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HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani on Thursday announced that US and Israeli delegations will arrive in Doha in the coming days to participate in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, adding that Qatar has communicated with Hamas leaders after the killing of the Palestinian movement’s political bureau chief Yahya Sinwar.Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Doha, HE Sheikh Mohammed said the teams will discuss ways in which a breakthrough can be achieved but did not specify when these negotiations will be held or whether Hamas will participate.Blinken said that negotiators will meet “in the coming days” to discuss reaching a truce in the Gaza Strip and releasing hostages, renewing his call for Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.Blinken told reporters after talks in Qatar, the main mediator in the negotiations, “We talked about options to take advantage of this moment and the next steps to move the process forward, and I expect our negotiators to meet in the coming days.”A senior Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the group had told Egyptian officials it was ready to stop fighting in Gaza if Israel committed to a ceasefire deal.HE the Prime Minister expressed Qatar’s condemnation of the Israeli blockade on northern Gaza, denouncing the systematic bombing of hospitals and refugee camps and the escalation of the situation to the point of “dropping explosive barrels on our brothers in Gaza”.HE Sheikh Mohammed said: “First, I would like to welcome my colleague, Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State. Of course, we meet after a year has passed since the war on the Gaza Strip and the development of this conflict reaching Lebanon and other regions in the Middle East.“The meeting was important and fruitful, as we had the opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the war on Gaza and the path to reaching a solution and the ongoing joint efforts between Qatar, the United States of America, the Arab Republic of Egypt and partners in the region to reach a solution to stop the war and release the hostages and prisoners.“Unfortunately, from the beginning of this war, we have been warning against the development and expansion of the conflict to other regions in the Middle East, and we see that the war has expanded to Lebanon and other regions. Therefore, discussion on ways to stop the war on Lebanon took up a large part of our discussions in order to reach an urgent solution to stop this aggression against our brotherly Lebanon and to adhere to the Security Council resolutions, especially Resolution 1701.“Unfortunately, in the past few days, we have seen an increase in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, especially in the northern region. We condemn this siege on northern Gaza and the systematic bombing of hospitals and refugee camps. We have seen the situation develop into the dropping of explosive barrels on our brothers in Gaza. We believe that this painful phase that we are going through in the region must end as soon as possible in order to protect the innocent and civilians in the region.”HE the prime minister continued: “We had the opportunity to talk about the importance of finding a sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue and of course what is called the day after Gaza, which is the path to peace in the region in general. Our discussions on this file were constructive discussions and there were many proposals and discussions about these proposals and how we can reach a stable and sustainable situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, leading to a sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue, and of course keeping the two-state solution as the main reference for this process.“The efforts to end the war have been ongoing since October 8, first to prevent the war from breaking out, and then also to prevent the expansion of the war and contain the conflict. As I mentioned, the efforts in November resulted in the release of some prisoners and hostages and a temporary ceasefire.Unfortunately, since that time, we have been trying as much as possible to reach an agreement to end this war. Unfortunately, the negotiations went through several stages in which there were great challenges, and every time we got closer to a solution, unfortunately, there was a regression in the steps.”In response to a question about whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was obstructing the negotiations, he said: “Through our role as a mediator, our policies are based on not saying who constitutes an obstacle, and not favouring one party over the other. You can go back to the negotiation process and see where it stopped at each stage, and it will be clear who stopped it at each stage.”Asked whether Qatar had contacted Hamas leaders after Sinwar’s assassination, he said, “We have resumed contact with representatives of the Hamas political bureau in Doha. We have held some meetings with them in the past few days. “Regarding the accusations made by the Israeli occupation against Al Jazeera journalists, HE Sheikh Mohammed said: “We are very proud of the Al Jazeera Foundation and its coverage of wars in the world, stressing that the Al Jazeera Network works according to the highest international standards and there is no justification for targeting journalists in conflict zones and excuses for that are unacceptable.”HE the Prime Minister thanked Blinken for the visit. “ We are certain that by committing to the partnership between Qatar, the countries of the region and the United States, we can achieve peace in the region.”Blinken said: “Allow me to express our appreciation for the essential and major role played by Qatar as an important partner in its attempt to bring peace and stability to the region.“Qatar plays a major and significant role in returning the hostages to their families, ending the war, and trying to end the suffering of the people of Gaza.“I would like to personally tell HE the Prime Minister of Qatar that you personally played a major role in the efforts to return the hostages to their homes.”He added that Qatar has generously provided thousands of tonnes of aid to Gaza over the past months, noting that Qatar has provided important aid to the Lebanese army, such as salaries and fuel.Blinken said that the negotiation process is moving forward, and that a negotiation session on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas will be held within days, noting that “this is the moment to act to end the war, return the hostages to their homes and build a better future for the people of Gaza.” Blinken added that “the negotiations will be held in the coming days and we will know if Hamas is serious about them,” adding, “We reject the generals’ plan to starve and kill people. It is necessary that we have a plan that allows Israel to leave the Gaza Strip and prevents the return of Hamas.”Regarding Lebanon, Blinken said that the United States seeks to reach a diplomatic solution in Lebanon based on Resolution 1701 and the return of everyone to their homes on both sides.

The Qatar Leadership Center (QLC) held a press conference Wednesday to announce the centre’s readiness to launch the first edition of the Leadership Innovation Forum titled “Leadership Innovation in the Digital Age” at the St Regis Hotel, Doha on October 30.Under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of QLC, this forum will bring together speakers and experts from around the world to discuss the topic of “Leadership Innovation in the Digital Age”.Abdullah Mohammed Khalifa al-Binali, general manager of QLC, said: “As we approach the launch of the Leadership Innovation Forum titled “Leadership Innovation in the Digital Age”, we aspire to be an event that brings together specialists and experts in the field of leadership management and innovation solutions, academically and professionally, and speakers from all over the world. We are proud of QLC’s achievements over the past fifteen years. Since its establishment in 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (may God protect him and grant him peace), the centre has contributed to the development of over a thousand graduates, who represent a driving force for positive change in public and private sector institutions. This forum represents a golden opportunity to empower promising generations of leaders to benefit from the experiences of local, international experts, specialists and create valuable communication networks that enable them to build future partnerships, in order to serve the needs of their institutions in all sectors, and enable them to form a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of anticipating the future by enhancing means of innovation in creating administrative and organisational solutions that contribute to achieving the goals of these institutions that are directly in the service of the nation and the citizen.”He added: “We at QLC are committed to implementing the vision of establishing the centre and the strategy approved by the Board of Directors in developing an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and expertise. This forum comes as the center celebrates its 15th anniversary to be a new platform and an effective tool that contributes to shaping the future of leadership in Qatar and to support lifelong learning for this target group and provide opportunities to build strategic relationships that contribute to supporting development and administrative excellence at the level of leadership in the public and private sectors in the country. With the rapid changes in the world, we hope to be a tributary to presenting and displaying the Qatari experience in leadership, whether in managing institutions or organising international political, economic, cultural, sports and educational forums in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”QLC also announced that the Media City will be the official media partner for the forum this year.Abdullah Mohammed Khalifa al-Binali, general manager of QLC, said: “We at QLC are delighted to welcome Media City as the official media partner for the inaugural edition of the Leadership Innovation Forum. Media City is working to drive innovation in the media sector and is therefore a natural partner for the Leadership Innovation Forum 2024. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”Engineer Jassim Mohammed al-Khoori, CEO of Qatar Media City, said: “As a media partner, we are proud to support this strategic initiative with QLC, which is in line with our direction and mission to promote innovation and to achieve the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Our support for developing leadership skills and empowering young talent is a fundamental pillar for the future of the creative scene in Qatar. This initiative comes to confirm our firm commitment to strengthening Qatar’s position as a regional centre of excellence and supporting its pioneering role in shaping the future of global media.”The forum aims to be a leading platform in Qatar for leadership development. The forum will bring together the Center’s alumni association, leadership experts, and regional, international speakers to discuss the leadership aspirations and needs of advanced societies, especially in light of the rapid growth of AI technology. The forum will feature 17 local and international speakers; from Qatar and the Middle East, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and others, academics and experts specialised in various fields. These speakers and experts will provide innovative visions and strategies forleadership in the digital age through keynote speeches and panel discussions.

Alaraby TV Network has announced that its flagship program "Fi Alhadhara (about civilization)" has been nominated for the Shorty Awards. The episode "Illusions of Happiness" which tackles the dangers of addiction, has been selected to compete against international renowned media organizations in the long-form content category.The episode "Illusions of Happiness" takes viewers on a deep journey to explore the dark side of addiction and its impact on individuals and communities, using a unique visual narrative style that blends serious content with humour. This distinctive combination has helped the show to reach a wide audience since its first season, allowing it to address many sensitive topics and issues with the aim of sparking discussions that lead to positive change.Regarding this achievement, Amira Hamza, Digital content leader at Alaraby TV Network, said: "We are extremely proud of this nomination, especially since the nominated episode discusses a highly important issue in both Arab and global societies. We consider the nomination of the show a testament to our commitment to delivering impactful cultural and social content that can bring about real change in public awareness."The show's host, Mohamed Saadany, expressed his great happiness about the nomination, stating in a post on his social media pages: "I thank the team and Alaraby TV Network for their continuous encouragement and full support in addressing bold topics with complete editorial freedom. This has been a decisive factor in the nomination of the program for an episode covering such a sensitive topic as the dangers of addiction."Saadany also invited the program's followers to support the nominated episode by voting for it on the official Shorty Awards website, reaffirming the show's commitment to delivering creative content that combines both educational value and entertainment.

Rehearsals for the play 'Panda House' are upbeat by the young players in preparation for its upcoming show. The play is led by director Shail al Kuwari, with the participation of Ahmed al Khayat, Abdullah Hassan, Maryam Saeed, Sameh al Hajari, Ali Rabsha, and Salim Darwish. The play, which is based on the idea and melodies of Shail al Kuwari, is written and scripted by Taleb al Doss, composed by Shail al Kuwari and Salem al Jarrah, and the songs are by Mohammed Matar, Faisal al Adhbah, and Hussein al Bakri. Salem Al Jarrah also did the distribution and mixing, and Faisal al Dossary designed the shows, while the children of Al Noor Private School are participating in the show, under the supervision of Dalia Mohamad. The play is supervised by Faleh Fayez.The director of the play, Shail Al Kuwari, explained that "Panda House" combines fantasy and reality to teach children the values of preserving the environment and protecting rare animals, especially pandas, which China presented it to Qatar. The play tells the story of a child who enters the world of imagination into reality, and offers him advice on loving school and the importance of friendship between children at school.Al Kuwari stressed the importance of supporting the entities concerned with creativity and private companies for the play, which contributes to promoting domestic and foreign tourism by inviting children and families to visit the Panda House in Qatar. He stressed that the play, with its environmental and educational meanings, encourages raising awareness about protecting rare animals, such as pandas, which contributes to strengthening children's connection to the environment and supporting tourism efforts.He pointed out that the play addresses environmental values such as preserving palm trees and sidra trees, which are two important symbols of Qatari environmental identity.Al Kuwari confirmed that he is ready to present the play in National Day events in many places, given that it is recorded in the "playback" method, which facilitates its presentation in various events. He added that the play is scheduled to be presented in a number of countries in the region, such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, to promote tourism in Qatar.

Qatar National Library (QNL) is organising a study day as part of the activities of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture celebrations, titled “The Ancient Libraries of Morocco: From Preserving Manuscripts to Beacons of Knowledge”.The study day will provide an in-depth exploration of the historical development of ancient Moroccan libraries, tracing their founding and evolution to their current state. These libraries have experienced periods of flourishing and openness to external influences, which contributed to the development of scholars, elites, and societies. However, they have also faced challenges, crises, and disasters that led to a loss of prestige and vitality, often due to human actions.Through three presentations, participants will delve into this heritage, revisiting key historical stages and addressing important questions: How did these libraries facilitate the transfer of knowledge and the circulation of texts within intellectual circles? In what ways did they serve as bridges for communication between local society and scientific institutions abroad? What does the future hold for books and paper in an increasingly digital world, and what is the fate of libraries and their patrons?The speakers will be: Dr Abdelmajid al-Khayali: Head of Human Resources, Finance, and Scientific Research at the Hassania Library in Rabat; Dr Mustafa al-Tubi: University Professor and Head of the Research Team on Moroccan Manuscript Heritage at Ibn Zohr University, currently on a scientific mission at the Hassania Library. Abdelfattah Boukchouf: Director of the Qaraouiyine Library in Fez, Morocco, and the moderator Dr Moez Dridi, Senior Archivist at QNL.The event will be held on November 13th, 2024, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Arabic, with simultaneous interpretation provided in English. It will be open for the public, registration is via the link: https://events.qnl.qa/attend/wkJpD

The second edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum will be held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, from October 13-15, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.During a press conference held yesterday to announce the forum, Engineer Khalid bin Ahmed al Obaidli, President of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat), said that this exceptional edition, held in partnership with Cityscape under the theme "Aqarat’s Future" marks a milestone in the development of Qatar’s real estate sector. "It represents a collective ambition to promote growth, innovation, and transparency in this vital industry."Several sponsorship agreements were signed yesterday with leading companies that will support the Qatar Real Estate Forum 2024. These sponsors included Al Rayan Bank, Platinum Sponsor; Barwa Real Estate Group, Platinum Sponsor; Qatari Diar, Platinum Sponsor; GMG Holding, Gold Sponsor; United Development Company, Gold Sponsor; Al Waab City, Gold Sponsor; Msheireb Properties, Gold Sponsor; Qatar Financial Center, Academic Sponsor; Qatar Finance and Business Academy, Academic Sponsor; Ooredoo, Official Telecommunications Partner; and Qetaifan Projects, Hospitality Sponsor.Fahad bin Abdullah al-Khalifa, CEO of Al Rayan Bank, said: "Our support for this initiative stems from our deep belief in the role of the real estate sector in achieving Qatar's National Vision 2030, which aims to build a diversified and sustainable economy."Addressing the forum's importance, Msheireb Properties CEO Eng. Ali al-Kuwari said: “This event brings together the visionaries and decision-makers who are shaping the future of Qatar's cities, much like we've done with Msheireb Downtown Doha. Our development exemplifies how we can create smart, sustainable urban spaces that honour our rich cultural heritage while embracing cutting-edge innovation. We're eager to share our insights, learn from our peers, and explore new opportunities that support Qatar's ambitious national vision.”Engineer Ali bin Mohammed al-Ali, CEO of Qatari Diar, said: "The Qatar Real Estate Forum, is an exceptional edition, we aim to reinforce strategic collaboration and support the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat), while also capitalizing on the rapid developments in the infrastructure sector witnessed by the country. This will help drive growth in this vital sector, especially considering the pivotal role that Qatari Diar plays in shaping the country's real estate landscape."Engineer Ahmad Mohammed al-Tayeb, CEO of Barwa Real Estate Group, said, "Our participation reflects our commitment to supporting national real estate events that create an exceptional platform for dialogue between government entities, developers, and investors to shape the future of this vital sector."Sheikh Jabr bin Mansour bin Jabr al-Thani, Chairman of GMG Holding, highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying, "Our commitment aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 to build partnerships that drive growth and elevate standards of living."Sheikh Jassim bin Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani, Executive Vice President of Al Waab City, said: "We are proud to be one of the principal supporters of this significant event. Our participation reaffirms our commitment to enhancing Qatar's real estate sector and contributing to the development of an innovative and sustainable investment environment. Al Waab City, as a multi-use private real estate development project, includes retail spaces, a shopping mall, offices, commercial showrooms, as well as a variety of residential units such as villas and apartments. As we move into the next phase of the project, we look forward to announcing the opening of this important section and welcoming the public by 2025, which will further strengthen Al Waab City’s position as a leading destination for living, working, and leisure in Qatar.”Yousef Fakhro, Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer at Qatar Financial Center, said: "Our sponsorship of the second edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum reflects our understanding of the critical importance of this sector in attracting investment and supporting economic growth. We have introduced new real estate ownership regulations for companies registered with us to align with Qatar's property ownership laws, creating a clear framework for real estate investments."Dr Khalifa al-Salahi al-Yafei, CEO of the Qatar Finance and Business Academy, said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the country's efforts to develop and enhance the real estate sector and to encourage young national talents to engage in this vital industry. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing the competitiveness and diversification of the national economy, in line with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.” He added: “The second edition of the Qatar Real Estate Forum provides an interactive platform that brings together experts and specialists in the real estate sector. In this context, we will offer a series of workshops on various specialized topics, while also shedding light on key challenges and discussing the latest trends and innovations in this essential sector."HE Engineer al-Obaidli emphasized that the real estate sector is one of the key pillars of Qatar's comprehensive economic development, actively supporting infrastructure development, offering diverse investment opportunities, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The sector plays a vital role in achieving the goals of economic diversification and reducing reliance on natural resources, in line with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2024-2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.Al-Obaidli announced the participation of key speakers, leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the world in the second edition of the forum. The event will feature specialised workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with influential figures in the real estate sector.

Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) receives a youth delegation from Tunisia within the Discover Qatar in 144 Hours programme from Sept 29 to Oct 5.On this occasion Abdullah Saeed, Head of Public Relations and Communications, said: “We are pleased to receive the tenth youth delegation within the Discover Qatar in 144 Hours programme from the sisterly Tunisia. A delegation of 11 young men and women are participating. They will be staying at the Qatar Youth Hostels. Tourist tours will be organised for the delegation to all parts of Qatar from north to south and from east to west where we will introduce the most important tourist attractions and archaeological sites in Qatar, such as the city and al Zubarah Fort, the Qatar National Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum and the Olympic Sports Museum 321. They will also visit smart cities such as Msheireb Down Town City and Lusail and other attractive tourist destinations that distinguish our beloved country Qatar.”Saeed added: “Volunteers and tour guides, from Youth Hostel members, will accompany the delegation throughout their stay and tours, as part of their sense of social responsibility to convey the most beautiful image of their country through hospitality and friendship. It will be an opportunity for them to practice what they have acquired during their training program in tourist guidance. We at QYH organise this type of program to promote domestic tourism in Qatar and encourage young people to join this field and make Qatar one of the first tourist destinations to visit.”

Dr Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), announced on Thursday that Qatar has succeeded in reuniting 10 Ukrainian and 4 Russian children with their respective families through its mediation.In his weekly media briefing, Dr Majid al-Ansari said that this mediation has been ongoing for months and has resulted in the reunification of 48 children with their families, 5 from Russia and 43 from Ukraine.He praised the cooperation between the two parties to ensure that these children reach their families and ensure that they are spared the consequences of war.Al-Ansari pointed out that this agreement came as a result of the great Qatari effort to achieve peace in general, and the great interest in this issue in particular, since the first day of this war, and the positive role that Qatar can play in achieving and making peace.Noting that as always, the children are received at the Embassy of Qatar in Moscow, and then their arrival to their final destinations and their reunification with their families is followed up, under Qatari supervision.Dr al-Ansari praised the efforts of HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation, in leading the negotiations and mediation processes, and the efforts of the parties concerned from both sides (the Russian Federation and Ukraine). Stressing that these efforts are ongoing and other positive steps will be announced in the coming days.He pointed out that there is a health and social care programme currently being conducted for the children in Doha, in the presence of the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Stressing that in the shadow of any conflict or war, it is necessary to work to ensure that children are spared the consequences of these conflicts, which is something that we lack greatly in the Gaza Strip, and now in Lebanon, where children have become targets due to the persistence of massacres and slaughters.The official spokesman for the MoFA confirmed that from December, Qatari citizens will be exempted from entry visas to the United States, after Qatar was included in the visa waiver programme. Explaining that the inclusion of Qatar in the American visa waiver programme reflects the level of the strategic relationship between the two countries, and is the culmination of bilateral relations in various fields. Qatar is at the forefront of the Middle East and North Africa countries in the field of security and safety, according to international indicators, in addition to its commitment to global standards in the security fields.He pointed out that this exemption from the US visa for Qatari citizens confirms the great confidence in the state of security enjoyed by Qatar, whether at the local level or in its relations with its international partners.Pointing to Japan’s announcement a few months ago that it would exempt Qatari citizens from visas, and before that the British government announced that Qatari citizens would be the first to be eligible for the new electronic travel authorization programme, which reduces burdens and procedures. Uzbekistan announced in August 2023 that it would lift the need for a visa for Qataris.Dr Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari said that Qatar, through the MOFA, continues to do everything necessary to remove difficulties facing Qatari citizens, and to prove the strength of the Qatari passport, which is considered one of the strongest passports in the world, in terms of not needing entry visas and ease of movement between countries of the world.Regarding the current situation in Lebanon, Dr Majid al-Ansari explained that there are a number of statements issued to stop this mindless war, as Qatar and a number of Arab countries issued a joint call with the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan, and a number of European Union countries, to cease fire in Lebanon, and to emphasize that the situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8 is unbearable and represents an unacceptable risk of a large-scale regional escalation.He added that since the beginning of the war on Lebanon, contacts have been ongoing with all parties and regional partners to reduce escalation and cease fire. Stressing that this attack on Lebanon is unjustified and represents a full-fledged war, and not as is being said that it is a limited escalation, as there are more than 600 dead in two days, and this number represents 50% of the victims of the 2006 war that lasted a whole month.Dr al-Ansari pointed out that the international community is required to stop this war and push the parties to stop the fighting. Especially since there is agreement that this escalation is a slide into a cycle of violence that cannot be accepted and cannot be tolerated in light of the complete absence of peace partners and political will that leads to an agreement. Pointing out that what is happening in Lebanon is not separate from the events in Gaza, he said but there is a path working on the Lebanese file that is more urgent and another in which many parties participate with the aim of stopping the war on Gaza. There is no doubt that there is a great overlap between the two files, but the reality of the matter is that we are talking about a state whose sovereignty is being violated, and a besieged sector that is being subjected to all forms of abuse by the Israeli occupation. He said, "there is no doubt that there is an overlap between the two files, but there are paths that work in parallel."Regarding the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, the official spokesman for the MOFA confirmed that preventing its entry has become a full-fledged crime. Recently, a statement was issued by 15 relief organizations saying that the residents of Gaza are eating only one meal a day due to the delay in the entry of aid. These organizations indicated that 83% of the necessary food aid is prevented from reaching the besieged Strip due to the closure of the borders, stressing that this matter is the full responsibility of the Israeli occupation, as there is no justification for preventing the entry of aid.Dr al-Ansari considered this measure a systematic starvation and the use of medicine and food as a weapon in this war, whose only victims are civilians, women and children, and that this matter will be repeated with Lebanon and others, if there is no clear international position that places Israel before its responsibilities.At the beginning of the media briefing, Dr al- Ansari reviewed the activity of the Ministry and its officials during the past few days, which included more than twenty meetings at the ministerial level and 37 bilateral meetings held by various Qatari officials with their counterparts from different regions of the world, in which the aggression on the Gaza Strip and the war on Lebanon were at the forefront. These meetings emphasized Qatar’s firm position on the necessity of stopping the war and for the international community to push towards stopping it immediately.

The celebration of the 41st Independence and National Day of St Kitts and Nevis took place in Doha on Wednesday.The first celebration of St Kitts and Nevis' Independence and National day in Doha was organised by Al Zaeem Holding and Manora Holding chief executive Khalil Ismail, Riva Group chief executive and managing director of Al Zaeem Holding Elisabeth Marascalchi. Salah Khaled of the Unesco Doha office also attended the event.St Kitts and Nevis’ Independence Day is celebrated every year on September 19.This date marks the nation’s freedom from British colonial rule, as it gained independence in 1983.St Kitts and Nevis is a Caribbean island country made up of two islands located in the West Indies.Their combined area is 269sq km. Its capital Basseterre is located on the island of St Kitts with estimated population of 48,400 (2024).Their official language is English and their official currency is East Caribbean Dollar.St Kitts & Nevis’ has 18 miles of lush rainforests, majestic mountains, golden shores and its welcoming people.Currently St Kitts & Nevis has diplomatic ties with 122 countries in the world.

The Carthage Theatre Festival chose the Qatari play 'Between Two Hearts' to participate in the official competition after it received high ratings from the selection committee. It won the most prominent awards of the 36th Doha Theatre Festival, most notably the Best Theatrical Play Award. The play Between Two Hearts is produced by Msheireb Production Company, written by Taleb al-Dous and directed by Mohammed Youssef al-Mulla. The theatrical troupe is expected to begin rehearsals at the end of next month in preparation for participating in the festival scheduled to start on November 23, amidst a host of Arab, African and international shows.The festival, headed by director and artist Mounir al-Araqi, is currently continuing preparations for the 25th session of the festival, which will include, in addition to the shows, a group of international seminars from November 25 to 27, 2024, titled 'Theatre, Genocide and Resistance: Towards a New Human Horizon'.The Qatari show participating in the festival revolves in a tragic form around the leader who controls the village and the farmers, as he searches for someone to give his son a heart in a surgical operation.So, he bargains with “Shahid” in order to save his son’s life, taking advantage of the condition of Shahid’s son, who is also lying in the hospital after being hit by a stray or intentional bullet, awaiting treatment, so the bargaining continues with resorting to all methods of material enticement or moral terrorism in a dispute over the right to the heart that lives.When a witness is forced to acknowledge by tricks and coercion, everyone moved to the hospital and the end has come with the death of the two hearts. To conclude the show with a hymn that clearly projects on every usurping occupier who wants to enjoy the wealth of others.The Carthage Theatre Festival is supervised by the Tunisian Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation. This event was launched in 1983, to be organised like the Carthage Cinema Festival once every two years. In 2010 the Carthage Music Days were added to them, and the Carthage Poetry Days were added in 2018.

The 94th National Day of Saudi Arabia Sunday was celebrated Sunday in Doha. Along with Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan al-Saud, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Doha, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim, He the Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, HE the Minister of Labour Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh al-Marri, and HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah participated in the celebrations. Also present were Qatari Businessmen Association Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, HE the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, HE the Director of Protocol at the MoFA Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhro, and HE Ambassador Ali Ibrahim, dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Qatar.Prince Mansour welcomed and thanked all the dignitaries and the guests for attending “our celebration tonight on the occasion of the 94th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.“It is a source of pride and honour for us to celebrate this precious occasion in the beloved State of Qatar, which is linked to its sister, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by deep-rooted fraternal and friendly ties extending from our shared history, culture and authentic values,” he said. “This honourable gathering of senior statesmen and officials who honour our celebration tonight and share our joy on our National Day is nothing but an affirmation of these distinguished ties and relations that bind our two brotherly countries and peoples, and an affirmation and commitment to push the relations of the two brotherly countries forward towards broad horizons of close co-operation in various fields in accordance with the directives of the leaderships of the two countries, may God protect them.”The envoy lauded the reforms and achievements in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.He said that the kingdom had improved in its standing on the United Nations e-Government Development Index and its sub-indicators, jumping 25 ranks in 2024 to be among the top 10 leading countries in the world.Prince Mansour added that the kingdom achieved first place globally in sub-indicators such as employment growth, social cohesion, labour market growth, population growth, and cybersecurity.The United Nations Tourism report, he said, also showed that Saudi Arabia topped the G20 countries in the growth rate of international tourists.“The Saudi-Qatari Co-ordination Council continues to play its important role, thanks to the generous patronage and directives of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Saudi side in the Council, and his brother His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar and Chairman of the Qatari side Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, may God protect them, an important and positive role in strengthening relations between the two countries,” Prince Mansour said.“The bilateral relations between the kingdom and Qatar are witnessing a wide movement and great momentum through the intensive mutual visits between officials in the two brotherly countries,” he continued. “The successful and fruitful visit recently made by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, Minister of Interior, to the State of Qatar and his meeting with his brother HE the Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, which culminated in the signing of two important agreements between the two ministries, is an affirmation of the depth of the ties between the two brotherly countries.”“We cannot miss congratulating our brothers in the State of Qatar on the wise and distinguished leadership of the current session of the Gulf Co-operation Council, which Qatar chairs, and the tangible efforts, care, generous hospitality and capabilities it provided during Doha’s hosting of the Gulf ministerial and technical meetings, which contributed to achieving positive results that consolidated co-operation, co-ordination and cohesion between the Council’s countries and peoples,” he concluded.

Katara Studios, the pan-Arab creative hub based in Doha, has released the trailer for its latest co-production, Chasing Dreams.The six-episode documentary-series will stream on Shahid starting September 26 and follows the journey of five refugee boys pursuing their dream of becoming professional football players in Brazil.The documentary-series chronicles the lives of Hafeth (“Marcelo”) (17), Omar (15), Qais (14) and Ahmad (17), refugees from the Al Zaatari camp, as they chase their football ambitions. Spanning over three years, Chasing Dreams tells a story of resilience, determination and hope, highlighting both the triumphs and challenges the boys face along the way.Directed by Bassel Ghandour, known for the Oscar-nominated Theeb, and with Hashem Sabbagh (executive producer), who has mentored the boys throughout their journey, the series promises to inspire audiences. Katara Studios brings top-quality production value, while Generation Amazing, the project’s driving force, funded and supported the series with a focus on empowering underserved youth through football.Speaking about the documentary-series, Luca Bercovici, director of Film at Katara Studios, said: “We are immensely proud to be part of Chasing Dreams, a project that brings hidden Arabic stories to the forefront in an engaging and universally relatable production. This series highlights the incredible journeys of these young boys and connects with audiences across the region and globally, showcasing the power of storytelling and the richness of our culture.”Katara Studios’ role as co-producer in Chasing Dreams marks their second Arabic production in the region. Katara Studios is also actively working on a new lineup of projects, including two feature films set for release in 2025.

The embassy of Kosovo, in co-operation with the embassy of Switzerland in Doha, participated in the Francophone Film Festival.The festival concluded its activities at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) with two films in French. The first, a documentary titled Without Kosovo and the second, a Swiss production titled Columbine. The closing ceremony was attended by Fuad Morina, Kosovo ambassador and Florence Tinguely Mattli, Switzerland ambassador in Doha.Ambassador Fuad Morina welcomed the attendees during a speech on the occasion, and stressed that the cultural festival celebrates Francophonie, praising the role that culture plays in uniting people and creating spaces of solidarity and mutual understanding.Ambassador Florence Tinguely Mattli, welcomed the participants during the cultural evening of the Doha Francophone Film Festival and all friends of Francophonie.She also thanked the MIA in Doha for providing everyone with the opportunity to host the festival for a whole week, which allowed for the presentation of a rich and diverse collection of Francophone cinematic productions. She also stressed that each work takes the viewer on a tragic and heroic path, but it is always an emotionally touching film that calls for progress and reflection.The film Without Kosovo by director Dea Djenovici, produced in 2017, tells the story of the young Aslan Djenovici. It is about a physics student at the University of Pristina, who participated in organising student demonstrations demanding the independence of Kosovo in 1968, and which forces him to flee his country due to repression of activists by the Serbian authorities at the time. The film also tells the story of the young man’s escape journey through Balkan countries and Italy, where he was detained at refugee camps for more than three years, before he finally settled in Switzerland. The young man had been away from his family for more than thirty years before deciding to return to his homeland in 2016.The second film, Columbine, directed by Dominique Othenin-Girard was produced in 2022. It tells the story of a 13-year-old girl who runs away from home due to a troublesome relationship and quarrels with her mother, in order to search for her father she has never met. Her search takes her through time and she finds herself in the middle of a huge live show during a winegrowers’ festival, and is dazzled by the surreal setting and is trapped in a strange world where she can rely only on her intelligence and her heart to find her way.

Al Noor Centre is committed to providing an advanced therapeutic, rehabilitating and educational environment, said executive director Meshal al-Naimi, and keeps pace with the latest technologies to meets the needs of members and beneficiaries with visual disabilities.“In the new academic year, we believe in the importance of achieving independence for people with visual disabilities,” he said. “We aim to provide an advanced therapeutic, rehabilitating and educational environment that enhances their capabilities and helps them succeed in a developing and changing world.”Al-Naimi said that Al Noor Centre for the Blind works hard to provide pioneering and innovative services to support people with visual disabilities in Qatar.As it is the first centre of its kind in the country, he said, that adopts a comprehensive and innovative approach to providing services, devoting all its efforts to meeting the needs of this vital section of society.The centre has made intensive preparation to receive new members, with a comprehensive update in the package of services provided.This includes providing distinguished education and rehabilitation at the highest level and organising sports competitions under the supervision of professional trainers.In addition, there are Braille reading activities to enhance the reading and writing skills of the blind.Al Noor Centre uses the latest international devices and programmes to support, empower and integrate its members, with a focus on meeting the needs of members in three main educational stages: early childhood (3-6 years), basic education (first to sixth grade), and integration (post-sixth grade).The centre provides advanced therapeutic, rehabilitating and educational services for children with visual impairments accompanied by mental and developmental disabilities.Al Noor Centre provides an advanced set of assistive technology tools that enhance individuals’ ability to access information and participate effectively in educational activities.These tools include screen readers, Braille text display devices, and Braille notebooks, in addition to smart and magnifying devices.The centre also stresses the importance of improving the skills of specialists and staff through advanced training programmes and specialised workshops.The centre has also worked to renovate places designated to support people with disabilities and modernise recreational facilities.The centre also focuses on providing full support to children with visual impairments and their families.This includes providing early intervention programmes for the blind and visually impaired children from birth to three years, with training sessions aimed at enhancing their growth and developing their skills.The centre also provides targeted training for mothers to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support their children.

The highly anticipated satirical documentary series "America Outside the Box" (America Kharij Alsondoq) will air its first episode Thursday.Hosted by the renowned Palestinian-American comedian and academic Amer Zahr, the series will take the Arab audience on a bold journey across America, exploring political, social, and cultural aspects in a way that blends thought and humour.The series offers a critical perspective on the United States as it approaches one of the most consequential elections in modern history. Through a comprehensive examination of various topics, Amer Zahr invites viewers to rethink assumptions and consider the role of the US on the global stage from a different angle.According to its producers at Alaraby TV, "America Outside the Box" is no ordinary documentary series. Each episode humorously tackles a specific subject, painting a broader picture of America as seen by the world. From the formation of the US political system to the struggles of minority groups, the series presents sharp, insightful commentary on key issues impacting the nation's political scene as the 2024 presidential election approaches—a contest marked by unprecedented tension between the main candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, who is running in place of outgoing President Joe Biden.Each episode of "America Outside the Box" takes place in a different US state, with topics carefully selected to reflect some of the most pressing and impactful issues in American society.The Michigan episode explores the deep history of Arabs in America and their growing influence in the 2024 presidential election. The Washington, DC episode examines the formation of the US political system and how its developments continue to shape governance today.North Carolina highlights the intersections of religion and politics, focusing on the power of evangelical Protestants in shaping election results. The Missouri episode delves into the history of racism and slavery among African-Americans and how incidents of racial violence influence voter behaviour.In a poignant episode, the history and rights of Native Americans in South Dakota are discussed, with a powerful comparison to the Palestinian struggle under Israeli occupation.

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater attended the screening organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Qatar Museums (QM) of the documentary film "The Evidence" that documents the war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian population at the National Museum of Qatar Wednesday, and a discussion panel with the makers of the film produced by the "Anadolu" Agency, amidst a large attendance.Ibrahim bin Sultan al-Hashmi, Director of the Media and Communication Department at the MoFA, said in the opening speech that the justice of the Palestinian cause is beyond reproach and has no gray areas. Stressing that "either we are on the side of the truth or we are not, and the truth does not harm it if people hide from it, but a person loses part of his humanity and his message on this earth if he hides from the truth."Al-Hashemi stressed Qatar's firm position in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and stressed its continued support for the brothers in Palestine until they achieve their legitimate rights.Mohamed Abdel-Aleem, CEO of the International Organisation for Humanitarian Assistance and Development, and Abdel-Qader Karakel, the film's director, participated in the discussion panel on the film, moderated by Sami Hermez, Head of the Liberal Arts Program and Associate Professor in Residence of Anthropology at Northwestern University in Qatar.On the sideline of the screening of the film, Abdel-Qader Karakel, the director and executive producer of “The Evidence” told Gulf Times that: “In this documentary film we showcase the violations of humanitarian law committed by Israel in Gaza. This has been going on for more than seven decades, this is just one brick in the wall, one documentary is not enough, but we have to change peoples’ mindset and politicians’ mindset to help the Palestinians get their rights. This documentary will show people what is happening in Gaza and their political choices will impact their country’s policies regarding the region that is our goal basically. We want to show the film to as many people as possible, so they will have a better understanding of what is going on in Gaza."We focused on the use of white phosphorous by Israel in the film because it undeniable, as Israeli politicians and military officials always deny that they bomb civilian areas, but when it comes to white phosphorous, they cannot deny it because it has been reported by the media. That’s why we focused on that crime committed by Israel. We are working on other documentaries as well, for instance “Witness” which is about the journalists who sacrificed their lives and that of their loved ones to bring these footages to us and we want to show what were the circumstances like, they were working in.”Mohamed Abdel-Aleem, CEO of the International Organisation for Humanitarian Assistance and Development, who signed an agreement with the "Anadolu" Agency, to distribute the film in the US, told Gulf Times that: “We are distributing the film in the US and we are going to show it around the world also. This film is an objective documentation of war crimes committed by Israel against the people of Gaza. We want to bring people closer to the truth by grass root work through universities, and organisations in the US, so that people can understand the reality of the situation in Gaza. Now, the truth is not being told and information is lacking, and distorted. We want to make sure that people receive the correct information from our own perspective, where we see the truth also. So, that is our objective in promoting this film in a new way and to the new generation."We are creating experiential events around this film also, people will see in an App if someone is exposed to white phosphorous what will they look like. Or if a child has been malnourished for three to four months plus, what his face would look like. We will try our best to make sure that the film is widely available to everyone. We are one of the oldest Islamic websites, it is available at https://www.Islam.org or https://www.islamicity.org/”

The Ministry of Culture announced on its website that Al-Wajdan Al-Hadari (Arabic for civilizational conscience) Center continues the project to train female kindergarten teachers during the academic year 2024-2025, for the second year in a row, within the framework of the cooperation and partnership efforts between the center and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.The center, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, revealed the continuation of training on practical applications for the Al-Wajdan Al-Hadari Center’s publication “The Quranic Stories Series”. The training program will be presented in two phases, to include kindergarten teachers, in addition to the supervisors and educational staff from the Department of Curricula and Learning Resources.The center announced that the first phase began on September 1, 3, and 5, 2024, while the second phase will be on January 5, 7, and 9, 2025, with a total of 30 training hours, at the Training and Development Center. In the same context, the Al-Wajdan Al-Hadari Center recently participated in the Ministry of Education's strategy ceremony at the Qatar Convention Center, in the presence of HE Khalid bin Ghanem al-Ali, Director General of the Al-Wajdan Al-Hadari Center, and the team of the Research, Studies and Curricula Department.Following the invitation of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to the Center as a key partner and supporter of the Ministry's educational journey through strategic partnerships and cooperation that brings together the Center, representing the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The invitation came to the Center to closely learn about the strategic projects and programs offered by the Ministry in the field of pre-primary education. During the event, the Center's team met with many national leaders of the Qatar strategic projects, which fall under the Ambition 2030 program.

The Venice Film Festival has screened the documentary “Maroun Returns to Beirut” as part of the official competition under the Venice Classics category.The film was directed by Fayrouz Serhal and produced entirely by Al Jazeera Documentary Channel. This is the first time that a film produced by Al Jazeera Network has participated in the Venice Film Festival. This screening coincides with the 20th anniversary of the death of the famous Lebanese director Maroun Baghdadi, who died suddenly in 1993 after falling down the stairs of his family home. Maroun Baghdadi, one of the most prominent Lebanese filmmakers, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema through his documentary and fictional works that dealt with the Lebanese civil war with boldness and realism. Baghdadi was fascinated by the war that he hated, and through it he presented a unique artistic vision of the events and conflicts that Lebanon experienced during that period.The film “Maroun Returns to Beirut” takes viewers on a journey through Baghdadi’s life and work, exploring the period leading up to the Lebanese civil war and life in the midst of the fighting. The documentary reflects Baghdadi’s great influence on Lebanese and Arab cinema, and reveals his works that are considered rare and important documents that shed light on crucial stages of modern Lebanese history.Through rare archival footage and interviews with figures who were contemporaries of Baghdadi, the film presents a comprehensive picture of the late director and his great contributions to documenting the events of the Lebanese Civil War. In addition, the documentary reviews the personal aspects of Baghdadi’s life, including the challenges and difficulties he faced, and the tragic way his life ended.The screening of the film at the Venice Film Festival was an opportunity for the international audience to learn about Maroun Baghdadi’s legacy and to honour his memory as one of the most important directors in the history of Lebanese and Arab cinema. The film's running time is 125 minutes, and it is in Arabic, French and English.