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

An associate professor and filmmaker in the media studies programme at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies has expressed the hope that the Third Annual Palestine Forum is going to help educate the public and give them a better understanding of the Palestinian condition. Speaking to 'Gulf Times' on the sidelines of the forum, Dr Imad Ben Labidi said, "the incredibly long occupation of Palestine that has been constantly described as conflict is clearly bloody and almost genocidal. It is a very violent event, and it has to be described in those terms. So, we need to change some of the semantics, where things should be described as they are."Dr Ben Labidi who discussed “Unchilding Palestine: Media Representation and the Limits of Civilizational Discourse,” during the the first session of the forum, said: "A conflict in my opinion is confusing, it does not describe the real conditions on the ground. So, what we are doing in this event, is going to approach some of these problems, either on the linguistic level, or in terms of representation, in terms of images. Also, in terms of textuality and how many of the images and the narratives that are kept produced and intersect to confuse the viewers, audiences, to confuse Americans in particular, most of whom do not really understand how long and how bloody this occupation has been."Settler colonialism is probably one of the longest and the bloodiest experience in human history as we see it in occupied Palestine. What it tries to do, is really completely uproot the indigenous population and replace them with settlers and entities that do not really belong in Palestine.”With relevance to the impact of the intended approach, Dr Ben Labidi added: “We have been trying constantly to influence the western narrative more, educate them about certain aspects that do not seem to be clearly understood. Or challenge this discourse that is completely confusing about the reality of settler colonialism, in a way that it does not really try to include the native. That does not try to live with the native, but it tries to completely eliminate the native.”Dr Ben Labidi's most recent film, 'Alma Under the Rubble' (2024) received the Best Short Animation Award in the Hollywood Golden Age Film Festival.

The Third Annual Palestine Forum kicked off Saturday in Doha, in the presence of HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture, HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a number of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.Organised by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in cooperation with the Institute for Palestine Studies, the forum will conclude on January 27.The forum is one of the most prominent annual academic events that brings together a group of the most prominent specialists and researchers in the Palestinian cause from all over the Arab world and the world at large, to discuss the most prominent Palestinian issues, and emphasise the importance of this issue and its centrality at the Arab and international levels.The convening of the current session at this historical moment is of critical importance, because the war of extermination that took place is unparalleled in modern Palestinian history, and is the most far-reaching in terms of the killing, destruction and displacement that befell the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.The forum comprises seven sessions, each of which contains four parallel tracks, and includes three public seminars distributed over the days of the forum, plus a closed workshop on the third day, that would address the various dimensions of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the challenges facing the Palestinian national project.Ayat Hamdan, the forum coordinator and researcher at the Arab Center, began the first day with an opening session in which she spoke about the importance of holding this session in light of the complex political circumstances experienced by the Palestinian people.Tarek Mitri, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Palestine Studies, in opening remarks emphasized the importance of the meeting for dialogue and reflection. He pointed out that this meeting comes after the ceasefire came into effect, while pointing to the fears that have not dissipated in Gaza or the West Bank, and because the Israeli aggression has not subsided. Mitri stressed that "we have the right to fear because what the American government has taken from Israel in the Gaza Strip, it is giving it back by allowing a free hand in the West Bank".He said that it is no longer possible to hide the Palestinian people from the world’s field of vision, and that the conflict is no longer a local one that can be ignored or used as a sterile refrain in speeches that lead nowhere. He spoke about the work of the Institute for Palestine Studies in documenting the war of extermination in the fields of education, health, culture, and agriculture; to declare the truth as an immortal right.Azmi Bishara, Director General of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, delivered the opening lecture of the forum. He discussed the challenges facing Palestinians everywhere, especially in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the effects of the war of extermination, and how to deal with them to prevent the success of the Israeli vision of transforming its current predicament, resulting from its practice of genocide and the establishment of an apartheid system, into a purely Palestinian predicament. He stressed the importance of unifying the Palestinian ranks under a comprehensive national umbrella to take control of matters and translate international and Arab solidarity into political action; otherwise the Palestinian cause will be moving in a tunnel at the end of which there is no light.The first session was held in four parallel tracks. The first track, “International Law and the War of Genocide on Gaza”, the second track, “The War of Genocide on Gaza and Cultural and Material Destruction”, the third track, “The Aggression on Gaza in the Arab Media.” The second session was also held in four parallel tracks. The first track was “Stations in Palestinian History from the Nineteenth Century to the Nakba.” The second track included “The Israeli Prison System: Experiences and Critical Visions.” The third track, “Palestine and Global and Arab Solidarity.” The fourth track was on “Gaza and the ‘Butterfly Effect’: The Impact of the Israeli War on Gaza on the Regional and International Systems.”At the end of the first day, the forum organised a general symposium titled “The War on Gaza and the Fronts of Support for Palestine.” The Forum will continue in a similar format, with sessions held in parallel tracks. Two public seminars will be held on the second and third days respectively: “Trump’s Policy in His Second Term towards the Palestinian Issue: What Prospects?” and “The Israeli Aggression on Gaza: Scenarios after the War of Extermination.” On the third day, a closed workshop will be held entitled “Gaza under Hamas Rule (2007-2023).”

The regional two-day conference “Memory in Heritage: Enhancing Co-operation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region” organised by the Qatar National Archives in co-operation with Unesco concluded yesterday. The conference kicked off in Doha on Tuesday in the presence of HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar National Archives, and HE Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. The second day of the conference witnessed continued intensive discussions on key issues related to the preservation of documentary heritage in the Arab world. The events were opened with a welcoming speech by Secretary-General of the Qatar National Archives Dr Ahmed al-Buainain, who stressed the importance of joint dialogue between Arab countries and enhancing cooperation to achieve common regional goals. The day included a comprehensive presentation by Heidi Mirza from the Unesco Office for Egypt and Sudan, reviewing the most important previous achievements and defining the objectives of the final day. Participants discussed the challenges facing the Arab region in enhancing its representation on the Memory of the World Register, with Ming Kok Lim from the Unesco Office in Rabat highlighting the steps required to submit successful proposals that reflect Arab cultural diversity. The closing session announced the establishment of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MoWCAR) to coordinate efforts in safeguarding heritage and raising its global profile. Dr al-Buainain was elected Chairman of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab region, after Qatar received 15 votes out of 17, reflecting the great confidence that the Arab world places in Qatar to lead this important initiative. He said: “We are proud and honoured to be assigned to chair the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab region. We are fully aware of the importance of this role and the responsibilities it carries in building a strong regional system concerned with preserving our rich documentary heritage and consolidating its position at the regional and international levels. “We will continue to work hard and sincerely to ensure that the committee becomes an effective platform that enhances cooperation between Arab countries and unifies efforts towards enabling documentary heritage to achieve a distinguished global presence. This assignment represents an exceptional opportunity to consolidate Qatar’s position as a pioneer in this field, and to enhance joint efforts to achieve a future vision that ensures the sustainability of our legacy for future generations.” The conference concluded with a series of strategic recommendations. The participants stressed the importance of supporting digitisation projects as a pivotal tool for preserving documents and ensuring easy access to them, with a focus on employing modern technology to achieve this vital goal. They also stressed the need to enhance Arab nominations for the Memory of the World Register by submitting strong files that reflect the cultural diversity of the region, ensuring a distinguished representation of Arab heritage at the global level. The recommendations also included developing joint training programmes that contribute to building local capacities and enhancing the exchange of expertise between Arab countries in the field of preserving documentary heritage. The recommendations represent a roadmap to enhance joint efforts between Arab countries, ensuring the protection and sustainability of documentary heritage for future generations. Dr al-Buainain expressed his gratitude to Unesco for its continuous support for this initiative, and commended the participants from various Arab countries for their effective role in making the conference a success and enriching the discussions.

The "Searching for Life" exhibition by cartoonist Salman al-Malik has opened at the headquarters of the Qatar Press Center (QPC) in the presence of a number of artists, cartoonists and the public.In a press statement, al-Malik - one of the most prominent visual artists and cartoonists in Qatar - praised the QPC for hosting the exhibition. It coincides with the publication of a book bearing the same title "Searching for Life", which includes his career and biography, and some of the cartoon drawings published in daily and weekly newspapers.Al-Malik said the exhibition reflects important local and global societal issues, and includes more than 250 cartoons that document his creative career, and touch on various topics, such as the Palestinian issue, high prices, loans, high school fees, and excavations."It is the first individual cartoon exhibition that I have held after a series of previous exhibitions, and it is the culmination of a career spanning more than 35 years in the field of caricature art," he saidAl-Malik pointed out that 75% of his drawings deal with local social issues, while the remaining deal with international and regional issues, which reflects the balance between the two axes: local and global.Saad bin Mohamed al-Rumaihi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, said: “The art of caricature is one of the most important tools of expression that contributes to shedding light on urgent societal issues in an innovative and satirical way. It is a unique means of communicating with society, and drawing the attention of officials to many existing problems. It has an exceptional ability to convey messages directly and briefly, which makes it an integral part of journalism, and an effective tool for driving the wheel of change.”Al-Rumaihi pointed out in his speech that many of the works of al-Malik have contributed to making a tangible impact in addressing some societal phenomena. Thanks to his innovative way of addressing issues, which provokes thought and pushes the concerned parties to take action.Al-Rumaihi stressed that the exhibition, which runs until Jan 26, represents a living model of the role of art in serving society, stressing the importance of supporting these initiatives to raise awareness and shed light on issues of concern to citizens.

The regional conference 'Memory in Heritage: Enhancing Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region" kicked off in Doha on Wednesday. Organised by the Qatar National Archives in co-operation with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), the two-day conference is being held at the Sheraton Hotel in the presence of HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar National Archives, and HE Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. The conference was also attended by other dignitaries and a group of senior figures from the GCC and regional countries.In the opening speech, Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar National Archives, said: “Documentary heritage is not just documents preserved in archives, but rather a living record of our identity and history. Our responsibility today is not only to preserve it, but to transform it into a cognitive tool that contributes to facing the challenges of the era, while ensuring its sustainability for future generations.”Al-Buainain added: “We at the Qatar National Archives are committed to using the latest digital technologies, such as AI and digitisation, to improve archiving processes and protect documents from damage. We also seek to be a leading centre in the digital transformation of national and Arab archives, in co-operation with our regional and international partners.”Salah Khaled, Unesco Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the Unesco Office in Doha, praised the role of the Qatar National Archives and its team in organising the event. Stressing that the Arab region is rich in a unique documentary heritage that bears witness to the human civilisations that emerged and developed in this region.He reviewed prominent historical examples of the richness of Arab heritage, such as the Ashur Library in Iraq, and the historical universities in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, in addition to great archaeological documentary discoveries such as the Sana’a manuscripts and the Epic of Gilgamesh.Khaled stressed that protecting the Arab documentary heritage is a fundamental task not only for documenting the past, but also for building bridges of communication between generations and promoting global cultural dialogue. However, he drew attention to the weak representation of the Arab documentary heritage in the Memory of the World Register, where it constitutes only 5% of the total register, which calls for urgent action to enhance cooperative efforts and increase attention to the importance of this heritage.Ali al-Maarefi, Secretary-General of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stressed that the conference constitutes an important platform for unifying efforts and enhancing regional co-operation to preserve documentary heritage, which is an integral part of the cultural and historical identity of the Arab peoples. He explained that this event reflects Qatar’s commitment to supporting cultural and educational efforts, regionally and internationally, in a way that contributes to strengthening ties between the peoples of the region.The first day of the conference witnessed intensive dialogue sessions that addressed pivotal issues in protecting documentary heritage. The first session, titled 'The State of Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region', was attended by Faxon Banda, Head of the Documentary Heritage Unit at Unesco, who gave a presentation on the challenges facing Arab documentary heritage, such as the weak Arab representation in the international register of the Memory of the World Programme. Banda stressed the need to enhance regional co-operation to document heritage and highlight it at the global level.The second session addressed 'The Risks of Climate Change on Documentary Heritage'. The speakers discussed the impact of climate change and natural disasters on historical documents, and called for the adoption of regional strategies to improve preservation conditions and enhance digitisation.The third session focused on 'Protecting Documentary Heritage in Conflict Zones'. Speakers from Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan and Iraq participated in the session, where they presented their experiences in documenting and protecting historical documents during conflicts.The first day concluded with a session on 'The Importance of Digitization in Protecting Documentary Heritage'. The speakers also discussed the challenges of digitisation, such as the lack of resources and technical expertise.On the sidelines of the conference Heidi Mirza, Unesco Cairo Office, said in a statement to 'Gulf Times': “Unesco aims to develop national committees, in every country, that has a field office. These national committees are responsible for prioritising, identifying the documentary heritage that are in dire situation, so that they can be prioritised for digitisation, preservation, and to keep them safe in proper storage conditions. The aim of this conference is to bring all these national committees from the Arab region, and Unesco partners to be able to prioritise and understand which documentary heritage is in most need to be submitted to Unesco and be registered as part of the memory of the world.”The conference was accompanied by an exhibition that reflected the beauty and richness of the Arab documentary heritage. It included a collection of manuscripts, photos and documents that shed light on the history of the region.The second day of the conference will focus on establishing a regional committee for the Memory of the World Programme with the aim of enhancing Arab representation in the Memory of the World Register.

The Deanship of Student Affairs at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) organised the 8th edition of the DI Career Fair Monday, with the participation of more than 40 organisations from the public and private sectors in the country.The event, held annually, was opened by Dr Abdelwahab El Affendi, president of the DI, and Dean of Student Affairs Dr Ibrahim Fraihat.DI career fair is an appropriate platform for the Institute’s students and graduates to learn about the most prominent opportunities and vacancies offered in the Qatari labour market. It offers communication with participating entities and institutions directly and for asking about the nature of the opportunities, in addition to reviewing the vacancies and trainings relevant to their future career plans.Nasema Abdeen, director of the Communication and External Relations Department at the DI, said: “The career fair plays a vital role in enhancing communication between students and graduates and the Qatari labour market, allowing them to learn about the market’s requirements and needs. The fair also provides valuable training opportunities for current students, and presents an ideal platform to showcase the specialisations, academic programmes and training opportunities offered by the Institute to participating entities.”Aliaa Chebaro, career advisor and administrative supervisor of the Deanship of Student Affairs at the DI, explained that the Career Advising Office aims to provide students with the necessary tools to explore the Qatari labour market.Chebaro pointed out that the fair this year had the participation of more than 40 entities, representing different important sectors like education, business, journalism and media, services, social and volunteer work, technology and others, which reflects the diversity of opportunities available to students and graduates.On the sidelines of the exhibition, several workshops and accompanying events were organised, most notably the “Employment Policy at the Ministry of Justice” workshop.

The National Archives of Qatar marks Tuesday the commencement of the regional conference on “Memory in Heritage: Fostering Co-operation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region”.It organised by the National Archives in partnership with Unesco.The two-day conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, bringing together international and regional experts, decision-makers, and representatives of national libraries, museums, and archives from across the Arab world.This event, which underscores Qatar’s commitment to its leadership in fostering cultural co-operation and safeguarding Arab documentary heritage, is aimed at developing innovative solutions to address the major challenges threatening this cultural legacy, such as climate change, regional conflicts, and limited technical resources.The conference also seeks to establish mechanisms that ensure the sustainability of Arab documentary heritage while enhancing its role as a source of cultural identity and a cornerstone for global cultural dialogue.“Hosting this regional conference reaffirms Qatar’s steadfast commitment to leading Arab efforts in protecting documentary heritage,” said National Archives secretary-general Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain. “The National Archives of Qatar continues to act as a hub for experts and decision-makers to discuss current challenges and develop innovative strategies that enhance the sustainability of this cultural legacy.”“This event is a pivotal moment for unifying efforts and promoting international co-operation to ensure that Arab documentary heritage remains an integral part of cultural identity and a source of global inspiration,” he said.Salah Khaled, Unesco Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the Unesco Office in Doha, said: “The conference will explore solutions to these challenges through regional collaboration.”“One key initiative is the proposed establishment of a regional Memory of the World Committee to enhance the representation of Arab documentary heritage on the global stage,” he said. “This regional register is a crucial step toward strengthening co-operation among national committees and institutions.”“It will highlight the Arab region’s contributions to science, culture, communication, and education, ensuring stronger representation at the international level,” Khaled added.

The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that the new edition of the Doha Film Festival will take place from Nov 20 to 28.It said the festival comes within the framework of a continuous development phase that the DFI seeks to meet the needs of the industry, while ensuring innovation and taking advantage of new opportunities.The festival comes after organising 12 editions of the Ajyal Film Festival, during which it contributed to building advanced cinematic awareness and highlighting local and international talents in the film industry, to go beyond the boundaries of entertainment, by showing films that can be a catalyst for positive social change.The DFI has succeeded in establishing a sustainable cinematic environment that supports Arab and independent production, and the Ajyal Festival came to represent an important platform for creative expression and social change. It also played a vital role in highlighting humanitarian issues and transforming creative ideas into sustainable initiatives. The Made in Qatar programme has also become a platform to showcase local and international talents developing their projects.The DFI is organising the “Geekend” event from Feb 6 to 8, which provides developers and video game enthusiasts with an ideal platform to push the boundaries of their creativity and develop their skills. The event will be held over three days and will include various activities aimed at enhancing the skills of local talents in the field of games, and supporting the foundations of the rapidly developing gaming economy.The event will be held at the Geekdom building in Lusail Street, from 3-11pm, where the most talented developers and gaming enthusiasts in Qatar will engage in an exciting challenge to design and innovate original video games from scratch, within a limited time frame, in a major and important step for game developers, as it provides them with a platform for innovation, collaboration, and displaying their talents.

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.