I received a gracious message from my son, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors, for whom I hold deep affection, respect, and appreciation. I extend my sincere gratitude to him and am I honored to accept his invitation to attend this meeting alongside this distinguished group of esteemed individuals, for whom I hold the utmost respect, esteem, and goodwill.

On this great day, I am proud to stand before you in this gracious gathering, to reflect together on the chapters of a journey that spanned for fifty years, during which time was witness to meaningful dedication, unwavering ambition, and remarkable achievements rooted in sincerity before effort. Fifty years at Commercial Bank were never just a count of time, but a lifetime of giving and a deeply enriching human experience which taught me that work is a mission where we discover that true success is found when values meet ambition, when colleagues become family, and when a purpose turns into a shared dream.

As I look back on that journey, I see that every stage was a learning phase, and every challenge we faced had shaped us with patience and perseverance. The path was not easy, but it was filled with faith and a spirit of cooperation that enabled us to turn difficulties into opportunities and obstacles into bridges leading us towards success. The achievements realized were not the result of individual effort, but rather the product of sincere collaboration and generous support from the members of the Board of Directors, along with loyal colleagues who transformed the work environment into an inspiring and motivating space.

To the current Board of Directors and the Executive Management of Commercial Bank, I say the following: This Bank was once a bold dream and an ambitious vision that may have seemed beyond reach. Yet, through sincere determination, tireless effort, and the spirit of a unified team, we, together with my fellow founders, were able to transform that dream into reality and jointly build a national financial institution that today stands as one of the pillars of the national economy.

The establishment of Commercial Bank was defined by perseverance and determination, marked by the ability to navigate challenges with resilience. Guided by our values and long-term vision, and supported by the dedication of our founding partners, Executive Management, and employees, we have built a strong and distinguished financial institution that serves as an effective driver of economic growth and keeps pace with the prosperity of our beloved Nation.

From its earliest beginnings, Commercial Bank was founded upon solid principles of mutual understanding and integrity, respect for differing opinions, a culture of consultation, and the adoption of the best ideas that serve the Bank’s interests and ensure the sustainability of its success. This approach became the guiding light that illuminated the institution’s path for more than fifty years of structured institutional work and continuous contribution.

If we were to delve deeply into Commercial Bank’s history and its enduring contributions to the national economy, our reflections would be long. So allow me to capture it all in one thought: Commercial Bank today stands strong, resilient, and deeply rooted. I have been honored to spend fifty years of work and dedication within its walls. I leave today with peace of mind, a clear conscience, and pride in what has been achieved by the grace of Allah and through the efforts of devoted individuals.

I leave the Bank with complete confidence in the younger generation who will assume responsibility after us, led by Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He grew alongside us from the earliest days, was shaped by values before skills, and exhibited the spirit of responsibility instilled by the founding generation. God willing, he will guide this great institution, together with a distinguished group of ambitious young leaders, towards wider horizons of success and development.

My advice to them is to make perseverance their steadfast companion, consultation their guiding principle, and to guard against rigid adherence to personal opinion. As it is said, “He who consults does not fail,” while unilateral judgment leads to decline; consultation, by contrast, remains a source of strength and prosperity. As wisdom teaches: “He who acts solely on his own opinion perishes, and he who consults others shares in their intellect.”

Let the differences of opinion serve as a path towards sound decisions and let commitment to what is ultimately agreed upon stand as the true measure of responsibility and success.

Throughout our service on the Board of Directors, we remained firmly committed to one guiding principle: that the interests of the Bank must always come before all other considerations. A position of responsibility was never a path to personal gain, but a sacred trust. In this spirit, a number of my fellow Board members, particularly prominent business leaders, made profound and enduring personal sacrifices, to safeguard Commercial Bank’s strength as a national institution and to reinforce its role as a pillar of development and comprehensive renaissance.

On this occasion, I can do no less than extend my deepest gratitude and profound appreciation to His Highness the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State, for their continued support of this pioneering financial institution.

I also extend my gratitude and appreciation to the leadership of the Qatar Central Bank, partners in this journey, whose guidance and counsel served as a guiding beacon for us, contributing to the strengthening of the banking sector and the overcoming of numerous challenges.

Furthermore, I express my gratitude to all government entities and departments that stood by us and supported the progress of Commercial Bank.

I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the Executive Management and to all the Bank’s employees - past and present - for the dedication, sincerity, and perseverance they have demonstrated. I encourage them to continue giving with the spirit of one unified team, in order to achieve further successes for this long-standing national institution.

Before concluding my remarks, I would like to share with you some of the lessons I have carried with me from this long journey:

• True success is not measured by numbers alone, but by adherence to values and professional ethics.
• Team spirit and collective effort are the true source of strength for any institution.
• Challenges are an integral part of the path, and it is essential to address them with wisdom, patience, and perseverance.

In conclusion, a chapter of my professional journey at Commercial Bank may come to an end today; however, it is a chapter written with pride, adorned with unforgettable memories and valuable human relationships that will remain a lasting source of honor and happiness for me.

I am confident that the spirit of commitment, creativity, and cooperation that distinguishes this institution will endure and, by the will of Allah, will lead it to further achievements in the future.

Thank you all,
and I ask God to grant you success and continued guidance.