Qatar draws praise for autism drive
QATAR’S role in spearheading a range of issues relating to autism has drawn the praise of the UK-based Autism Awareness Campaign (AAC).
According to the organisation, currently 60mn people are affected by autism around the world, with many having no access to public services like education, health, specialist speech therapy and care.
Ivan Corea, head of AAC, said: “Qatar is blazing a trail to help children and adults with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. I want to pay tribute to HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad, for doing so much for autism. Her role in supporting the first ever UN World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) held on April 2, is appreciated.”
Qatar sponsored the resolution in the UN and WAAD became a huge success around the world.
“I now urge Qatar to help the poor, where autism is concerned; there are millions who are suffering without access to basic public services,” Corea added.
The AAC was set up in 2000 by parents and caretakers of a young boy with austim, Charin Corea.
Autism campaigners have called on UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon to launch a world autism strategy, convene a autism conference in 2009 in order to connect with world leaders and for UN agencies such as Unicef and UNDP to help the poor in Africa and Asia.
Man denies charges over fake money
A SYRIAN accused of trying to exchange fake Saudi riyals for Qatari notes denied the allegations in court yesterday.
The man was detained when he went to an exchange house to change SR6,500 to Qatari riyals on December 23, 2007.
The clerk informed the police after he noticed that the serial numbers on all the notes were the same.
The accused told the police that he found the money in a briefcase in the Rayyan area. Tests showed that the notes were photocopies.
The trial will continue on May 20.
Bahrain official arrives in Doha
SHEIKH Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifah, governor of the Southern Province of Bahrain, arrived in Doha yesterday evening to attend the graduation of the first batch from the Education City universities.
HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani led well-wishers who welcomed the governor and the delegation accompanying him upon their arrival at Doha international airport.
Bahraini Ambassador Khalid Mohamed Jabor al-Musalem was also present at the airport. - QNA
MP welcomes agreement for recruitment of labour
USMAN Khan Taraki, Qatar-based member of the Pakistan National Assembly, has hailed the labour recruitment agreement between Qatar and Pakistan.
Taraki, who is also a member of the Standing Committee for Overseas Pakistanis, thanked the Qatari authorities for providing employment opportunities for Pakistanis.
According to the agreement, Qatar will hire 30,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers from Pakistan this year.
It was signed by Minister for Labour and Social Affairs HE Sultan Hassan al-Dhabit al-Dousari and Pakistan’s Minister for Labour and Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah.
Six win tickets to May Queen ball
THE winners of the eighth annual May Queen Ball 2008 draw, jointly held by Goan Welfare Association and Gulf Times, have been announced.
The lucky draw was conducted at the Gulf Times office yesterday with Simon D’Silva, president of Goan Welfare Association, drawing the lots along with James John, advertising and marketing manager, Gulf Times.
The six winners, who each got a ticket to the gala event, include Catherine John, Giselle D’Silva, Peter Smith, Gail Rodrigues, Anisha D’Souza, and Roopa Manwani.
This year’s event features live performances by Forrefront, one of the trend-setting bands on the Goan scene, as well as a host of Bollywood celebrities besides cultural and entertainment programmes.
The event promises to be a star attraction in the cultural calendar of Doha on Thursday (May 8) from 8pm at the Diplomatic Club.
The winners may contact Gulf Times office at 4466620, to claim their tickets.
QNB-MasterCard credit card promotion offers QR20,000 every week
QNB has launched a two-month campaign for its co-branded MasterCard credit card where new applicants can win QR20,000 in weekly draws.
The promotion, which started on Sunday and concludes on July 13, will see 10 weekly draws. The scheme is open to QNB and non-QNB customers. The total prize value is QR200,000.
Its Qatar Airways co-branded MasterCard credit card is issued free for the first year and comes with benefits such as free personal accident and travel inconvenience insurance up to $1mn and free purchase protection cover for premier credit cards.
Passport replacement
THE Indian embassy has clarified that the authorities have decided to withdraw passports bearing numbers Z 000001 to Z 073000 and not Z 000001 to Z 730000 as mentioned in yesterday’s report. The ‘recall series’ passports will be replaced free of cost by the embassy.
Festival of Thai food at Intercon
INTERCONTINENTAL Doha, in association with the Royal Thai Embassy, is to celebrate a culinary festival inspired by the flavours of Thailand, from tomorrow until May 13, at its Café Restaurant.
To create authentic food the hotel’s team of international chefs have been joined by experienced guest chefs from Thailand. There will also be several live stations and a live demonstration of fruit and vegetable carving.
A nine-member group from Thailand will entertain guests with music and traditional dancing during the dinner. The festival will run every day from 7pm to 11.30pm.
Thai ambassador, Suvat Chirapant said: “We would like our community to experience a sample of what true Thai hospitality is, with its rich cuisine, its music and dancing. We also thank the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Qatar Airways for their generous support to this festival.”
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