In Mardi Gras style, U.S. Embassy Celebrates Independence, and U.S.-Qatar Ties with a Taste of New O

In Mardi Gras style, U.S. Embassy Celebrates Independence, and U.S.-Qatar Ties with a Taste of New Orleans

Doha, May 18, 2023 – The U.S. Embassy in Qatar celebrated the 247th anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States of America by bringing the beautiful streets of New Orleans, Louisiana to the Qatar National Convention Centre.

U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Timmy T. Davis, who calls New Orleans home, welcomed guest of honor His Excellency Ali Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Finance , His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Saeed Al Hajri, Assistant Director of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the sounds of jazz and brass music.

In his speech to the delighted guests, in a space decked in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold, the U.S. Ambassador to Qatar delivered a speech highlighting the importance of celebrating the rich diversity of the United States.

The Ambassador also spoke about the strong bilateral relations between the United States and Qatar, and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and authentic hospitality he has experienced since arriving.

“I’m impressed by the genuine kindness that I see every day from the people of Qatar and others who call Qatar home…Building authentic relationships is a genuine element of Qatari culture…In the spirit of building our bonds of friendship, today I have a special opportunity to share with you all a snapshot of where I come from, my roots, my home, the city of New Orleans. A city that has seen its share of struggle and which has even experienced Qatari generosity in the wake of Hurricane Katrine, New Orleans is a place where music, food, and culture thrive. The diversity in New Orleans comes from the rich history of its people…Nicknamed the birthplace of jazz, it is a place where the music is just as vibrant as the food.”

Ambassador Davis highlighted the success of the 5th U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Doha, and other achievements from his nine months serving in Qatar. During the Dialogue, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed trade and investment, education and culture, energy cooperation, labor rights, regional security and defense cooperation, and law enforcement and counterterrorism.

This year's U.S. Independence Day celebration theme is a New Orleans tradition that grew from a French religious festival into a multicultural American celebration. For Qatar’s first Mardi Gras, three musical guests performed American music throughout the night, including the Doha-based “AFCENT Band” of the U.S. Air Force Central Command, and two bands visiting from the United States: New Orleans go-go funk and brass band “Brass-A-Holics,” and Minneapolis, Minnesota bluegrass act “Barbaro.” The guests caught beaded necklaces tossed from a huge parade float, another Mardi Gras tradition, while enjoying beignets and other New Orleanian famous cuisine.

The event was made possible thanks to our generous sponsors including:

Ali Bin Ali

Dell

Mannai Corporation

Fragomen

W hotel

ConocoPhillips

Alfardan Group Holdings

Almana Group

Chevron Phillips Chemical Qatar

Crowell and Moring

Doha Petroleum Construction

DYARCO International Group

Excelerate Energy

ExxonMobil Qatar Limited Inc

IBM

Jaidah Group

Libra Trading

LuLu Group International

MetLife

Baladna

AMCHAM

Al Faisal Holdings

Plaza Hollandi

Pepsi

Le Royal Meridian

Bose

Caribou Coffee

Estithmar Holdings

Fifty One East