Hundred of well-wishers came to the Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel to attend the celebration of the 138th Anniversary of the State of Qatar on Dec. 11.
Guests from the Philippine government, diplomatic and consular corps, along with friends of the Embassy of Qatar were welcomed to an auspicious night that commemorated unity and brotherhood among different nations.
Qatar’s National day, also known as Founder’s day, is celebrated on Dec. 18. For this year’s Qatar National Day, Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki hosted the occasion in honor of the First Ruler Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani, founder of the State of Qatar.
The Ambassador also commended the growing role of Filipino workers in the strengthening relationship between Qatar and the Philippines.
“Qatar now has more than 240,000 Filipino workers, and they are enjoying the privilege of the Qatari government,” the Ambassador said. “They are also our partners in development, and we are looking forward to an even stronger relationship.”
Qatar has the third largest population of overseas Filipino workers, part of bilateral relations that has spanned 36 years.
Qatar-Philippine relations was reaffirmed by the signing of four memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the fields of culture, health, technical vocational education training and the reciprocal Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement by the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Rodrigo Duterte during a state visit last year.