The Indonesian mission and members of the Indonesian community in Doha marked their nation’s 76th Independence Day on Tuesday with a flag-hoisting ceremony, ‘tumpeng’ cutting, and a number of virtual activities.
Speaking at the event, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan highlighted the importance of keeping the nation’s diversity and tolerance saying that all Indonesians, including those living in Qatar, “have no room for division and conflicts.”
The envoy noted that Indonesia is one of the most diverse and largest archipelagic countries in the world, comprising thousands of islands, hundreds of ethnicity and local languages, as well as different religions.
“More importantly, Indonesia is built on and by various groups ranging from political belief, ethnicity, religion, and so on. All these groups have their own contribution in maintaining, defending, and protecting independence. Everyone should embrace our diversity,” he said.
Hassan was also joined by his spouse, Madam Lita Kadartin at the tumpeng-cutting ceremony (Tumpeng is an Indonesian cone-shaped rice dish with side dishes of vegetables).
The celebration, held at the embassy premises at the Onaiza area with strict Covid-19 precautionary measures, was attended by embassy officials and members of the Indonesian community in Qatar.
According to the embassy, some 17,000 Indonesian nationals currently live in Qatar and work in various sectors such as oil and gas, education, healthcare, and hospitality, among others.
“Indonesian citizens in Qatar have also been known for their activeness and creativity in social and community activities. The activeness of the Indonesian diaspora in Qatar is a good asset for Indonesian diplomacy here, particularly in enhancing people-to-people contact between the two countries,” Hassan stressed.
In a statement, Indonesian community member Agri Sumara said the Independence Day commemoration “should be used not only to reflect but also to put on reality the vision of the country.
“Seventy-six years for a nation may not be too old, but it is surely not young too. As a nation we should be more mature to take a step ahead”.
Amy Smith, one of the Indonesian young diaspora in Qatar, said such an event has a special meaning for her. Born to a British father and an Indonesian mother, she stressed that she has always been very proud of being an Indonesian.
“I love Indonesia and I feel honoured to join the celebration here at the embassy”, said Smith, who was also one of the participants at the Embassy’s programme dubbed ‘Indonesian Language for Us (Bikta)’.
The embassy also organised a series of activities in line with the Independence Day commemoration, but due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, many were held virtually. Fun race individual trial (fun bike competition), underwater flag hoisting, and badminton competition titled ‘Ambassador Cup’ are set to take place in person from August 21 to 28.
Speaking at the event, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan highlighted the importance of keeping the nation’s diversity and tolerance saying that all Indonesians, including those living in Qatar, “have no room for division and conflicts.”
The envoy noted that Indonesia is one of the most diverse and largest archipelagic countries in the world, comprising thousands of islands, hundreds of ethnicity and local languages, as well as different religions.
“More importantly, Indonesia is built on and by various groups ranging from political belief, ethnicity, religion, and so on. All these groups have their own contribution in maintaining, defending, and protecting independence. Everyone should embrace our diversity,” he said.
Hassan was also joined by his spouse, Madam Lita Kadartin at the tumpeng-cutting ceremony (Tumpeng is an Indonesian cone-shaped rice dish with side dishes of vegetables).
The celebration, held at the embassy premises at the Onaiza area with strict Covid-19 precautionary measures, was attended by embassy officials and members of the Indonesian community in Qatar.
According to the embassy, some 17,000 Indonesian nationals currently live in Qatar and work in various sectors such as oil and gas, education, healthcare, and hospitality, among others.
“Indonesian citizens in Qatar have also been known for their activeness and creativity in social and community activities. The activeness of the Indonesian diaspora in Qatar is a good asset for Indonesian diplomacy here, particularly in enhancing people-to-people contact between the two countries,” Hassan stressed.
In a statement, Indonesian community member Agri Sumara said the Independence Day commemoration “should be used not only to reflect but also to put on reality the vision of the country.
“Seventy-six years for a nation may not be too old, but it is surely not young too. As a nation we should be more mature to take a step ahead”.
Amy Smith, one of the Indonesian young diaspora in Qatar, said such an event has a special meaning for her. Born to a British father and an Indonesian mother, she stressed that she has always been very proud of being an Indonesian.
“I love Indonesia and I feel honoured to join the celebration here at the embassy”, said Smith, who was also one of the participants at the Embassy’s programme dubbed ‘Indonesian Language for Us (Bikta)’.
The embassy also organised a series of activities in line with the Independence Day commemoration, but due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, many were held virtually. Fun race individual trial (fun bike competition), underwater flag hoisting, and badminton competition titled ‘Ambassador Cup’ are set to take place in person from August 21 to 28.
