The Lebanese community in Qatar recently celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Lebanon in a ceremony organized by the Lebanese Embassy. Pics: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Doha: The Lebanese community in Qatar recently celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Lebanon in a ceremony organized by the Lebanese Embassy that was attended by a large number of dignitaries including Their Excellencies the ministers and members of diplomatic corps.
About 500 people from the Lebanese community, in addition to a number of guests attended the event at the embassy.
There are around 25,000 Lebanese nationals in Qatar, who contribute to the renaissance of Qatar by working in many sectors mostly contracting, education, trade and tourism.
Due to good Qatar–Lebanon relations at all levels which is an ideal model for brotherly relations between two the countries, about 2,000 to 4, 000 Lebanese visiting Qatar every month, according to recent official statistics.
Qatar has always supported Lebanon in various circumstances and in all regional and international forums.
The community has a large school called The Lebanese School of Qatar and it is one of the first schools opened in Qatar by expatriates and attracted a large number of students.
“The Lebanese community, under the supervision of the Embassy, participates in all the cultural and sporting activities that are being held in the country, both at Katara and Derb El Saai, the most popular venue for the National Day festivities,” said Abou Mitchell.
The Lebanese community has a Facebook community page to serve community’s social and cultural issues which was created by Mitchell.
“It is difficult now that people meet personally everyday unless there is some great occasion such as the Independence Day event. I founded this page so that community members can communicate with one another and share their feelings, problems as well as pieces of information,” Abou Mitchell noted.
“On the community’s digital platform, we are sharing all issues that benefit the Lebanese community living in Qatar. For example, we are sharing job opportunities for those who do not have jobs, also discussing all new developments happening in Qatar especially the ones related to new laws such as ending of exit permit, he pointed out.
He added: “We also give importance to what is going in our country Lebanon by sharing almost all important news stories related to Lebanon to keep the community updated on latest developments,” he added.
“The members on the community page never discuss the religious and political issues and what is controversial in general. We only discuss what brings us together,” he added.
The community also has a number of restaurants including Assaha Restaurant, Beirut Restaurant, Al Sultan Restaurant, and others which are the favourite dinning destination for Lebanese community as well as others.
Some of these restaurants, such as Assaha Restaurant, was designed in the old Lebanese style, representing the original Lebanese architectural heritage.
