Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the Qatar National Day 2019 parade on the Doha Corniche, yesterday. Thousands of citizens and residents lined up on the Corniche to witness the parade as part of the Qatar National Day 2019 celebrations in a pleasant and cloudy weather,
The parade was also attended by Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al Thani; H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of H H the Amir; H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani; H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani; and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, QNA reported.
The National Day Parade was also attended by Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, and a number of members of the Shura Council, in addition to a number of Their Excellencies guests, including President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, and Commander of US Air Forces Central Command, Lieutenant General Joseph Guastella, it added.
The Qatar National Day celebrations were held across the country with full fervour in different venues like Katara Cultural Village, Aspire Zone, MIA Park, Lusail, Asian Town through an array of diverse cultural, heritage and recreational activities. At night, the Doha Corniche witnessed fireworks celebrations. Also, festivities at Darb Al Saai continued last evening with the participation of large number of visitors and will continue until tomorrow.
All branches of the Qatari Armed Forces participated in the parade including the Amiri Air Force, the Amiri Naval Forces, the Military Police, Coast Guards, Border Guards and Traffic Police with more focus this year on the human element and their skills.
The celebration of the Qatar National Day 2019, was organised under the theme ‘Al Maali Kaydah’, meaning that the path of excellence is difficult.
Following the National Anthem and the firing of 18-shot gun salute to celebrate Qatar National Day, the parade started with the entry of horsemen and camel cavalry and aerial displays of various types of warplanes, combat helicopters, air transports, cargo aircraft, performing aircraft. Several aircraft types including “Rafale” multi-purpose jet fighter; “Apache” attack helicopters; “F-15” warplanes; and “Typhoon” multirole fighters participated in the shows.
Afterwards, came the parade of the Armed Forces infantry followed by the air forces; armoured vehicles, tanks, various defence systems, police equipment, anti-terrorism equipment and military communications.
The show concluded with a parade of children dressed in Amiri Guard uniform. The parachute jumping was cancelled due to the weather conditions.
At the end of the parade, H H the Amir greeted kids, who were singing the song “Allah ya omri Qatar”, and also greeted the cheering crowd who were seen taking photographs of H H the Amir and waving Qatar national flag.
Thousands of citizens and residents throng Doha Corniche from early morning to get a nice spot to watch the parade. Being the first QND parade after the opening of Doha Metro, reaching the venue was much easier for the public due to proximity of Red Line stations to the parade venue.
People were also able to watch the Parade through jumbo digital displays installed along Corniche road. A number of mobile food carts and beverage outlets were also available at various spots for people.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Ahmed Al Mohannadi, a Qatari citizen said: “On the occasion of Qatar National Day 2019, we congratulate H H the Amir and the Qatari people.”
“We came today early to watch the parade with minimum distance and all shows were good. December 18 is an opportunity to renew loyalty to the homeland and strengthen the values of citizenship and unity,” he added.
For her part, Fatma, another Qatari citizen said: “It is a day that all people living in Qatar should celebrate; we were excited to watch the parade. I always attend the National Day parade and today we were lucky to have such a nice weather.”
“We came today to share the joys with the Qatari people on this precious occasion. We congratulate all citizen on this occasion,” said Haytham Ahmed, a resident.
The Qatar National Day 2019 slogan was inspired by a poem by the founder describing his son Sheikh Ali bin Jassim (Joaan) and gives a clear picture of a whole generation of Qatari youth in the founding period.