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1 QATAR | Page 4 BUSINESS | Page 1 Together We Can initiative takes Vodafone QATAR to greater heights, says COO Minister of Culture: Qatari values at the core of national identityGULF TIMES published inQ ATA Rsince 1978 SUNDAY Vol. XXXXII 19, 2021 Jumada I 15, 1443 AH www. 2 Riyals Arabic proposed as fi ft h offi cial language of FIFAD ecember 18 marks the UN s World Arabic Language Day, and the culmination of the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup QATAR 2021. In recognition of the importance of the Arabic language, which is spoken not only by the 450mn people that live in the more than 20 Arabic-speaking countries but also by millions of Arabs worldwide, the FIFA president will propose that Arabic becomes an off icial language of FIFA, the world football body said in a press statement FIFA president s proposal stems from long-term discussions with stakeholders in QATAR and those across the Mena region, and coincides with the conclusion of the FIFA Arab Cup, which successfully brought together 23 national teams in a celebration of football and unity across the Middle East and Arab world.

2 Currently, the four FIFA languages are English, French, German and Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and a number of dignitaries attended the national Day Parade at Doha Corniche yesterday. His Highness the Amir greets the spectators who gathered to watch the national Day Parade on the Corniche yesterday. More pictures and stories Pages 2-9, 12 Patriotic fervour marks national Day celebrations Amir, Father Amir attend QATAR national Day paradeBy Joseph VargheseStaff ReporterHis Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and a number of dignitar-ies attended the national Day Parade at Doha Corniche yesterday as the country celebrated the occasion with patriotic fervour and gran-deur. Doha Corniche was the hub of activities of the day with the ceremonial parade taking place at 9am leading to the culmination of the celebrations with an eye-popping fi reworks in the evening, after the fi nal match of the FIFA Arab Cup QATAR 2021.

3 Large crowds had gathered at the Corniche area in the morning to watch the proceedings of the parade. Entry to the venue was by in-vitation, and all precautionary and preventive measures against Covid-19 were observed. The parade was also attended by His High-ness the Amir s Personal Representative His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Inte-rior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani and a number of Sheikhs and ministers. To Page 2 The military personnel perform as part of the national Day Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani participated in QATAR s Arda (traditional sword dance), on the second day, which was held in the external yard of the Amiri Diwan in Doha Corniche yesterday afternoon, to celebrate QATAR national Day. A number of Sheikhs, dignitaries and citizens also took part in the Arda.

4 (QNA)Amir attends FIFA Arab Cup fi nalHis Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the closing ceremony of the FIFA Arab Cup QATAR 2021, at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday closing ceremony was attended by His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Amir s Per-sonal Representative His Highness Sheikh Jas-sim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jas-sim bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Kha-lifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, HE the Shura Council Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem, and a number of Sheikhs and ceremony was also attended by Presi-dent of FIFA Gianni Infantino, President of the Asian Football Confederation Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifah, President of the Con-federation of African Football Patrice Motsepe, a number of ministers and heads of Olympic committees and federations in the brotherly Arab countries, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the state, senior offi cials in the sports sector and a large audience.

5 His Highness the Amir witnessed the fi nal match between Tunisia and Algeria, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Algeria. His Highness the Amir handed over the championship trophy to Algeria. (QNA)His Highness the Amir handed over the FIFA Arab Cup championship trophy to Algeria. Sport Pages 1, 3, 4 Gulf Times Sunday, December 19, 20212 QNDCELEBRATIONSN iger ambassador hails strong, developing relations with QatarAmbassador of Niger to QATAR Hassan Mubarak Boubacar emphasised the strength of bilateral relations between Niger and QATAR , noting that the two governments are always working to consolidate, strengthen and improve rela-tions in various fi elds, especially political, economic, cultural and sports fi exclusive statements to QATAR News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the national Day of QATAR , the ambassador congratulated His Highness the Amir and the government and people, wishing the state further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His High-ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

6 He pointed to the beautiful coincidence that the two coun-tries celebrate their respective national Day on the same day, December 18, which is a great, exceptional, historical added that the celebration of the national Day of QATAR is held this year while the State is witnessing more inspiring suc-cess and moving at a steady pace in all areas of development, in-frastructure, sports, and other fi elds. QATAR won the honour of hosting and organising the FIFA World Cup QATAR 2022 against major competitors, he said, add-ing that QATAR was distinguished by fulfi lling its commitments to equip facilities and inaugurate unique-style stadiums a year before the start of the tourna-ment, which was praised by ambassador said that Qa-tar deserved to host and organise this huge football event for the fi rst time in the Arab and Islamic worlds, which is a great achieve-ment for QATAR and its people, adding that it will have a posi-tive and historical impact on the countries of the region.

7 There is no doubt that the lofty directives, wise poli-cies and elaborate planning of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his government are behind this achievement. He explained that QATAR has fulfi lled all the requirements and necessities to host the FIFA World Cup QATAR 2022 in record time that dazzled the world, he said, pointing out that QATAR also organised other major world sporting events, which is stated that QATAR is host-ing the most prominent sporting event in the Arab scene, the FIFA Arab Cup QATAR 2021. He added that the fi nal match was held on the same date as the national Day of QATAR , which made it memorable in the minds of people, and will remain en-graved in the memory of the Arab and Islamic nation, affi rm-ing that it is a unique and won-derful lesson and experience that promotes the unifi cation of the Arab peoples and the re-gion as a whole.

8 The ambassador noted that on the economic side, while the Covid-19 pandemic worked on killing the lungs of the global economy, and coun-tries with strong economies are still suff ering from its nega-tive consequences, the Qatari economy continues to succeed in recovering from the eff ects of the pandemic through relying on persistence, perseverance and tireless eff orts of the wise lead-ership and the Qatari people to overcome it. Despite these challenges and the diffi cult global economic conditions, the people of QATAR continue to achieve more ac-complishments. At the conclu-sion of his statement to QNA, the ambassador renewed his sincere greetings and congratu-lations to the State of QATAR , the Amir, the government and the people for this distinction and success, adding that they have all appreciation and respect for the tremendous eff orts they are making to achieve further devel-opment and renaissance in line with the vision of QATAR national vision : Shaji KayamkulamGlimpses from national Day paradeHis Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani participated in QATAR s Arda (traditional sword dance), on the second day, which was held in the external yard of the Amiri Diwan in Doha Corniche yesterday afternoon, to celebrate QATAR national Day.

9 A number of Sheikhs, dignitaries and citizens also took part in the Arda. (QNA)Amir attends Arda performancePatriotic fervour marks QND celebrationsFrom Page 1 The ceremonial event featured an infantry parade, with no mili-tary vehicles taking part. The offi cial QATAR News Agency said the parade was also attended by HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanem, and a number of Council members, in addition to a number of the country s guests, including President of FIFA Gi-anni Infantino, Minister of Inte-rior of the French Republic Gerald Darmanin, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Tuni-sia Kamal Daqish, Minister of Foreign and European Aff airs of Malta Evarist Bartolo, Secretary-General of the Interpol Jurgen Stock, and Commander of the US Air Forces Central Command Lieutenant-General Gregory M Guillot. It was also attended by a number of branch and unit com-manders, senior offi cers of the armed forces and the Ministry of Interior, in addition to notables and participating the national Anthem and the fi ring of the 18-shot gun salute , the national parade started with a display of a group of mod-ern naval vessels, including trans-port and logistical support ships, speedboats, ships and combat boats equipped with the latest defensive and off ensive systems.

10 It was followed by an air show of various types of aircraft , F-15 Ababil and Rafale Al Adiyat , Mi-rage Sniper multi-mission fi ght-ers and Typhoon Al-Dhariyat . The helicopter group was headed by Apache Sajeel . Other combat aircraft, helicopters, transport aircraft, cargo aircraft, and evacu-ation aircraft also took armed forces infantry show was led by Leopard tank and two Jeopardy air defence ar-moured vehicles, followed by the Land Forces, the Air Force, the Navy, the Air Defence, the Mili-tary Police, the Border Corps, the various military colleges, the Joint Special Forces, the Amiri Guard and the Interior Ministry s infantry, the Establishments and Authorities Security Department forces and Al Fazaa forces, which was followed by a show of Le-khwiya, with the entry of various military factions, horsemen and camel cavalry.