Author

Under the patronage of HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family, Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) launched its strategic plan for 2025-2028, aligning with national and sectoral strategies in Qatar to achieve the National Vision 2030.QCS conducted an institutional analysis of the internal and external environment and an assessment of stakeholders' needs and expectations. It also carried out benchmarking with similar organisations. Based on the results of the institutional analysis, the society developed its vision to be "A cancer-aware community and a better life for those affected" and its mission to be "A non-profit charity that relies on donations and community partnerships in providing its services that seek to raise awareness of cancer and ways to prevent it. As well as the importance of early detection, providing financial and psychosocial support to patients, recovered people and their families, and contributing to professional development and scientific research in the field of cancer.During the event HE Buthaina al-Nuaimi honored the sponsors and supporters of the Qatar Cancer Society, whose contributions have had a significant impact on its sustainability in the fight against cancer and support for those living with the disease.On this occasion, HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jaber al-Thani, Chairman of QCS, expressed in his speech: "The QCS is proud to launch its new 2025-2028 strategy, which truly reflects our ambitious vision of providing a better life for cancer patients and offering the necessary support to combat the disease by building strong partnerships with relevant sectors to ensure the achievement of desired outcomes."HE continued: "This launch comes at a critical time when public health challenges have increased, and the need to enhance health services and improve care quality for patients and their families, particularly concerning cancer, has become more urgent."Gulf Times Editor-In-Chief, Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka has been honoured by HE the Minister of Social Development and Family on this occasion. On the sideline of the event Al-Mudahka made a statement to the local media outlets and said: “Today we celebrate QCS’s 2025-2028 strategy. It is one of the main active NGOs in Qatar, it serves many people in the country. They lead awareness campaigns, support people who have cancer, and they also screen people. We have been honoured today as a media platform, as one of the biggest supporter in this field. It has been a long journey for them, which started with one person. This shows how important when social society, social responsibility joint forces with Media, the private sector and the government, we can achieve a great deal."Congratulations to QCS, and special congratulations to HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jaber al-Thani, and his team for this great achievement and dedication, especially the volunteers among them. It is really a great day and a great accomplishment.” He said.

Qatar, a key mediator, said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" Tuesday, expressing hope an agreement could be reached "very soon".Qatar, Egypt and the United States have intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.Official spokesman for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Dr Majed al-Ansari, said that the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations taking place in Doha have reached the final stages, expressing his hope to obtain good news, especially after overcoming the main obstacles of disagreement between the two parties.Dr. al-Ansari said during the weekly media briefing: "We believe that we have reached the final stages regarding the agreement, but we should not be overly optimistic until we obtain good news."Stressing that the draft has been delivered to the two parties and talks are now underway regarding the final details.The Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the two parties to sign the agreement and end the sufferings of the Palestinians in Gaza, the hostages and the prisoners. Stressing that there is no time limit for announcing the Gaza agreement, he said the main issues that hindered an agreement have been removed. Emphasizing that Qatar, Egypt and the United States are committed to everything that leads to the success of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, al-Ansari said that they are now at a point that is closest to reaching an agreement. He explained that "the pending details are related to the implementation of the terms of the agreement, noting that there is positive engagement in the negotiations.Al-Ansari reiterated the position of Qatar, saying: “We in Qatar have always affirmed our position on the necessity of ending the Israeli occupation. Talking about how to manage Gaza after the agreement is a Palestinian decision, he said emphasizing that "there is a very important guarantor and the mediators will be guarantors of the agreement."Al-Ansari also appreciated the efforts of the United States and the efforts of the administrations of current US President Joe Biden and incoming President Donald Trump, with the launch of a "final round" of talks Tuesday in Doha aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza and exchanging prisoners and detainees.He stressed that when the agreement is announced, the implementation of the ceasefire will begin.Regarding Syria, al-Ansari confirmed the continuation of the air bridge operated by Qatar to provide relief to the brothers in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic and contribute to addressing their humanitarian conditions, explaining that the total aid delivered has reached 299 tonnes.

The Qatar Fine Arts Society is preparing to launch the fourth Gulf Fine Arts Forum Wednesday at its headquarters in Katara – the Cultural Village.The forum, a prominent artistic station that brings together nearly 40 artists from the Gulf Co-operation Council countries, including 19 Qatari artists, is part of the society’s goal of enhancing cultural and artistic communication between the Gulf countries, and providing a platform for exchanging experiences and creative visions.Artist Youssef al-Sada, chairman of the board of directors of the Qatar Fine Arts Society, said that the forum will comprise various activities and programmes, including specialised workshops, art exhibitions that reflect the cultural and heritage diversity of the region, and intellectual platforms that discuss various aspects of Gulf fine art.The events would include a dialogue session between participating artists, which will be moderated by art critic Jalal al-Talib.One of the main events accompanying the forum this year, al-Sada said, would be the honouring of artist Youssef Ahmed, who has received the State Encouragement Award in appreciation of his contribution to fine art.Artist Hessa al-Buainain, who has contributed significantly to the development of the Gulf art scene, will also be honoured.The late Iraqi artist Zaid al-Zaidi will be honoured posthumously, with his daughter, who is also a artist, invited to receive the honour that reflects deep appreciation for his legacy and past participation with the Qatari Fine Arts Society.

The Qatar Sports for All Federation, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and in cooperation with Qatar Foundation, announced the organisation of the Ladies' Evening for the Ramadan Sports for All Championships in Education City. It includes a football, volleyball, and badminton championship, and running races for women aged 16 years and above. It aims to enhance the role of women in sports and encourage community participation during the holy month of Ramadan.This came during a press conference held Monday afternoon at Education City Stadium, in the presence of Abdullah al-Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation, and Buthaina al-Khater, Activities and Community Participation Specialist at Qatar Foundation, in addition to various media outlets. The Ramadan tournaments are the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women in sports."To achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting the strategy of practicing sports for all." Abdullah al-Dosari said during the conference that the Federation seeks to organise the largest possible number of sports events, and increase the number of participants in them. Al-Dosari stressed that the sports for all events come as a continuation of the most important goal of the National Sports Day. The matches will include football, volleyball, badminton, and will be held on Ramadan evenings from 9:30 pm until 12:30 am in two halves, each lasting 15 minutes.Prizes will be distributed to the winners of the first three places. Al-Dosari pointed out that registration for the championships for women will be available to women aged 16 and above, through the Qatar Sports for All Federation application, and the last date for registration will be February 25. The tournament draw will be held on February 26. Al-Dosari extended an invitation to participate in the championships, regardless of skill level, as the various events aim to enhance sports and community interaction.Buthaina Al Khater, said that we will cooperate with the Qatar Sports for All Federation to present distinguished Ramadan tournaments that will receive wide acceptance and participation from all age groups for women accompanied by their children.

Mohamed Al-Obaidly, the visionary founder of QG Investments, a leading real estate investment company shaping the landscape of the industry in Qatar and beyond, gave an exclusive insightful interview to Gulf Times.Al-Obaidly has successfully merged innovation and strategy to redefine real estate investment, driving growth and creating sustainable opportunities in a competitive market. We delve into his journey, the philosophy behind QG Investments, and his outlook on the future of real estate.Al-Obaidly stressed: “The inspiration to establish QG Investments in Greece was from my passion for sustainable real estate development and the country’s untapped market potential. Following Greece’s economic recovery, I found with my partners unique opportunities to invest unique opportunities to invest in properties, particularly in prime locations of Athenian Riviera. The combination of strategic location, rising tourism, and investor-friendly policies, made it an ideal choice. My vision was to create high-quality, modern developments such as smart home technologies that blend with luxury, contributing to both economic growth and Greece’s global appeal.”Concerning market trends, Al-Obaidly said:“At QG Investments, we stay ahead in the luxury residential market by embracing and integrating smart home technologies. Where from the comfort of his home in Europe or elsewhere our client can remotely monitor and manage various aspects of his home in Greece. These systems bring together appliances, security systems, and other home functions into a centralized interface, making life easier and more efficient. Sustainable building practices, and cutting-edge design to create modern, elegant living spaces that cater to the needs of our clients. We anticipate shifting preferences in luxury living, and energy-efficient solutions. By combining innovation with timeless architecture, we deliver high-end residences that offer both luxury and lasting value.”About this transformative venture in Greece, Al-Obaidly stressed: “I was inspired to invest in this venture because I am passionate about building sustainable, high-quality developments that make a positive, lasting impact. Greece – a great location, and potential for economic growth attracted me to its luxury real estate sector. Being part of this transformation is both exciting and rewarding—helping create jobs, and enhance Greece’s global image. It’s truly fulfilling to see how smart investments can boost the economy.”As far as the exciting Ellinikon Project in Greece is concerned and what motivated QG investments to work there, Al-Obaidly said: “The Ellinikon Project is one of the biggest projects in Europe; considered as a catalyst for Greece’s economic recovery. It is also one of the largest sustainably built urban regeneration project in Europe. The Ellinikon Metropolitan Park, is set to be the largest park in Europe and second in size after New York City’s Central Park. This project is set to generate over 80,000 jobs, and significantly increase tourism and investments.”Al-Obaidly added: “The Ellinikon Project is incredibly exciting because it represents one of the largest development initiatives in Europe with sustainable hub for luxury living. Being part of such a project aligns perfectly with QG Investments’ vision of creating world-class, future-forward developments that enhance the quality of life.”Al-Obaidly views QG investments in the future to “evolve into a leading name in luxury real estate development, not only in Greece but across key international markets. Our focus will remain on creating innovative, sustainable properties that set new standards for modern living. We aim to expand our portfolio with landmark projects that blend cutting-edge design with environmental responsibility. QG Investments will stay at the forefront of luxury real estate, delivering enduring value for our clients and contributing to economic growth wherever we invest.” He concluded.

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing Qatar’s regional and international role in managing documentary heritage, the National Archives of Qatar signed a partnership agreement with UNESCO to host the regional conference titled “Memory in Heritage: Strengthening Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region.” The conference will be held in Doha on January 21-22, 2025. Bringing together experts, representatives of national libraries, museums, and archives from various countries in the region, as well as international and regional organisations.The conference aims to foster regional cooperation to develop innovative mechanisms for the protection and sustainability of documentary heritage while addressing challenges such as climate change and regional conflicts. Additionally, it seeks to increase the representation of Arab documentary heritage in international forums through unified efforts and a shared strategic vision.Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buenain, Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar, stated: "Hosting this conference in partnership with UNESCO reflects Qatar's commitment to supporting regional and international efforts to safeguard documentary heritage. At the National Archives of Qatar, we strive to provide a platform that brings together experts and relevant institutions to build strategic partnerships that contribute to protecting this documentary legacy. As well as leveraging it through innovative technological solutions and digitization, thereby strengthening its sustainability and showcasing its value as an active element in cultural and regional development."Al-Buenain added: "The 'Memory of the World's program, launched by UNESCO, provides a significant framework to support regional and national institutions in protecting documentary heritage. This partnership represents an opportunity to enhance regional cooperation and develop sustainable policies that safeguard documentary heritage. Through this collaboration, we aim to play a role in strengthening the position of regional institutions and fostering a shared vision to ensure the continuity of efforts to protect this invaluable cultural legacy."Salah Khaled, UNESCO Representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Office in Doha, highlighted the critical importance of preserving documentary heritage, said: "Protecting and preserving documentary heritage is vital—not only as a testament to the past but also for safeguarding cultural identity, explaining the present, and building bridges for future generations." He underscored its role in promoting intercultural dialogue, respect, and understanding while showcasing exchanges across regions and continents.Khaled also pointed out that the Arab region is underrepresentation in the Memory of the World register, which accounts for just 4% of the international total. To address this, UNESCO advocates for a regional committee to compile a documentary heritage register, promote coordination and capacity-building, and raise awareness about preserving documentary heritage institutions.Khaled noted that "this regional register will highlight the Arab region's contributions to science, culture, communication, and education, ensuring stronger representation at the international level." He emphasized that this initiative is a crucial step toward strengthening cooperation among national committees and institutions, with its success relying on collaborative efforts across the region.The Memory of the World program, launched by UNESCO in 1992, serves as an international platform aimed at supporting national and regional institutions in developing policies and efficiently managing documentary heritage. Through this conference, the National Archives of Qatar, in partnership with UNESCO, seeks to present a forward-looking vision that ensures the sustainability of efforts to protect this cultural legacy and unifies efforts to address shared challenges threatening its continuity. The conference represents a significant step toward fostering regional cooperation and ensuring that this heritage remains an integral part of the Arab cultural identity and shared human history.

On the sidelines of Al Jazeera Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Media, Zakir Ismailagic, Director of Training at Al Jazeera Media Institute, gave an exclusive interview to Gulf Times on the future of AI and its transformative impact on training media specialists.He said: “Today, we are trying to create a melting pot between the technologies, and this is why we have big tech companies here, and the media outlets and agencies. Al Jazeera has been pioneering technology for a long time, and for some time we have been using AI tools, and we want to exchange information from other technology and media companies and share what we learn with them. We are going to share our own findings with the world. We want to make sure that everybody in Qatar and elsewhere will benefit from this event. Over 25% of the participants flew into Qatar for the conference, so it is getting to become an international conference, for sure we will continue this next year.”Concerning the AI impact on media professionals, Ismailagic said: “We cannot predict in which way and what is going to happen, we are using tools and we are being cautious. AI is definitely cutting down the time when it comes to research, editing, and packaging. Sometimes, AI cuts the time of some tasks from days to hours, sometime into minutes, but we are using it cautiously, and we are not going to jeopardise our editorial or ethical values.”As far as challenges are concerned, Ismailagic said: “When it comes to challenges of implementing AI, we need to understand ethical, and legal issues, then AI information accuracy issue when it comes to differentiate between true and fake news. On the top of all of this, professionals need to be upskilled to use AI tools, and this is where Al Jazeera Media Institute can be the bridge between all these initiatives and training later on. We are opening AI training programs for media personnel in Qatar and abroad.”With the participation of a high-level international experts in this conference, Ismailagic said: “We are going to get some recommendations and we will turn them into training programs obviously. The experts that we are going to use are a combination between technology and the media. Right now, we combine the practical side with theory in our current training programs and we are going to continue doing exactly the same."Right now, we are using around 200 experts at the institute, some of them come from Al Jazeera, and others from the worldwide. We are collaborating with a variety of organisations to make sure that what we are going to offer in terms of AI training programmes is going to be developed first of all between technology companies, practitioners and academia too.”

On the sidelines of the conference Abran Maldonado, Open AI Ambassador and expert in AI and the metaverse, and the conference keynote speaker, gave an exclusive interview to Gulf Times on the future of AI and its transformative impact on the media industry. He stressed that: “We have to adapt and adapt, we have to try things and accept that this is where it is heading, and if we just sit back, we are going to fall behind. We have to learn new skills, AI is just another skill that we need to learn.”Concerning his views on developments in Qatar, Maldonado said: “I knew the reputation of Qatar from working with smart cities exports, that it was at the top of the list when it comes to smart cities and embracing innovations and being at being at the cutting edge as a whole city. When I came here in person I saw that to be true. So, I know that when it comes to embracing new technologies, that Qatar is likely more ahead than other cities, even in the USA. I can name seven cities in the USA that are behind Qatar, when it comes to embracing innovation.”Maldonado went on to say: “You are not scared here in Qatar to try new technologies and try innovations, you embrace it and it works. I am fully confident that Qatar will be ahead of anybody else in that respect.”On the impact of AI in higher education, Maldonado said: “I speak a lot to educators about AI, soon we are getting to a point where personalizing education with a differentiation, i.e. every student will have their own curriculum, personalized to them. We are very unique learners, so why should there be one syllabus, one curriculum for a hundred students, there should be a hundred curriculums for a hundred students."That is time consuming, it very hard to do that manually, AI can do it in seconds. It will democratize education. Generation Z are going to be the on demand generation, they are not going to wait passively and watch what you decide they think or they should watch. They are going to prompt and generate what they want to watch. So, we have to create more tools to allow them to pick and generate their own new stories, to pick the topics, everyone will have their own individual algorithm.”Maldonado predicted that in the 2040 “there will be completely different jobs, it is going to be the number one in demand job in this field as from now either being an AI engineer or an AI consultant,” he said.

The second edition of the Al Jazeera Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Media kicked off Saturday at the Grand Sheraton Hotel in Doha, gathering an international group of experts and specialists in AI, technology, and media. The conference aims to explore the use of AI in newsrooms, its role in enhancing media content, analysing big data, and developing innovative tools for editing and production.In his opening remarks, Dr Mostefa Souag, Acting Director-General of Al Jazeera Media Network, underscored the urgency of adapting to technological advancements, warning that those who fail to keep pace may be left behind. “We are here today to continue exploring the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the journalism profession.”Dr Souag highlighted Al Jazeera’s legacy as a trailblazer in adopting cutting-edge media technologies, including AI tools and their varied applications. He noted that the network has strategically adapted these innovations to support its mission, recognising their crucial role in enhancing journalistic performance.He also praised the significant contributions of the Al Jazeera Media Institute, emphasising its leadership in harnessing AI through initiatives such as the inaugural edition of the conference. Together with the publication of numerous articles and videos addressing AI in newsrooms, and the implementation of advanced training programmes designed to equip journalists with the technical skills and ethical guidance needed for responsible AI use.“The organisation of this conference reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering serious discussions about AI technologies, critically assessing their potential, and thoughtfully considering their adoption in media workflows,” Dr Souag said. “We understand that AI is not merely an additional tool; it represents a profound transformation that will shape both the present and the future of journalism, placing significant responsibilities on us all.”He called for a balanced approach to AI, urging participants to acknowledge both the opportunities and the challenges it presents. Dr Souag expressed his hope that the conference would serve as a platform where journalists, academics, and technology experts can collaborate to develop a comprehensive vision for using AI to support and elevate journalism.In the keynote address, Abran Maldonado, Open AI Ambassador and expert in AI and the metaverse, discussed the future of AI and its transformative impact on the media industry. He explained how AI enhances efficiency through advanced data analysis and content production while addressing key ethical concerns, such as algorithmic bias and privacy issues. Maldonado emphasised the importance of innovative and responsible strategies for integrating AI technologies in media practices. The first session, was moderated by Samantha Johnson, focused on showcasing the latest artificial intelligence tools developed by leading tech companies for use in media. The session highlighted pioneering AI programs and featured a distinguished panel.The first day also featured a panel discussion moderated by journalist Waleed al-Mahdi titled “The Development of Arabic AI and Its Challenges.” The discussion shed light on a groundbreaking initiative in Arabic AI: the Manar platform, developed by the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, with support from Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The session explored how the platform operates, the technical and cultural challenges encountered during its development, and the future of Arabic AI.The second main session, moderated by broadcaster Izdihar Shuaisha, was titled “Leveraging AI in Al Jazeera Media Network.” It addressed the growing role of AI in advancing media workflows within Al Jazeera, highlighting the smart applications and tools used across the network’s channels and divisions. The session focused on how Al Jazeera’s newsroom leverages AI to gather, process, and disseminate news efficiently, while also discussing technical challenges and contingency plans to handle unforeseen issues.As part of the conference activities, the Al Jazeera Media Institute organised a training workshop in collaboration with Google and Zeotap to explore AI technologies and their applications in enhancing content and audience engagement.Another workshop, led by Dean Arnett from the Thomson Foundation, introduced AI-powered video editing tools, demonstrating how these tools can save time and streamline workflows.The second edition of the Al Jazeera Conference on AI in Media aims to shed light on the transformative impact of AI technologies on the journalism profession, fostering dialogue and collaboration to shape the future of media in the digital age.

Dr Majid bin Mohammed al Ansari, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Tuesday that Qatar has been continuing its efforts 'in various ways and means' in order to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.Al-Ansari stressed in the weekly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), that all mediators (Qatar, the US and Egypt) are making great efforts to end the war in Gaza.Regarding the ongoing indirect negotiations in Doha, al-Ansari stressed that the negotiations are being held at the technical level, whether in Doha or Cairo.Regarding the Syrian issue, al-Ansari said that Qatar welcomed the US administration’s decision to suspend some sanctions on Syria, hoping that they would be lifted completely and permanently. He said: “We welcome the suspension of some US sanctions on Syria, and this is a partial step,” hoping that the sanctions would be lifted permanently to facilitate the economic cycle. Regarding the Qatari role in this context, he said that there is a general regional position to work on lifting the sanctions on Syria, and the Qatari effort is part of this regional effort.Al-Ansari pointed out that reports of transporting Qatari gas to Syria are media speculation, stressing that the state’s focus at this stage is on providing humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. He said that Qatar is committed to supporting the Syrian people from both the humanitarian and technical aspects. He referred to the statements made by HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the visit of the Syrian delegation to Doha, and his confirmation of the continuation of the air bridge and the resumption of flights to Syria’s international airport on Tuesday.The official spokesperson stressed that the state’s current focus is on ensuring stability in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic. "Ensuring the realisation of the aspirations of the Syrian people who are emerging from a war that has destroyed many of their capabilities. As well as ensuring that Qatar supports the freedom and stability of the Syrian people and the interim administration, and that this administration keeps pace with the aspirations of the Syrians."Regarding Qatar's technical support for the rehabilitation of the Syrian airport, al-Ansari confirmed that in response to the request of the brothers in the Syrian Arab Republic, a technical delegation from Qatar Airways was assigned to assess the condition of the airport and identify the obstacles that were standing in the way of the re-opening of Damascus International Airport. The team provided technical assistance, he added.The official explained that the total Qatari aid to Syria through the air bridge has reached 231 tonnes, and this airlift is ongoing. He pointed out that the relevant authorities in Qatar are working with their counterparts in Syria to resolve the electricity issue there.HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will meet tomorrow with Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta, he added.

Alaraby TV network has launched new social media accounts under the name "Alaraby TV – Syria," coinciding with its special coverage of the rapidly evolving events in Syria which led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad regime.The new accounts aim to provide around-the-clock coverage of events across all Syrian regions through extensive reporting by a network of correspondents inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. Additionally, these pages feature infographics and video designs that accurately present developments on the ground.Shaker Almasri, Senior social media and Digital Marketing Specialist at Alaraby TV Network, emphasised that “"Alaraby TV - Syria" accounts cater to the newfound freedom of Syrian audiences, who can now access content on social media platforms without restrictions after years of censorship and limited Internet service. These dedicated pages are crucial for providing accurate information, particularly to those inside Syria”.Moreover, Alaraby TV has dedicated special coverage for developments in Syria. In addition to 24/7 news reporting, it airs a daily programme titled "Damascus Dialogues" at 9pm Jerusalem time from the Syrian capital. Where it hosts key figures in the Syrian political scene and offers in-depth analysis of events with a distinguished panel of experts through the following links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlarabyTvSYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AlarabyTvSYX: https://x.com/AlarabyTvSYTelegram: https://t.me/AlarabyTvSyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@AlarabyTvSYYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlarabyTvSY

Al Jasra Cultural and Social Club, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, has announced the launch of its new digital platforms at the beginning of 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to employ technology to promote Qatari heritage and interact with a diverse global audience.The project highlights Qatari culture by providing distinctive content on various aspects of local arts and Qatari heritage.These digital platforms will enable the most wonderful Qatari cultural images to be displayed before global cultural institutions, contributing to enhancing cultural exchange and openness to other societies.The project includes a number of axes, including broadcasting cultural weeks, in which the club revives, through its digital platforms, memories of cultural weeks that were held in global capitals and cities during the 1990s, allowing the public to explore Qatari heritage in a new way.This project, the club said, is an important step in transmitting Qatari culture from local forums to the international arena through the tools of the digital age.Meanwhile, Al Jasra Cultural Club continues to present its intellectual content through its cultural salon, with a new lecture by Dr Sharif Shukran tomorrow on “Biological Communication through Silent Dialogue”.

The Katara Cultural Village has organised a poetry morning that brought together an elite group of creative Gulf female poets, with the participation of poets Badriya al-Badri, Dr Noura al-Wahaimid and Moza Abdul Rahman al-Misnad. It was moderated by journalist Ishraf bin Murad.The event witnessed a large turnout of poetry and literature lovers, as the poets presented their poems that varied between love of the homeland, wisdom, description and elegy. The poems were distinguished by their touch on deep human and social aspects, inspired by the Gulf environment and its rich culture.In this field, the distinguished Omani poet Badriya al-Badri presented various poems about love for Qatar and on various topics that combined linguistic beauty with sweet meaning. She switched between classical and Nabati poetry to confirm her poetic prowess. Al-Badri won the Katara Prize for the Poet of the Messenger in its fifth edition in 2021. In addition she won the second place in the Burda Prize for the category of popular poetry in 2023.As for Dr Noura al-Wahmid, she recited her poems in Nabati poetry, including “In the Name of God, the Most Gracious,” “The Sheikhs of the Tribe,” “A Source of Pride,” and an elegy for Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Kubaisi titled “The Morning Has Gone.” Al-Wahmid also recited verses about the love of sisters. The morning was an occasion in which Dr Noura revealed her talent in composing poetry since her early childhood and her influence by her grandfather, the popular poet Muhammad Al-Jassim al-Wahmid.Distinguished poet Moza Abdul Rahman al-Misnad presented wonderful poems about the love of the homeland, dazzling the audience with her powerful words and high meanings in various poetic verses. She concluded her participation with a touching poem dedicated to Palestine.The morning concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participating poets, expressing Katara’s appreciation for their creativity and efforts in enriching the local, Gulf and Arab literary scene.

Katara Cultural Village has revealed the names of the winners of the fine arts competition it held on Qatar National Day (QND).The competition witnessed participations that reflected the spirit of the homeland and its authenticity, highlighting the aesthetics of Qatari art through creative visions inspired by heritage and national identity.Iman al-Haidos won the first prize, while the second place went to Muhannad Attia, and Huda Basahel got the third place prize.Al-Haidos presented a distinctive painting in which she portrayed camels walking between the towers of the modern Dafna area, in a scene that embodies the blending of heritage with modernity. The painting expressed the great transformation that Qatar has witnessed while preserving its authentic identity. Al-Haidos sought to highlight the cohesion between the past and the present.Muhannad Attia participated with a painting depicting a little girl wearing traditional Qatari dress in dazzling colours, reflecting the joy and strength of Qatari heritage.As for Huda Basahel, she presented a painting using the Mola technique, in which she combined various heritage elements such as old houses and pottery, expressing her nostalgia for the past in a distinctive artistic style.

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that applications for its spring 2025 funding cycle are now open until January 5.The DFI’s grants programme aims to find new cinematic talents and voices, and discover stories that can resonate globally.The spring 2025 cycle opened on December 22 and will close on January 5 at 5pm.The institute’s approach is to champion projects that aim to explore, expand and cultivate authentic storytelling, with a keen interest in propelling forward the medium of cinema.The programme provides creative and financial assistance for short and feature-length films, subject to eligibility criteria, by Qatari and international first- and second-time directors, as well as established Mena (Middle East and North Africa) directors.Financial support is also available for TV and Web series helmed by Mena scriptwriters and directors, subject to eligibility criteria.The TV fiction and creative documentary series development grant aims to assist independent screenwriters/producers from the Mena region in developing original serialised content intended for international audiovisual markets.The Web fiction and creative documentary series grant will support independent directors/producers from the Mena region in financing the production of original serialised content for the Web.The DFI seeks to strengthen and empower Qatari voices in filmmaking that have the potential to make significant contributions to the art of cinema.Its focus on the growth and evolution of Qatar’s film community includes providing creative and logistical support, as well as financial contribution to filmmakers from Qatar.In addition to applying for funding through the Grants Programme, Qatari filmmakers with short and feature-length projects at any stage of evolution are invited to contact the Institute year-round at [email protected] to discuss grants, co-financing possibilities, internships with international productions, creative development seminars, mentorship initiatives and exhibition opportunities.Development, production and post-production funding is available to first- and second-time directors from the Mena region for feature-length projects.Short films are eligible for production funding only.Established Mena directors may apply for post-production funding for feature-length projects.Development funding is available to screenwriters from the Mena region for TV series.Production funding is available to directors from the Mena region for Web series.Post-production funding is available for feature-length films by first- and second-time non-Mena directors.Interested candidates can apply via the following website: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/financing/grants/guidelines

The documentary film "Mattila" won the "Bronze Tanit" Award in the official documentary competition at the 35th Carthage Film Festival, which concluded its activities on Sunday, Dec 22, in Tunisia. The film, directed by Tunisian Abdullah Yahia and produced by Al Jazeera Documentary, tells the story of Rayan, a Tunisian teenager who was forced to face the challenges of the world of crime and delinquency after leaving school at an early age. In the absence of his parents who left the country illegally during the events of the Tunisian revolution in 2011. Over the course of 3 years of filming, "Mattila" follows the journey of Rayan who found in football a safe haven away from delinquency and marginalization. The film also depicts his ambition to travel to France to meet his parents after a separation of more than 12 years. The film "Mattila" is a testament to the social difficulties facing Tunisian youth, and highlights the strength of hope and determination in striving for a better future, despite the harsh circumstances.

The documentary film “Gaza: The Sound of Life and Death” from the original production of the Al Jazeera 360 platform won the Anhar Award at Karama (Arabic for dignity) Human Rights Film Festival held in the Jordanian capital, Amman.The film “Gaza: The Sound of Life and Death” highlights the idea of sound as a documentary work by shedding light on the daily life of audio technician Mohammed Yaghi during the ongoing war of extermination since October 7, 2023. Yaghi records all sounds in the Gaza Strip and documents the crimes committed by the occupation there.The film gains its strength from the fact that it was produced during the war, and its editing was done from inside a tent in one of the refugee camps, where the director, photographer and sound technician are. The sound technician is the character of the film through which he transmits sounds that cannot be heard from Gaza due to the massacres that the occupation is constantly committing.The head of the original production department at Al Jazeera 360, Awad Jumaa, confirms that the idea for the film came during the filming of an episode of the program "Diary of a Fighter" in Gaza before the war. While dealing with the sound engineer, he was inspired to document the life story of the sound engineer, who confirmed that he recorded all the sounds in Gaza, from the cry of a newborn to the death throes.In turn, the film's producer, Shada Salhab, confirmed that the film is a cinematic icon that was able to transform sound into a witness to a tragedy and a human holocaust that has been ongoing for more than 14 months. She added that cinema is an act of resistance, and that the film is part of the Palestinian narrative that has changed in each era to suit the nature of the stage.The festival witnessed several screenings of original productions on the platform, such as an episode of the program "Victims and Heroes", the film "Eyes of Gaza", in addition to the documentary film "Al-Shifa Hospital", and the award-winning film "Rivers of Gaza" "The Voice of Life and Death".The Karama Festival is the first international human rights film festival to be established in Jordan. Since its first edition in 2010, Karama Human Rights Film Festival is a 9-day international film festival held in Amman, Jordan. With a global partnership that aims to promote dialogue, engage in debate, build capacity and launch high-impact programs to address pressing human rights issues in the Middle East and North Africa region. Over the past 11 years of Karama, the festival has screened over 600 films from 66 countries. The films ranged from documentaries, feature films, short films and animation. animation.

The Spanish Human Rights Association, in its 42nd edition, awarded the 2024 Honorary Human Rights Prize to Palestinian journalists, victims of the genocide in the Gaza Strip. The award was received on behalf of the Palestinian journalists by Alaraby TV correspondent in Madrid, Muath Hamed, who appeared visibly moved during the ceremony.He stated: "There are no words that can describe the suffering of my fellow journalists in the face of death, nor words that can capture their determination to bring the truth to the world. These are the true heroes who face death at every moment."Hamed used the opportunity to present detailed statistics on the number of journalists who have been martyred, imprisoned, and injured in the Gaza Strip, along with documentation of media institutions destroyed during the genocide. He also conveyed a special message from journalists working in Gaza to the conference attendees, stating: "Our mission continues to carry the voice of Gaza to the world."The Association for Human Rights in Spain (APDH-E) has held its 42nd Human Rights Awards ceremony for 2024, which was attended by societal and political figures, including members of parliament and ministers from the Spanish government. The event featured praise for the commitment and contributions of prominent individuals and institutions in defending human rights.It is worth noting that the Association for Human Rights in Spain (APDH-E) is one of the oldest human rights organizations in Europe. Founded in 1948, it has been committed since its inception to defending human rights in general and supporting journalists in particular, recognizing them as the frontline in exposing violations.