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HE the official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed al-Ansari confirmed Tuesday the continuation of Qatari aid to Gaza, as twenty million liters of fuel entered out of thirty million liters. Stressing that "there is a great need for aid in Gaza and aid should not be used to pressure in negotiations." Al-Ansari explained in the weekly briefing of the MOFA regarding the entry of aid into the Strip that a mechanism has been put in place to receive complaints regarding the entry of aid into Gaza to resolve any problems and that they are awaiting updates from the field about it. There is no information about what has been entered and he renewed his call to all parties to abide by the terms of the agreement.The MoFA spokesman stressed that Qatar is committed to supporting efforts to start negotiations on the Gaza agreement and hopes that it will lead to the second phase. Noting that daily contacts are being made to start negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, but they have not started yet. Explaining that there is a positive atmosphere to move forward in the negotiations, and that the mediation continues to work to start negotiations on the second phase. The provisions of the first phase will be implemented before moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and the arrival of delegations is subject to the decision of the parties concerned. He added that "the delegations come and go and there are no specific dates, adding that the recent statements from the Israeli side were positive, hoping that they will serve the interests of the second phase." Regarding whether the mediation has received an Israeli commitment to its involvement in the second phase of the negotiations, HE Al-Ansari responded: "We will not comment on behalf of the Israeli government regarding its involvement in the negotiations, but the atmosphere is positive." He stressed Qatar's commitment to efforts to launch negotiations on the second phase and work with all parties, adding that there is no doubt about implementing the agreement with all its provisions, and welcomed the American statements in this regard. He stressed that Qatar and all brothers in the region reject any displacement or settlement without the Palestinian people obtaining their rights. Noting Qatar's involvement in the Arab Working Group on Gaza and that contacts are ongoing.Concerning the war between Russia and Ukraine, HE Dr Al-Ansari expressed Qatar's strong welcome of Saudi Arabia's role in hosting the US-Russian dialogue and ending the suffering and war in Ukraine. Calling for support for Riyadh's efforts, and said in this regard: "We hope to announce through negotiations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the end of the Ukraine war."

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Second International Conference on Religious Freedom and Peacemaking, organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, in co-operation with the Multifaith Neighbors Network, kicked off Tuesday in Doha over three days, under the slogan “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Building Peace in a Conflicting World”, with the attendance of an elite group of religious scholars, academics, decision-makers, and religious leaders from around the world.In her speech during the opening ceremony, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad stressed the extremely delicate and complex circumstances in which this conference is being held for the entire world, due to the expansion of conflicts and the growing challenges that threaten its stability and the safety of civilians.HE Al-Misnad considered the conference the best evidence that the problems of the world today and the military and intellectual conflicts have become border-less, and that the danger of their challenges has become a source of suffering and instability for the entire world, noting in a related context that today's conflicts have come to include countries that were recently considered relatively far from problems, to the point that talk now has become about cross-border challenges and threats, which makes everyone, each in his position and place, responsible for that confrontation and addressing the causes of those conflicts.HE Al-Misnad also pointed out that the wide international and regional participation in the conference, which provided an ideal opportunity for the distinguished elite of prominent religious leaders and senior thinkers and academics participating in it from all over the world. It indicates the distinguished position that Qatar enjoys among them, which always confirms its firm position calling for peace and achieving reconciliation between the parties to conflicts around the world, and its interest in achieving communication and dialogue and providing its means and mechanisms in all its forms and levels for everyone without exception “as long as they are willing to find solutions to stop the conflict and look forward to that.”She expressed her hope that the efforts of the conference participants would yield useful results that would help everyone continue to unite and co-operate permanently in order to build true peace in this “unfortunately” conflicting world. Stressing the need to study the best way to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations that will be issued from the conference’s dialogue sessions to achieve the desired goal and purpose that everyone aspires to.The conference also comes within the framework of the message of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and Qatar's vision in promoting dialogue and understanding, at a time when humanity is facing unprecedented challenges, which requires a firm commitment to promoting dialogue, coexistence and mutual respect.

Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) launched the first edition of Tadweer (Arabic for recycling) initiative on Sunday.The initiative, that is to continue until Thursday, was opened in the presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Service Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, the Head of the QYH and Bodies Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the Director of Msheireb Museums.Abdullah Saeed, Head of Public Relations and Communications said on the opening: “We are happy to open the Tadweer initiative whose founder is Al Anoud al Muqbali, in the company's house square in Msheireb City, which will last for 5 days. The initiative is distinguished by the presence of success partners who contributed to implementing the initiative on the ground. Namely (Istidama Company - the official sponsor, Erthna - the community sponsor, Msheireb Museums - the host entity, Action Media Company - the media sponsor).”Al Anoud al Muqbali, the founder of the initiative, said: “Initially, I established the idea through my participation in the Tourism Ideas Incubator Program organized by QYH in 2023. I searched for an idea that could be implemented on the ground and which is sustainable at the same time. Accordingly, I came up with the idea of an interactive awareness initiative that works to exploit fabrics that are harmful to the environment and reuse them for useful purposes. Accordingly, the initiative won second place and then moved to the planning and implementation stage in cooperation with QYH."

Al Faisal without Borders Foundation (Alf) held an awards ceremony to honour the winning school teams in the 10th edition of the Destination Imagination programme 2024/25 academic year.The programme, implemented by the Alf Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), has been running in public and private schools across Qatar for the past decade.In his opening speech, Alf chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani “expressed his delight at attending the ceremony to recognise the outstanding school teams that participated in the 10th edition of Destination Imagination”.He emphasised the Alf Foundation’s commitment to delivering innovative programmes that foster the development of students' skills across all age groups.HE Sheikh Faisal highlighted that the participation of international teams in this year’s regional championship is a testament to the programme’s success and Qatar’s excellence in its implementation.He also extended his gratitude to the MoEHE for its continued support over the years, Qatar University for hosting the national championship for the third consecutive year, and all participating schools for their dedication.Alf Foundation general manager engineer Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei “reiterated the foundation’s vision of leadership through programmes that enrich Qatari culture and share its rich heritage with the world”.He noted that Destination Imagination is an internationally recognised programme implemented in over 30 countries and more than 50 US states.Over the past nine years, it has impacted more than 30,000 students in Qatar’s public and private schools.For the 2024/25 edition, 104 public and private schools participated, forming 222 teams with nearly 2,000 students from various academic levels.This year also saw participation of student teams from Poland, competing alongside Qatar school and university teams in a special Destination Imagination challenge.The local championship, held on February 14-15 at Qatar University’s College of Education, showcased the remarkable creativity and innovation of participating students.Al-Yafei highlighted the programme’s role in integrating non-traditional learning methods into school activities, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.He also noted that Destination Imagination serves as a platform to highlight Qatar’s rich culture and showcase students’ talents to more than 10,000 global participants in the programme’s international championship, set to take place in May in Kansas, US.Al-Yafei extended his deep appreciation to HE Sheikh Faisal for his unwavering support, to HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed AlKhater for her continued endorsement of the ALF Foundation’s programmes, and to Qatar University president Dr Omar bin Mohammed al-Ansari for hosting the national championship.Gratitude was also expressed to the judges, volunteers, and ALF Foundation staff for their contributions.During her address, Maha Zayed al-Qaqa al-Ruwaili, the assistant undersecretary for educational affairs at the MoEHE, “emphasised the significance of this achievement, recognising the dedication of students in striving for excellence”.She reaffirmed the ministry’s vision of "A Pioneering Learner for Sustainable Development", which aims to create an integrated educational environment that nurtures leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation, equipping students to make well-informed decisions and tackle future challenges.Al-Ruwaili further noted that Destination Imagination aligns with this vision by fostering communication skills, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing students to navigate an ever-evolving world with confidence and competence.School team leaders praised the programme for its impact on students, particularly in enhancing teamwork, imagination, and innovation.They expressed gratitude to the Alf Foundation for providing a dynamic cultural and educational platform for public and private schools in Qatar.

The Ministry of Culture is participating in the fourth edition of the “Me and My Family” Festival, organised by the “Qatar Reads” initiative. The festival kicked off Sunday evening at the Qatar National Library. This participation comes within the framework of the Ministry’s commitment to supporting families and promoting community culture around childhood.Jassim Ahmed al-Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture, said that the Ministry’s participation in the festival, which is specifically directed at parents, comes in line with its vision to enhance cultural exchange, strengthen community ties, and create opportunities to meet and learn about Qatari culture and its various traditions.He added that the Ministry offers, through a special pavilion, many interactive activities and displays publications related to children and the family, in addition to folk songs that reflect the authentic Qatari heritage. Noting that the Ministry’s pavilion provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the latest initiatives and services related to the family.The Ministry’s pavilion offers many activities directed at the family, including “Printing Family Palms” and “With My Family”, a daily interactive competition, and gifts for children and the family.The three-day festival aims to provide an interactive educational environment that provides families with the necessary information and guidance for the periods of pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing, through lectures and meetings with experts from prestigious entities and institutions in the country.The festival includes workshops, seminars and interactive games suitable for all ages, in addition to providing opportunities to discover new books and products related to motherhood and children. It also aims to promote family values and strengthen community ties.The festival includes a family market that includes about 15 stores for books, educational products and family activities, in addition to a space dedicated to recreational activities for children in a safe environment.

The 16th Al Jazeera Forum kicked off Saturday in Doha under the title ‘From the War on Gaza to Change in Syria: Shifting Dynamics in the Middle East’. The two-day forum will include in-depth discussions through a series of sessions and events with the participation of experts and officials from all over the world. The forum will examine the geopolitical transformations in the Middle East.Starting with the repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza, through the reshaping of the political scene in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, it will also address the repercussions of these developments on the regional balance of power and their implications for the Arab situation and regional and international alliances in the region.HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera Media Network, opened the forum’s activities. During his speech at the opening session, he said that the forum focuses on important topics that concern our Arab region and the world as a whole. Noting that on this date last year, the focus of the forum’s previous edition was what was happening in Gaza and the consequences of the Al-Aqsa Flood events. “Consequences that were reflected on the region in general, including what we saw in the collapse of the regime in Syria and many other major challenges that we are currently seeing, such as displacement attempts and other changes in the region.”He added that, “it is expected that we will see transformations in the coming period if correct decisions are not taken to deal with these changes, which we are meeting today in the forum to discuss and shed light on."He added that today we stand at the end of 15 months of aggression on Gaza, during which Al Jazeera Channel made many sacrifices, as the channel was keen to be in the eye of the event, whether in Gaza, Lebanon or Syria, and was keeping up with the event and made many sacrifices of martyrs and wounded, whom we remember today with all goodness.”HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer continued that with regard to the Syrian issue, Al Jazeera was present in the heart of the event and has witnessed the sacrifice of many martyrs since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution to convey the truth, which confirms the sincerity of the channel’s approach in working to support the truth and carry out its message. He touched on what is currently happening in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where Al Jazeera offices were closed, while they are doing a noble work to help our brothers in Palestine and convey the reality they live in. Noting that it seems that there are people who do not know the truth of the work of a journalist who seeks to shed light on the truth.HE Sheikh Hamad stressed that the number of journalists killed in the past year, especially in Gaza, is a very large number. Especially during wars, reporting from conflict zones can cost them their lives at some point, as has actually happened with many of them for the sake of their mission and noble work. He paid glowing tributes to the journalists who laid down their lives in the line of duty.He stressed that there are many questions about the future of the region that the forum will discuss, in Arab world in particular and the world in general, as there is rich material to enhance the dialogue and provide a detailed vision of what matters to the peoples of the region. The forum’s activities during the first day included many sessions, comprising a session dedicated to the challenges of the post-war in Gaza, a session dedicated to discussing regime change in Syria and its regional effects. The sessions also looked at the positions of Iran, Israel and Turkiye in light of the Arab absence, in addition to a session dedicated to future arrangements for the Palestinian issue and the region after the war.The sessions of the second day will include a discussion of transitional justice in post-conflict countries, monitoring the impact of the war in Ukraine and changes in the US administration on international relations.In addition to a special purpose for the film “Eyes of Gaza”, followed by a discussion on the global protest and solidarity movement with the Palestinian issue, before concluding the forum with a closing speech summarizing the most prominent visions and outcomes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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