Qatar's Commercial Bank hosts special National Day events

Commercial Bank, which became Qatar’s first private bank when it opened in 1975, is celebrating Qatar National Day with a series of festive activities and music at the bank’s headquarters at Commercial Bank Plaza in Doha’s West Bay.

The special activities were designed to highlight the unique cultural identity of Qatar. Festivities were kicked off recently by the bank’s CEO and board dancing the traditional Arda sword dance to tunes performed by a folk music group. That was followed by a cake cutting ceremony that featured a cake specially decorated to represent Qatar’s place between land and sea.

Celebrations included the opening of a Commercial Bank museum celebrating the financial institution’s history and significance in Qatar. The museum has historical banknotes, gemstones, traditional cultural items, and photos from the Gulf nation’s past.

The bank has also constructed a Freej — a neighborhood in the classic Qatari style. The Freej offered an array of traditional handcrafts, art, food and music. Activities included henna painting, stitching and seeking pearls in oysters.

Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, Commercial Bank CEO, said the bank sees Qatar National Day as a proud time for all Qatari people.

“Today we celebrate our rich heritage and past but also look forward to a bright and prosperous future,” Al Raisi said. “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.”