Walking In The Path Of The Founders
On the day of the 18 of December 1878 the Ottomans were defeated and an independence was declared.
On this delightful occasion I’d like to see Qatar renews its bond to its heritage as it adapts to modernity or at least those parts of it which are best and most useful for the country’s progress.
I call upon the young Qatari’s who are the future of this country to ensure their progress, but without forsaking their Arab and Islamic identity.
Pride in National Day also demands that this country adopts the highest level of personal and collective responsibility.
As no nation can advance unless its people uphold its foundational values, work together to build it, and fulfill
the aspirations of its founders.
Good, healthy citizenship implies responsibility and participation. Harmony and unity between people, who all fulfill their constructive roles in society, will bring everybody fortune and happiness now and in the future.
Happy National Day Qatar.
With Lots of Love <3 <3 <3
I meant the Qatari Peninsula, too. At best Sheikh Qassim has the support of the tribes around what is now the Doha metropolitan area in 1878 (the British Empire recognized his authority, which was perhaps at the time the most important thing). Hence all the battles against the Ottoman and Bahraini backed tripes later on. Widespread unity and the formation of Qatar as a state took the better part of century (as you pointed out), which is why to me it is such an interesting history.
Don't get me wrong, 1878 is as good a choice as any to celebrate national day--especially given that Qatari is effectively a monarch and the legitimacy of the ruling house that was claimed in 1878 still rules today. 1971 as a date really is not fitting given the great apprehension, misgivings, and lack of celebration at the time.
@ Bachus
I meant the Qatari Peninsual not the Arabian one
Our history does state that the very first person whom ALL the tribes living within the Qatari peninsula have recognized as a "leader elect" was Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani....and it does state that that took place on December 18, 1878....before him and before that date every leader either lead his own tribe or his area of land.
tahsinmim--depends on who is in charge and what date they see as most important in the country's history. Most countries have multiple days in their history they celebrate, why not Qatar.
supercool--"basically uniting the whole peninsula as "one state" lead on the local level by one person": except for the all the people/tribes that did not sign up for various reasons and had to be conquered or united by later treaties. The peninsula was hardly a unified space in the late-19th century.
Just thought I'd correct something for yall
The 18th of December IS NOT, I repeat is not Qatar's "Independence" day....Our independence day is September 3, and that happened in 1971
December 18 commemorates a date of the "founding" of a state called Qatar...basically uniting the whole peninsula as "one state" lead on the local level by one person, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (also referred to as Sheikh Qassim)....at that point Qatar was not independent and The union was a local choice and the leader was a local choice as well....basically it was a union by the ppl, a day when everyone on this land came together and put all their eggs in one basket and that is why it's a very important day for us. This actually happened in 1878.
The battle with the Ottomans didn't happen for another 15 years, March 1893. Hope this helps
Tahsinmim--India and Qatar's histories are quite different with regard to the British Empire. Qatar had a semi-autonomous dependency status, was never a colony nor significantly occupied militarily. Britain was more interested in keeping the peace to enable trade with Persia/Iran than anything else. Qatar was valued solely for its geographically strategic position.
What about the gifts given to an Empress ?
If it wasn't for the British, Qatar would be part of Bahrain or Saudi!
Great sentiment, but the opening statement is far less simplistic than stated:
"On the day of the 18 of December 1878 the Ottomans were defeated and an independence was declared."
Like all national founding myths, the real story is more complication and, in fact, far more interesting--involvement of the British and Bahrain, division on the Peninsula itself, etc. For starters, Qatar wasn't truly independent from the Turks until 1916 and then it was only transferred to the British as a semi-autonomous dependency, where it stayed until 1971.
I would encourage all who are interested to learn about Qatar's founding, which was less a single act and more series of acts over multiple generations that evolved into true independence. It's a great story.
Good thoughts, but why the "cut and paste" :O)