National Day of Qatar

TODAY, Qatar celebrates the 138th anniversary of its unification. Qatar National Day commemorates the birth of the modern state of Qatar on December 18, 1878. A decree issued on June 21, 2007, by then Crown Prince and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, established Qatar’s National Day. It is also referred to as Founder’s Day.

The theme of this year’s the National Day festivities on December 9-20 is “Promise of Prosperity and Glory” a quote by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Darb Al Saai festival tent will house all the memorabilia to commemorate the historical event. The Organizing Committee of the Associated Activities of Qatar National Day 2017 Celebrations, in association with Ministry of Interior will hold cultural and sports events in collaboration with expatriate communities, schools, and companies. Educational and government tents will offer engaging and fun interactive experiences. Qatari cuisine is prepared and are available on site. The Souq Waqif area exudes the ambience of a traditional souq, offering several merchandise items from clothes to perfume to souvenir items. There are also entertainment areas for children.

Philippines-Qatar relations have always been warm and friendly. The two countries established formal relations on May 5, 1981. The Philippines maintained relations with Qatar through its embassy in the United Arab Emirates until May, 1992, when it opened an embassy in Doha. Qatar, which hosts over a hundred thousand Filipinos employed in education, construction, tourism, information, technology, telecommunications, hotel, banking, and domestic work has an embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila.

We congratulate the people and government of the State of Qatar led by His Highness, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser Khalifa Al Thani, on the occasion of its National Day.