By EDD K. USMAN
Twitter: @ed1819, Instagram: @bluestar0910, Facebook: Science, Digital & Current Affairs
(SDN) — QATAR AMBASSADOR Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki on December 2, 2019, led the celebration in the Philippines of the National Day of Qatar.
It was held at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Makati City, Metro Manila.
Dignitaries at the well-attended occasion included former Senate president Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, members of the Philippine diplomatic corps, Filipino government officials, local Muslim leaders, friends of the embassy, and other guests.
Ambassador Al-Malki said his government is optimistic about increasing cooperation with the Philippines.
“The Government of the State of Qatar is looking forward to increasing bilaterla cooperation with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, especially under the presidency of His Excellency President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,, whose Government operates according to deliberate and balanced strategies, and his Government has friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially the countries of the Middle East the Gulf,” he said.
He said this year’s celebration of the Foundation Day of Qatar takes place under a slogan from a poem expressing the faith of successive generation of Qatari youth.
“It emphasizes loyalty, solidarity, unity and pride in the national identity of the State of Qatar. A slogan that embodies the identity of Qatar and its history, as well as the ideals and hopes on which the state was founded,” Ambassador Al-Malki emphasized.
He cited the establishment of the Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in the country as a sign of improving relations between the two countries.
“As part of the enhancement of bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines, Manila has been the selected as one of the first countries to open the Qatar Visa Center, which reflects Qatar’s great interest in the Philippines, and its keenness to develop it relations with the Philippines in areas of common interest.
“The opening of the Qatar Visa Center also affirms the State’s attention to Filipinos working in its territory, by providing them with a decent life, in recognition of their significant contributions to the renaissance in Qatar.”
Ambassador Al-Malki recalled that his government opened the QVC on September 25, 2019 as he described it as “an unprecedented achievement in the field of labor relations between the two countries, as a result of Qatar policy to strengthen and enhance relations with the Philippines, and to bond the brotherly ties between the two friendly peoples, leading to a brighter future.”
The Qatari envoy also noted the relations between the two countries characterized by cooperation and coordination on many regional and international issues.
He said these relations have witnessed a remarkable positive development during the past period, and a common desire to increase and strengthen cooperation between the two countries, pursuant to the common interests of the two friendly peoples to achieve mutual benefits, especially as the State of Qatar undertakes great importance to the Republic of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the ambassador mentioned as well Doha’s unveiling of the logo of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Qatar in 2022.
The National Day of the Arab republic is anchored on the day, December 18, 1878, when the country’s visionary leader Sheikh Jassem bin Mohammed Al-Thani founded the State of Qatar, planting “a seed of a modern sovereign state and entity based on dignity, authenticity and belonging, a day immortal and dear to Qataris. This day remains imperishable and cherished in the hearts of Qataris.” (SDN)
Photographs by Qatar Embassy and SDN — Science and Digital News.