Doha, April 24, 2020.- The Holy month of Ramadan will have very special characteristics this year due to the necessary social distancing in all over the world, Muslims and non-Muslims, due to the Pandemic of COVID19. In our case, for the officials of the Embassy of Cuba in Qatar, the situation will not be different from that of Qatari citizens and foreign residents, since all of us have to strictly respect the measures in force. That for me is going to be a fundamental difference with respect to the celebration of the month of Ramadan on previous occasions, both here in Qatar, and in Algeria where I served as Ambassador of Cuba between 2008 and 2013. Last year we received many invitations from Qatari friends to share with them such pleasant moments as the Iftar and Souhour get together. This year, logically, it will be impossible. In this regard, I take the opportunity to make a fervent appeal to all Qatari citizens and foreigners residing in this country so that during the month of Ramadan they continue to support the successful measures being taken by the Qatari authorities in order to protect us all.
We must have responsibility and enough conscience to understand that we are facing an invisible enemy and we all have to contribute to its defeat as soon as possible. What is at stake is not only the individual health of each one of us, but also that of our family members and of society as a whole. The longer this situation continues, the more we will all suffer and the more the economic and social life of the country will be affected.
The Qataris, like the Cubans, are very lucky to have a responsible government, which spares no effort and resources, when it comes to taking care of the people's health.
I therefore wish to warmly congratulate Her Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar and the entire government of this country, in particular the Ministry of Public Health, for the seriousness with which they have been handling this epidemic and the quality of the medical assistance that is being offered to the infested people, which is reflected, among other things, in the high number of patients recovered and the low number of deaths reported.
Cuba, whose historical relations of friendship and cooperation with the State of Qatar are well known, is proud to be able to contribute with 730 health professionals to the combat that the government of the State of Qatar is carrying out against the Pandemic, including all the personnel of the Cuban Hospital of Dukhan, which was converted into a hospital center for the assistance COVID19 patients.
Finally, in wishing the entire Qatari people Ramadan Karim, my fraternal message to them is to observe the sacred traditions of the month of Ramadan in a closed family atmosphere, by staying at home for wellbeing of all.
