Today (Friday) is the day Qatar ceased to be a protectorate of the British and became fully independent in 1971. During this time, there is normally a three-day holiday in the country.

The official language in Qatar is Arabic, although English is widely used in government and commerce. Most native Qataris belong to the Islamic Wahhabi sect, an orthodox branch of Sunni Muslims. Like most of Arabia, the Qatar Peninsula is a hot and dry desert lands with no surface water and few native plants and animals. Most of the people live in cities, particularly Doha, the national capital. The country is rich in oil and natural gas, and the exploitation of these resources dominates its prosperous economy.

Qatar is an oil-and gas-rich nation, with the third largest gas reserves, and one of the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in the world. An absolute monarchy, Qatar has been ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid 1800s and has since transformed itself from a British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues.

Since their establishment of diplomatic relations on May 5, 1981, the Philippines and Qatar have enjoyed a beneficial partnership anchored on the principles of mutual trust, respect, and understanding. Through the years, the two countries have demonstrated their commitment to further deepen their relations through cooperation in the political, economic, social, and cultural fields. In 2003, Qatar, then chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, provided its support for the Philippines in the latter’s bid for observer status. Through active participation in various international organizations, including the United Nations Security Council, Qatar and the Philippines have cooperated in addressing contemporary global issues.

We congratulate the people and government of the State of Qatar led by His Highness, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and H.E., Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al-Thani, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Abdullah Ahmed Y.A. Al-Almutawaa, on the occasion of its Independence Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.