Doha, December 10 (QNA) - The Qatar National Day (QND) comes to reinforce the importance of identity and its role in achieving comprehensive development for the nation, as well as the great importance of language and education, all of which form the cornerstones of the renaissance, through which the Qatari citizen's ability to innovate and participate in building the nation's future is shaped.

In this context, officials, academics and writers told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that strengthening national identity is a fundamental pillar of any development renaissance, and that the strength of identity is closely linked to the awareness of the nation's citizens and their active role in building the nation, and contributing to the comprehensive development process that makes the nation a model of cohesion and progress.

HE Director General of Al Wijdan Cultural Center Khalid bin Ghanem Al Maadheed said that strengthening national identity is a fundamental pillar of any developmental renaissance. He noted that the strength of identity is closely linked to the awareness of the nation's citizens and their active role in building their country and contributing to the comprehensive development process that makes the nation a model of cohesion and progress.

His Excellency told QNA that love for the homeland and belonging to it is the greatest motive for development, as the sons of the homeland pledge to provide every effort that contributes to the development of their country and enhances its civilizational journey, which is reflected in this year's National Day slogan, "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits."

HE Khalid bin Ghanem Al Maadheed, a researcher specializing in the history of Qatar, stressed the importance of national identity as the framework that distinguishes the individual and society. He indicated that the concept of identity in the modern era has become more complex in light of the rapid cultural and social transformations.

His Excellency indicated that identity is the set of characteristics that give a society its distinctiveness, and its importance is increasing today in light of social media, which has brought the distances between the cultures of peoples closer and made the world more like a single village. He stressed that societies no longer derive their values ​​only from within themselves, but from a global environment dominated by Western culture driven by globalization, which has created a state of value "fluidity" that promotes the idea that each generation sets its own values ​​in isolation from the past.

Heis Excellency said that identity consists of a deep, fixed component and an external, changing component. The deep component includes religion, shared history, customs, and traditions. It is the foundation from which identity, values, and principles are derived, and it is the main driver of the renaissance of nations, as it guides the behavior of society and the nature of its internal and external relations. As for the external component, it is represented by material elements such as food, clothing, architecture, and arts. It is capable of renewal in a way that achieves a balance between authenticity and openness, stressing that a change in artistic or architectural styles does not necessarily mean a change in the established values ​​of society.

His Excellency added that religion, language, heritage and arts are the basic sources of national identity, as the deep component of them leaves its direct impact on the superficial component, citing generosity as an example that combines religious value and social custom, and Qatari arts such as the Ardha and sea arts that carry Nabati poems that call for reliance on God and noble morals. He noted that the Arabic language is the most important link between members of society, and he also stressed that the shared history of the people of Qatar represents their collective memory from which they draw inspiration for their present and future.

HE Al Maadheed addressed the relationship between identity awareness and civilizational and economic development, considering it a close relationship. An individual's awareness of his identity enhances his self-awareness and his position in the path of development and progress, which is clearly evident in this year's National Day them, "With You It Rises, From You It Awaits," where the theme shows the importance of every individual in society, each in his field, being required to strive and contribute to the development of the state in its various political, economic and social paths.

His Excellency said that this awareness preserves the values ​​and principles of society in the face of Western modernity trends, and prevents the loss of identity under the weight of economic prosperity. He cited Qatar's firm stance on the Palestinian issue as an example, stressing that this stance is understood through the values ​​on which today's generation was raised, and that the principle of the 'end does not justify the means' is not a new value, but rather is rooted in social upbringing since the era of the founder, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, which was confirmed by his choice to follow the Ottoman Caliphate at that time.

Regarding the role of cultural heritage in supporting Qatar National Vision 2030, His Excellency indicated that the social pillar of the vision focuses on strengthening cultural identity and Qatari and Islamic values, preserving the cohesion of the family and society, and ensuring a decent life for citizens within a safe and stable environment that promotes justice and equality.

His Excellency said that identity is built on three levels: individual, familial (tribal), and national. The greater the cultural homogeneity among members of society, the less the differences between these levels, which enhances stability and balance. He stressed the need for individual and personal identity to be present without turning into blind imitation, and for tribal identity not to overshadow national identity, which is acquired through belonging to the homeland.

For his part, writer and academic Dr. Darwish Abdulrahman Al Emadi affirmed that national identity is the unifying identity that connects a citizen to their homeland, and that its true essence is rooted in the sense of belonging and loyalty to the nation.

Dr. Al Emadi said that strengthening national identity is a key factor in consolidating sustainable development in society, adding that there are internal and external challenges facing national identity in Qatar, including demographic changes, international schools, tribal tensions, cultural globalization, and new media platforms.

He pointed out that national identity is a collective identity, like tribal, religious, sectarian, or regional identities, noting, however, that national identity is tied to specific geographical boundaries, namely the State of Qatar.

Dr. Al Emadi said that national identity consists of several elements, including culture, religion, and language, yet in its essence, national identity lies in belonging to the homeland and loyalty to it.

In this context, he affirmed that national identity and belonging are interlinked; every sense of loyalty requires belonging, but the reverse is not necessarily true, as a person may belong to a certain tribe or country but feel no loyalty to them, adding that such individuals may be labeled as traitors despite their affiliation, which is why loyalty is at the heart of national identity.

Dr. Darwish Abdulrahman Al Emadi noted that strengthening loyalty and belonging to the nation is not only a cultural matter but also a major factor in achieving comprehensive development in society, as individuals who genuinely feel connected to their homeland are the most capable of contributing to the success of the country's development process.

He said that a sense of beloning can take many forms, be it customs and traditions, clothing, religion, language, and so on, whereas loyalty is an inner feeling that is difficult to measure.

Since belonging is instinctive, the state seeks to reinforce national identity through its institutions, foremost among them the educational institution, whose role extends from kindergarten to university, roughly from the age of 3 to 24, he said, adding that during this period, individuals are exposed to multiple channels that reinforce different aspects of national identity, and most ultimately emerge with a unified sense of national identity.

Regarding the most significant internal challenges, he affirmed that international schools, where English or other languages are used for instruction, pose a major issue, as their curricula carry values and ideas that may contradict the culture and values of Qatar, adding that this influence is greater given that these schools' students are often from the elite who will assume leading positions in the future.

Dr. Darwish Abdulrahman Al Emadi said that another challenge to national identity is tribalism, saying that when tribal interests conflict with national interests, the interests of the state must come first as to safeguard national identity.

He pointed out that Qatari values are derived from Islamic principles and Arab heritage, both of which serve as a defence against cultural globalization, one of the external challenges facing national identity.

Dr. Al Emadi underscored the importance of ensuring that digital platforms align with local customs, values, and traditions, in a way that achieves balance while keeping pace with new media, which are part of a global phenomenon.

For her part, Professor of Sociology (part-time) at QU, Dr. Kaltham Ali Al Ghanim, affirmed in remarks to QNA that on the State's National Day, the connection becomes evident between the educational mission, one that places the human being at the center of development, and the linguistic mission that has preserved the presence of the Arabic language in its clearest form. This, she said, makes the celebration of this day not merely a commemoration, but a reaffirmation that Qatari identity derives its strength from an education that instills citizenship, a language that preserves authenticity, and a national vision that makes knowledge and culture the foundation for building the future.

She added that the National Day embodies a commitment to strengthening educational systems and supporting the national language, for those who preserve their tools of learning and their language preserve their very essence and identity, especially in a time marked by rapid global change. She described the National Day as a celebration, first and foremost, of the Qatari individual, and of the civilizational path that has made knowledge and language two guiding lights shaping the nation's collective conscience and steering its steps toward a brighter future.

Dr. Kaltham Ali Al Ghanim noted that preserving identity is a strategic and effective goal that includes activities focused on reinforcing cultural and national identity among both adults and youth. Education and language, she stressed, play a fundamental role in shaping the cultural and national identity of younger generations, an idea strongly present in the context of the National Day.

Regarding what is emphasized on National Day in terms of the individual's connection to societal culture and national identity, Dr. Al Ghanim highlighted the importance of this relationship within a national strategy to protect identity. This includes embedding topics related to identity and citizenship in educational curricula, encouraging the participation of all societal institutions, and raising family awareness about parenting approaches that support a sense of identity and strengthen the values of citizenship.

For her part, Qatari writer Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi said that National Day is an occasion to reaffirm the value of the human being as the nation's true wealth, recalling the assertion of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, that the human being is the essential building block of the nation. She said this principle reflects the country's investment in nurturing individuals who understand their national role and moral responsibility in contributing to the nation's progress.

She emphasized that National Day is an expression of gratitude to the devoted and the loyal, those who built and preserved, and to all contributors across the country. It is also an act of awareness, she said, during which the masses reassess their relationship with their identity, language, and with the values that form the cultural and civilizational shield. This opens the path to becoming active participants in shaping the transformation and not mere observers. She added that the occasion goes beyond recalling the past; it is a renewal of commitment to remain faithful and to embody the nation's values of humility, generosity, ethics, honorable belonging, and the preservation of human dignity.

Al Hammadi noted that identity is far greater than visible external expressions, no matter how appealing or deeply rooted they may be in collective memory. The national attire, the flag, and the celebrations are living symbols that revive and renew belonging, she said, but they are not sufficient on their own to build a deeply rooted identity. She stressed that true identity lies in the balance between appearance and essence, between what is declared and what is practiced, between what is worn and what is embodied. She added that the thobe, ghutra, and egal convey a sense of belonging and pride, and that raising the flag elevates national sentiment and inspires the enthusiasm of achievement.

On the characteristics of Qatari national identity that distinguish it from other nations, Al Hammadi explained that it is not a rigid mold or a repeated stereotype, but a living entity composed of inherited values, historical experiences, and future-oriented visions shaped jointly by the leadership and society.

She added that what sets Qatari identity apart is that it emerged at a rare intersection between authenticity and openness, between the memory of the desert, the sea of the Gulf, and the horizon of the world. In Qatar, she said, the human being is the center and spirit of identity. The value of the Qatari individual stems from a vision that believes progress begins from within, from the awareness, culture, and ability of each citizen to be an active partner in the development process. This deep perspective has established a distinct understanding of belonging, one rooted in responsibility and action, reinforced not only through slogans and national symbols but through a meaningful, non-superficial engagement with them. (QNA)