Minister of Finance H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (second right), Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani (second left), US Ambassador to Qatar H E Timmy T Davis (right) and Assistant Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saeed Al Hajri, cut the ceremonial cake during the US Independence Day celebrations at QNCC, yesterday. Pics: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil
The Ambassador of the US to Qatar H E Timmy T. Davis, has extolled the US-Qatar relationship across several areas of partnership as the US Embassy marked the 247th anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States of America at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) yesterday.
The US Independence Day is observed on July 4, the day the founding document of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, was adopted on July 4, 1776. The event was attended by Guests of Honour Minister of Finance, H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari; Minister of Commerce and Industry, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, and the Assistant Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saeed Al Hajri, ambassadors, top diplomats and business leaders.
This year’s celebration theme channels the Mardi Gras, a New Orleans tradition that grew from a French religious festival into a multicultural American celebration.
Speaking at the event, the US envoy said, “I’m impressed by the genuine kindness that I see every day from the people of Qatar and those who call Qatar home. Building authentic relationships is clearly a key element of Qatari culture.
Ambassador Davis with an umbrella dances to Jazz music with the crowd in Mardi Gras style, during the US Independence celebrations, yesterday.
“We have done life-changing work with our Qatari government counterparts on humanitarian assistance on hunger, security, and stability close to home and globally. I am always urging our team at the embassy to tell our story and Qatar’s efforts worldwide, and their deep appreciation for art and culture -- their abiding hospitality tells their story.”
While speaking about New Orleans, which he calls home, Ambassador Davis shared how Qatari generosity had helped the city recover after the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
On the other hand, the envoy highlighted the success of the 5th US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Doha and other achievements since he arrived in the country. He congratulated Qatar on an outstanding job hosting the world’s largest sports event, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and showcasing the nation.
“I was so happy to be part of last year’s World Cup experience. Congratulations to Qatar, I’m confident that this is only the beginning of all the great things we will accomplish together and the spirit of building our bonds of friendship,” he added.
For Qatar’s first Mardi Gras, a huge parade float was on show to represent another Mardi Gras tradition as three musical guests performed American music throughout the night, including the Doha-based “AFCENT Band” of the US Air Force Central Command and two bands visiting from the United States -- New Orleans go-go funk and the brass band “Brass-A-Holics,” and Minneapolis, Minnesota bluegrass act “Barbaro.”
