria, Qatar’s embassy held a reception ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day.

The function was attended by South African Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba, representing the south African government, and a number of senior military and civil officials, businessmen, journalists as well as members of the Arab and foreign diplomatic corps accredited to South Africa.

Qatar’s Ambassador to South Africa Salim Abdullah Sultan al-Jaber delivered a speech on the occasion in which he reviewed the Qatar’s accomplishments under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. He highlighted Qatar’s role in peace-building and conflict resolution in the Middle East.

In Nicosia, Qatar’s embassy held a reception which was attended by the Cyprus Defence Minister Christoforos Fokaides and a number of party leaders, prominent dignitaries, Cypriot officials and businessmen.

In his speech during the ceremony, Qatar’s Ambassador to Cyprus Hussein bin Ahmed al-Hamid praised the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Fokaides conveyed the greetings of the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to Qatari government and people on the occasion of the National Day, wishing the relations between the two countries further development and growth in all areas.

Qatar’s Consul General in Istanbul Sultan bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud held a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day which was attended by Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin along with representatives of diplomatic entities and senior officials in government institutions in Istanbul as well as a group of authors, writers and thinkers.

Chairmen of leading commercial and economic institutions were also present alongside senior businessmen and heads of non-government organisations.

In Jakarta, Qatar’s Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamed Khater al-Khater organised a reception ceremony on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day.

Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara and Deputy Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohamed Fachir attended the ceremony along with former minister of Social Affairs Salem Saqqaf al-Jafri, former foreign minister Alwi Shihab, and Vice-Chairman of the Indonesian parliament Fadli Zon.

Members of the Arab and foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Jakarta were also present.

The event featured patriotic songs and documentaries on the comprehensive development in Qatar on all fronts.

In Brussels,  Qatar’s embassy celebrated the National Day at a reception ceremony attended by senior officials from Belgium, the European Union and Nato as well as public figures, ambassadors and Arab and foreign media personnel in addition to Qatari citizens in Belgium.

Qatar’s Ambassador to Belgium Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani congratulated the Emir and the Father Emir on the National Day.

Speaking to the media, the ambassador said December 18 is a special day for the Qatari people as they remember those who contributed to building the country, particularly the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani who, thanks to his sincere efforts, has become a historic figure for the country.

Sheikh Ali bin Jassim added that the founder was the driving force behind establishing the identity of the State of Qatar and reaffirming its status among its Arab and Muslim brothers as well as other countries.

Similar events were also held in Cotonou, capital of Benin, and the Swiss capital Bern.

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