Emir attends graduation of first batch of National Service programme

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah attending the graduation ceremony of the first batch of recruits of National Service Programme yesterday.

QNA/Doha

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the graduation ceremony of the first batch of recruits of the National Service Programme and the graduation of the first Joint Staff Command training No.1,  at Al-Shamal (North) Camp yesterday.

The ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah along with a number of senior military officers and non-commissioned officers and parents of recruits of the civil service.  

HH the Emir honoured the outstanding recruits of the first batch of the National Service Programme and handed appreciation awards to recruit Amr Mohamed Abdullah al-Attiyah, first in infantry and parade, recruit Saleh Nasser Saeed Alaidah, first in fitness, and recruit Nasser Jabr al-Muhanna al-Naimi, first in shooting.  

In a speech delivered during the ceremony, which began with a parade by the Infantry Regiment Alumni, Brigadier Mohamed Misfer al-Ayyadi, Chief of the National Service Programme, welcomed the Emir and hailed the efforts being exerted under the wise leadership to achieve the goals of the National Service Programme, aimed at instilling a sense of national belonging, patriotism, and increasing the cohesion among the country’s loyal citizens, to be able to actively participate in the defence of the homeland and its people, which is the duty of every citizen.

He explained that the attention to the human element reflects the wise leadership’s keen interest, especially in the armed forces, and through learning and rehabilitation in accordance with rules and principles of good offices, to be able to work with confidence and competence.  

The efforts and recommendations of the wise leadership of HH the Emir and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani have paid off today through the first batch of the National Service Programme.

He pointed out that nearly 500 recruits took part in the first session, during which they received various military exercises and academic lectures, which will contribute to raising the level of knowledge among employees of the national service, in the military and academic aspects.  

Addressing the graduates, Brigadier al-Ayyadi said that performing this national duty through intensive exercises for three months is a source of pride, which would be a turning point in their life. He congratulated the first batch of recruits of the National Service Programme.

The Emir then witnessed the graduation of the first batch of recruits of Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff and distributed certificates and awards to the 35 graduating officers.    

Addressing the gathering, Commander of Joaan bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College Brigadier Nasser Abdullah al-Sulaiti  said that the Qatari armed forces has chosen one of its historic fortresses, the city of Wakrah, to announce from there the establishment of Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College.

Brigadier al-Sulaiti said the College will be a pioneering centre of higher military studies in Qatar, adding that it is a cause of pride and honour that this college bears the name of an ancestor of one of its leaders and heroes, namely Sheikh Ali bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, also known as  ‘Joaan’.

He said the college’s  vision is in compliance with the requirements of Qatar National Vision 2030, the foundations of which were laid by HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

He pointed out that the College, in collaboration with the Supreme Education Council, implemented the admission and academic accreditation criteria of its  curricula and endorsement of its certificate in its first year after obtaining the Council’s  authorisation as a higher military education institution and the academic accreditation for the Master’s Degree of Defence Studies (MDS).