Qatar National Day marked with patriotic fervour; parade showcases military might

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and other dignitaries attended the national day parade as Qatar celebrated the glorious occasion with  an awesome display of national unity and military might.
Held under strict Covid-19 protocols, the event was attended by His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.
The Amir's Personal Representative His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani and a number of other dignitaries and ministers were present.




The parade was also attended by HE the Shura Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, and a number of members of the Shura Council, in addition to several guests, including the commander of US Air Forces Central Command Lieutenant, General Gregory Guillot.

One special addition to the event this year was the honouring of the healthcare workers who were at the forefront of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 warriors were honoured as a large contingent of healthcare professionals and volunteers - the White Army - marched ahead of the military parade to the accompaniment of a special song by the Qatari Armed Forces and were applauded by His Highness the Amir and all other dignitaries.
Followed by the national anthem, the firing of 18-shot gun salute and the honouring of the White Army, various military units - armed, naval and air forces - one after another marched ahead to the rhythm of the accompanying music.  



The area of the event at Doha Corniche was blanketed in maroon with a large flower bed in the shape and colours of the national flag and the whole place was decorated with flowers in maroon and white. The flower bed was an added attraction on the occasion.
The parade also showcased the country's military strength, displaying an impressive array of sophisticated military arsenal of the air, armed and naval forces. According to the official Qatar News Agency (QNA), the parade of the Armed Forces infantry consisted of 1,000 soldiers; followed by the parade of the ground forces; the parade of the air force; the parade of the naval forces; armoured personnel carriers; special forces; military police; support forces; the Amiri Guard and the armoured vehicles.


 
Along with the parade, a group of paragliders mesmerised the spectators with various formations in the Corniche Bay sky. Their exhibitions also included huge flags with images of the His Highness the Amir as well as His Highness the Father Amir. A dazzling airshow by the airforces, showcasing a number of formations added more elegance to the occasion.
The teams of the Ministry of Interior and Civil Defence started their show with a line of security vehicles. It was followed by the military police, rescue police department (Al Fazaa); followed by the parade of internal security force (Lekhwiya), and a show of the armed forces' armoured vehicles, tanks, air defence systems, military police vehicles, anti-terrorism vehicles, military communications systems and electronic warfare in addition to a naval show featuring Amiri naval forces' vessels besides warships and speed boats that are equipped with the latest defence systems.



The parade concluded with the entry of horsemen and camel cavalry and an air show featuring several aircraft types including Rafale multi-purpose jet fighter; Mirage multi-mission defensive and offensive fighters; Apache attack helicopters; F-15 warplanes; and Typhoon in addition to other military combat aircraft, helicopters, airlift, cargo aircraft and show aircraft.
Once the parade was over, His Highness the Amir took the customary walk along the Corniche and greeted the spectators present at the venue. Only 2,569 seats were available for the invited attendees, who comprised the families of the health sector employees and the participating entities.
Later in the evening, the celebrations concluded with a dazzling fireworks display and drones show. All the festivities were telecast live on television channels and the media platforms of Doha 360, the official media of the National Day Organising Committee.