Commercial Bank celebrates National Day by honouring Qatari heritage and organising community outreach activities

Doha, Qatar: Commercial Bank, Qatar’s first private bank, has commenced Qatar National Day celebrations with a wide variety of traditional activities in the Commercial Bank “Freej and museum” set up at Commercial Bank Plaza in West Bay.

 

To begin the celebrations, Commercial Bank Board Members and the CEO participated in a traditional Arda dance with a traditional folkloric group to the delight of the audience, followed by the opening of Commercial Bank “Freej and museum” and a cake cutting ceremony for staff and guests, with the cake embodying life in Qatar between land and sea.

 

Bringing Qatar’s rich cultural heritage to the fore, a special Commercial Bank museum was created at Commercial Bank Plaza for the public in West Bay. On display at the museum were items of historical significance, with some reflecting Commercial Bank’s long Qatari heritage stretching back 40 years. Among the artifacts were historical bank notes; women’s traditional accessories; Kahraman gemstones; old pictures of Qatar and Commercial Bank in the past; and cultural mockups of traditional items including a Sambuk (type of dhow) and Mabkhara (burner for oud).

 

Outside Commercial Bank Plaza, the public enjoyed a specially constructed Freej (neighborhood) in an old Qatari style in front of the main entrance of the Bank. Visitors experienced a range of traditional and folklore art activities, handicrafts, food, drink and music. Among the attractions were the opening oysters for pearls, henna painting, Al Fajiri (the art of performed sea songs), Al Moradah (a girls’ traditional song and dance performance,) Arda (folkloric sword dance) and Bisht (stitching). During the celebration days at Commercial Bank “Freej and museum”, visiting local boys and girls schools have the opportunity to perform the Arda dance, and will be given special National Day gifts.

 

Commercial Bank’s CEO Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi said: “Qatar National Day is a joyful occasion when all Qataris can be especially proud of our nation’s great achievements. Today we celebrate our rich heritage and past but also look forward to a bright and prosperous future under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Commercial Bank is a Qatari Bank, for Qatari staff and Qatari customers and so we have chosen to celebrate National Day this year by hosting a wide range of traditional Qatari activities which are vital to maintain and cherish our vibrant heritage for the years to come.”

 

In addition to the museum and traditional Freej, Commercial Bank also engaged in a number of community outreach activities, visiting 12 schools; Dhreima - Orphans Care Center Doha, International Center for Special Needs, and the Center for Care and Empowerment of the Elderly people to share the joyful celebrations.