(MENAFN - Gulf Times) Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi has said that Qatar National Day (QND) is not only a national occasion celebrated by everyone, but a day to remember the glories of the homeland and its success.
Speaking on the occasion of National Day, al-Thawadi said: 'This day is also a good occasion to introduce our sons and daughters to the glories of the State and its accomplishments over the past decades, and to motivate them to achieve more success to become the leaders of the future.
Al-Thawadi said that the State's celebration of this national occasion is a symbol of the pride of the Qatari citizens and residents have toward the identity of this country and its glorious history. 'It also symbolise their unity and co-operation to revive this cherished national occasion.
He added that National Day embodies the national unity that characterises the Qatari society, as National Day is celebrated by all Qataris and residents from different countries; thus, they renew their loyalty, and belonging to this generous country, and their support to their wise leadership.
The SC secretary general pointed out that the National Day organising committee's selection of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's quote as a slogan for this year's celebration came at a time when the country is witnessing a historic turning point to strengthen its sovereignty and position in the regional and international communities. 'The slogan also reflects the cohesion of the Qatari citizens and residents and their alignment behind their wise leadership to express their readiness to defend the State with their lives and blood.
Al-Thawadi stressed that Qatar with all its institutions were not affected by the siege. 'Thanks to the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir, Qatar has overcome the siege and infrastructure projects and even daily life were not affected. On the contrary, all projects are progressing according to planned timetables. Furthermore, there were some projects that were accomplished despite the siege. For example, the inauguration of Hamad Port in September is an evidence that Qatar is a strong country and was not and will not be
affected by any siege.
He added that all State institutions, including the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, have backup plans that enabled them to deal with the consequences of the siege without any impact on plans and projects related to the State's infrastructure. 'Within the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, work on projects related to the World Cup 2022 is in full swing and according to timetables.
He said that the siege confirmed that Qatar, with its wise leadership and calm diplomacy, is a strong State that is capable of overcoming all obstacles and playing its leading role at the regional and international levels.
Regarding the most important achievements of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in 2017, al-Thawadi said that the committee's projects were not affected by the siege. He confirmed that Qatar is well-prepared to host FIFA World Cup 2022 according to schedule as promised.
The first stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, was completed last May. Furthermore, the designs for Thumama Stadium and Ras Abu Aboud Stadium were announced in August and November respectively, al-Thawadi said. (QNA)

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