Christmas time in Qatar as the Emir returns
Qatar, Essay, 10/11/1997

Christmas time in Qatar? Well, one would think so seeing the beautiful decoration filling the streets and buildings of the capital Doha. Colorful flags and pictures, festive white and yellow lights around palm trees and on facades of buildings, banners stretched along roads and buildings and stickers on cars.

But it is not Christmas. Actually there is no such celebration in the country¹s traditions. The celebration that Qatar is preparing itself for is more important to the country than Christmas is to many countries in this world. It is the return of the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has undergone Kidney transplant operation in the United States and has been away from the country for months. The Emir was admitted to a US hospital two months ago for the surgery. He is currently in London, England, where he has been recuperating from his operation.

Along Doha¹s beautiful cornishe, many triumphal white arches are being contracted. Workers are seen day and night polishing and cleaning all what can be seen on Doha¹s main roads. Private and public sector companies have decorated their buildings with huge banners welcoming the Emir and wishing good health and placed thousands of small festive lights all around the city. This kind of decoration is usually used on very special occasions in the Gulf, such as religious holidays.

For days now, everyone has been talking about this great event. People have been exchanging all kinds of rumors about details of the return of the Emir. The date of his return was confirmed officially on Friday. Tuesday will be the big day followed by two days of official holiday and probably of continuous celebration. Newspapers are preparing themselves for tens of daily supplementary pages to publish all wishes expressed by all establishments in the country as well as Sheikhs and prominent families.

It has been reported that the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport will take part in the planned festivities. It will arrange for a parade by white-uniformed cadets of an Arab training ship, which will visit Doha port from October 14 to 17.

Some rumors say that the Emir will come with his father, the former Emir of Qatar Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani toppled on 27 June 1995 by the current emir whilst being abroad. The two had a long rift that prevented the former emir from returning to the country. But recently a reconciliation between them was announced and now the former emir is expected to return any time. However, there has been no official indication to details of his return.

Qatar has changed a lot since the new emir took power. It has been opening up slowly towards more modern ways than those traditionally known in the Gulf area. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani has promoted various aspects of life in Qatar in a way that made a lot of people appreciate him. Looking at all the glorious preparations made for his greeting, one would think that he is a very loved and popular leader.

One Swede was seen walking around Doha with a nice badge on his shirt bearing the national colors of Qatar. It read: God bless you Abou Mish¹al (the name of the Emir). But he had no clue what the badge said because it was in Arabic. He was just glad to wear it. The others might know what it means, but still they probably wear it because everyone else does and it is given to them to wear. No doubt, they will also take part in the festivities when the Emir arrives; just because everyone else does. And that makes up a whole country.

Previous Stories:
  Qatar sends invitations to countries to attend MENA conference   (10/4/1997)
  Qatar downgrades status of Mena summit and sends invitations   (10/2/1997)

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