The festivities season has officially started. This Saturday we celebrate Qatar’s National Day! December 18th, a date that Qataris cherish. It is a most anticipated day by both Qataris and expats living in Qatar, here are some facts about Qatar National Day that you maybe reading for the first time:
The History of Qatar National Day:
It goes far back to Sheikh Jassim Mohammed bin Thani who created the unity of Qatar in 1878, which is commemorated on this day. Qatar was defined as an united cohesive entity and an autonomous country under Mohammed bin Thani's administration.
So on that day we celebrate 134?it's years of independence and sovereignty.
How is it celebrated?
Basically each sector celebrates in it’s own way, but the highlighted celebration of this day is the national parade at Doha Corniche, along with shows performed by both the Navy and the Air Force which are typically held in the afternoon.
Camels and Horses are two species closely associated with Qatari heritage and culture, and as such, they participate in the parade alongside the humans.
As Qataris carry on the tradition of breeding and raising purebreds of different species, they hold pride in giving exceptional care to preserve the purity of the animals, for example Qatar has the majority of the pure Arabian horses population. Though Arabian horses are most beloved and well taken care of in Qatar, they are not Qatar's national animal, care to guess what this animal is?
Qatar's national animal: the Oryx.
Specifically, the Arabian Oryx. The beautiful animal which projects pride with its straight horns and triangular beauty spot on top of its snout. Sadly the Arabian Oryx was almost extinct in the 1970s, but luckily was reintroduced into its native environment in 1980 thanks to a successful breeding programme. The whole species is now merely vulnerable, which is a huge step forward after being on the verge of extinction, and it will take some extra time and effort to be fully saved and no longer endangered.
Halaly wishes everyone of you a happy and joyful Qatari National Day..
Share with us your plans for this day.