Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah at the Ministry of Defence pavilion at Darb Al Saai. Pics: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
The Qatar National Day celebrations officially kicked off last evening at Darb Al Saai with flag raising ceremony which attracted thousands of people from across the country.
The opening started with raising of the Qatar’s flag. About 29 activities are being organised this year at Darb Al Saai by various government organizations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, and Chief of Staff H E Major General (Pilot) Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim visited the Ministry of Defence pavilion which has been set up for the first time at Darb Al Saai. A number of armoured vehicles and other military machines including tanks are on display at the ministry’s pavilion.
The festivities came to achieve the Qatar National Day vision by strengthening loyalty, solidarity, unity and pride in Qatar’s national identity.
Many governmental and non-governmental bodies are participating in the event, some of them for the first time like the Ministry of Defence. Other participating bodies include the General Directorate of Civil Defence, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Police College, General Directorate of Traffic, Qatar Development Bank, QF for Social Work, Qatar Foundation and many others.
For the first time, expatriate communities can join the National Day celebrations through a new activity through which they can show their traditions and cultures in a way that meet the National Day vision.
Among the prominent activities at the Police College pavilion was a small exhibition from the Ministry of Interior including some pistols used by the ministry in old times from 1950–1961. It has also displayed old police uniforms of 1949–1958.
The activity of the biggest portrait of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called “The Dignity Image” launched by the Police College attracted hundreds of visitors in the first few hours after opening of celebration.
In an attempt to set a Guinness World Record, more than 14,000 people would be required to colour the portrait.
Also the pavilion of Traffic Department through ‘traffic village’ attracted large number of visitors specially children. “This year in our pavilion we have launched a vehicle to provide support to winter campers. The aim of launching the vehicle is to raise awareness among campers about safety measures in the desert,” said First Lieutenant Fahd Sherida, traffic awareness officer.
Also there is the pavilion of Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) and the centres working under its umbrella. The participation of the QFSW will be through a special event for children “Kids Qatar” and includes a number of different games for each of the centres working under QFSW.
Other prominent pavilions include Qatar Foundation (QF) which attracted many visitors though different activities.
Khalifa Al Kubaisi, Head of Press Office, QF, said: “This year, our National Day celebrations at Darb Al-Saai are designed to embody the Qatari flag. We are proud to be part of this great nation, and we believe this celebration demonstrates our commitment to supporting Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy.”
Another new activity is “Al Baraha Activity” has been introduced this year with an aim to provide a traditional atmosphere for the elderly.
The celebrations will continue for ten days till December 20, and people can visit Darb Al Saai during this ten day on two shifts from 8am to 12noon and from 4pm to 10pm except on Friday it will receive visitors from 2pm to 11 pm.
Under the motto “Promise of Prosperity and Glory”, Qatar National Day celebrations will start today, and this motto has been taken from a quote of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) also holding various awareness, cultural and entertainment programms for the visitors at its pavilion in Darb Al Saai. The visitors will be educated about the rationalisation of consumption of electricity and water, smart meters, sustainability and environment protection.
