1 week Ago By Qatar Tribune
Qatar tribune Brig Gen M Khair Uddin Qatar is a small country with a population size of little more than three million including a large number of foreigners (around 89%). The country has occupied strategic position due to its location that juts into the South Arabian Gulf almost midway between the mouth of the Shatt at Arab Waterway to the North-West and the Strait of Hormuz. On 3rd September 1971, it became an independent and sovereign state following the termination of the Anglo-Qatari Treaty of 1916.
The independence of Qatar was announced by the Deputy Ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani. On 22 February 1972, Sheikh Khalifa assumed the power and took the title of Amir of the State of Qatar. Upon becoming the Amir on 27 June 1995, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani set the agenda for Qatar’s requirements in the 21st Century.
Maintaining a balanced Foreign Policy between the West and the regional powers, Qatar has been backing all the peace initiatives in the Middle East in various ways and played a key role in the mediation for the settlement of regional disputes. In order to promote Qatar to the outside world, HH Sheikh Hamad sponsored a large number of international conferences and seminars in Qatar. The hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on 20 November 2022 was an epoch-making event in the history of Modern Qatar.
Game lovers and Spectators from across the world, for the first time, in the history of FIFA World Cup, enjoyed the great game of Football under a fine, professional and secure management of the mammoth event – just because the perfect atmosphere prevailed for watching football. As the 3rd Amir of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had a very solid start. As a result, Qatar has become a regional and international icon in all fields of development.
Qatar now is the regional leader in higher education, humanitarian work, global peace and human development Qatar-Bangladesh relations began with the Qatar’s recognition of Bangladesh in 1974 as a sovereign and independent state. Since then, both the countries focused on signing MoU, Implementing Agreement and deploying Bangladesh Armed Forces personnel on Deputation in Qatar forces and regular training exchanges, seminars, visits etc. Qatari officers who graduated from Bangladeshi Staff College or National Defence College recognize the contributions of these premiere institutes in their career development.
Visits of Chief of Staff and Services Chiefs along with senior brass of the organizations paved the way to building better cooperation, nurture confidence and mutual trust. Recent visit of the HH Amir Sheikh Tamim to Bangladesh in April 2024 marks the friendly relations between both the states and expected to reinvigorate more opportunities for both countries. The Bangladeshi expatriate community in Qatar stands out as one of the country’s largest and most diverse groups, encompassing individuals from various backgrounds and professions.
Their influence extends into numerous sectors, including the economy, environment, and services. Among many contributions to Qatari societies, one stands out distinctly is that a Bangladeshi researcher played a significant role in researching/discovery of the Qatar National Day (18th December). This is just one example of the ongoing scholarly efforts by Bangladeshi researchers to explore and illuminate Qatar’s rich history.
For many Bangladeshi expatriates, Qatar has become the Second Home, where they enjoy a sense of belonging and the opportunity to contribute positively to the society while being treated with respect and dignity. We are assertive that the relationship between our two friendly nations will continue to enhance cooperation across various fields, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. Long live Qatar-Bangladesh friendship.
(Brigadier General M Khair Uddin is the Defence Attache at Bangladesh Embassy in Doha.) Copy 11/11/2024 10.
