Qataris celebrate founding of their state
Bahrain marks Martyrs’ Day
DOHA, Dec 17, (KUNA): The State of Qatar celebrates on Friday the National Day amid official and public celebrations to mark the occasion as well as the mounting civil and economic accomplishments that have been made throughout the years.
Celebrations are being held in all towns under a theme extracted from a poem by the state founder, Sheikh Jassem Bin Mohammad Al-Thani, basically calling for solidarity and compassion with the oppressed and those in dire need for help, locally known as “Al-Fezaa.” The occasion brings to memory the historic date, 1878, when Sheikh Jassem succeeded his father, Sheikh Mohammad, as leader of the country, and had held the helm of power till the process of establishing Qatar’s state institutions and fostering national unity gained steam years later.
The national celebrations are held for the second time under sponsorship of the current Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who took power from his father, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa, on June 25, 2014, following his steps in developing and modernizing the country.
Qatar marks the occasion on Dec 18th since issuance of the law 11/2007. The Qataris regard this day as a date of solidarity and faithfulness to the first founder of the state, Sheikh Jassem, renowned for piety, courage and wisdom.
Nowadays, the state adopts a development policy based on scientific planning for employment of human resources, maximum utilization of these resources, national and foreign.
Politically, the state has keenly sought to maintain close bonds with other GCC and Arab countries and has taken constructive stances at crises times.
At the economic level, it had hammered out a strategy expiring in 2030; aimed at diversifying economic resources without dependence on oil and gas, developing various sectors such as financial services, health care, education, sports. Enormous proceeds from investments in the oil and gas sectors have resulted in record growth and have encouraged the government to spend generously on developing the infrastructure, the energy and housing sectors.
Meanwhile, Kingdom of Bahrain celebrated on Thursday the Martyrs’ Day, as announced by King Hamad Bin Essa AlKhalifa in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in defending their homeland.
This day is celebrated during the period of the National Days, and anniversary of King Hamad’s take-over of the power reins.
Bahrain eulogizes at the official and public levels all those who scarified their lives in interior disturbances during the last four years, besides those who were killed during the coalition military operations in Yemen.
A total of five Bahraini soldiers were killed in Yemen during “Restoring Hope Operation.” Another 18 citizens had been killed during terrorism attacks that had taken place in Bahrain since 2011 till now.