The Qatar National Day marks the largest national march in the history of Qatar to commemorate the National Day, December 18. The Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Father Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani attended the 10th National Day Parade, which was held at the Doha Corniche. The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Speaker of the Advisory Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud also attended the Parade along with a number of Their Excellences Sheikhs; Ministers; esteemed guests of the country; members of the Advisory Council; heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the State and number of senior officers of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as dignitaries and scores of citizens and residents. The show was also attended by Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the State of Qatar HE Tarik Sadović.
The show began with the national anthem, then verses from the Holy Quran were read. Eighteen artillery rounds were then launched to mark the national day of the state. The parade began with aerial displays of various types of warplanes, combat, helicopter, reconnaissance, transport and cargo aircraft followed by Emiri Cavalry and Camel Corps of the Emiri Guard and the Guards of Honor. Then the parade began led by the Flag of Qatar followed by lines of infantry factions of the Armed Forces with their vehicles, special forces, the Interior Ministry infantry with their vehicles, Civil Defense with their vehicles and the Internal Security Forces “Lekhwiya” with their vehicles in addition to a show of modern armored vehicles and military equipment. The Parade also included a maritime show featuring striking boats and modern naval vessels. The parade show team performed different forms of individual and group skydiving featuring the Flag of Qatar. The National Parade saw participation of all the Armed Forces’ land, air and naval units, as well as the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Defense Force, Coasts and Borders Security, Traffic and Police College along with National Service cadets and a group of school students in military uniforms, in addition to classic cars, and a number of traditional boats. The National Day is celebrated this year under exceptional circumstances when Qatar is still under siege imposed on it since June 5.
