By Ramesh Mathew
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Qatar’s residents were treated to a sample of the impressive parade that will be staged by the country’s defence and security personnel on the National Day at a full dress rehearsal along the Corniche yesterday.
Hundreds of service personnel belonging to different units of the Qatar Armed Forces marched along the Corniche as part of their preparations for the December 18 Qatar National Day celebrations.
Thanks to the remarkably good morning weather, the colourful parade covering over the 1.5km stretch between Qatar National Theatre and Emiri Diwan along the scenic Doha bay revealed the defence personnel’s remarkable abilities to safeguard the nation and the spectacle provided an experience worth remembering for the hundreds of residents who turned up to view the show from the specially erected stands at the Al Rumaila Park for families.
Among those present to see the show of might at the specially erected canopy were Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah and Minister of Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali and many senior officials of the Qatari Armed Forces.
Along with the meticulously planned parade, the immaculate demonstration of skills by the para-jumpers and aerial stunts of the paragliders also provided excitement to the gathering. Equally scintillating was the sight of a number of the Air Force helicopters carrying huge Qatar national flags, flying over the venue.
As in the previous years, the vehicular parade of the military units held simultaneously on the three lanes close to the sea-front was an impressive demonstration of the might of the armed forces. The organisers took utmost care in enriching the show, bringing as many contrasts as possible and included a number of vintage cars as well in the procession. Senior officials said later that many more such vehicles would be featured in the real show to be held on Wednesday.
A nearly 300-strong cavalry consisting of horses of different breeds and colours galloped along the route as the equally large number of camels ridden by well-trained jockeys and the ever alert members of the dog squad caught the attention of those who lined up the course.
During the “abridged” version of the main parade on the National Day, one of the newly acquired freighters of the Qatar Armed Forces was seen flying over the Corniche sky.
The pilots of the Qatar Air Force fighter jets showed their skills by flying their aircraft in various combinations. Also seen were a number of patrolling vessels of the coast guard, catching the spectators’ attention with their deft movements across the length and breadth of sea along Corniche.
A major highlight of the aerial show was the sight of nine para-jumpers, weaving formations and combinations in the national colours of maroon and white over the distant sky. While the performers made safe landings either in the Rumaila park or in the widened road dividers along the Corniche, a batch of 12 para-jumpers who preceded them chose the specially erected platform in the sea for their landings. Pages 29, 30 and 32
Congratulations
HE Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi extended heartfelt congratulations to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day, wishing the State further stability, prosperity and growth.
In remarks to Qatar News Agency, the Advisory Council Speaker said that the State of Qatar celebrates on its National Day the personalities who made its history. Qatar National Day marks the historic day when Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani took the reins of power of the country, founded the modern state of Qatar and achieved its independence.
The Advisory Council Speaker hailed the wise leadership of HH the Emir who is leading the State of Qatar to the ranks of developed countries and makes every effort to establish safety and security and improve education and health for the welfare of the Qatari people.
