Qatar National Day - 18 December

This year I will not be in Doha for Qatar's National Day celebrations, hopefully I will get some pictures to show the celebrations all around the city... 

Qatar Nacional Day (QND) is celebrated on the 18th December and commemorates the day in 1878 when Sheikh Jassim Mohammad Bin Thani succeeded his father as leader of the tribes of Qatar. 

Sheikh Jassim fight for the independence from the Ottomans, British and other Arabian Peninsula Tribes, therefore he is considered as the founder of Qatar, raising the country from a feudal, tribal state to one of unity and solidarity. Remembered as a pioneer and leader in the development of Qatar leading the nation to what it is today.

It is not exactly and independence day, its more a figurative date for the establishment of a Qatari people. Qatar only gain its independence from the British on the 3rd Sept. 1971, this day was a national holiday until 2007, when the Emiri Diwan changed the date to the Dec. 18.

And what's the meaning of the Qatari flag? The maroon color (a difficult pantone 222c) represents the bloodshed of the Emirati wars of the 19th century and the white symbolizes the united peace. The nine edges represents Qatar as the 9th member of the reconciled Emirates after the Qatar-British Treaty of 1916.

This day is a given day off as a public holiday, and lots of events take place in the city. A national parade of military and governmental personnel will go down the corniche early morning, also the Air Force will make a show with colored jet trails, the Cost Guard will perform a show with traditional dhows and speed boats.

This year from the Palm Tree Island that you can see in the Corniche, will give a special show of "powder"fireworks (being shot from the island) every hour between 11am and 4pm.

And as usual at night, around 8pm the fireworks will take place in the corniche with an accompanying Qatari heritage musical score.

As an ex-pat living in Doha, I was also curious about Qatar's National Anthem, and I found it here in Mr. Q, in I Iove Qatar website, hopefully the translation is correct. 

Swearing by God who erected the sky
Swearing by God who spread the light
Qatar will always be free Sublimed by the souls of the sinceres
Procede on the manners of the ascendants

And advance on Prophet’s guidance In my heart,

Qatar is an epic of glory and dignity
Qatar is land of the early men
Who protect us at time of distress,
Doves they can be at times of peace,
Warriors they are at times of sacrifice

More informations about Qatar National day, you can find it here.