Qatar's National Day, Comments by Qatari Press

Doha, December 18 (QNA) - The Qatari Arabic and English daily newspapers have congratulated HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Qatari people of Qatar's national day the country is celebrating on Sunday, Dec.18 and blessed the leadership and people for the giant strides Qatar has made in developing its economy, education, health, media and social sectors. The Qatari papers have highly evaluated the anniversary of the late founder of the State of Qatar Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamed Al Thani who had laid the pillars of our beloved homeland. Commenting on the blessed occasion, Arabic daily Al Sharq said Qatar today is writing in history today that the state which is clinching to its originality, identity, traditions and national heritage, can easily cope with the era and stimulate modernity with all its useful contents leading to progress and prosperity. Qatar celebrates today its national day anniversary while enjoying the leading achievements scored under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and at the same time embodies the meanings of love, loyalty and gratitude to the founder late Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohamed Al Thani , who spent most of his thought , time , efforts and wisdom to build the modern State of Qatar and has written a glorious history cherished by the people of Qatar and the successive generations , said Al Sharq daily in an editorial comment published here today. Concluding the daily said the day of loyalty and gratitude to the homeland strengthen the meanings of affiliation and pride of the national identity which is based on roots of originality, heritage and Arab and Islamic values and traditions and cope with the modern era with all its knowledge and sciences which make Qatar worth of affiliating to the era of knowledge. Meanwhile Arabic daily Al Arab newspaper welcomed such a glorious day of Qatar’s history in which all throats and voices are high in sound for the anniversary of the founder late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, who laid the foundations of the homeland. The paper expressed belief that Qatar's celebrations this year would be more distinguished since such celebrations would be restricted to the Qatari themselves but extended forward when Qatar reached out to others for the victory of justice, right and supporting the human being whenever he exists. Al Arab daily indicated that the state of Qatar has started a story of success which was crowned with the due and remarkable keenness of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to care for the people of Qatar and spared no effort to place the Qatari man on the level of responsibility referring in this concern to the mammoth salary increase which helped improving the economic status of the Qatari citizen who felt in turn how much his leadership is keen to put him in best living conditions. The Qatari leadership has placed the Qatari citizen on top of its prime priorities while seeking to establish a more developed country feeling pride of its past, flourishing by its exciting present and reaching to a better future, Al Arab daily said in conclusion. For its part, the English language daily, The Peninsula said, ''Today, Qatar celebrates its National Day, reflecting the remarkable development that has been achieved in all sectors of the state. HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani s announcement that Qatar will hold national elections in 2013 has put the country in the forefront of change. Under the leadership of the Emir, the Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Qatar made giant strides in developing its economy, education, health, media and social sectors. Buoyed by the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the hosting of World Cup 2022, the country is undergoing fast-paced progress. The day defines the spirit and aspirations of a country as it continues to grow into one of the world’s most advanced and prosperous nations. Nationalism is at its zenith not for the nationals alone but also for those thousands of expatriates, who consider Qatar their home, said the paper in an editorial comment published here Sunday. For Qataris, December 18 is the day they convey their deepest gratitude to Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of Qatar, who distinguished himself in his youth as a pious, brave, self-sacrificing and wise leader who unified Qatar and safeguarded the interests of its people in the darkest of times ever witnessed by the country. Qataris therefore regard the message of their heroic forefathers as an inspiration to push forward in their quest to turn themselves and their institutions into guiding beacons of knowledge and righteousness, and bring well-being to the whole humanity. Fittingly, the theme of this year’s celebration is Holding High the Spirit of Loyal Dignitaries . The country s recent achievements in sports, economy and trade and world politics show how Qataris have reaped the yield of seeds of heroism sown by their forefathers and how they have upheld their ideals through the years. HH The Emir has driven the state’s transformation since he took power in 1995. Qatar s economy witnessed a huge and unprecedented growth. The comprehensive development strategy adopted by the government resulted in building a solid and diversified economic base. Home to the world’s third largest proved natural gas reserves, Qatar reached its export capacity target of 77 million tonnes of LNG last year. The country has the highest GDP per capita in the world at QR 272,733 ($74,721). The National Day is not all about celebrations. It is an annual reminder of Qatar s culturally rich past, rapidly evolving present and progressive future. It’s time to pay homage to a visionary who unified the country and led it towards the success which the nation enjoys today. If the National Day is about honouring the heroes, leaders and the people who built the country, it assumes more meaning and significance this year with the opening of the two-week long Arab Games Doha 2011. Certainly, there are a lot of reasons to celebrate the country s victory of gaining independence which still resonates from over a century ago to its bountiful present. Commenting on the same occasion, namely Qatar national day, the English language daily/ Gulf TIMES/ said,'' It is a great day for Qatar today. The excitement over National Day that has been building up over the past few weeks will erupt with patriotic fervour in all the events that have been organised for the public today''. However, 2011 has been a landmark year for Qatar in more ways than one. Not only has the Arab Spring unleashed the winds of change across the region, but also drawn into relief, the emergence of Qatar as a country that is not afraid to engage with parties of all persuasions in the search for an amicable solution to the Arab world’s problems, said the paper in an editorial comment published here on Sunday. The courage of Qatar s leadership is but a reflection of the spirit that the National Day hopes to showcase: the historic day in 1878 when the founder of the State of Qatar Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani succeeded his father as the ruler. Heroism, in policy and practice, has clearly been a legacy of history in Qatar. As can be seen in the celebratory mood all round, Qatar s National Day is significant not just for its citizens, but also for the vast expatriate population it plays host to. Pride over the country s achievements cuts across to anyone who has made Qatar their home. Over the years, Qatar has gained a reputation for getting the job done, be it in conflict resolution, or organizing events on a big scale. Its successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 has made Qatar the cynosure of the world’s sporting community, which will be watching with interest to see how its futuristic development plans bear fruit. The post-oil discovery period has brought great prosperity to the entire Arabian Gulf, and Qatar, like its fellow Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) members, has had to choose the best way forward carefully. Its policies have been framed with its tradition and culture in mind. In recent years, there has been a greater effort to ensure expatriate welfare, and take active measures to prevent human rights abuses. Exposure to foreign societies has not taken away the innate Qatariness of Qatar, due to this emphasis from a very early stage, on the importance of religion and social responsibility. The National Day is an articulation of the affection and respect that Qatar s people feel for the country. It is also a way to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in the nation’s back story, the rich fabric of which is often veiled by the march of modernity. As old powers and empires fade away, and a new world order takes shape, Qatar needs more than ever, a National Day to validate its future with memories of a historic past, the paper concluded. For its part, Arabic daily newspaper , Arrayah, considered this day , coinciding the 18th of december of each year, a glorious day it boasts the citizens of Qatar with pride in the memory of the founder of the modern State of Qatar late HH Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, who had managed in such a day in 1878 when he took the reins of power with skill and insight to establish and found a state that has now occupying a prominent and influential position on the regional and international arena. The newspaper said in an editorial comment by its editor that it is the epic foundation led by the late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, during an era marked by competing colonial , scrambling for the region and the search for areas of influence characterized with an atmosphere of war and fighting and reciprocating loyalties that do not stand in the face with only the one whom Allah the Almighty has bestowed with power-minded and good leadership and behavior and the virtue of biography , science, faith and enthusiasm of men and persistence attitudes that touching the needs of citizens and the trust after Allah the Almighty , these qualities which have made of the aforesaid founder a statesman of the first class. The paper pointed out that this year's celebration of the National Day, coincides with the host Qatar for the 12th Arab Games of 2011 , for which Qatar has provided all preparations with the testimony of our Arab brethren for its complete success, and the honour of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurating is also a clear proof of the country's wise policy in the reunification of the nation and consolidating the bonds of love and brotherhood among our Arab brethren, all of which are found in the country's foreign policies. Arrayah daily called upon the Qatari people on this occasion to strengthen patriotism in the hearts of generations and boosting the sense of affiliation and strengthen the national identity and make all of these meanings of highly embodied ones by nature their hearts. Concluding the paper urged all citizens to show a spirit of responsibility and dedication to work and to double and increase production and meet the unlimited fulfillment of the State by a greater fulfillment. Meanwhile Arabic daily Al-Watan seized such an occasion to convey sincere congratulations and blessings to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and HH the heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and all the Qatari faithful people . The newspaper said in an editorial comment published here Sunday what is interesting to look at this great occasion, is that we recall the memory of the founder of the late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, that the local community, whether the citizens or residents, they combine behaviors and actions to express their loyalty and gratitude to this good land and the wise leadership in a wonderful manner through the splendid participation in the events and the associated events with a beautiful in appearance and behavior of morality and affiliation . Al Watan said this occasion is an opportunity because we return ourselves to live the behavior of a refined and way of civilization in which respect for others and for laws and collective action, and the common sense that we have to work hard and not to rely on others or deceptive appearances which do not feed the hungry mouths. Al Watan daily made clear that all the outsiders are seeing of Qatar as the land of dreams and promising opportunities and everyone wants to know how such a small state in area and population has so swiftly become in a moment a focus of attention of the world in all fields. Concluding the editor of Al Watan daily said it’s our own life which if we did not keep ourselves, we will not find who will do the task on our behalf ... To celebrate the day only, but we must remember that we live here all the yearlong and not just for one day.(QNA)