Dignitaries and other officials at the press conference to announce Qatar National Day celebrations at Sheraton Hotel Doha yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
The Organising Committee of the Qatar National Day (QND) celebrations has announced a slew of associated activities and programmes to be held across the country on the occasion of QND which falls on December 18.
“Massive preparations are underway to receive thousands of visitors at main venues of QND celebration like Doha Corniche and Darb Al Saai,” said General Supervisor of Organising Committee, Hassan bin Rashid Al Ajami, while speaking at a press conference held yesterday at Sheraton Hotel.
He said that the Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) will provide over 25,000 seating arrangement along Doha Corniche and set up large screens at Al Bida Park for live transmission of QND parade for the comfort of the visitors.
“Activities of QND celebration will begin at Darb Al Saai on December 12 at 3pm and will conclude on December 20, 2018,” said Al Ajami, adding that Darb Al Saai which is being set up at same place of last year will open from 9am to 1pm and 3:30pm to 10pm.
He said that respecting Qatari culture some days will be dedicated for only women others for families however, general public will be allowed only on December 12, 13, 16 and 18.
Speaking separately to the media person on the sidelines of the event Al Ajmi said: “A new activity ‘Sanad Al Qanoni’ (legal document) has been added under QND celebration of education sector in which school students will perform as lawyers and judges in a mock courtroom to create value of law among the children since childhood and the community.”
He said that other associated activities of QND celebration will be held by Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with expatriate communities at various places including Industrial Area (Asian Town), Al Wakra, Dukhan and Al Khor.
“The venues are expecting over 125,000 visitors including large number of expatriate workers,” said Al Ajmi adding that the activities include parade by expatriate communities represented by their cultural organisations, school students, companies and various colorful cultural programs including orchestra.
He said that awareness programs will be also organised by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs. “Medical tents will be set up offering free checkup of diabetes,” said Al Ajmi adding that cricket matches will be also played to celebrate QND.
Ali Khajim Al Adbi, a senior officer from the Ministry of Interior, member of team addressing the press conference, said that the security agencies will be participating in a big way in the activities.
Aburrahman Al Sarami, Head of the Public Relations and Community Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment is preparing to set up a big pavilion at Darb Al Saai to offer various activities during the event.
“We have almost completed the design to set up a 30X30 tent at Darb Al Saai,” said Al Sarami adding that 18 departments from four sectors of the Ministry will participate in activities at Darb Al Saai.
He said that Ministry will offer various new activities and services at the venue including newly launched Al Aown application, strategic urban development plan, Onwani and junior engineer. “The visitors will be also educated how to get issuance a building license - the compete process from beginning to the end,” he added.
Speaking about the decoration at Corniche on the occasion of QND, Al Sarami said that Public Parks Department at the Ministry will surprise the visitors with a unique decoration with flowers and flower plants.
