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CATHERINE W GICHUKIDOHA Indonesians in Qatar will join other compatriots worldwide to mark their country’s 77th anniversary of Independence Day today (Wednesday).Indonesia gained its Independence on August 17, 1945 when founding father Soekarno proclaimed to the world the country’s freedom from colonialism.Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan said, “On this joyous occasion, I extend my heartiest felicitations to all my fellow Indonesians living in Qatar. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the members of the Royal Family, the government and the people of Qatar for their support and assistance to the Indonesian Embassy and Indonesian community in Qatar.”The ambassador said that Indonesia and Qatar have enjoyed excellent relations based on common faith and mutual interests. “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and our His Excellency President Joko Widodo, the relations between Qatar and Indonesia have been strengthened and nurtured from time to time. The contact and exchange visits from various levels of leadership have cemented the solid bilateral relations in political, economic and social-cultural spheres,” he said.Ambassador Hassan said that the Indonesian community in Qatar is grateful and proud to be able to contribute to the remarkable progress and development of Qatar. “Even though the number of workforces is far below its potential, the presence of Indonesian has made significant contributions in important sectors in Qatar such as oil and gas as well as hospitality,” he said.He added that the Embassy of Indonesia in Doha will continue to promote and facilitate any effort to strengthen and deepen the relations between the two countries, including in people- to-people relationships.According to him, 2022 and 2023 will be exciting years for both countries as Qatar will be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Indonesia resumes its presidency of the G20. “Next year, Indonesia and Qatar together will celebrate and appreciate their cultural relations through a year-long programme ‘Qatar – Indonesia Year of Culture’. It is just to mention a few things the two countries can involve in cooperation and collaboration,” he said. “May Allah The Almighty bless Indonesia and Qatar with prosperity and ability to work together for progress and development of the countries and their people.”On a different note, the ambassador said that January this year was an essential milestone in the plan to relocate the capital of Indonesia from Jakarta to a new capital called Nusantara. “The House of Representatives of Indonesia Plenary Meeting approved the Law on the National Capital (Law Number 3 of 2022). The name Nusantara is taken from the Sanskrit language, which means archipelago, as the identity of Indonesia, which has a diverse culture and consists of islands united by the ocean. Nusantara has a mission to build a city that is green, smart, inclusive, resilient and sustainable,” he said.
