QATAR NATIONAL DAY. Why 18th December?

Dracula
By Dracula

Every December 18th, we celebrate Qatar National Day in commemoration of the historic day in 1878 when Sheikh Jassem, the founder of the State of Qatar, succeeded his father, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as the ruler and led the country towards unity.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
December 18th is the day we remember how Qatari national unity was achieved and how Qatar became a distinct and respected nation out of a society torn apart by conflicting tribal loyalties, devoid of security and order, and overrun by invaders.
Qatar's National Day is about honoring the heroes, leaders and people who built this country.
It's also a chance to reflect on the principles on which Qatar was founded - truth, justice, friendship and brotherhood and to remember the values of generosity, loyalty responsibility and sacrifice which are key to Qatar's success today.
Qatar nation has proved in the past, present, and God willing, the future, to be capable of bringing prosperity and building good relationships, both internally and throughout the Arab and Islamic world.
Qatar has proved that it's more than just oil, gas and commerce, but also a guiding light for education, knowledge, innovation and freedom.

Sheik Jassem died on July 17the 1913 ending a fruitful and memorable life.
He was succeeded by his son Sheikh Abdulla bin Jassem Al Thani.

By z_zied• 19 Dec 2008 04:05
z_zied

I found on this blog http://com4myst.blogspot.com, youtube hosted Qatar national Day festivities

By who.am.i• 18 Dec 2008 23:55
Rating: 3/5
who.am.i

I just want to say that the 15-20minute fireworks display was worth the time I spent on the road.. It was dazzling!

cheers,

paul

By khasan• 18 Dec 2008 22:59
khasan

may allah keep progress and development for all the nation

By nadt• 18 Dec 2008 22:44
nadt

I saw the fireworks from my balconey, it was great...

By honda-san• 18 Dec 2008 22:03
honda-san

wow , what an increadible fireworks they showed people standing there in that cold! who loved it?

By stealth• 18 Dec 2008 13:59
stealth

the march past was good. Here you need to know the hidden routes that gets you good parking space.

By SPEED• 18 Dec 2008 13:34
SPEED

ticked at 12:00 18.12.07 ... we witnessed small fire works and my wife asked me what is this for? I told her this is Qatar 1st National Day and the date has just changed.

Yes this time it's seems they are well prepared.

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By Dracula• 18 Dec 2008 13:34
Rating: 2/5
Dracula

.

&feature=related

.

By anonymous• 18 Dec 2008 13:25
Rating: 2/5
anonymous

Qasaman, qasaman, qasaman biman rafa' as-seme'

Qasaman biman nashraz.- z.iye'

Qat.arun satbaqa x.auratan

Tasmu birux.i l-aufie'

Siru' 'ala nuhaj il-'u

wa'la z.ia' il 'anbiya'

Qat.arun biqalbi sirat

'azul 'amjaad ul-'iba

Qat.arun ir-rajil al-'awain

X.aumatnu yaum al-inda'

Wax.amaymun yaum as-salam

Jawarix.a yaum al-fida'a

2x

Qasaman, qasaman, qasaman biman rafa' as-seme'

Qasaman biman nashraz- z.iye'

Qat.arun satbaqa x.aratan

Tasmu biruxi l-aufi'e

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 thou 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

By heero_yuy2• 18 Dec 2008 13:19
heero_yuy2

Every country the British had left turns sour. LOL

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By Dracula• 18 Dec 2008 13:11
Rating: 4/5
Dracula

Qatar was never actually a colony of Britain, just a protectorate!

A colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state.

A protectorate, in international law, is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity, in exchange for which the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship. However, it retains sufficient measure of sovereignty and remains a state under international law.

.

wiki dixit

By Dracula• 18 Dec 2008 13:06
Rating: 4/5
Dracula

By heero_yuy2• 18 Dec 2008 13:04
heero_yuy2

British! Always British! LOL XP

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

By nadt• 18 Dec 2008 13:03
nadt

Happy National day Qatar..I wouldve really like to go but i just couldnt deal with traffic, fighting for parking spaces and lots of crowds with two toddlers...Im sure it wouldve been a great day.

By stealth• 18 Dec 2008 12:59
stealth

last year was the first time that celebrated this day. But there was nothing special like this year. so none of you have missed anything.

The morning march past was a pretty good sight. That I think was one of the main features of today.

By habibidak• 18 Dec 2008 12:49
habibidak

where am i last year? i've been here since 2005 am i? yes but...

Best regard to the Qatari Nationality...Goodluck to this country!

HAPPY NATIONAL (INDEPENDENCE DAY!) TO ALL QATARIAN!

Be yourself and live free

By tallg• 18 Dec 2008 12:14
tallg

Just wondering if I'd missed it last year.

Not sure if I'm going yet, but there are plenty of pics already on the QL flickr group; http://www.flickr.com/groups/qatar_living/

By britexpat• 18 Dec 2008 11:58
Rating: 3/5
britexpat

Who cares..

Usually national days bring the people together and help them forget their miseries for a day or so..

Perhaps, with the economic downturn, this is the tonic and distraction they need...

Have a great day.. looking forward to the pics..

By tallg• 18 Dec 2008 11:54
tallg

Last year I don't recall any celebrations for National day (18th Dec). It was just a day off work, wasn't it?

By Dracula• 18 Dec 2008 11:42
Rating: 5/5
Dracula

The first of December 1918 represents, for the Romanian people, the triumph of centuries of struggle and sacrifices for achieving the national unitary state.

Romania and Qatar are linked by traditional and friendly mutually beneficial relationships which resisted vicissitudes of recent history and offer strong potential and determination for progress.

At the 90-th anniversary of the Great Union of 1918, the National Day of their country, Romanian expatriates people wish to the Qatari friendly people further progress and prosperity and a brilliant future to the Romanian-Qatari relations.

By britexpat• 18 Dec 2008 11:33
Rating: 4/5
britexpat

All countries should celebrate their National Day.. It gives the peoples a chance to come together as one nation, irrespective of colour or creed.

Congratulations Qatar...

By plumkiwi• 18 Dec 2008 11:30
Rating: 5/5
plumkiwi

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY TO ALL OF YOU!!!

this is your day (best wishes). . . .*clap *clap *clap

By Dracula• 18 Dec 2008 11:29
Rating: 4/5
Dracula

National Day or Founders day is not the independence day. Qatar became independent from the UK on the 3rd September 1971.

In fact, though a protectorate of the UK, Qatar always had its own ruling family and governance.

However, even before an agreement with the UK had been signed, the county’s government was heavily influenced by the UK.

For Qatar, with powerful and aggressive neighbors on its borders, this was a trade off worth paying.

Britain had hoped that Qatar, along with Bahrain, would become part of the UAE.

However, disagreements at the last minute lead to these two countries becoming independent in their own right.

The focus on the Independence day has now moved to National Day.

Perhaps because this is because Qatar was never actually a colony of Britain, just a protectorate.

By chichi• 18 Dec 2008 11:14
Rating: 5/5
chichi

By heero_yuy2• 18 Dec 2008 11:13
heero_yuy2

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.