The national Anthem of the State of Qatar was adopted with dawning of a new era when H.H. the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed the reign of power. It was performed for the first time on Saturday 7th 1996 during the reception of GCC leaders on the occasion of the 17th GCC summit held in Doha.
The Anthem starts by an oath: In the name of Allah, who elevated the sky and spread the light, Qatar shall always remain free, honorable and dignified with its glories hovering high by the spirit of the sincere and faithful.
The first part of the Anthem urges citizens of Qatar to remain committed to tread the path of their forefathers, who were honorable, respectable, knowledgeable, religious, empowered by wisdom and vision, and to follow the guidance of the prophets and their preaching about righteousness, good deads and beauty. In the hearts of Qataris, Qatar is a story of nobility and glory that no one can deny and deface.
In the second and last part, the Anthem affirms that the Qatari men of today are defenders of its land and dignity, they are descendents of the ancestors who defended it in the past and registered glorious annals of history in words that shine.
Like their forefathers, they are pioneers in all fields, they are doves in peace times, and hawks of the day of combat. The Anthem closes by reaffirming that Qatar will remain free, dignified, glorious and noble hovering high by the souls of the faithful and sincere.
Flag History | The local red dyes used in making flags darken when exposed to the sun, so the red was officially changed to maroon in 1948. |
Flag Date of Adoption | 9 July 1971 |
Flag Symbolism | maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side |