Author

The Education City Arabic Lecture Series hosted Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah, writer and poet, in a panel discussion held by Qatar Foundation titled “How does cultural heritage contribute to building advanced societies?”This session highlighted cultural heritage as a fundamental pillar of social progress, and the importance of empowering young people to preserve this heritage in order to build a promising future.Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah stressed that: “There is no alternative for this generation to reading, and there is no way to acquire knowledge and science except through exerting effort.”The effort and hardship suffered by previous generations is nothing compared to the opportunities available to the current generation, which must seize them to acquire knowledge and science in order to build a brighter future for themselves, he said.Addressing the youth, Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah said, “Today, you have good opportunities that are different from those that were available in our past,” adding, “It is important that these opportunities be a starting point for the youth to build from, and to draw from what they like of the heritage of Arab, cultural, Islamic and human thought as well. Our Arab nation has contributed greatly to the world heritage. These days are giving us opportunities to learn about the heritage of humanity. It is more appropriate and worthy to draw from these tributaries and add to them.” He continued, “These are our traces that guide us, so look after us.”He explained the importance of the young generation being eager for knowledge, saying, “The new generation is to be blamed, and it is their duty to draw from knowledge.”Commenting on the impact of digital and technological development on the acquisition of knowledge among young people, Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah said: “It is true that technological developments have occurred rapidly, but we must subject this technological development to the benefit of science and culture. This development should not be a distraction, but rather a reason for acquiring science and culture.”He pointed out that “there is no excuse for the new generations to acquire and benefit from knowledge,” stressing that “the new generation is to blame, and it is their duty to read, then read, and read, in order to acquire and establish thoughts.”During this session, which was moderated by Mohammed al-Janahi, Director of the Primary Stage at Al Awsaj Academy, affiliated with Pre-University Education, Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah addressed the impact of economic development on social progress, the importance of preserving cultural heritage over the years, and the necessity of adhering to this heritage, saying: “There have been very significant changes in the process of social development in Qatar. Naturally, like what happened in other Gulf countries, these changes represented a shift in the ways of life since the pearl extraction stage, then the drought and material hardship that the region witnessed, up to the stage of oil extraction, and with it the economic recovery that brought rapid changes in people’s lives.“These changes have brought about a major social shift in people’s lives in terms of ideas, emotions and lifestyles, which are different from what they were in the past. However, adherence to the best values is still present, visible and commendable,” he added, stressing that “material development is merciless towards any other values, because values change in societies in conjunction with material developments,” stressing the importance of adhering to constants at every stage of social progress in the future.Regarding the role of youth in building their future from constants amidst the changes sweeping the region, Dr Hassan Ali al-Nimah concluded: “I am one of those who believe, and we all do, in the fact that we are part of the Arab Islamic nation, and that what pleases it pleases us, and what harms it harms us. No matter how volatile the whims may be, the fate we will meet will be the same no matter how different the paths are.”He added: “This is a fact. We have no room to be exploited, neglected, or believe that we are immune from the fate of our nation. The nation must realise that the grudges that occur among its members are the work of those who expect us to fail and disappoint along the way. Therefore, the youth must adhere to our Arab and Islamic constants.”

Dr Ghiyath Nakshbendi is an experienced sovereign wealth funds professional. Also, a proponent of alternative (Islamic) finance education in the US, he serves as a special representative for foreign investors seeking a cost-effective and discreet means of managing corporate and personal business activities in the US.He has solid experience in the Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC) in this field. He is a senior professorial lecturer of finance at Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington, DC.On the occasion of his participation in the Doha Forum 2024, Dr Ghiyath in an exclusive interview to Gulf Times said: “I have been privileged to come to Doha on so many occasions, including the honour to be invited to Doha Forum.“It is a very important for me to attend and hear what is happening in the world from experts and VIPs. The forum is always up to date and I enjoyed the discussed topics during the last two days. It touched on various topics, including diplomacy, diversity, and sustainability, etc. It is a very rewarding experience to hear about the latest news on start-ups.”On the prominent role of Qatari soft diplomacy Dr Ghiyath said: ”I usually follow up the news dealing with Qatar on a weekly basis, so I am very much aware of what is going on. In Washington we definitely listen to the contributions of Qatar, dealing with so many issues, including finance, diplomacy, being mediator of world conflicts which is a very admirable role that Qatar has been playing for years in that arena.”On striking the right balance between economic development and sustainability in Qatar, Dr Ghiyath said: “I would like to commend the activities and the straight forward plans and their execution by Qatar Investment Authority which is one of the largest 15 sovereign wealth fund in the world. I follow that very carefully because it falls in my area of expertise.”On his sovereign fund involvement Dr Ghiyath said: “I decided to offer a conference at the American University dealing with sovereign wealth fund, last October (2024). It was the 11th conference on this particular subject. I would like to point out that the Qatar’s embassy in Washington has been the major co-sponsor of this conference for the last 11 years.”In the context of sustainability and the Qatari advancement on environment and climate change issues Dr Ghiyath said: “Investment in green economies has been a buzz word all over the world, but I think that Qatar is doing a wonderful job in that arena. Consequently, Qatar is a major advocate for sustainability, they are definitely working very hard to diversify their economy and investing in world market. In addition to a distinguished focus on development inside Qatar. To boost the economic growth, in addition to creating employment opportunities. I must add that in the last couple of years, they have been working very hard in terms of providing the necessary funding to encourage entrepreneurship. By definition it is going to help young Qataris to start their own businesses and provide them with the necessary resources to be successful in their mission.”In relation to the Qatari government’s focus on the younger generation Dr Ghiyath said: “It is one of the early initiatives, to the best of my knowledge, in the GCC, paying attention to this very important sector and this very important economic resources to provide the young Qataris with the available opportunities to participate in building and advancing the Qatari economy, and they are doing a wonderful job in that arena.”He added that: “The focus on education in Qatar is extremely important, let’s not forget that Qatar was the first GCC country that started to invite well known universities, in different specialties, to establish branches for these institutions here in Qatar, like Texas University, and George Town University for instance... I had the privilege of having Qatari students for the last 15 years to study at the American University, including the Kogod School of Business...”On the importance of entrepreneurship and the Qatari younger generation Dr Ghiyath said: “It is part of my advice to young scholars including students from Qatar, it is fine to work as an employee, but it will be much better, after getting some experience by working for another company, is to start thinking very carefully about the possibilities of starting your own business. There are some majors by which you can start your own activity, like computer science, or business, or finance, or engineering. It is always preferable for young graduates to think seriously about having their own businesses, but not necessarily after leaving college. They should work somewhere and learn from their mistakes, before they will be in charge of their own destiny by having their own businesses.”Dr Ghiyath added: “I would like to introduce you to a programme that I have presented at Kogod School of Business in 2014 as my first Islamic Finance course, then in 2017. I introduced and created the first Graduate Islamic Finance Certificate in the US. When I meet my friends from Qatar Islamic Bank which has been established since the 1970’s I try to encourage them to have at least a window in Washington DC to advance and to introduce Islamic finance. I hope your listeners/readers will support me to advance Islamic finance, which is less risky than conventional finance,” Dr Ghiyath concluded.

Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has organised an event titled (A Decade of Achievement) in cooperation with the Qatar Press Center (QPC). HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al Kuwari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, gave a speech titled “Ten Years of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding. Translation is the Compass of Civilizational Appeal.” The event was attended by Saad bin Mohammed al Rumaihi, Chairman of the QPC, and a number of academics and media professionals. It was moderated by Dr Hanan al Fayadh, the award’s media advisor. HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al Kuwari said: What we are experiencing today, ten years after the establishment of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation, is a renewed event for the activity of Arab thought as it interacts with the human balance of knowledge through translation.He pointed out that the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding is a victory for the Arab personality, which has not despaired of dialogue with other cultures and has not been stingy in building bridges of communication.Al Kuwari stressed that continuing this great project is one of the most prominent manifestations of the dynamism of the contemporary Arab personality, and one of the factors of its renewal, especially since it makes the Arabic language a language of dialogue with the languages of the world.He added: This award comes at the forefront of the Arab cultural project, far from the state of crisis experienced by a part of the Arab cultural elite. He said: The award has expanded the circle of languages from and to which it is translated, as new languages are added in each session to the list of languages approved for translation until the award covered 37 languages around the world within ten years, which expands the scope of cultural interaction. Pointing out that one of the advantages of translation is saving human culture from loss, fading, burning, destruction, marginalization and exclusion, as it is a continuous preservation, rather like a memory that stands firm in the face of time and advocates of intellectual isolation. Translation has preserved the creativity that peoples have contributed to in thought, art and science.His Excellency praised the efforts of translators, so the award seeks to honour them and appreciate their role in acquaintance between peoples, transferring knowledge between civilizations, and extending channels of communication between nations. Stressing that the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has restored the translator's honourable status and provided him with a creative environment that motivates him to contribute to this civilizational project.His Excellency pointed out the award's interaction with the Cultural Years Initiative and soft diplomacy in general in order to enhance cultural understanding and rapprochement between peoples. This interaction confirms the award's ability to be a soft power for Qatar, saying: "I am very happy and I dream, like other Arab intellectuals, of restoring the glory of our civilization. We stand optimistic about the fruits of the translation award, confident in its civilizational role." Dr Al Kuwari concluded his speech by emphasizing the cultural status that Doha has now reached to be a capital of culture in every sense of the word. As Doha, with its institutions, cultural monuments and soft diplomacy, has become a radiant culture and art and plays a distinctive role in the Arab world and everywhere under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.During his speech, Dr Al Kuwari expressed his thanks to the award officials who succeeded in achieving major accomplishments that enhance communication between cultures, peoples and countries, and give us hope for civilizational resumption. His Excellency also praised the prominent cultural and media role played by the QPC.Dr Hanan al Fayadh, gave a presentation in which she reviewed the definition, vision and objectives of the award, which was launched in 2015, as well as the most important results achieved by the award over the past ten years, showing with statistics the distribution of participants in the award in its various categories, and the percentage of countries with the highest participation, as 214 winners representing 48 countries have won the award since its launch, and the award has covered 37 languages around the world over the course of ten years.

Qatari young man and activist Ghanem al-Muftah was selected on the famous Forbes magazine's list in the field of diversity and inclusion, for the under 30 category for the year 2024. The number of followers of the young Qatari man on Instagram reaches 7.3mn, and Forbes confirmed that Ghanem al-Muftah is an example of motivation as he participates in sports such as diving, skiing and rock climbing. He appeared alongside Morgan Freeman during the opening ceremony of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and became a FIFA ambassador in January 2024. In September 2024, he gave a speech at the Future Summit 2024 in New York.Al-Muftah graduated with honours in political science in July 2024. He is also committed to humanitarian and community activities, and devotes a great deal of time and effort to advocating for inclusion. Supporting disadvantaged communities, and raising awareness about the importance of compassion and social responsibility.Commenting on his selection, Ghanem al-Muftah (22 ) said: “This honour is very important to me, as it reflects my commitment to promoting inclusivity, empowering youth, and inspiring others to embrace the values of compassion and social responsibility. My journey has been shaped by the support and love of my family, friends, and community, and I share this achievement with you all.”He concluded by saying: “Thank you, Forbes, for celebrating young change makers and amplifying our voices. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to continue this journey to make a positive impact.”

The 'Playwriting Workshop - Idea and Script' opened at Katara Cultural Village, under the direction of Algerian writer Youcef Baaloudj. The workshop is organized by Trend Art Production and sponsored by Media City Qatar.This masterclass-style workshop features students from 10 countries, covering key aspects of playwriting, including idea development, character creation, dramatic structure, and dialogue writing. It is designed for those with a basic background in playwriting who wish to enhance their skills.The interactive sessions provide an opportunity for participants to refine their talents under the guidance of Youcef Baaloudj, an award-winning writer with 16 national and international honours. Participants will gain the necessary expertise to develop their scripts beyond the workshop.The 'Playwriting Workshop - Idea and Script' is the second workshop organised by Trend Art Production with the support of Media City Qatar.Recently, a similar screenwriting workshop, led by prominent Syrian writer Dr Mamdouh Hamadeh, concluded with 20 participants from various Arab countries. Dr Rana Hallak, Founder and Director of Trend Art Production, emphasized the importance of such workshops: "As we know, the script is the foundation of any creative work. Discovering and nurturing talent in dramatic writing through training is essential to elevate the standard of productions in the Arab world. I extend my gratitude to Media City Qatar for supporting these workshops and to Katara Cultural Village for hosting them."Thair al-Anani, Business Development Director at Media City Qatar, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting talent from across the globe.He stated: "Talent discovery and nurturing is a cornerstone of Media City Qatar's mission. This support is vital to attract productions from the Arab world, positioning Qatar as a media hub. These workshops will help writers create high-quality Arabic scripts that serve as a strong foundation for productions capable of competing regionally and globally."The workshop will continue until December 8th in Hall 18 at Katara Cultural Village, with the official closing ceremony and certificate distribution taking place on December 9th. Representatives from Media City Qatar and Katara Cultural Village will attend the closing event.

The Al Jazeera 360 platform has achieved a remarkable achievement by reaching 1mn subscribers in less than 90 days since its launch, becoming the most widely spread platform globally in a short period.Jamal Al-Din al-Shayal, the platform’s content strategy manager, expressed his pride in this success, extending his appreciation to the platform’s team that contributed to achieving this success.He stressed the continued excellence in providing quality content that meets the audience’s aspirations.The platform’s impact was not limited to the Arab audience only, but extended to include various parts of the world, as it achieved more than 100mn interactions on social media since its launch.Al Jazeera Media Network launched the Al Jazeera 360 platform in mid-September as a video-on-demand service. It includes a rich archive of the network since its establishment in 1996, in addition to various cultural, entertainment, dialogue, and religious programs, as well as documentaries and investigative reports.The platform has gained a wide fan base that continuously follows many programmes, especially weekly ones, such as 'Al-Shabaka', 'Hukm wa Hikma', 'Bab Hiwar', 'Dhahaya wa Abtal', and 'Al-Warsha', in addition to a variety of exclusive and distinctive programmes. The platform also provides programmes from the archives.With the launch of Al Jazeera 360, news programmes that were suspended since October 2023 due to continuous coverage of events in the region have returned to broadcasting exclusively on the Al Jazeera 360 platform. The platform is available on the Apple Store and Google Play, in addition to Apple TV and Google TV, with plans to soon make it available on other TV screens, with the content provided free of charge to subscribers.

Dr Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), stressed Tuesday that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III represents a pivotal moment in strengthening strategic relations between the two countries, in a scene that reflects the great importance that the two countries attach to consolidating cooperation at various levels.Dr Al Ansari said during the weekly media briefing of the MoFA that the first state visit of His Highness the Amir to the United Kingdom embodies the mutual appreciation between Doha and London and confirms the distinguished position of Qatar on the international scene in strengthening diplomatic and economic partnerships with countries such as the United Kingdom.Dr Majid Al Ansari stressed the importance of finding a comprehensive solution in Syria based on international resolutions, highlighting that Qatar's position is clear and supportive of the interests of the Syrian people and that a military solution will not lead to a sustainable solution in Syria.He said: "We always emphasise the importance of sparing civilians the consequences of the conflict and finding a comprehensive solution, and we support any initiative that ends the war."Al Ansari explained that Qatar has engaged in the political and humanitarian tracks with the Syrian people and is working with its international partners on the necessity of reaching a political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people and expresses their sacrifices over the past years.In response to media reports that Iran, Russia and Turkey will meet to discuss Syria during the Doha Forum within the framework of the so-called Astana track for peace in Syria, Dr Al Ansari explained that so far he has no information about a meeting being held in Qatar to discuss the crisis in Syria, stressing that Doha is always open to any efforts for peace.Regarding mediation to stop the war in Gaza, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "Qatar's position has not changed regarding suspending mediation until the parties prove their seriousness in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid." Regarding Lebanon, Dr Al Ansari said that "Qatar stands clearly and explicitly with Lebanon and will always be present in any international effort for reconstruction," adding that what is required is "a consensus among the Lebanese to choose the President of the Republic." Stressing that Doha's efforts are continuing within the framework of the five-member committee that includes the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar for the benefit of Lebanon and its people.Dr Al Ansari pointed out that Qatar's efforts are continuing in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, especially regarding the return of children affected by the war. Dr Majid Al Ansari, recalled that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, may God protect him, headed the State of Qatar's delegation participating in the meetings of the forty-fifth session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where the presidency of the Council for its upcoming session was handed over to the State of Kuwait.As there were many achievements during Qatar's presidency of the Council, most notably the launch of the regional security vision for the GCC countries in March of last year, and the first summit between the GCC and the European Union in October, in addition to a large number of bilateral meetings. Dr Al Ansari reviewed various meetings, contacts and diplomatic efforts by Foreign Ministry officials with partners in the region and beyond on various issues.

Alaraby Television Network was awarded the Best Digital Live Streaming Service in the Arab World during an awards ceremony organised by the World Social Media Forum, held in the Jordanian capital, Amman.This recognition crowns the channel's efforts in providing outstanding digital content that meets audience needs and keeps pace with the rapid development of digital media and live broadcasting. This is achieved through the latest production and broadcasting technologies across various platforms, including social media networks and the official website.Additionally, Alaraby Television Network has been showcasing its content, which includes the news channel 'Alaraby TV', the variety channel 'Alaraby 2' and exclusive digital content 'Alaraby Tube' and 'Alaraby Podcast' through the Alaraby Plus platform which is attracting a record number of subscribers since its launch recently. The subscribers are benefiting from free on-demand access to all programmes.The grand ceremony was attended by regional and international media, with Alaraby TV's correspondent in Jordan, Laith al-Jabour, receiving the award on behalf of the network. He commented on the backstage of the event: "I am proud of this well-deserved achievement. I thank all my colleagues in the network for their continuous efforts to deliver the best."Shaker al-Masri, head of digital marketing at Alaraby Television Network, emphasised Alaraby TV's "commitment to providing multiple viewing options for its programmes to serve audiences in Arab countries and the diaspora. This considers time differences and facilitates content access, especially for Alaraby TV's special coverage, which social media algorithms might otherwise limit."Alaraby Television Network will celebrate its 10th anniversary next month, during which further development plans will be unveiled, reaffirming its commitment to excellence and innovation in delivering high-quality and professional media services.

Qatari diplomacy played a pivotal role in support of Lebanon, former Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora said, during the ceasefire in the aftermath of the Israeli aggression of 2006, helping with the reconstruction of areas destroyed by the Israeli military machine.Between 2006 and 2010 Qatar undertook, he continued, the reconstruction of many residential units that had been targeted by Israeli raids.Siniora expressed his hope that Qatar will continue its support after the cessation of the current Israeli aggression.Addressing a seminar organised by the Qatar Press Center (QPC) on The War on Lebanon and beyond, convened by Al Jazeera TV Channel journalist Hassan Jamoul, the former prime minister said that stopping the war on Lebanon is now in the hands of the United States after France was excluded, as Israel refused Paris’ participation in any agreement regarding Lebanon.Siniora also spoke on the Palestinian issue, welcoming the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Galant on charges of committing war crimes in Gaza.He said that this decision represents a slap in the face to Israel, and emphasised the importance of following up on the implementation of this decision in light of the pressure exerted by the US and a number of countries to try to abort it in its stages.“We must stand up to be counted,” Siniora said. “We must rise to these challenges, and be aware of the dangers facing us, not only on the level of internal issues, but also with regard to our relations with major powers such as the United States.”“We must have the ability to re-correct US policies towards our region, and work together to strengthen our Arab position in the international arena,” he added.The former prime minister said that the Arab region has witnessed major changes over the past decades, which require a serious pause in order for lessons to be learnt from past mistakes.He pointed out that the year 1979 was a significant turning point, as it witnessed, within 12 months, major events that changed the face of the region.The most prominent of these events, he said, were the Soviet war on Afghanistan and the Iranian revolution, indicating that each of these events unleashed waves of extremism whose repercussions continue to be experienced today.He cited the repercussions of the Iraq-Iran war, and the US-UK invasion of Iraq, which led to the collapse of the Iraqi state.These transformations coincided with the Arab Spring, which led to military interventions by Hezbollah in Syria, and from there to Iraq and Yemen, and the increase in violence and extremism in the region.He added that all these changes occurred while the Arab world was a spectator, rather than an active or influential actor in the events.Commenting on whether Lebanon has slipped into a proxy war between Iran and the Israeli occupation, Siniora said: “The reality has gone beyond the idea of war between Iran and Israel, to become a direct confrontation between the United States of America and Iran.”“American fleets (have been) sent to the region,” he continued, “...and the intensive naval presence in the Mediterranean confirm that Israel is (basically) a base for American interests in the Middle East.”Concepts that have recently emerged, Siniora added, such as “unity of arenas” or “axis of resistance”, which talk about an alliance that includes forces from Iraq, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, are just buzz words that need to be translated into reality on the ground, as Iran did not help Lebanon in the ongoing war with Israel.“It feels as if Lebanon has been abandoned,” he stated.In the context of Hezbollah, Siniora recalled the events of 2006, when the party took the initiative to ignite the front with Israel through a military operation that crossed the Blue Line, despite the pledges of its secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah during the national dialogue sessions not to carry out such operations.Siniora stated that, as prime minister at the time, he contacted the party’s leaders and reminded them that the operation violated what had been agreed upon, which prompted the Lebanese government to take a clear position that it had not been consulted and was not aware of what had happened, and announced its disavowal of the incident, and stressing that the responsibility for confronting Israel lies with the Lebanese state.He pointed out that following the events of October 7, he stressed the importance of not dragging Lebanon into the war between Hamas and Israel, especially given that the country is suffering from a political vacuum and a stifling national crisis.Siniora said that Lebanon lacks a president and an effective government, with only a caretaker government that is not qualified to deal with the consequences of entering into regional conflicts.“Lebanon was not prepared to bear more burdens in its current situation,” he stated.The former prime minister said that under the current circumstances, the situation in Lebanon is untenable, and “we cannot continue in this situation characterised by dual power”.“Things in neighbouring countries have changed radically, and we realise that Lebanon cannot continue in this way,” he added.“We are not calling on Hezbollah to declare its surrender, but we are calling on it to return to the fold of the state, and to be part of the political system based on the constitution,” he said. “Everyone must unite under the roof of the state, so that we can build a strong and stable Lebanon, capable of facing the challenges that arise before it.”Regarding how to end the war, the former prime minister pointed out that all parties to the conflict, including Israel, are suffering from major crises related to how to get out of this war.Israel, despite committing genocide against civilians, and killing and displacing thousands, is facing major challenges related to a number of complex issues, most notably the issue of the hostages held and not yet released, in addition to the issue of the Israelis displaced from the northern border.The other parties to the conflict, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, are also facing a huge challenge, with both suffering from the repercussions of the war.Siniora called on pressure groups in the US to play an effective role in stopping the war, pointing out the importance of these groups moving at various levels to pressure the US administration to stop the aggression.He also called on the Palestinian factions to organise their internal ranks and better organise their efforts, with the aim of unifying the vision and joint action, which would enable them to devote their efforts more effectively to the Palestinian cause, and contributes to achieving their supreme goal of liberating the land from occupation.

Alaraby TV Network has won the Audience Honour Award at the 9th annual Shorty Impact Awards for its pioneering programme Fi Al Hadara (About Civilisation).The award specifically recognised the episode titled Illusions of Happiness, which addresses the dangers of addiction.The episode’s script was written by Kareem Mansi, with dramatic adaptation and comic sketch written by Abdelrahman Jawish, and directed by Waleed El-Geneidy.Illusions of Happiness highlights the hidden and destructive effects of addiction, taking viewers on an exploratory journey that blends painful realism with satirical presentation.This unique balance has contributed to About Civilisation's notable success since its launch, helping it build a loyal and wide-ranging audience.This success has enabled the programme to boldly tackle sensitive issues and foster societal discussions that inspire positive change and enhance public awareness.Regarding this achievement, Amira Hamza, the head of Digital at Alaraby TV Network, said:"Alaraby Tube team is delighted with this accomplishment, especially since the nominated episode addresses an important issue affecting both Arab and global communities.”“This audience recognition reflects the popularity of Fi Al Hadara and reaffirms our commitment to delivering meaningful cultural and social content that raises awareness and positively impacts society,” he said.Alaraby Tube is a digital platform affiliated with Alaraby TV Network.It specialises in producing innovative digital content that presents social and cultural issues in a modern and engaging manner.The platform aims to empower and inspire Arab audiences through programmes that resonate with their interests and aspirations.

Born to a family of diplomats, Qatar University (QU) graduate at an early age, holder of the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Gold Medal for academic achievement, Amal bint Ali al-Kuwari is a certified financial consultant, coach and trainer.Amal al-Kuwari’s goal is to help Qatari, Arab and other women achieve financial independence and wealth.She gave an exclusive interview to Gulf Times and said that: “My specialisation is quite unique in Qatar and will help in normalising talking about money (a taboo topic) in a normal manner as well as spreading financial literacy. I chose to work with women as my target audience, since the woman has a great impact in our society, she is the mother, sister, and daughter. She is the mainstay of every home.”She kicked off her professional career in January 2024, with a background in mindset development and wealth creation and has already a wide variety of professional women clients ranging from doctors, to VIPs, HR experts and she leads by example to impact this community.Al-Kuwari said: “By helping women I aim to develop a healthy relationship with money and my clients, through my tailored workshops, training courses, and one-on-one coaching. I empower women to achieve financial independence by understanding money psychology, investment strategies, and wealth building techniques."To make it easy, I send a pre-session questionnaire to assess and discover the trainee profile and habits, then hold with her 1 to 3 or four coaching sessions, then the follow up is done by email. I also run sessions via Zoom meetings for women from the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia."I mainly help them get away from bad spending habits i.e. age groups between 25 and 56 years old, they are given an individual financial plan to follow to either make their money grow, or even those who want to retire. Then, they have to do the hard work by themselves and commit to the agreed plan under my coaching and supervision.”Al-Kuwari combines through her unique approach, practical financial strategies with a deep understanding of mindset and behaviour change. She added: “By offering holistic guidance to women who want to take control of their financial futures. My approach is personalised, culturally relevant, and designed to inspire lasting transformation.”She concluded by saying: “I also offer practical tools for saving, investing, and growing income. My coaching and training courses are either in Arabic or English, they are designed to be accessible, easy to understand, and culturally relevant for Qatari, Arab and other women.”

The Freej Art and Design Festival continued its activities for the sixth consecutive day in its first edition, which is organised by the Ministry of Culture at the permanent headquarters of Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal, as part of the cultural season activities celebrating the artistic scene in Qatar.The day’s events witnessed a large public turnout, as Qatari and resident families flocked to enjoy the various cultural, artistic events and workshops offered by the festival for different ages. The events aim to enhance the spirit of creativity, expression among the younger generation, and to celebrate the achievements of Qatari artists and their contribution to developing the Qatari cultural scene.The sixth day of the festival also witnessed a cultural seminar titled ‘Art between Listening and Creativity,’ presented by the Syrian visual artist Ismail al-Rifai. It revolved around the concept of listening and creativity within the framework of the nature of art as a reflection of the artist’s inner experience and an expression of his aesthetic aspirations in its relationship with the outside world.Al-Rifai said that art is a universal language that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, and carries deep and complex messages. He pointed out that art is an interactive process between listening and creativity, where the artist listens to his inner world, then reformulates it in his own way, to present us with a unique work of art.He explained that the artist begins an internal exploratory journey into the depths of the self, listening to his voice, thoughts and feelings, to extract from them the materials with which he will build his artwork. He indicated that listening is not just hearing internal voices, but rather a deep dive into the subconscious, memories and dreams, which contribute to shaping his artistic vision and enriching his imagination.Ismail al-Rifai talked about his book ‘Milestones,’ which reflects his feelings, emotions and everything he experienced in his life, quoting one of the texts in the book: “All that is there is that I surrendered myself to myself, that I let the spirit do what it wants and closed my heart to its transparent light.”The Iraqi plastic artist Sabah al-Arbili said Arabic calligraphy is an authentic art that is distinguished by its beauty and diversity and is considered an ancient heritage and a symbol of the Arab identity. He also pointed out the importance of presenting it to the public in a distinctive way as it is an integral part of the Arab cultural heritage.He added that he uses Arabic letters several times in his artworks through sculptures and legible paintings known as classical arts, and illegible ones, which is called contemporary art of Arabic calligraphy, and explained that the art of calligraphy is inspired by a text that is expressed in an attractive way.The Freej Art and Design Festival includes a pavilion that displays the ‘Arabic Calligraphy’ with a section for a group of Qatari calligraphers to highlight the beauty of Arabic calligraphy through works, engravings and paintings.In turn, British artist Richard Walker expressed his happiness to participate in the activities of the Art and Design Festival to teach festival-goers the art of gilding, saying: “It is an honour for me to come to Qatar, the home of science and art, and to participate with many different cultures and exchange ideas on a wonderful journey of exploration.”Walker explained that the art of gilding has been around for 4,000 years, noting that the gilding workshop contains important knowledge as it explains all types and forms of gilding and the method of shaping it according to the use of each region and country, which also enhances the skills and knowledge of the workshop’s visitors about the art of gilding.The Freej Art and Design Festival, represents a platform that celebrates art and creativity, with the participation of 19 different entities, bringing together more than 100 local, international artists and designers, with a great diversity in their artistic orientations, and which enriches the artistic and cultural scene in Qatar.

Dreama Center, in cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), has launched a series of online seminars that aim to enrich the intellectual and cognitive knowledge of social workers, and develop their capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and experiences between specialists, which contributes to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. These seminars aim to improve the quality of social services, stimulate innovation and scientific thinking, and apply the best practical and scientific practices in social care, which enhances the care provided to children and communities at the national and international levels.This partnership between Dreama Center and Unicef targets social workers worldwide, including Qatari and international institutions, in addition to researchers and academics interested in developing the social care sector, families providing care, and the relevant social work authorities.The seminars cover essential topics including enhancing alternative family care arrangements, child protection, and supporting the workforce in the field of social care. They also aim to stimulate scientific research and enhance creativity and critical thinking among participants. These seminars will be held throughout the year as part of joint efforts to develop capacities and exchange expertise among specialists in the field.Sheikha Najla bint Ahmed al-Thani, Executive Director of Dreama Center, said: “In this exceptional cooperation, we announce a new and distinctive partnership between Dreama Orphan Care Center and the Unicef. This partnership represents an important starting point for future initiatives aimed at raising awareness and building the capacities of social workers, which will benefit society as a whole, especially children and families. I also emphasise that this partnership is not just a limited cooperation, but rather the beginning of a long path of joint work. In this context, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Unicef for their cooperation and support for us in this initiative. We look forward to the continuation of this effective partnership that aims to achieve positive and sustainable change.” Anthony MacDonald, Director of the Unicef Office in Doha, said: “I would like to thank Dreama Center and the Executive Director for this strategic and important initiative, as well as for giving me the opportunity to speak at this important launch on a topic of great importance today."It has never been more important than now to advocate for and protect children’s rights. In Qatar, as in any country in the world, ensuring the safety, well-being, and protection of children is of utmost importance. Especially for the most vulnerable children, including children without parental care, victims of violence, neglect, and abuse. As well as the inclusion of children with disabilities, refugee and migrant children, and other vulnerable groups. Dreama works to provide safety, protection, and well-being for these children, in accordance with international standards and practices. We are proud of our partnership with Qatar and our partners such as Dreama and Qatar Social Work, who place the care and well-being of children at the heart of their work and mission. Dreama Center has worked hard and dedicatedly over the years to support children, and we look forward to strengthening our cooperation and partnership with Dreama.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC) hosted the signing ceremony of the book "The Sufferings of Gaza... Very Short Stories" by writer and media figure Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik. The ceremony is the first of the activities and programmes of the Cultural Press Committee headed by Mohammed Salaan al-Marri.The book includes 60 selected stories about major issues that the residents of the Gaza Strip have been experiencing for more than a year, but they were presented in a few words that are very similar to Japanese haiku poetry. They were presented in 128 pages, summarizing the suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip and the betrayal of the world that claims to be free, while it witnesses the crimes of the occupying entity without moving a finger.The signing ceremony was attended by HE Khaled al-Obaidan, member of the Shura Council, HE Ali Bakhtiari, Cultural Counselor at the Iran embassy in Qatar, and a number of writers, intellectuals, the public and interested parties.Sadiq Mohammed al-Amari, Director General of the Center, stressed that the launch of the book "The Sufferings of Gaza... Very Short Stories" comes amidst the escalating events in the Gaza Strip, and the crimes that the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples are being subjected to as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the two peoples, without anyone knowing where the hand of aggression will extend. Noting that the event is the first of the programmes and activities of the Cultural Press Committee, he looked forward to the committee continuing its programmes with the same strength of presentation, and discussing issues that have an impact on local affairs. He stressed that the door of the Qatar Press Center is open to creators, and it will always stand by inspiring initiatives that add to the center and the Qatari community.Mohammed Salaan al Marri appreciated the efforts of the QPC in shedding light on cultural affairs and embracing activities and programmes that would enrich culture and intellectuals, so that Qatar would be a beacon for the cultural movement not only at the local level but also regionally and globally. He announced the availability of the book “The Sufferings of Gaza... Very Short Stories” electronically. To encourage the new generation to read, for a symbolic price of 5 Riyals and its equivalent in other currencies, readers will be able to read the book for a week. This initiative aims to encourage reading and convey the voice of Gaza to the world through this book.Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik expressed his gratitude to QPC for its efforts in supporting various literary arts, and for giving him the opportunity to host the signing ceremony of his 50th book, which reflects the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially during the bloody war and the genocidal war committed by the occupying enemy for more than a year.Abdulmalik said he sought to complete this work in conjunction with the first anniversary of the war witnessed by the Gaza Strip in light of the Security Council’s slumber, and the great powers that claim to be biased towards human rights while they are witnessing the massacres committed against the residents of the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 43,000 martyrs and wounded, more than 10 thousand missing, and 1.9mn displaced; that is, nearly 85% of the residents of the Strip have become displaced according to UNRWA, and many are suffering from malnutrition and famine that has killed dozens of children and the elderly.He said: “Taking the step of abbreviating the tragic stories witnessed by Gaza and its people was a cry from a free Arab citizen amidst a lot of political hypocrisy, so I had to leave my mark and record this historical era with my pen for the generations that will come after us. So I chose to write in the style of Japanese haiku poetry, which summarizes a big issue in a few words in a rich creative style, not famous in the Arab and Gulf region, and I found this method more appropriate in light of the digital age that has become superior to other styles of writing in many cases.”Abdelmalik indicated in his presentation that he began writing these texts by abbreviating dozens of scenes, then he began writing until 120 stories were formed. From these he selected 60 stories, and each story was accompanied by an image drawn by AI to emphasise the importance of technology and the necessity of using it in these situations. To facilitate and accelerate the printing and publishing procedures, thanking in this context Dar Nebras and the team in charge of it that facilitated many tasks and technical details for him. Before the signing ceremony, there were a number of interventions from the audience.

The first edition of the Leadership Innovation Forum kicked off Wednesday under the title 'Leadership Innovation in the Digital Age', in the presence of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Leadership Center (QLC).The forum included several dialogue sessions, most notably a roundtable titled 'Leadership Development in the Digital Age' and 'Leadership in Crises: Strategies Inspired by the Qatari Experience', in which a group of prominent Qatari figures participated, and reviewed their experiences and strategies in facing challenges. In addition 'Strategic Foresight to Enhance Leadership Innovation in Governance and Business', brought together a group of experts and specialists to discuss innovative strategies aimed at enhancing innovation in leadership and enhancing its role in achieving sustainable development.In his opening speech, Abdulla Mohammed al-Binali, general manager, Qatar Leadership Center, stressed that the forum coincides with the center’s celebration of its 15th anniversary. He explained that the forum is an effective platform that contributes to shaping the future of leadership in Qatar and promoting a culture of continuous learning, providing valuable opportunities to build strategic relationships that contribute to advancing development and administrative excellence in the public and private sectors. He reviewed the achievements of Qatar Leadership Center since its establishment, and its success in developing an elite group of leaders, and enhancing their presence and influence in national institutions through innovative training programmes and international partnerships, to keep pace with the requirements of leadership in Qatar and the rapid changes in the local and international work environment. The contribution of the center was also stressed, which includes more than a thousand graduates, in developing policies and managing major projects in various sectors in the country. He considered that gathering specialists and graduates on one platform would enhance their capabilities in anticipating the future and building a sustainable future in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.Saleh al-Khulaifi, chairman of the Qatar Leadership Center Alumni Association, highlighted that the forum goes beyond being an event to become an embodiment of the values that the center has instilled in its graduates. These include resilience and continuous learning, noting that they have organised more than nine events in the past six months, including 'Meet the Leader' sessions, community visits, and sports events, which proves that education does not end with graduation.He also stressed the importance of resilience in the face of the challenges facing graduates, indicating that transforming challenges into opportunities for growth is the essence of what graduates have learned from the center, as resilience has become a key factor in achieving innovation and growth.The forum witnessed the participation of speakers and experts from around the world, to represent a leading platform for leadership development in Qatar. The forum has the attendance of 17 local and international speakers from Qatar, the Middle East, South Korea, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, in addition to a number of academics and experts specialised in various fields, to discuss the topic of leadership innovation, and to present innovative visions and strategies for leadership in the digital age.

Dr Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), expressed his regret that the situation in Gaza has reached a stage where Israeli massacres on a daily basis have outnumbered condemnations, noting that the international community should be ashamed of itself in light of the continuation of the horrific war which has been going on for more than a year.Dr al-Ansari reiterated, in a media briefing yesterday, Qatar's clear position on the ongoing crimes of the occupation, whether targeting civilian objects, hospitals, and schools, or targeting the displaced, or starvation and siege imposed on northern Gaza, and at the same time targeting brotherly Lebanon, where more than 2,700 people have so far been martyred, and which is suffering systematic destruction of villages and towns.He stressed that this is a clear indication of the lack of respect for international human rights law.He said that Qatar will not fail to play its role in ending this crisis by keeping its mediation and communication channels open, and supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at ending this crisis and stopping the bloodshed despite all the challenges and the ground reality that casts its dark shadows on negotiations.Regarding the extent of the impact of the assassinations carried out by the Israeli entity and its targeting of UN offices on the efforts of the negotiation process, Dr al-Ansari stressed that every escalation on the ground is accompanied by "complicating" the success of the mediation. "It is not possible to negotiate successfully with a party, while the other party is targeted and assassinated at every opportunity."He praised the important role played by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in helping millions not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.Dr al-Ansari warned that stopping support for UNRWA would have disastrous consequences, as well as preventing it from operating in the Palestinian territories, in light of the presence of more than 6mn Palestinians who benefit from the relief services of this agency.Qatar has pledged $100mn to provide humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the need for the international community to act and not remain silent in the face of this disregard for its international institutions and the attack on UN personnel.Regarding the reports accusing Qatar of mediating the war on Gaza, the MoFA official spokesman explained that these reports have not stopped since the first day. "We in Qatar have thick skin in dealing with such baseless accusations, and the negative treatment of the important role played by the state within the framework of mediation. We are not concerned with any reports that contradict reality and do not communicate directly with the mediators, whether in Qatar or Egypt and the United States."Stressing that "the Qatari role has been ongoing since the first day, and the mediator's role in the end is to bring the viewpoints of the parties to the conflict closer together, he pointed out that Qatari diplomacy works along parallel lines with regard to reducing the escalation in Lebanon and ending the war in the Gaza Strip.Qatar will spare no effort to reach a permanent solution to this issue, which is a permanent ceasefire and justice for the Palestinian brothers, by bringing the viewpoints closer together and reaching a common language between the negotiators, he added.

Qatar National Archives participated with a high-level delegation in the international conference of the “Memory of the World” program organised by UNESCO in Paris on October 28 and 29, 2024. Where it reviewed the pivotal role of documentary heritage in enhancing international understanding and cooperation. This presence comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts of the National Archives to support and protect historical archives that record important stages of Qatar’s history and contribute to documenting national and cultural identity on a global level. This comes within the framework of the Memory of the World project that was approved by the Council of Ministers on May 15, 2024.The delegation of the Qatar National Archives was headed by Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain, who stressed the importance of international cooperation in exchanging expertise to protect documentary heritage and raise awareness of the importance of preserving it from risks. Especially in light of the increasing technical challenges in the field of digital preservation. Al-Buainain appraised the ongoing Qatari efforts to protect documentary archives, including audio and visual documents, which contributes to highlighting the Qatari identity and consolidating its position within the global human heritage system.The participation of the Qatari delegation focused on searching for the experiences of pioneering countries in preserving historical documents, while highlighting the best practices of digital archiving used in countries around the world. During the conference, the Qatar National Archives presented its plans to protect audio and visual heritage, which include developing digital projects aimed at facilitating access to archives and protecting them from deterioration. Representatives of the National Archives also participated in discussion sessions that addressed the importance of archives as educational and cognitive tools, as they contribute to spreading awareness of the value of documentary heritage and enhancing understanding between cultures, stressing the role of the archives in preserving Qatari history and promoting it on the global stage.The Qatari participation coincided with the Fourth World Forum on Documentary Heritage Policies, which represents a dialogue platform for researching policies supporting the protection of global archives. As well as discussing ways to use these documents as educational resources and tools for understanding between cultures. The conference was an opportunity to highlight the global challenges facing documentary archives, from the difficulties of digital preservation to involving new generations in the preservation process. The Qatar National Archives continues its efforts to enhance Qatar’s international standing through its participation in global events concerned with preserving documentary heritage, affirming its commitment to protecting historical archives that reflect Qatari identity. Believing in the importance of documenting national memory, the National Archives seeks to exchange expertise with specialized international institutions, which contributes to enhancing the efficiency of digital preservation and enhances communities’ awareness of the importance of preserving documentary heritage as part of the shared human memory.

In line with the anniversary of the ongoing war, Alaraby TV has launched a new programme titled Fi Zamn Alharb – Taqdeer Mawqif (In Times of War – Situation Assessment), which covers the developments in Gaza and Lebanon. Hosted by Khaled al-Gharabli and Wael al-Tamimi, the programme aims to provide Arab viewers with an in-depth analysis of the escalating conflicts in the Middle East. The programme brings together a range of politicians, academics and experts from various fields to offer insight into the political, economic, and military dynamics shaping the region, with the aim of informing viewers of the realities behind the headlines and to raise pressing questions about the Middle East’s future amidst renewed geopolitical tensions. In the first episodes, the programme hosted former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher, who discussed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision for a “New Middle East”, emphasising the absence of a strong Arab project to counter these initiatives. Military affairs expert Dr Omar Ashour provided an analysis of the military realities in Gaza and Lebanon and the obstacles facing Netanyahu’s plans. The programme also welcomed former Lebanese minister Dr Tarek Mitri, who shared his perspective on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 as a solution to halt the current Israeli aggression on Lebanon. In a special episode, the programme hosted former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to discuss Western protests against Israeli violations in Gaza and Lebanon and the reasons why these protests have not developed into an influential movement. The programme’s creators also announced an exclusive interview with Hamas leader Osama Hamdan to discuss the future of the movement following the death of its political bureau chief Yahya Sinwar. In Times of War – Situation Assessment airs Sunday to Wednesday at 10pm Doha time, in addition to being available on Alaraby TV’s platforms. Alongside its analytical content, the programme enhances the information presented with the 3D graphics technology to place viewers at the heart of events.