In Pictures

Gallery

Qatar National Day 2018

‘As long as it was proven by our deeds, Qatar will remain free,’ was this year’s slogan.

Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
The December 18 holiday marks the date in 1878 on which Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father as the emir of Qatar and led the country towards unity. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Published On 19 Dec 2018

Save

Qatar celebrated its National Day on Tuesday amid an ongoing blockade by neighbouring countries that appears to have created a sense of unity among nationals and residents in the Gulf country.

The December 18 holiday marks the date in 1878 on which Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father as the emir and led the country towards unity.

“As long as it was proven by our deeds, Qatar will remain free,” is this year’s National Day slogan, combining a verse from Qatar’s national anthem and a verse from the founder.

The celebrations took place in different cities and towns across Qatar, namely Doha, Al Wakra and Al Shamal. A one-day holiday was announced to celebrate the occasion.

Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani took to social media to 'congratulate the people of Qatar, citizens and residents on National Day.' [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
'As long as it was proven by our deeds, Qatar will remain free,' was this year's National Day slogan. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Acccording to Major-General Salem Al Ahbabi this year's military parade was three times larger than last year. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
In the wake of the blockade, Doha expanded or reinforced alliances with political and military partners. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day parade featured land and naval forces, in addition to an airshow by the country's air force. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
The growth witnessed by Qatar's economy at various sectors, including education, health, food and agriculture, following the blockade, are part of programmes adopted by the state to diversify its economy amid Qatar's National vision 2030. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called on the Saudi-led alliance boycotting the Gulf country to start a dialogue, in order to resolve the dispute. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
According to Qatar's finance minister, the country's economy continues to grow stronger despite ongoing blockade by neighbouring Gulf nations and Egypt. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar National Day [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
A one-day holiday was announced to celebrate Qatar National Day. [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]