President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day celebrated on Monday, December 18.

Qatar National Day is a national commemoration of Qatar's unification in 1878. It is celebrated annually on December 18. The holiday was established by a June 21, 2007 decree of the then Crown Prince and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is also known as Founder’s Day.

On December 18, 1878, Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani succeeded his father Mohammed bin Thani as ruler of the Qatari Peninsula. He is deemed to have unified all of the local tribes by combating external forces, such as the British. He also earned a considerable degree of autonomy for the tribes of the peninsula. The holiday has been instrumental in developing a sense of national identity among locals and expatriates. It has also helped improve knowledge and appreciation of Qatar’s heritage.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, in the message said, it gives her immense pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, to extend to the Emir, and through him, to the Government and people of the State of Qatar, heartfelt felicitations and best wishes.

“As you continue to work together to further strengthen the already excellent bonds of friendship and cooperation subsisting between our two countries, we remain confident that we will continue to cultivate increased collaboration for mutual rewarding benefit to our two countries and peoples,” the Liberian leader’s message said.

President Sirleaf prayed that as the people of the State of Qatar celebrate another milestone, the Almighty Allah will continue to endow His Highness with abundant wisdom and strength to continue leading his people to nobler heights.