COLOMBO : It is with great pleasure I extend this message on the occasion of the National Day of the State of Qatar.
We celebrate the National Day of the State of Qatar on December 18, in remembrance of the historic day of accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, founder of the State of Qatar, as the ruler in 1878.
On this glorious day in the rich history of Qatar, we recall the biography of the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammad bin Thani, who laid the foundations of the modern state, preserved its sovereignty, safeguarded the dignity of its people, and transformed Qatar into a unified, cohesive, and independent nation. He established the values and principles upon which the state was built.
The vision of Qatar National Day celebrations is based on enhancing loyalty, solidarity, unity and pride in the Qatari national identity. Its values aimed at achieving them are inspiration, participation, creativity and transparency.
Qatar National Day is distinguished by a unique brilliance, embodying the spirit of pride and loyalty towards this beloved country. It is a great occasion where the people of Qatar demonstrate cohesion, solidarity, and unity, expressing love for their homeland, loyalty to their ancestors and fathers, and gratitude for their unforgettable sacrifices.
On this special day, the State of Qatar recalls the successes witnessed by this land, and contemplates its inspiring journey, which has positioned it among the world’s most advanced nations. The unity and progress of the nation are also embodied in its journey towards sustainable development.
Qatar National Day serves as an opportunity to honor the tremendous efforts made by the ancestor leaders in achieving prosperity and stability. On this day, we honor all the distinguished individuals who contributed to building our dear country and worked to protect it. The Qatari people also express their joy, happiness, and feelings of love and gratitude for their country.
The celebration of National Day in the State of Qatar is a living testament to the country’s history and national identity, reflected in the ideals, hopes, and dreams that Qatar has built over many decades. All citizens, both men and women, who have played a prominent role in the nation’s renaissance, take part in this celebration.
It is a day to celebrate the pride of the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, may God protect him, the leader of a journey marked by achievements, development, and a promising future.
The events on this day embrace the traditions and customs inherited from our ancestors, contributing to the increased awareness of these practices within Qatari society.
Logo of the National Day
The logo is inspired by the Qatari flag. Multiple hands are coming together, proud to hold up high the Qatari flag. Strength, optimism, solidarity can be felt through the stylisation. The symbol of the hands is reaching out from the calligraphy of National Day showing a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty.
Qatar National Day 2024 THEME
Since the founding of the state and through the turning points of their history, the Qataris have been able to face many challenges in order to build the nation and realize that the human being is the most important building block of that building. The nation flourishes when all segments of society possess the capabilities to work and create in various fields, in addition to possessing a cohesive will linked to its national identity.
During the periods of Qatari history, generations have exerted their effort, thought and money to build the nation. The founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, and the rulers of Qatar after him worked to build and advance the state, as well as strengthen the Qatari character, thanks to the keenness to adopt science, knowledge, and skills, so the Qataris became accustomed to both knowledge and work. Just as they devoted themselves to the pearl trade at the time of diving, built ships, and expanded their economic, political, and cultural relations with other countries, the saga of their nation-building has continued to this day, and they have invested, with God’s grace, in the new bounties of their nation. In the present, urbanization has expanded and new challenges have arisen, to which the Qataris are not late in responding. The nation’s gains have been enhanced at this current historical stage thanks to investment in human development, in accordance with the strengthening of national identity, which makes culture its permanent immunity.
Qataris followed the path of innovation and initiative, successfully confronting global challenges, developing their lifestyle in various fields, and benefiting from their country’s bounties, thanks to enhancing their intellectual capabilities and developing their competence and practical ethics. These virtues reflect the extent to which Qataris cling to their national identity, which is derived from the richness of their culture and heritage and their interaction with cultures that respect their privacy, which has increased the development of their national character.
If the country rises through the thoughts and efforts of its people, then the Qataris return the generosity and kindness of their country by continuing to work on its immunity, prosperity and advancement among nations.
Qatar – Sri Lanka bilateral relations
Much of our prosperity stems from our relationships with other countries, and Sri Lanka is one of Qatar’s oldest friends in South Asia. We deeply value these long-standing ties, which have grown stronger over time.
The State of Qatar and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka enjoy excellent bilateral relations across political, economic, and social fields. These relations have witnessed significant growth in recent years, particularly following mutual visits by the heads of both countries. Notable visits include that of His Highness The Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to Sri Lanka in January 2012, the visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to Sri Lanka in March 2015, and the visit of His Excellency the former President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, to the State of Qatar in October 2017. These visits have opened wider horizons for strengthening the relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka.
There is continuous cooperation between our two countries in international forums, and we are committed to enhancing trade and economic ties through the Qatar-Sri Lanka Joint Economic, Commercial, and Technical Commission.
There are over 130,000.00 Sri Lankans working in the State of Qatar, among them are skilled workers. There is a Joint Committee concerning the Agreement on regulation of the Sri Lankan Manpower in the State of Qatar. The most recent meeting of this committee was held in Colombo on 30 November 2021.
On this joyous occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and to the people of the State of Qatar.
I also take this opportunity to wish the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and its friendly people peace, prosperity, and success.
Jassim bin Jaber J.B. Al-Sorour
Ambassador
