Tribune News Network
Doha
The Indonesian Embassy in Doha conducted a flag-hoisting ceremony on August 17 to commemorate the 78th Indonesian Independence Day. The event was attended by Embassy staff, families and community representatives, with a total of 100 participants present.
The ceremony commenced with the raising of the national flag, known as ‘Sang Saka Merah Putih’ or the red and white flag, by the Flag Raising Team (Paskibra). One of this year’s Paskibra members was a student with special needs. The journey of the Paskibra team was unique as its members were recruited from among Indonesian students who were born and raised in Qatar, and who had limited proficiency in the Indonesian language.
“Despite the challenges, these children displayed exceptional dedication, practising diligently to execute the flag-raising ceremony with precision,” remarked Ambassador HE Ridwan Hassan. Kels Mohammed Toriq, a 16-year-old student from the HOPE Center, expressed his joy at being part of the Paskibra team. “I am proud to be a part of this amazing team,” he said.
In addition to participating in the Paskibra team, several children with special needs from Indonesia in Qatar also joined the Embassy’s Choir, known as the Bahana Indonesia Gemilang (BIG). The BIG Choir group has frequently been invited by the Government of Qatar to perform at various events in the country, including the 2022 World Cup Fan Zone.
HE Ridwan Hassan emphasized that the involvement of children with special needs in the Paskibra team and the Choir serves as a message that independence should embrace inclusivity for everyone, regardless of their background.
The series of activities commemorating the Indonesian Independence Day began on July 25 with a bowling competition for Indonesian Embassy staff and the community. The grand finale is scheduled to take place in Al Khor on September 8, featuring sports tournaments, bazaars, and art performances.
