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Thursday, February 13, 2025 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
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 Tawfik Lamari
Tawfik Lamari
Tawfik Lamari is an editor at Gulf Times. He has several years of mainstream media experience in fortes such as culture, health, social issues, environment and has covered various events across MENA.
Part of the seminar
Qatar
“The Gulf and its Historical Memory” discussed within Seminar Season

The Ministry of Culture’s “Seminar Season” in its 4th edition, held the second seminar on Wednesday in partnership with Qatar University (QU) and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, titled “The Gulf and its Historical Memory”.The seminar witnessed the participation of HE Khalid bin Ghanem al Ali, Member of the Shura Council, Dr Amna Sadiq, Assistant Professor at the Gulf Studies Center at QU, and Dr Al Anoud al Khalifa, Researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, and was moderated by Iman al Kaabi, Director of the Qatar Media Center. The seminar shed light on the dimensions of historical memory in the Arabian Gulf region and its role in shaping cultural and social identity.HE Khalid bin Ghanem al Ali, said in his presentation titled “Forming Historical Memory” in which he addressed three main axes: memory as a historical source, forming historical memory, and how to reach a reliable historical memory. He stressed that the historian must not accept historical writing from any source without criticism, because it is subject to distortion and projections, but he must strive to compare texts with each other and criticize them. So that he can correct what was intruded into them, to come out of them with a narrative closer to the historical truth. Al Ali said: In order to build a historical memory that can be trusted, and to go beyond the traditional or unconventional and uncritical historical memory, serious Gulf historians must rewrite their history to determine its objectivity or the accuracy of the image conveyed about their societies, which in turn constitutes the historical memory.Al Ali called for the necessity of giving greater value to the local memory that was recorded by its actors, such as the Diwan of Sheikh Jassim, which must come at the forefront of the sources from which we draw the Qatari historical memory, and here we will achieve two goals: the first is either correcting the recovered memory or correcting the recovered memory of the local memory.Al Ali believed that in order to come up with a reliable historical memory, we need several approaches, the most important of which are: going beyond narrative and descriptive writing (traditional history), to the stage of understanding. Then applying scientific theories and methodologies in other social and human sciences such as philosophy and sociology.Dr Al Anoud al Khalifa presented a paper titled “Collective Identity in the Arab Gulf States between Past and Future. Museums as a Model”, in which she explained that the Gulf identity was the result of intertwined historical paths of social, political and economic interactions that shaped the features of belonging over time.She pointed out that collective memory is not merely a retrieval of the past, but rather a dynamic process that constantly reshapes identity according to the transformations witnessed by the region.Dr Al Khalifa explained that the Gulf identity was not fixed or closed, but rather evolved throughout history as a result of political, economic and social variables. Stressing that history is not viewed as a static reality, but rather as a flexible source through which the collective identity is reproduced.She pointed out that Gulf museums provide a model that reflects this development, as their function is not limited to preserving the past, but rather they are living spaces that highlight the ongoing transformations in identity across generations.Dr Amna Sadiq highlighted that the memory of place in the Gulf is an essential element in shaping the Gulf identity. As the Gulf person sees himself as a son of the desert and the sea, in reference to his cultural and economic identity.Dr Sadiq explained that throughout history, the sea has been a source of livelihood through trade, pearl diving and fishing, while the desert has shaped the Bedouin lifestyle, which has reinforced the values of independence and perseverance among the people of the Gulf.She pointed out that the concept of identity goes beyond the environmental dimension to the geographical and national dimension. As the Gulf person describes himself as “son of the Gulf”, referring to the sea that borders the countries of the region, which makes the Arabian Gulf a geographical space for the collective memory of the Gulf. On the local level, the connection of a person to his place of origin is reflected in his description as “son of the neighborhood”, village or city, which reflects the deep connection to the nearby social and cultural environment.Dr Sadiq added that the memory of place in the Gulf was not immune to rapid changes, as the region witnessed multiple oil booms that contributed to reshaping the infrastructure. As the Gulf cities that the population knew in the fifties and sixties of the last century were transformed into modern urban centers at the end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the new millennium.The seminar season will continue until February 25.

HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, with other dignitaries attending the seminar
Qatar
Culture minister opens 4th edition of 'Seminar Season'

HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture, has inaugurated the 4th edition of the "Seminar Season", which is held in partnership with Qatar University and the Arab Center for Studies.As part of the continuous efforts and the ministry's firm approach to establishing a prominent platform for serious and in-depth cultural and intellectual dialogue on the most prominent cultural and societal issues. The opening was attended by a number of Sheikhs and ambassadors accredited to the state, a number of senior officials and an elite of intellectuals.Jassim Salman, General Supervisor of the seminar season, said in an introductory speech: "The 'Seminar Season' has become an annual platform to enhance in-depth cultural and intellectual dialogue on the most prominent contemporary cultural and societal issues."The Ministry of Culture aims, through the "Seminar Season", which continues until Feb 25, to enhance its efforts in building fruitful cultural partnerships with active parties in society.The event opened with a seminar held at the Sheraton Hotel under the title "Arab Cultural Discourse in the West", in which Jack Lang, former French minister of culture, President of the Arab World Institute in Paris, and Iraqi writer Shawqi Abdul Amir, Director of the Arab World Institute in Paris, participated.Lang praised the cultural and creative level in Qatar, and the cultural renaissance it is witnessing at all levels. Especially in terms of infrastructure, as it has many museums, libraries, and cultural institutions that consolidate the Qatari presence in the global cultural scene. In addition to the educational system the country enjoys, and its expansion in establishing educational schools, including the "Voltaire" School, and its role in spreading the French language.He spoke about the richness of the Arabic language, noting that it is one of the most spoken languages in the world, and one of the oldest living languages today, and is characterised by an exceptional linguistic wealth.He stressed that Arabic had the merit of transferring sciences and knowledge, as it was a bridge between the ancient world, such as the Greek world, and the Western world, as a large part of Greek philosophy reached us through it, as well as mathematics.Thanks to it, texts were preserved, such as "One Thousand and One Nights", which were transferred in some cases thanks to French Arabists, but remained in essence Arabic. He added: Arabic was also a language of science. The scientific and mathematical knowledge that we know today owes a lot to Arabic, stressing that the whole world owes the Arabic language countless contributions. Lang spoke about the institute's efforts to enhance the presence of Arabic in France, where the institute established a special section for the Arabic language. He said: The Arab World Institute in Paris organised an event last year that included the Arab Thought Forum, which lasted for a week, during which an elite group of thinkers in the Arab world were invited.One of the features of Lang’s interest in the Arabic language is his authorship of a book five years ago titled "The Arabic Language, the Treasure of France", attributing his choice of this title to the great influence of the Arabic language in France and its remarkable impact on society. Lang explained that a generation grew up in France that was raised on the Arabic language, as Arabic is the second language in France, after the mother tongue, and that there are millions who speak it in France.Recalling the historical interest in the Arabic language in France, since the reign of King François I, referring to the "Avenue" Festival, the new edition of which is scheduled to be held on July 14. He said: The upcoming edition of this festival will witness the honouring of the Arabic language, based on the festival's honouring of living languages in each session, and that its upcoming session will include the Arabic language in all its activities, in addition to the French language. As the festival will witness a musical event about the late Arab Lady Singer, Umm Kulthum, and will also witness the honouring of poetry and music in the Arab world, which reflects the great importance that the Arabic language enjoys in France, making it a treasure for the world, not just for France.Writer Shawqi Abdul Amir spoke about the challenges facing the Arabic language in the West, pointing out that there is a gap between the greatness of the Arabic language and our ability as individuals to communicate it to the world in reality.As there are, from his point of view, three main obstacles, which he called the past, orality, and stereotyping, calling for a discourse that focuses on origins and heritage but does not rely entirely on this legacy without actual renewal.In addition to interest in documentation and recording, as the West does not easily accept oral discourse, calling for confronting the prevailing stereotype in the West about the Arab world.

Poster of the Ducumentary
Qatar
"The World Cup of Dreams and Legacy" screening by Al Al Araby+ TV on QNSD celebration

Al Araby+ TV Network is to broadcast on its digital platform Al Arabiya+ and Al Arabiya 2 a documentary entitled "Qatar 2022: The World Cup of Dreams and Legacy", which tells the story of Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for nearly an hour. Tracing the stages of achieving the Qatari dream since it was an idea proposed in 2010, through the various stages of planning and hard work over twelve years.The film reviews the behind-the-scenes efforts for years from within the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the first Qatari entity responsible for organising the tournament. Through testimonies of leading Qatari figures including HE Hassan al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Committee, HE Nasser al Khater, CEO of the tournament, and Fatima al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Communications and Media. They addressed the challenges of Qatar organising the global event, and the story of the success of Qatar in confronting malicious campaigns.The film also reviews the testimony of the famous Qatari engineer Ibrahim al-Jaidah, the designer of the unique Al-Thumama Stadium inspired by the Qatari Gahfia. As well as the testimony of engineer Mohammed al-Mulla, who played a prominent role in establishing the famous 974 Stadium, and engineer Yasser al-Mulla, who was responsible for beautifying and equipping the stadium lawns.The film also includes interviews with Arab and foreign historians and important Qatari figures, who discussed the role of the championship in introducing Qatari culture to the world. Including Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, in addition to a special appearance by Qatari football star Khalid Salman and influencer Ahmed Batou, who touched on the inspiring humanitarian moments witnessed by the tournament.For his part, Mohamed Abu al-Ainain, Director of Programs Sector at Al-Arabiya TV, confirmed that the production of the film took about a year, with keenness to show the real makers of the tournament, while Dina al-Demerdash, Head of Documentary Management at Al-Arabiya TV, confirmed the film's work team's keenness to produce an entertaining work that achieves the element of enjoyment for the Arab viewer. In addition to its role in documenting the event, the details of which and the backstage of its organisation have never been told in this way before. The film will be shown for the first time on Tuesday, February 11, which is Qatar Sports Day, at exactly 21:00 Al QUDS Time, corresponding to 10:00 pm Doha time.

A heritage band performing at the event
Qatar
Iraqi Cultural Week continues to captivate visitors at 'Darb Al Saai'

The Iraqi Cultural Week continues to captivate visitors at Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal. Lovers of Iraqi arts and heritage gathered to enjoy a rich cultural experience that highlights the diversity and richness of Iraqi arts. Friday's activities included musical and artistic performances by Iraqi artistes, amidst remarkable public interaction that reflects the passion for the authentic Iraqi cultural heritage. The activities began with the presentation of musical pieces and pieces that took the audience on a journey through the musical history of Iraq. The performances included examples of the *jalgi and the Baghdad square, which are two of the most prominent forms of traditional music that express the spirit of Baghdad and its cultural memory, where the melodies of the *qanun and the *joza harmonised with the rhythms of the tambourine and the tabla, to create a vibrant musical atmosphere. On the other hand, the Bashtabiya Heritage Band and the Iraqi Al-Jubi Band presented distinctive heritage shows that reflected the cultural diversity in the various governorates of Iraq. The National Folk Arts Band dazzled the audience with a group of folkloric paintings that embodied Iraqi customs and traditions through traditional dances and costumes, in an exceptional scene that combined the folk tale with the creative movement. Iraqi singer Aseel Hameem expressed her great happiness to participate in this cultural event, and to present Iraqi culture through song and folk heritage. She said that this event is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the Gulf and Arab audience to the aesthetics and authenticity of Iraqi art. The activities of the Iraqi Cultural Week highlight the rich diversity of the country's heritage. Concluding Sunday, the week offers a unique experience to the public. The week aim to enhance dialogue between cultures, encourage cultural and artistic communication between creators from different countries, highlight local and international cultural and artistic heritage, and support talents in the creative, cultural and artistic fields.

Director Jamel Dallali
Qatar
Bourguiba’s Women, documentary first public screening by Al Jazeera in Qatar

The Novo Cinema Hall in the Pearl area in Doha has witnessed the first public screening of the documentary film “Bourguiba’s Women”, produced by Al Jazeera Documentary and directed by Jamel Dallali. The screening was attended by a large audience, led by Mustafa Souag, Acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, along with a number of media figures, in addition to a remarkable presence of the Tunisian community in Qatar. In an exclusive statement to Gulf Times, Jamel Dallali said: “The idea started in 2019 and since then the research process began, which was a long and arduous process. The film wanted to raise, I would not say, a problem, but a controversial topic in Tunisia, the legacy of Habib Bourguiba regarding women. I wanted this film to be an objective testimony, based mainly on documents, and archives, about Bourguiba's relationship with women through three cases: his relationship with his mother, his relationship with his first wife Mathilde (French born who became Tunisian, and after the independence converted to Islam and took the name "Moufida" on 25 October 1958), and his relationship with his second wife Wassila.” Dallali highlighted that “this film shows that Bourguiba's relationship with the topic of women is a dialectical relationship, and it is a complex relationship. It shows achievements that Bourguiba had a great influence on, but there are other achievements that Bourguiba, I would not say invested in, but built on. Considering that the topic of women in Tunisia has been raised since the mid-19th century and many books have been written on the topic of women's liberation. Perhaps the most important book is Tahar Haddad's book "Our Women in Sharia and Society." Dallali added: “Also, Bourguiba's relationship with women through power is also a very important topic, which the documentary tried to highlight objectively and in a way that tries to rely as much as possible on documents and archives.” Concerning the references used, Dallali said: “The most important reference was Bourguiba's speeches, as he gave a series of speeches to journalism and media students in 1973, so this was the basic material as it was the testimony of the concerned person himself. Also, a large group of books were written, from which we relied on 7 or 8 sources. There was also a very large archive of photos and videos as well as some documents, whether in newspapers or in correspondence from the US State Department or others, whose subject was generally about Bourguiba's relationship with women. There were photos that could be considered personal documents, as they were photos from Habib Bourguiba's personal photographer, and we were able to obtain a number of them, some of which appeared for the first time, as we obtained them from the personal photographer accompanying Bourguiba.” In his interview with the “Documentary” website, director Jamal Dallali said that the reactions to the film were positive. Especially after the controversy that its title sparked before its screening to the public. He added that work is underway to schedule cinema screenings in Tunisia before it is shown soon on Al Jazeera Documentary. Ahmed Mahfouz, Director of Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, explained that the screening of the film comes within the framework of the channel’s celebration of the 18th anniversary of its launch. Mahfouz pointed out that the film presents a different reading of history, through the director's subjective approach in exploring some of the historical features of the late Tunisian president Bourguiba, which intersect with pivotal transformations in Tunisia's history. "Bourguiba's Women" deals with unexplored aspects of Bourguiba's relationship with Tunisian women, shedding light on the image that has been established about him in this context, and the legal legislation that constituted a turning point in the history of women's and family rights in Tunisia.

Gulf Times
Qatar
QYH forum discusses lessons in travel and cultural exploration

Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH), in co-operation with Asjad Club and the Student Representative Council of the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University, organised the second session of the Youth Hostels Forum titled ‘Traveling Between Countries to Discover Humanity’.In this regard, Abdullah Saeed, Head of Public Relations and Communications at QYH, said: “After the success of the first session in the Youth Hostels Forum, we organised the second session in co-operation with Asjad Club and the Student Representative Council of the College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University titled ‘Traveling Between Countries to Discover Humanity’ and the guest of the session was Dr Nasser Saqr al-Mohannadi.“We chose the doctor based on the great achievement he made as the first Qatari to visit 218 countries across the world in 40 years. During the session, the Qatari traveller Nasser al-Mohannadi shared with us his experiences, as well as the human, cultural and natural explorations and the importance of knowledge and cultural exchange between us and the world.”On the other hand, Adeeb al-Shabrami, President of Asjad Club and the Student Representative Council of the College of Arts and Sciences, said: “We are pleased with this first and successful co-operation with QYH. We always focus at Asjad Club on international topics, but this session is exceptional, especially since we learned about the cultural, civilizational and political experiences that the traveller Dr Nasser al-Mohannadi went through in every country he visited.“We have always learned that travel provides lessons in science and knowledge and exposure to other cultures that add to us as Qatari youth.”Saeed said: “We always aim at QYH to highlight the role of Qatari youth in all fields, especially tourism, in addition to supporting Qatari youth in all sectors, believing in their influence and successful leadership of events.”

Their excellencies the ministers being shown a Najfi Bisht by an Iraqi Bisht maker. PICTURE: Thajudheen
Qatar
Minister of Culture opens Iraqi Cultural Week at Darb al-Saai

HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture, and HE Dr Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities of the Republic of Iraq, inaugurated on Thursday the activities of the Iraqi Cultural Week in Qatar, at the permanent headquarters of Darb al- Saai in Umm Salal, which will continue until February 9.The opening was attended by HE Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani, Minister of Transport, and a number of ambassadors to the country and officials.On the occasion, Abdulrahman Abdullah al-Dulaimi, Director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Culture, said that the Iraqi Cultural Week comes within the framework of the cultural events programme that the ministry includes within its annual activities with brotherly and friendly countries, with the aim of strengthening cultural relations and cultural diplomacy.Al-Dulaimi explained that it represents an opportunity to explore the cultural and artistic diversity of Iraq, which combines ancient heritage and contemporary creativity, and reflects the strength of cultural relations between Qatar and Iraq, and the keenness of the Ministry of Culture to provide events that enrich the local cultural scene, and open new horizons for cultural dialogue and artistic exchange.The Director of the Department of Culture indicated that the Iraqi Cultural Week will present, throughout its days, an integrated cultural experience that reflects the authenticity of Iraqi arts, through musical performances, art exhibitions and traditional crafts that embody the rich heritage of Iraq, indicating that culture is one of the most important bridges of communication between peoples, and a platform for enhancing mutual understanding.The events of the first day witnessed musical performances and pieces by the Chalgi and the Baghdadi square, a performance by the Bashtabiya Heritage Band and the Iraqi Jubi Band, in addition to a concert by the National Band for Iraqi Musical Heritage led by Maestro Alaa Majeed on the main stage at Darb Al Saai. Tomorrow will witness folkloric heritage paintings by the National Band for Folk Arts, heritage performances by the Iraqi House of Fashion and the works of designer Alaa Al Saadoun, and a concert by the Al Khashab Basra Band.

Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief, Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka with Albert 'Nino' Reyos wearing a Qatari Bisht. PICTURES: Thajudheen
Qatar
American Indian art envoys in awe of Qatar culture

On the occasion of their inaugural visit to Qatar, Albert 'Nino' Reyos, the Native American leader of the US Arts envoys, expressed his pride in donning the Qatari Bisht at a ceremony at Gulf Times Wednesday.“I will cherish it for the rest of my life”, Nino remarked after Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief, Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka draped the Bisht over his shoulders, during an exchange of cultural gifts.The leader of the American Indian arts envoys, Nino, was raised on the Ute reservation in Northeastern Utah. He is a member of both the Laguna Pueblo and Northern Ute Indian Nations.In an interview with Gulf Times, Nino said: “There are similarities between our culture and the Arab culture. We have our own ways of life, whether spiritual, traditions and history. I have noticed during our visit that you have similar strong traditions, ways of life, and history that goes back for generations. Also how you evolve into more modern ways of life and keep your traditions.”On the souvenirs that he will take with him, Nino said: “Of course, I would recommend my fellow people to visit Qatar, it was certainly an opportunity to learn and expand our knowledge and experience about the similarities as well as the differences of different people. To travel across the world allows one to understand the culture, the ways of life and the history of other people. It was really important to have this opportunity and to be able to visit Qatar.”Concerning the impression that they have experienced in their interaction with Qatari people, Nino said: “I will take with me a whole lot of knowledge, the people here are so welcoming, the interesting traditions, the friendship, the hospitality of the different organisations that we have visited, and the excitement of the young people whom we saw already learning about our ways of life. I will also take with me the understanding of other people’s excitement about learning about our culture as well as we want to learn about your culture.”The six Native American cultural ambassadors were equally excited and appreciative of their visit to Qatar. Representing multiple tribes including the Diné (Navajo), Ute, and Pueblo peoples, their week-long Qatar visit is concluding tomorrow (Friday).This ensemble brings together award-winning artists and cultural educators whose combined experience spans decades of preserving and sharing traditions through performance, music, art, and storytelling. The group includes recognied cultural leaders such as Miss Indian World 2024-2025, master flute performers, champion dancers, and respected craftsmen and women. Each member brings unique expertise in bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary presentation, creating meaningful cross-cultural exchanges that promote understanding and respect for Indigenous ways of life.

Gulf Times
Qatar
Iraqi Cultural Week to kick off on Thursday

The Ministry of Culture has announced the launch of the Iraqi Cultural Week, which is being organised at the permanent headquarters of Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal, next Thursday.The Iraqi Cultural Week comes within the framework of enhancing bilateral cultural co-operation between Qatar and Iraq.There will be many activities from February 6-9 that highlight the richness and diversity of Iraqi cultural heritage, with the participation of an elite group of craftsmen and specialists from Iraq.The Iraqi Cultural Week offers a unique experience that allows members of the public to experience Iraqi heritage through daily artistic and theatrical performances, in addition to exhibitions of fine arts and traditional crafts.These activities are aimed at introducing the public to the different Iraqi cultures, enhance dialogue between cultures, and encourage cultural and artistic communication between creators from different countries.It also seeks to highlight local and international cultural and artistic heritage, and support talents in various creative fields.“The Iraqi Cultural Week comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts to enhance cultural diplomacy, and represents an opportunity to explore the cultural and artistic diversity of Iraq, which combines ancient heritage and contemporary creativity,” said Abdulrahman al-Dulaimi, the director of the Department of Culture and Arts at the ministry. “It also reflects the strength of cultural relations between Qatar and Iraq, and the Ministry of Culture’s keenness to present events that enrich the local cultural scene, and open new horizons for cultural dialogue and artistic exchange.”

Gulf Times
Qatar
Ministry celebrates Tunisian heritage at Beit Al Sulaiti

Beit Al Sulaiti, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, hosted a cultural evening for members of the Tunisian community to expand the horizons of cultural communication and highlight the value of Tunisian heritage.The event, an initiative that reflects the depth of cultural relations between Qatar and Tunisia, is aimed at reviving the spirit of belonging to the homeland, highlight Tunisian cultural heritage, and introduce the community in Qatar to Tunisia’s cultural diversity.The evening witnessed a diverse and rich programme that celebrated Tunisian cultural heritage.The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a musical piece performed by student Maryam Yousfi.Poet Bilal Bouani presented the poem *In Love with Beloved Qatar, expressing feelings of gratitude and love for Qatar.This was followed with *Committed by poet Ali Attri, which carried intellectual and human dimensions in its meanings.The evening also witnessed a talk by Palestinian Dr Wael Shadid about the Palestinian cause.There was a poem by Shawqi Mashli in a distinctive recitation that reflects the brilliance of words and sincerity of feelings.The cultural evening for the sons of the Tunisian community included the anthem of the Tunisian School Choir in Doha in a lyrical performance on the beauty and love for the homeland.The Ministry of Culture organises cultural events targeting different age groups and works to support artists and intellectuals, encouraging creativity and innovation.

Saud Ali al-Shammari
Qatar
"From the Qatari Theater" book Launch at CIBF 2025

The Levant House pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) 2025 witnessed the signing ceremony of the book From the Qatari Theatre by Saud Ali al-Shammari.The book includes two theatrical texts, Lafeef and Ibn Maskeen.Al-Shammari said on the sidelines of the signing ceremony that this work is part of a series that he started in 2018 to document theatre scene in Qatar."This is the second book in the series, and it contains two theatrical texts, Lafeef is a new text, while Ibn Maskeen was inspired by the idea of the book Inspiration of the Pen,” he said. “The challenge for me was to transform the story into a dramatic theatrical text that can be performed on stage."“The text of Lafif revolves around an 80-year-old man who falls into a coma, and when he wakes up, he recalls his memories and reviews his entire life,” al-Shammari said. “Ibn Maskeen deals with a story inspired by Arabic literature, in an artistic experiment in an attempt to transform classical texts into a lively theatrical work."Theatre critic Dr Hassan Rashid, who wrote the introduction to the book, said: “I consider Saud al-Shammari my ‘son’, and my role as a critic is to support all young creators in Qatar, to prove that our country is not only an oil country, but has creative energies that communicate with thought and culture.”“This work delves into Islamic history and reflects the identity of Qatari theatre,” he added.Rashid stressed that al-Shammari’s participation in the CIBF 2025 is an important opportunity to present his creativity to a wide audience, considering that the exhibition represents a cultural platform of great value in the Arab world.

First place winner the 1A yearling fillies category, "Qamaria". PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam
Qatar
Katara International Arabian Horse Festival launched

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the activities and competitions of the 5th edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF), organised by Katara Cultural Village in cooperation with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, kicked off Wednesday evening to continue until February 8. The first day of the festival at Katara witnessed the visit of a number of dignitaries and Their Excellencies the ambassadors accredited to the state, in addition to those interested and media professionals specialised in covering such events from inside and outside Qatar. The festival opened its competitions with the qualifiers for the Arabian Peninsula Purebred Arabian Horse Championship, which recorded the participation of 207 horses from 6 countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, and will continue until February 1, 2025. While the second Arabian Horse Tour 2025 will start on February 5. 304 horses have been registered from the following countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Oman. It is worth noting that this championship, the Arabian Horse Championship, is sponsored by Nasser Bin Khaled Group as the diamond sponsor, Ali Bin Ali Luxury as the platinum sponsor, Ooredoo as the communications sponsor, Qatar Insurance Group as the exclusive insurance sponsor, Al Kass Channels as the official broadcaster, and social media sponsors Q-Minution and Socast. In the 1A yearling fillies category, "Qamaria", owned by Al Hamama Stud from Qatar, won first place, "Hamamat Al Salam", owned by Al Salam Stud, came in second place, and "JJ Majestica", owned by Al Nasser Stud, came in third place. In the 1B yearling fillies category, "Anhajiyyah Al Shaqab", owned by Al Shaqab, came in first place, "Mayassa Al Zain", owned by Dr. Bashar Al Sayed, came in second place, and "Al Jawhara Abhar", owned by Abhar Stud, came in third place. In the A4 category for yearling colts, Saif Al Wadi, owned by Al Wadi Stud, came in second place, Ragheed Al Saree’, owned by Al Saree’ Stud, came in third, and Lamah Afaq, owned by Mohammed Al Nuaimi, came in third. In the 4B yearling colts category, De Saden, owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud in the UAE, came in first, Ibn Al Naif, owned by Al Naif Stud, came in second, and Al Rayyan Al Ataq, owned by Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, came in third. The championship competitions continue Thursday with the competitions for two-year-old fillies, three-year-old fillies, two-year-old colts, and three-year-old colts. The Arabian Peninsula Purebred Horse Championship witnesses the participation of 14 judges, 9 of whom are on the ground for the qualifying categories and 11 on the ground for the championships. The electronic scoring system evaluates horses based on 5 criteria: type, head, neck, body, legs, and movement. The championship follows arbitration systems according to fixed standards and clear rules recognized globally by the International Association of Athletics Federations (EAHO) and the Blue Book rules. In addition, the arbitrators must be highly qualified and have extensive experience, as they are carefully selected by the organization, in order to ensure the integrity of the competitions, maintain the structure of the championship, and deepen its spread. The Public Institution Katara Cultural Village on Wednesday inaugurated a mural of the mare "Kaya", which won the title of champion of horse beauty competitions, on the facade of Building No. 16 in Katara. This mural was created by the international artist Fintan Scott Magee, who excelled in embodying the beauty and grace of purebred Arabian horses in an artistic style that reflects the spirit of equestrianism and the antiquity of Arabian horse breeds. Prof. Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al Sulaiti, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation, stressed that this mural constitutes a qualitative addition to the cultural and artistic scene in Katara, as it reflects the status of the Arabian horse in the Qatari heritage, and enhances Katara's role as a leading destination in celebrating art and culture.

Dr Hanan al Fayyadh
Qatar
Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation honours media and cultural institutions at QPC

The "Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding", in cooperation with the Qatar Press Center (QPC), organised a ceremony to honour the partners of success from media and cultural institutions. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the launch of the award, the ceremony witnessed the attendance of the award's media team, officials from the Qatar Press Center, in addition to officials from media and cultural institutions, and representatives of local media and press.Dr Hanan al Fayyadh, the official spokesperson and media advisor for the award, said: “This day bears a distinctive mark in our journey of achievement. Last December, we celebrated the honouring of the winners of the "Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding", and we said at the time that we had spent a full decade of achievement. Today, we stand to confirm that our success was not an individual act, but rather the fruit of an extended partnership, created by the media institutions that were the extended hand to us. And the partners of success who contributed to us occupying the first place in the world in the field of translation.Praising the media institutions themselves, which led the award with its legitimate conditions that we move from being just an idea and an award that honours the translator to being a platform under which all translators and even some intellectuals who are interested in translation work will remain.Saad Al-Rumaihi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Press Center, said: Today, we stand with respect and appreciation before an award that bears a name dear to all our hearts, which is the name of HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, may God protect him, who has written throughout his career bright pages of giving to his country and the Arab and Islamic nation. He added: The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding is one of the pillars of the cultural renaissance adopted by Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. It is an award that transcends borders, transferring sciences and knowledge from all languages of the world to Arabic and vice versa, in a cultural and humanitarian project that enriches the mind and brings peoples closer.Al-Rumaihi praised the award's media team that travels the world to communicate with scholars, thinkers and writers, and quotes from their cultural treasure, to translate and transmit it to us. Pointing out that this work requires creativity and honesty, because translation is building a solid bridge between two languages and cultures, so that the spirit and originality of the text are transmitted smoothly and beautifully. Al-Rumaihi concluded by saying: We need more efforts that highlight the importance of translation as a means of transferring knowledge and linking cultures, especially since foreign sources, such as international news, are characterized by depth and comprehensiveness. Translators must be innovative and accurate to give the Arab reader a rich cultural experience that matches the original text.Dr Emtenan al-Samadi, a member of the award’s media team, said: “I am honoured to stand before you as we celebrate a decade of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, this pioneering idea that has provided the highest meanings of appreciation to those who have shouldered the mission of conveying human thought and translating it into the world’s different languages.The ceremony concluded with the distribution of commemorative shields and certificates of appreciation to Qatari media outlets as the partners and contributors to the success of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding. This honour came in appreciation of their distinguished efforts in supporting the award's message, and enhancing its role as a global platform for spreading knowledge and building bridges of communication between cultures. And as a culmination of a journey of joint work and giving, as it reflected the values of gratitude and recognition of the efforts that contributed to transforming the award into an international beacon in the world of translation, and a space that brings together thought and humanity.

Abdulwahid al-Alami (left) and Abdulrahman al-Marri at the press conference.
Qatar
Arabic Book Award ceremony set for Feb 8

The Qatar Press Center (QPC) has hosted a press conference to announce the participation and the date of the ceremony to honour the winners of the Arabic Book Award.The annual award based in Doha, aims to honour researchers, publishing houses, and institutions contributing to the Arabic book industry.The press conference, which was held at the QPC, announced that the ceremony to honour the winners of the Arabic Book Award will be held on Feb 8.The conference was attended by Abdullah bin Hayi al-Sulaiti, vice-chairman of the board of directors; Abdulrahman al-Marri, media adviser to the award; Abdulwahid al-Alami, executive director of the award; a group of writers and those interested in cultural affairs. Abdulrahman al-Marri praised the fruitful co-operation between the award and the QPC, which was embodied in the signing of a co-operation agreement in May of last year.He said: “The joint co-operation between the two parties is a qualitative step towards enhancing the media and cultural presence of the award, which contributes to highlighting its goals and message on a wider scale.”Al-Marri stressed that the QPC is a strategic partner in supporting cultural and media initiatives, noting that activating the agreement enhances the impact of the award on the Arab cultural scene.Al-Marri presented a comprehensive summary of the achievements of the award and its cultural role during its founding session, noting that the award took a long time of planning, meetings and brainstorming to crystallise its vision and cultural message.He said: “The founding team succeeded in formulating a vision aimed at supporting the Arab book in specific fields of knowledge, contributing to enriching the library and Arab societies.”He explained that the award, which will honour the winners on February 8, aims to contribute to enriching the Arab library. By encouraging individuals and institutions to provide the best knowledge production in the social and human sciences, honouring serious studies and introducing them and praising the efforts of their owners. In addition, it supports leading publishing houses, to improve the quality of the Arabic book in form and content. He pointed out that the award consists of five fields of knowledge within two main frameworks: social and human sciences, religious and legal sciences, and includes the categories of the single book and remarkable achievement.

A view from a session.
Qatar
Annual Palestine Forum concludes in Doha

The third Annual Palestine Forum concluded in Doha Monday. The three-day forum hosted Palestinian and non-Palestinian researchers from around the world who presented research on topics related to Palestine, the war of extermination, its effects and repercussions.The forum dealt with history of Palestine, the Palestinian cause, the apartheid system and settler colonialism, Palestine in Arab relations, Palestine in international relations, and other related issues.In addition to presenting 93 peer-reviewed scientific papers distributed over seven sessions, each containing four parallel tracks, the forum included three public seminars distributed over the days of the forum, and a closed workshop that included three roundtables, in which a number of prominent academics and political activists participated.___________________________________Read also:Call to focus Gaza reconstruction on human well-being, socio-spatial recovery___________________________________The sixth session of the forum was held in four parallel sub-tracks. The first track was titled “Collective Memory between the Nakba and the War of Genocide”, the second track was “Genocide, Settler Colonialism and Apartheid”, the third track was titled “The Annihilation of Education in the Gaza Strip (2)”, the fourth track was “Transformations in Society and State in Israel in Light of the War of Extermination on the Gaza Strip”.The seventh session of the forum was held in three parallel sub-tracks and was organised by the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS). The first track was titled “The Economic Impact of Settlements in the West Bank”, the second track was “Gaza after the Aggression: A Future Perspective”, the third track was “On the Palestinian Economy and its Implications”.A workshop was also held on the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule between 2007-2023, consisting of three roundtables, with the participation of a group of researchers, experts, activists, and media professionals.In conclusion, the forum organised a general symposium titled “The Israeli Aggression on Gaza: Scenarios for the Post-War of Extermination” chaired by Lord Habash. Ali Shaath, Aid Yaghi, Hani Al-Masri, and Tariq Hamoud spoke about several scenarios for the post-war of extermination and the future of Gaza, addressing political options, their dimensions, and the regional impact on the future of Gaza, as well as the strategies required to enhance Palestinian steadfastness in the face of Israeli displacement plans. The symposium also addressed American and Israeli projects for the day after in Gaza, as well as the future of Hamas. This was followed by a rich discussion in which academics, journalists, and activists participated, addressing a number of issues and questions about the expected scenarios for the post-war of extermination in Gaza.The forum concluded with closing remarks presented by Ayat Hamdan, the forum co-ordinator, expressing the forum’s co-ordination committee’s thanks to all participating academics, experts and activists, as well as the various teams that contributed to the success of the third session of the forum, including researchers at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Institute for Palestine Studies.

Dr Sahera Bleibleh
Qatar
Call to focus Gaza reconstruction on human well-being, socio-spatial recovery

Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Annual Palestine Forum in Doha Monday, Dr Sahera Bleibleh, an associate professor at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al Ain, UAE, commented on the needs for Gaza reconstruction. “It is really very critical at this point, people need homes, and they should be housed. They require fundamental needs, like food, shelter and security or safety. Providing this, requires very quick emergency plans. We need to think on how to provide the temporary hubs and shelters, with decent temporary infrastructure, that provide a hygienic environment, decent living and basics for them to feel that they are gaining back their dignity, their well-being and they can start somewhere,” said Dr. Bleibleh who specialises in architecture, urban design, and planning.In her presentation at the forum titled “Healing urbanism:Sustainable planning towards recovery and resilience in the Gaza Strip”, which Bleibleh co-authored with Dr Maha Samman where they focused on the Gaza strip under prolonged siege and urbicidal attacks, employing a qualitative approach, proposing a theoretical framework integrating post-war reconstruction and healing mechanisms. It suggests a three-layered process emphasising community well-being, spatial recovery, and collaborative governance involving stakeholders, grassroots participation, and socio-economic challenges. This framework guides urban policies and strategies, prioritising interventions based on community needs, securing resources, and ensuring sustainable recovery. By engaging people in the post-war reconstruction process, healing urbanism promotes empowerment, ownership, and long-term resilience, rebuilding both the physical and social fabric for a sustainable urban future.____________________________________Read also:Annual Palestine Forum concludes in Doha____________________________________Dr. Bleibleh was also recently nominated as an international fellow by Stanford Humanities Center. Her research examines colonial contexts, urbicide, and socio-spatial resilience. Supported by grants from prominent institutions, her work on urban violence and community resilience has been published internationally and presented at global conferences.Dr. Bleibleh added: “So far the people of Gaza have been taking care of themselves, they have been left alone. Building on the lessons that they have been teaching us, and learning themselves as well as surprising themselves actually, “the need is the mother of invention”. There is no ready recipe for this, but working hand in hand with the community, acknowledging what they have been going through, and taking all the psychological aspects in consideration will help them feel that they are a big community, that they are taken care of. We want them to stay, nobody wants to leave home, for home is the essence of our identity. This home needs to resemble also the sense of identity, sense of culture, and all the memories. All this will not come immediately, but it needs to be acknowledged. The acknowledgement is what makes people feel that they are not left alone. What about the people who are left without families and without homes, are not we supposed to take care of them as well. We have in our culture and practices, the communal habits, we make “Takia” (charity home), Zakat, we make food for all, we saw amazing examples during what has been happening. This will continue to happen because it is embodied with us,” Bleibleh said.

Naveen Shariff
Qatar
Study focuses on impact of Palestinian issue on global youth identity

Naveen Shariff is a public health researcher on a maternal health project in Pakistan, with extensive experience in both primary and secondary quantitative research. Her academic and professional interests span security, migration, post colonialism, regionalism, gender studies, and public health, with a focus on South Asia and the Middle East. Speaking to Gulf Times on the sideline of the third annual Palestine Forum, Shariff said, “I investigated the impact of live coverage of the genocide on social media and its impact on social identity of the global youth. I have been observing throughout the genocide that there is a lot of information that has been shared and it seems that there is a change in the tide. A lot of people are seeing the Palestinian side as well, and bringing pro-Palestinian prospective. So, this research seeks to understand this impact on the collective identity of global youth. It analyses the religious, political and national dimensions of their social identity, and answers important questions about the role of youth in mobilising social media for their benefit in navigating through a genocide. Data was collected from 77 respondents from 16 countries.” On the outcome of this research, Shariff added: “This research revealed that different aspects of youth social identity have been influenced by the genocide, primarily religious identity, followed by political identity. Additionally, it highlighted that different motivations can consolidate and result in a shared devotion to the Palestinian cause. Moreover, they view social media favourably despite expressing sadness, anger, and helplessness. They also feel a strong sense of responsibility to advocate for meaningful change both on the Palestinian and global front.” Naveen Shariff also presented during the second day of the forum a paper answering the question: “How does the ongoing coverage of the genocide in Gaza affect the collective identity of global youth on social media?”

Photo of a session in progress
Qatar
Palestine Forum discusses liberation, education and resistance on second day

The third annual Palestine Forum, organised by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in cooperation with the Institute for Palestine Studies, continued on its second day on Sunday. The activities were held in three sessions, each of which included four parallel tracks and a general symposium.The first session was held in four parallel sub-tracks. The first track was titled “Frames for Liberation”, the second track, “The Extermination of Education in the Gaza Strip (1)”, the third track, “Symbolic Representation of Palestinian Resistance”, the fourth track discussed “Jerusalem and the Policies of Erasure and Resistance”.The second session was held in four parallel tracks as well. The first track, “Palestinian Arabs in Israel and the Question of Citizenship”, the second track, “Palestinian Women in the Time of Genocide”, the third track was “Settlement in the West Bank”, the fourth track was “Tools of the Genocidal War on Gaza”.The third session was held in four parallel tracks. The first track was “Palestinian Refugees and the Right of Return: Memory and Place”, the second track, “Symbolic Representation of Palestinian Resistance: Literature, Education, and Popular Culture”, the third track, “Palestinian Youth and Digital Activism”, the fourth track was titled “The War on the West Bank and the Mechanisms of Colonial Control”.The second day of the forum concluded with a general symposium titled “Trump’s policy towards the Palestinian Cause in his second term: What Prospects?”The Palestine Forum will conclude Monday, in a similar parallel format; four tracks will be held in the first session, and three tracks in the second session. A general symposium titled "The Israeli aggression on Gaza: Scenarios after the genocidal war." A closed workshop will also be held tomorrow, extending throughout the day, entitled "Gaza under Hamas rule (2007-2023)."