Indonesian Independence Day in Doha

A flag-hoisting ceremony, cultural performances, and the participation of children with special needs marked the 78th Indonesian Independence Day celebration at the embassy in Doha on Thursday.
More than 100 attendees, including all the staff members of the embassy and their families, community representatives took part in the celebration which began with the raising of Sang Saka Merah Putih, or the red and white flag by the Flag Raising Team (Paskibra).
The embassy noted that one of the Paskibra members this year is a student with special needs. The journey of the Paskibra itself is somewhat unique because they were recruited from Indonesian students who were born and raised in Qatar and could barely speak Indonesian at all.
“But with extraordinary dedication, these children continue to practice so they can fly the Indonesian flag well,” said Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan.
Sixteen-year-old Kels Mohammed Toriq, who studied at the HOPE Centre expressed his joy at being able to join as a member of the Paskibra, saying: “I am proud to be a part of this amazing team”.
Not only joining Paskibra, some of the children with special needs from Indonesia in Qatar also joined the embassy's choir, known as the Bahana Indonesia Gemilang (BIG).
According to the embassy, the group has often been invited by the Qatar government to perform at various events in the country, including at the 2022 FIFA World Cup fan zone.
“The involvement of children with special needs in Paskibra and the Choir is also to send a message that independence should enable us to be inclusive to everyone with different backgrounds,” Hassan said.
The series of activities to commemorate the Indonesian Independence Day itself has been going on since July 25 by holding a bowling competition for Indonesian embassy staff and the community. The highlight of the celebrations will be held in Al Khor on September 8 by featuring sports tournaments, bazaars, and art performances.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Qatar started in 1976. Qatar opened its embassy in Jakarta in November 1997, while Indonesia opened its embassy in Doha on 22 June 1999.
Both countries then actively participated in international conferences, meetings, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding involving the two countries. Indonesia and Qatar’s relation is essentially concentrating on a wide range of collaborative areas, encompassing defense through the advancement of key equipment and weaponry systems, investment ventures, professional workforce deployment, Palestine and Afghanistan issues, as well as collaborative efforts in education, culture, media, and sports.
According to the embassy, while cultural diplomacy may not usually seen as a promising sector, culture comprises some fundamental aspects in any cooperation such as human senses, identity, and personal interaction.
“When these aspects are effectively managed, I believe that it would lead to a significant potential for accelerating cooperation in other fields,” the envoy said.
The Qatar – Indonesia Year of Culture, which kicked off in March, enchanted the guests by Saman dance performance and the ethnical Sasando, a traditional musical instrument from the island of Rote in East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia.
One of the significant initiatives launched by Qatar Museums (QM) is the Year of Culture, which is formed through an international cultural exchange that lasts one year. It aims to deepen understanding between nations and their people.
In this programme, the embassy noted that Indonesia is honoured to be chosen as the Year of Culture partner in 2023, making Indonesia the first Southeast Asian country to partner with Qatar.
Several activities that have a direct impact to society were then carried out in both Qatar and Indonesia. These include the Qatari Food Journey culminating in the Ubud Food Festival in Bali, Abaya project in Indonesia, Qatar – Indonesia photographer exchanges with exhibitions in both countries, volunteer activities involving Qatari students teaching in Indonesia, and translation of Qatari children's books into Bahasa Indonesia and vice versa.
“We believe that Year of Culture is a key that could be a catalyst for Qatar-Indonesia bilateral relations”, said Ali Murtado, the embassy's first secretary and person in-charge for Qatar – Indonesia Year of Culture.
“Year of Culture has opened the door in both countries to deeply understand each other perspectives and to know every single detail about the beautiful and rich cultures of Qatar and Indonesia. Thus, this is our role, as personal and government entities, to maintain this built relations last until the long run,” he added.