Qatar marks National Day with host of activities

Dec 18, 2019

Qatar National Day has arrived in an atmosphere filled with national pride, patriotism, and loyalty.

The glorious occasion is special to the hearts of citizens and residents alike who look at it as an opportunity to express their deep respect and love for the country while connecting with its rich cultural heritage.

Elaborate celebrations to mark Qatar National Day began earlier this week with the best in store for today.

Yesterday, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in Qatar's Arda (traditional sword dance), which was held in the Amiri Diwan Yard on the Doha Corniche, to commemorate Qatar National Day.

HH the Personal Representative of the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani participated in the Arda. A number of Sheikhs, ministers, dignitaries, and citizens also joined in the celebration.

موطن العادات موطنّا ??
الفخر و العز مضمونه pic.twitter.com/6SwppR5RWR
— خليفة بن حمد (@KHK) December 17, 2019

A range of activities will take place across the country, including the most-awaited national day parade that begins at the Corniche at 9.30 am today.

The Corniche is all decked up in national colors and is ready to welcome visitors who have started arriving in early upon the advice of the Security Committee for QND activities.

The committee also stressed on the need to take necessary safety measures in anticipation of weather conditions and urged parents to take care of children and ensure their safety.

Some screens have been installed at different locations along the Corniche to enable more people to follow the parade.

A number of mobile food carts and beverage outlets will be available along the Corniche for the benefit of the spectators. Restrooms for men and women are also distributed along the stretch.

Various other attractions have also been lined up at different venues around Qatar.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee of the Associated Activities of Qatar National Day 2019 celebrations is hosting 12 mega cultural, musical and sports events today.

The events will be held at 10 venues in collaboration with Asian communities, companies and Asian schools in Qatar.

The venues are Wakra sports club, Barwa Al Baraha, Asian Accommodation, Asian Town, Cricket Stadium, Lusail Sports City, Barwa Workers Complex, Doha Stadium, Mukainis Barwa Village, Shahhaniya, and Sri Lankan School.

Besides, various activities and events are taking place at Darb Al Saai, Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif and other places.

For football fans, the excitement is doubled today, as Liverpool take on Monterrey in the second semi-final of the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup this evening at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Meanwhile, Qatar Rail has said due to the organizational requirements for Qatar National Day, access to the Al Bidda, Corniche and West Bay QIC stations of Doha Metro will be restricted between 6 am and 12 noon today.

Due to the organisation requirements of QND celebrations on the 18th December, access to Al Bidda, Corniche and West Bay QIC stations will have restricted access between 06:00am and 12:00pm. pic.twitter.com/t4W0n4ywHM
— Doha Metro & Lusail Tram (@metrotram_qa) December 17, 2019

DECC will be the closest station to get to the Corniche during this busy period, according to a post on Qatar Rail's Doha Metro & Lusail Tram Twitter page.

"Al Bidda station can still be used to change between the Red and Green lines throughout the day," it added.

Additionally, the Metrolink 143 feeder bus service will not run between 6 am and 12 noon to and from the Corniche station.

Qatar Rail also advised people to use the Doha Metro Travel Card to easily access various celebration locations, such as the Corniche (DECC station, Red Line), Katara - the Cultural Village (Katara station, Red Line), Souq Waqif (Souq Waqif station, Gold Line), Darb Al Saai (Joaan station, Gold Line) and Aspire (Al Aziziyah station, Gold Line).

Qatar National Day 2019 is being marked under the slogan 'Al Maali Kaydah,' which means "supremacy is hard to reach."

The slogan is inspired by a poem by Qatar's founder Sheikh Jassim describing his son Sheikh Ali bin Jassim (Joaan) and gives a clear picture of a whole generation of Qatari youth in the founding period.

'Within ten years, he mastered all glory and arts...
and attained all traits of excellence and vigorous'

The Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed laments his martyr son, Sheikh Joaan, and gives a glimpse into the truth of a generation of young people who grew up on ethics and was raised to acquire knowledge even if the price of that sacrifice was too expensive.

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