Qatar celebrates national day amid virus measures

By Ahmed Yousef

DOHA, Qatar (AA) - Qatar celebrates on Friday its national day with a range of events, including a military parade, amid strict coronavirus measures.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani congratulated his people on the national day and highlighted the country’s achievements over the year.

"On the national day of our country, I congratulate our people on this occasion, which comes in a year of challenges, but is a testament to the process of giving and the achievements made over generations and at all levels, and that made Qatar an oasis of stability, development and prosperity," Al-Thani wrote on Twitter.

Qatar celebrates its national day this year amid progress made towards the solution of the Gulf crisis under the Kuwaiti mediation.

Under the slogan -- We praise You, O, the Lord of the Throne -- the organizing committee for the national day will hold several activities that reflect the cultural identity of the Qatari people.

The Qatari people celebrate the national day as their country is listed on the top of the most secure and safest countries in the world as stated in the latest annual report of 2019 crime index issued by Numbeo, the world's largest world database.

The Qatar Central Bank on this occasion also issued new currency notes marking the fifth edition of the Qatari riyal, which was first issued in 1973.

Qatar also prepares to host the 2020 football World Cup as well as to host the 2030 Asian Games.

On the national day, the Qatari people commemorate their country's tribes' unification in 1878 under the rule of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, denoting the making of the modern state of Qatar.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara​​​​​​​