On the occasion of 18 December, the National Day of the State of Qatar, and in commemoration of the historic day of 1878, when Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammad Bin Thani led his nation to lay the foundation of modern Qatar, we extend our warmest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamd Al Thani, the Deputy Emir. We hope for more returns of this memorable occasion and wish that our beloved country always enjoys security, welfare and prosperity under the wise guidance of its leadership.
This year Qatar celebrates National Day under the slogan
"the path of excellence is difficult."
The slogan is inspired by a poem by Qatar's founder Sheikh Jassim describing his son Sheikh Ali bin Jassim (Joaan) and gives a clear picture of a whole generation of Qatari youth in the founding period.
'Within ten years, he mastered all glory and arts...
and attained all traits of excellence and manhood'