Dec 18, 2023
Qatar National Day 2023
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates Qatar National Day, also known as Founder’s Day. On this day in 1878, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani became the leader of Qatar. Considered the founding father of the modern State of Qatar, he united the region’s tribes and established the country’s core values.
On National Day, the capital Doha hosts a lively parade in the heart of the city. Onlookers gather to watch aerial displays where vibrant water jets soar in syncopation to music. Homes and buildings are decorated with the white and maroon national flag, just like the one in today’s Doodle. The colors represent Qatar’s core values: pride, solidarity, and loyalty.
Later in the day, Qataris might join family and friends for a festive meal where machbūs, the national dish, is a popular choice. The slow-cooked lamb or chicken with seasoned rice is dripping with flavor and served almost everywhere in the country. To wind down celebrations, fireworks light up the night sky.
Happy National Day, Qatar!
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