The Emir is back and the country shuts down
Qatar, Local, 10/14/1997

Doha has been paralyzed all day today as the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khlifa Al-Thani returned home after a successful surgery he had undergone abroad.

Schools, universities, banks, ministries, public-sector companies and many other establishments were closed today and will remain closed tomorrow. Most roads were blocked from noon onwards and police checkpoints were more frequent than roundabouts in Doha.

As the Emir arrived, thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and coast guards paraded along Doha's Corniche in one of the most impressive military displays ever to be seen in Qatar. The parade started shortly after 2:30 pm and lasted for about three hours.

The Emir's airplane landed at 4 p.m. and people in Qatar and neighboring countries could watch live television coverage of his arrival. He appeared to be in good health, smiling at everyone who came to greet him at the airport. He was seen shaking hands with tens of Al-Thani (the ruling family in Qatar) prominent Sheikhs and government officials with his son, the Heir Apparent Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al Thani, and his brother, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, at his side.

The Emir, 47, had undergone Kidney transplant surgery in the United States of America two months ago and spent a long period of recuperation in a hospital in the United Kingdom.

Featuring the cream of Qatar's land forces, navy and air force, the parade showed special fly-by including the appearance of a Mirage F1 fighter jet, a flotilla of Emiri vessels and a cavalcade of the most sophisticated military vehicles in use in Doha.

As the theme behind the parade was one of celebration, soldiers and airmen taking part were handing out specially printed tee-shirts and caps with the slogan, "You are in the hearts of every soldier."

More than 10,000 tee-shirts, hats and commemorative flags had been printed and distributed amongst people attending the event along Doha's Corniche. Spectator areas were provided with seated areas for the elderly and the handicapped.

After the parade, the largest fireworks display ever seen in Qatar illuminated the sky for 40 minutes on an exceptionally cloudy day in Doha. And the celebration is still going on.

Previous Stories:
  Christmas time in Qatar as the Emir returns   (10/11/1997)
  Committee pursues and affirms preparations for Mena   (10/7/1997)
  Qatar emir gives MENA summit go-ahead   (7/23/1997)

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