Kuwait has a great place in the hearts of Qataris

Qatar organasied several activities in a run-up to Kuwait’s 58th National Day which will be celebrated today. Residents and expatriates participated in these events with full fervour.

A number of events were organised in Souq Waqif and many other places. Over 4,000 people attended the 1980s Show, held at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), which showed golden age of most important cultural activities. The 1980s show included clips of films and plays  produced in Kuwait in 1980s.

The show is a journey to the common culture between the two countries and what brought both countries closer to each other.

The two-day event was organised under the slogan ‘Kuwait and Qatar One Nation’.

The huge Qatari presence and their interaction reflected the depth and rapprochement of the Qatari-Kuwaiti culture and the place of Kuwait in the hearts of Qataris.

The Show was held for the first time outside Al Kuwait, and citizens from both countries not only share the language and history but also the culture, said the producer of the Show. The show, that included 55 pieces of music and video, was two-hour long and 80 musicians and singers participated in it.

“We are grateful to the State of Qatar for its participation in the national celebrations of the State of Kuwait, whether in Doha or in Kuwait, which includes a number of great and distinguished events,” said Hafeez Mohammed Al Ajmi, Ambassador of Kuwait to Qatar.

Speaking to media on the occasion of the 58th National Day, Al Ajmi said that this Qatari participation reflects the cohesion of the people of the Gulf and emphasizes the cohesion among the people of the Gulf.
“The people of Kuwait consider Qatar as their second home.

We have seen the State of Qatar as the top tourist destination for the Kuwaiti tourists. Kuwait has a great place in the hearts of Qataris as it is close to them geographically and culturally. Kuwait has become one of the most important markets in the region due to diversity,” Ambassador said.

On Qatar and Kuwait relations, Al Ajmi said the Kuwait’s relationship with the people of Qatar dates back to before sixteenth century. Along with strong relations between the two governments, the bond between the citizens is also strong.

The Ambassador also mentioned that there is a great cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and military fields, in addition to the participation of various departments of the Qatari military forces in the joint exercises held in Kuwait. “Similarly, the Kuwaiti Armed Forces are participating in exercises held in Qatar.”

About the volume of trade exchange, the Ambassador said that the bilateral investments exceeded $7bn in both the public and private sectors in both countries. “The two countries have witnessed strong growth in trade exchange. The two chambers agreed to establish a joint business council to promote cooperation between private sectors in both countries.”

“In the end of  2018, the volume of trade with Qatar grew by QR2.8bn (about $770m) and the number of Kuwaiti companies operating in Qatar increased by 34 percent in 2018 compared to 2017,” he said.

The Ambassador also said that “Many Kuwaitis are studying here in Qatar in various universities, and we are proud of them and encourage our sons and daughters from both countries to study in the other country,” he said.

Kuwaiti citizen Abdullah al Dawsari who attended the 1980s Show said that the Qatari audience encouraged us for this show. The show was amazing and we intended to organize it at Qatar to celebrate together this occasion because we are one people nation.

“Thanks to Qatar they open to us their homes and their hearts and we felt as if we were in Kuwait,” al Dawsari added.

For his part, another Kuwaiti citizens said that “the Kuwaiti community in Qatar is very happy as they are celebrating  the 58th National Day and 28th Liberation Day Anniversary without the need to go to Kuwait.

“Qataris share with us our happiness and has organised many cultural activities in Qatar in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti community enjoyed these shows very much and we were keen to visit Souq Waqif to attend these music and cultural shows,” he added.

Commenting on the 1980s Show, he said that the participation in the event was huge and organisers were surprised by the big success of show and all tickets were sold quickly.

In the midst of an atmosphere of music and culture,  the celebration “Qatar and Kuwiat One nation”  began on February 21-26 in Souq Waqif coinciding with the 58th National Day and 28th Liberation Day Anniversary. 

Singers from Qatar and Kuwait gave spectacular performances that enthralled hundreds of visitors from different nationalities.