| The countdown to the start of the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Asian Games features different numerical systems from throughout the Asian continent. As Arabic and English unite in the number 1, a mass pyrotechnic display forms the Qatari Flag. The colours of the Qatari Flag, maroon with it's serated white band of nine points, represent both peace (white) and the blood (maroon) shed by Qatar's people in their struggle to maintain independance. Al-salam alaikom, the standard Arabic greeting, means "Peach be upon you" and is said to confer blessings on both the speaker and receiver. Here, it is also a symbol of the commitment to peace by the State of Qatar and the Olympic Movement. The message "peace upon to you" from a group of 2300 young people with the Arabic greeting of "asslamualaikum" after the countdown. A group of children, lead by Nasser Khaled Al Kubaisi, then sang Qatar's national anthem and raised the national flag. I'm sorry for the average quality, i'll try to find a better quality video in the future. PS: Video originaly uploaded in Tudou, credits to the original footage. I do not claim ownership of this video or event, just published for entertaining purposes. |
