Students from Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) have celebrated Qatar National Day with traditional dances and puzzles, poetry and a sea of burgundy flags.
The event was held early so that students could celebrate this important occasion and express their patriotism before they begin the semester examinations on December 10. The winter break starts on December 16.
The celebrations started with an introductory welcome by the Master of Ceremonies, Aisha al-Muftah, and Qur’an recitation by Salah al-Balam, both students at the ABP.
 Moza al-Boainain, ABP assistant director for student services, said: “The National Day is a dear occasion that recurs each year, when we follow the march of the giant renaissance our country is experiencing in all fields and which made Qatar join, in record time, the ranks of well-developed countries.”
The event was organised by the ABP Student Services department in collaboration with the ABP Student Association and a number of student and alumni volunteers.
Faculty, staff and ABP students gathered to experience the traditional Qatari setting.
The festivities included several presentations by ABP students, such as two poetry recitations by ABP alumni, Suhaim al-Qarni and Qatari poet Hamad al-Braidi; a brief history of Qatar presented by Abdulrhaman al-Mannai; and a speech on the founder of Qatar by Abdulla al-Naama.
Some traditional puzzles were presented by Ghada al-Naimi while the traditional Ardha (sword dance) was performed by a group of current ABP students and alumni.
Among the other attractions was a traditional sadu tent, furnished with Qatari furniture and featuring Qatari dishes. Local volunteers made traditional Qatari bread and painted henna, and patrons even brought a number of classic cars and animals such as Arabian horses, camels and at least one falcon.