Throughout Qatar, recent weeks have seen excitement building towards the National Day celebrations which took place on Friday evening. While nationals and expatriates gathered along the Corniche to witness the stunning displays, a number of hotels, companies and community organisations held their own celebrations.
Doha Marriott hotel celebrated with its associates and guests on Friday evening.
A hotel representative said: “The hotel lobby was specially decorated with flags of Qatar, floral arrangements in the national colours, with staff dressed in national dress with Qatari lapel pins.”
“A celebration cake decorated as the national flag of Qatar was presented to guests at brunch,” she added.
At the Ritz-Carlton, staff gathered in the Fountain Courtyard to create human displays reading ‘Happy National Day Qatar’ in English and Arabic.
Acting hotel manager Ned Capeleris said: “It is a great honour to celebrate this auspicious occasion with Qatar.” The hotel organised a cultural village, children’s activities and traditional entertainment.
It also featured a collection of artworks created by students at the Shafallah Centre.
Al Sharq Village and Spa has a special Arabic-themed buffet which runs until tomorrow evening. Executive sous chef Hassan Abdallah described the culinary offering at Al Liwan: “The festival showcases a cuisine which is inextricably tied to the rich culture and heritage of life in the Gulf, where there are always discoveries to be made.”
He explained that the buffet featured traditional fare from Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Kuwait, adding that traditional Arabic sweets prepared by a female Qatari chef were also on offer.
Among the organisations celebrating National Day was the Pak Insaf Social Society, which held a cake-cutting ceremony.
The Pakistani embassy’s counsellor of community affairs, Mansour Rizvi said the Pakistani community had made a significant contribution to the development of Qatar. He praised the leadership of Qatar for the current standing of their country in the international community.
President of the Insaf Social Society, Tahir Aftab also praised Qatar’s leadership and the role of Pakistani expatriates in the growth of the country.
As part of their National Day celebrations, Dohaland officials visited Al Shahaniya School and Amna bint Mahmoud al-Jaidah School to present young children with flags, stickers, lapel pins, badges and booklets.
Assistant manager of public affairs for Dohaland, Jawaher al-Khuzaei said: “Through the National Day celebration, we get an opportunity to share the pride and enthusiasm in our country with everyone.”
“We are also celebrating the historical importance of bringing in a wealth of education to this nation,” said al-Khuzaei. “I was touched by the way these children responded today – it is so much easier to respond from the heart as a child, and how amazing the experience is!”
At the Pakistan Education Centre, students participated in an arts and culture programme with the aim of “showing solidarity with the Qatari nationals on this auspicious occasion.”
Acting principal Zubair Ahmed said: “Qatar is our next home and we celebrate Qatar’s National Day and all the other important days here.”
“I want to assure our Qatari brothers that the Pakistani people are with them through thick and thin,” he added.
Regency Travel and Tours held National Day celebrations with more than 250 employees in various branches participating. CEO Tareq Abdullatif Taha and general manager N M Shafiq led the occasion.
Taha said: “We prepared for this special day and had the Qatar flag displayed in strategic positions throughout the office.”
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