To express support for people in tragic circumstances around the world, several of Doha’s most notable buildings have begun lighting up their exteriors in the colors of different countries’ flags.
Most recently, the Torch Doha hotel, the Sheraton Grand Doha hotel and even the Ministry of Interior have been showing their solidarity for the people of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and France.
The gestures have been shared widely on social media, especially by nationals of those countries who feel grateful for having their crises acknowledged.
قطر مع الشرعية #تركيا pic.twitter.com/OUxOwsEqKm
— عادل علي بن علي (@AdelAliBinAli) July 16, 2016
Translation: Qatar stands with legitimacy #Turkey
Qatar lights up @TheTorchDoha in solidarity with Turkey pic.twitter.com/V63UEIt5s0
— Esra Doğramacı (@EsraD) July 16, 2016
@Sheratondoha in #Qatar lighting up in support of France against terrorism. 🇶🇦🙏🏼🇫🇷 #Unity pic.twitter.com/Mh0ef8w9ED
— Ravvy Kaur (@ravvykaur) July 15, 2016
Show of unity
In a statement to Doha News, the Torch’s general manager Sherif Sabry said that the hotel projects different colors by official request or its own initiative, depending on the circumstance.
For example, after the recent bombings in Saudi Arabia, the Bastille Day attack in France and the failed coup in Turkey, requests came from local authorities to honor the tragedies.
https://twitter.com/CanadianSwag_94/status/750338287408119808
“Changing the tower colors during the dramatic incidents are to show sympathy and (commiserate with) the country concerned in their unfortunate incidents,” Sabry said.
He added that for sports events, the hotel may receive a request from the Qatar Olympic Committee or the Aspire Zone Foundation.
However, some have criticized the new practice, asking how authorities determine which cause is worthy of being highlighted.
Others questioned whether ongoing conflicts like that in Palestine, Syria and Yemen would ever be honored.
What do you think of the practice? Thoughts?
