H.E. Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the National Day celebrations, said that the National Day this year is different because it coincides with the State’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup.

This came through a speech by His Excellency broadcasted by the Ministry of Culture yesterday, on its official account on Twitter, in which he said: The National Day this year is different, as it coincides with the State of Qatar hosting the World Cup. I have no doubt about the success of this championship thanks to our unity, the source of our strength. The rumors which some people try to promote about us will increase our determination and insistence to succeed as it was said:

“If god wanted to spread out a good manner that was forgotten (lit. Folded) he will make it spread by the tongue of an envious person

If the fire didn’t burn what’s next to it (here it means surrounding trees) no one will knows Oud fragrance”

HIS EXCELLENCY added, “We have never been heeded by what the dishonored or the agitated people said about us. We are determined like a mountain.”

The poet says:

O Man who hits the high mountain to speak to

Be kind to the head, not be kind to the mountain