Day is to express gratitude to those who scarified their life for nation’s unification: Nepali workforces’ contributions lauded
Interview with the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nepal His Excellency Yousuf Bin Mohammed Al-Hail on the occasion of the National Day of Qatar 2021
Here are the Excerpts:
Question: Your Excellency, could you brief us about the history of Qatar’s National Day?
Answer: Qatar National Day celebration is held to commemorate the founding of the State of Qatar by the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed’s accession on December 18, 1878 and is celebrated on December 18 every year.
It was decided to consider this day a holiday by a decree issued by the Amir and the then Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on June 21, 2007.
Qatar National Day emphasizes the identity and history of the country. It embodies the ideals and hopes upon which the state was built, and also honors the men and women who participated in building the state.
December 18 is the day Qatar remembers how it succeeded in achieving its national unity and how it became a distinguished country. It is a day to express feelings of love and gratitude to the great people of Qatar who participated in solidarity and swear allegiance and obedience to its leader Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.
The National Day of Qatar represents an opportunity to learn about the work of the founders of the State of Qatar who endured difficulties and paid a heavy price to achieve the unity of their nation and celebrate their memory.
This celebration aims to introduce Qatar’s heritage and appreciation, and enhance pride in the State of Qatar.
Question: This year how Qatar celebrates Qatar’s National Day? What are the activities of this day in Qatar and Qatari missions abroad?
Answer: There are various forms of celebrations that are held in the State of Qatar on the occasion of the National Day 2021, the Qatari flag is flying in its maroon color, and flags are hoisted over homes and institutions to celebrate this great day. Decorations for Qatar National Day are everywhere in the streets of Qatari cities, and the country is adorned with joy on the founding day.
Pictures of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are hung as leaders of the nation, makers of glory and civilization, and pioneers of development and modernization in the State of Qatar.
Special offers and sales are applied for all goods in various Qatari stores and restaurants on this occasion. On the Qatari National Day, special seminars and lectures are held that define this day and its importance and show the importance of the unity of the Qatari people under the banner of the nation and the solidarity of the people for the development, construction and modernization of the country.
All Qatari diplomatic missions around the world hold National Day celebrations honored by government authorities and invite participants from various sectors of society in the host country and accredited diplomatic and consular missions.
Question: What is the slogan for Qatar National day this year? What is the meaning and message of this slogan?
Answer: According to the announcement of the National Day Celebrations Organizing Committee, Qatar is celebrating its National day in home and abroad with the slogan “ANCESTRAL MEADOWS: A MATTER OF TRUST.“
It means that Qataris have been closely related to their environment since ancient times, in which they were raised and affected by its characteristics, so they coexisted with its nature, the colors of its soil and sea, and the changing seasons and their search for it until it formed an important and influential part in their existence and building their personality and identity.”
The slogan is based on the poetry of the Founder of Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, may Allah rest his soul in peace, and represents the strong relationship of Qataris to their environment since time immemorial.
“Oh, how many caravans have passed by; Leaving behind vestiges of the fluctuations of the times; Abodes our sights are accustomed to as the seasons slip by; Our meadows ornamented with herbs” is the stanza of the poetry of the Founder from which the slogan was derived.
Question: How do you remember our Nepali workforce in the development of Qatar? What are the more possibilities for Nepali on the Vision Qatar 2030?
Answer: We remember the Nepali workers with great appreciation and pride for what they have done and are doing in the State of Qatar in carrying out work of great developmental importance to the State of Qatar.
I consider this bilateral cooperation in the field of employment as one of the most fruitful and successful fields between the two countries.
As an ambassador of the State of Qatar in Nepal, I have endeavored with all my efforts to develop bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, sports, education, health, tourism, investment and others to enhance the joint cooperation between the two friendly countries, and the joint efforts will continue to strengthen and diversify the State of Qatar’s cooperation with Nepal, in addition to the workers’ sector which enjoys all respect and care in the State of Qatar.
Question: Your Excellency, a large number of Nepali people residing and working in Qatar have been asking about the continuation of their work in Qatar, as the rumors have been spreading that before the beginning of the FIFA World Cup or just immediately after, they will be sent back. Would you please shed light briefly on this issue that is the policy taken by the State of Qatar?
Answer: The State of Qatar has taken all steps that would ensure the rights of the workers, and procedures to take care of them, and the two countries are seeking to update the employment agreement signed in 2005.
We recently witnessed the visit of a high-level delegation from the Qatari Ministries of Labor and Interior within the framework of the Joint Labor Committee, this visit confirms the State of Qatar’s keenness on more cooperation in this field, the visit of the delegation and the updating or development of the agreement confirms the interest of the State of Qatar in continue cooperation with Nepal in this field, and cooperation will continue beyond the 2022 World Cup.
The Qatari delegation has posted the agenda of cooperation with Nepal in the fields of the public sector, the private sector, domestic workers and this employment is not related to the World Cup, but rather an enhancement of this bilateral cooperation.
I would like to stress that the government of the State of Qatar wishes to cooperate with Nepal due to the honorable record of Nepali laborers, their discipline, commitment to laws, and their excellent performance.
(With cooperation of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Nepal)
