Qatar

Doha Metro carriage classifications (Gold, Family & Standard) will be reinstated from December 23 (Friday). "Kindly remember to travel in the carriage that matches your travel card," Doha Metro & Lusail Tram tweeted Tuesday.New service hours also came into force Tuesday. Sunday - Wednesday: 5.30am - 11.59pm. Thursday: 5.30am - 1am. Friday: 2pm - 1am. Saturday: 6am - 11.59pm.

Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) sets the record for receiving more than 4mn fans from Qatar and around the world during the World Cup, making the city a global destination, a statement said Tuesday.The city offered various immersive and comprehensive experiences such as museum exhibitions, performances and celebrations that engaged the visitors to keep up with the excitement.The various events organised with several partners brought families and guests from all cultural backgrounds together in a city where one can discover Qatari heritage and traditions.In a press statement, Msheireb Properties’ PR and Communication manager Maryam al-Jassem said: “We are pleased to have hosted many visitors from all over the world to show our world-class facilities while appreciating Qatari culture and heritage. Msheireb continues to contribute to Qatar’s sustainability goals to create a better future for us all. We are excited for the rest of the world to discover their world in a downtown in the future.”Millions of fans enjoyed activations that were held in every corner of the city. The city district offered several cultural, art, entrainment and sport activations that added great value to the football experience.The Host Country Media Centre provided broadcast and media facilities for 2,500 journalists coming from around the world including broadcasting stations, live games viewing stations, conference rooms, and service centres. Live performances by renowned artists from all over the world celebrated the joyous occasion at Sikkat Al Wadi, Msheireb Galleria and Barahat Msheireb which had a dedicated private area for watching the matches and hosted a live performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.Located at the heart of Doha, MDD is the ideal place to explore the nation’s history and culture. With the latest innovation that are implemented throughout the city, making the visit more pleasurable and sustainable.Thousands of visitors enjoyed the sustainable way of transportation inside the city district by the eco-friendly tram, or on foot in line with highest safety and security measures.The district prides itself on promoting sustainability that contribute to Qatar’s national vision, as one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world.

Qatargas Operating Company (Qatargas) has distributed football kits and associated gear to children of a South Korean child welfare centre as part of its new corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative titled “Pass the Joy”.The CSR initiative is aimed at spreading the message of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.In a ceremony held at Myoungryun Child Welfare Centre, Mashel Attiq al-Merekhi, general manager of Qatargas’ Korea Liaison Office (KLO), said Qatargas is delighted to undertake this activity for children of Myoungryun Child Welfare Centre in Korea."As the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it gives all of us in Qatar great pleasure to pass the joy of this historic event to children in South Korea. This is particularly delightful as the South Korean national team is playing in this year’s World Cup,” he said.Al-Merekhi acknowledged Myoungryun’s proud history of a strong foster care system since 1951 to meet the developmental needs of vulnerable children and provide them with better opportunities to reach their full potential and help promote a successful transition into adulthood.KLO representatives and officials from the Myungryun Child Welfare Centre attended the ceremony. The kits included footballs, sports shoes, team jerseys, goal posts and nets, in addition to various other amenities for the centre.The centre was established in 1951 during the Korean Conflict between 1950 and 1953 to care for children and was later elevated as an authorised public welfare corporation in 1958.Qatargas KLO has been undertaking various CSR initiatives in South Korea for the past 13 years mostly aimed at supporting children.In 2019, KLO undertook a campaign “Warm Their Hearts” to extend assistance to children of the Sundukwon and Angel’s Haven orphanages, located in Seoul, supporting them with warm clothes and other winter accessories.

Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QSW), an affiliate of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, organised a graduation ceremony for 122 male and female employees of those who are working in QSW and the centers affiliated with it after they have acquired the knowledge in the leadership training program presented by Qatar Leadership Centre (QLC), which aims to enhance their leadership capabilities and upgrade their personal and vocational potential through the national leadership program offered by QLC.Targeting the institution's employees and its affiliated centers, along with the employees operating in the civil society organisations, the program aims to enhance their national talents through the professional training courses, training and executive guidance as per institution's needs.In his remarks on this occasion, CEO of QSW Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Kuwari said that he stands today holding the feelings of pride after the graduation of the 2019-2022 batch of QSW's employees and its affiliated centers after studying the leadership training program under the supervision of QLC, as a national platform concerned with excellence in the leadership field, pointing out that the program was launched with the objective of upgrading the high-level leadership and administrative skills and talents of the employees who hold executive positions in QSW and the centers, indicating that the program was executed for 122 graduates from QSW's employees and centers over three years.In his remarks to the graduates, Al Kuwari said that he is proud of the practical and administrative skills the graduates have acquired, in addition to the accomplishments made, and today they ultimately reap the fruit of the tireless efforts, conveying his congratulation to the graduates, wishing them further progress and success.For his part, the General Manager of QLC Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Al Kuwari underscored the importance of investment in the human resources and the development of the leadership and executive skills, pointing out that the corporate programs were implemented in co-operation with QSW have contributed to exploring innovative solutions for the most crucial challenges facing the administrative work, along with the collective work skills, the latest developments in the area of strategic leadership, creative thought, management of change and decision-making, since the corporate programs at QLC that was launched in 2014, representing a unique platform for leadership knowledge.Director of the program Nour Al Ali said that the program is a training and leadership one that was offered to the senior employees at the institution, along with the affiliated centers in co-operation with QLC, pointing out that the program lasted for three years, adding that the program was launched in September 2019 and ended in February 2022, while the program included 4 extensive training programs in leadership that were presented to 122 male and female employees, pointing out that the first program included the enhancement of the institution's culture and simulating the spirit of values' system, while the second program tackled the self-management and development, the third program included topics of managing work teams, whilst the fourth program was concluded by corporate governance.

Qatar participated Tuesday in the First Ministerial Meeting of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in the Saudi city of Jeddah.HE President of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Hamad bin Nasser Al Misned chaired Qatar's delegation to the meeting.In a statement, the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority said the meeting adopted the draft agenda, discussed the topics on the agenda and adopted the Makkah Al Mukarramah Convention.

Gulf, Arab and international commendations continued for Qatar's organisation of an exceptional version of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and they have unanimously agreed that Qatar organised, excelled and succeeded in holding an unprecedented and historic tournament that was translated into all words, phrases and world languages.The media circles stressed that every single Arab person boasts of what Qatar has achieved, as the state, people and institutions remarkably excelled in producing this unique version of the World Cup and offered a beautiful Arab image in sporting, cultural and social events.In this context, the British journalist Shirley Brooks lauded the organisation made by Qatar to host the 2022 tournament whose competitions drew to a close on Dec.18, by the coronation of Argentina as title holder, emphasising that the tournament was utterly exceptional by all accounts.In an article published by The Telegraph Newspaper, Brooks described Qatar's organisation of the World Cup as impressive and accurate, albeit numerous media campaigns that preceded the tournament and accompanied its start, pointing out that everyone cannot help, but raise the hat in tribute to Qatar's efforts in organising the tournament.Shirley Brooks, who is a sociologist and journalist in Britain, said that when comparing between what Qatar has made in organising the world cup and what Britain made in organising the UEFA Euro 2020 Final which witnessed riots, everyone can ask a question where would they like to take their 10-year-old daughter, calling on all people to learn from the recent world cup tournament that was criticised, pointing out that the real question will be about what the tournament has achieved, as countries that were not anticipated to flourish have actually flourished, and everyone who attended the tournament in Qatar confirmed that it was very safe and brilliantly organised.In his closing statements Brooks added that all people should ask Qatar for advice on how to run sporting events instead of lecturing it about acceptable and unacceptable clothing.For his part, an Egyptian Academic confirmed that the Qatari Bisht that had been placed on the shoulder of the footballer Lionel Messi by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani consolidated a knowledge and cultural diversity that renews life in different sports activities.In his statements to the Russian SPUTNIK, Professor of Media at Cairo University Dr. Safwat Al-Alam said that the diversity of the spectators that came to Qatar to participate in in cheering their teams represents a vital vision in the cognitive and cultural diversity, as the fans were numerous and differed in their methods of cheering, along with their interests in the players, which represents new cultural and knowledge tributaries that affected even in terms of dealing with the people of Qatar.While a Swiss analyst said in his remarks to Swiss RTS Radio that Qatar came out with a bright image from the tournament, despite the scepticism that were raised about the tournament, For his part, the Swiss retired footballer Sebastien Barberis said that Qatar came out with a bright image after organising the 2022 tournament in light of the scepticism that was raised about the hosting conditions, indicating that despite the occurrence of many things during the tournament, however, people witnessed a very beautiful tournament at the stadium, specially with the surprises that occurred, whilst the champions were Morocco, Japan and Senegal, as well as Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina, where they saw very powerful images and games that were accompanied by a lot of excitement, adding that he has rarely seen a final like this in the World Cup, in terms of the intensity of contest and the scoring of many goals with a lot of suspense, considering that the final game will remain one of the legendary competitions in the history of the World Cup.A report by German ZDF TV shed light on the coincidence of the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar with the celebration of the National Day, adding that World Cup carried a set of political messages, the most important of which was the expression of fans and players of Arab teams about their love for Palestine, noting that the people of Qatar do not view the World Cup final match as an end, but rather a new beginning to move forward and achieve further accomplishments.Professor at Georgetown University in Doha Dr. Danyel Reiche said that FIFA President considered Qatar tournament as the best in history, noting Qatar's success in hosting and organising many sporting events and tournaments such as the Asian Games, Handball Championship, and the FIFA World Cup now reflects the importance of sport for Qatar as a tool.Another report in the German TV said that Qatar's tournament was held in an imaginative vibes away from all concerns that were raised about it, and Qatar wanted this tournament to be engrained in the memories of all those who attended it, which thrilled all masses, including the European spectators for the seamless and smooth organisation of this event, pointing out that the carnival vibes overshadowed everything, including Souq Waqif, and the subways that witnessed the celebrations of the fans who were able to attend more than one game per day.A France 24 report hailed Qatar as another World Cup winner after its high-level organisation of the world's biggest sporting event. The easy access to stadiums along with and the enthusiastic barrier-free fan atmosphere made the tournament one of the best at the organisational level, the report said.France fans who visited Qatar see that the country completely succeeded in hosting this tournament. The reception was warm and the organisation was wonderful," the report entitled "World Championship 2022: Did Qatar succeed?" said, citing fans who said they were invited for dinner or lunch at some Qataris' homes amid an exceptional atmosphere.In this context, French writer Frederic Charillon said that Qatar succeeded in hosting the World Cup, and it was unjustifiable to bring the debate back in the future.Another report by Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen channel said that the closing of the World Cup ended anti-Qatar criticism, hailing Doha as the host of the best-ever World Cup at the organisational level. Arabs imposed their identity despite all marginalisation policies, the pan-Arabist channel said.The Al Riyadia program's report added that Doha achieved many gains, with the World Cup closing ceremony showing pride in values and principles as well as the Arab cultural identity.This World Cup edition included a visual identity that reflected the goals of the organising committee, indelible works of art, and a post-World Cup infrastructure, the report added, highlighting Al Bayt Stadium which simulates Arab hospitality, and Al Thumama Stadium which simulates the Qatari traditional hat. The report also highlighted the Bisht (Qatari ceremonial robe) being draped by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani over Argentina star Lionel Messi following winning the World Cup trophy.Both the World Cup opening and closing ceremonies sent messages of equality, love and fraternity, in an eloquent Arabic language that FIFA spoke as an official language, the report said.Retired Tunisia footballer and sports analyst, Naoufel Ben Youssef, hailed the World Cup in Qatar as the best football tournament that has taken place so far.In an interview with France 24 channel, Ben Youssef said Arabs should be proud for having shown their potential to the world and the Arab and African teams for showing their overwhelming performances. He also hailed the trouble-free presence and arrangement of the Arab and African fans in the World Cup.Qatar and the Qataris must be thanked for the role they played to host this tournament, he added.Russian writer Yuri Sigov said that Qatar achieved its goal and was in the centre of attention of everyone in the world, whether those who criticised its customs and traditions, those who admired the skyscrapers and the Doha Metro, as a 22nd century model, or those who called the 2022 World Cup the best in history.In an article in the Russian-speaking newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the writer pointed out that this championship gave an important lesson to all of humanity, not just football fans, which is that regardless of who wins in such tournaments, football is the most profitable and popular business and a source of positive and indescribable emotions.For its part, the Russian newspaper Sport-Express published an article by the head of the Football Department of the newspaper Konstantin Alekseev entitled "Football defeat politics.. Thank you, Qatar, for such a World Cup," in which he stated that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was held in Qatar, was the most exciting in history, adding that many attempts were made to politicise the World Cup, such as talking about violating the rights of immigrants, calls to boycott the tournament, and other things, and it turns out that some people were looking for a reason to challenge the organisers who won the right to host the World Cup Qatar 2022.He pointed out that the situation was sad before the beginning of the tournament, but after that football defeated politics, and the world witnessed the most football performance and the most dramatic and amazing end in the history of the football world cup tournaments, during the final match between Argentina and France. No one remembers anything more wonderful than what happened before this World Cup. "Thank you, Qatar, for this wonderful tournament," he concluded.Russia's Gornovosti's correspondent said that they spent a wonderful month with football during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and this wonderful football feast culminated in the victory of the Argentine national team over its French counterpart in the final match, which is the best football final in the history of the FIFA World Cup tournaments.The British newspaper "The Independent" mentioned in a report entitled "Giving Messi the traditional costume to lift the World Cup is an honorary gesture by Qatar," that Argentine captain Lionel Messi wore the Qatari "Bisht" while lifting the World Cup in an honorary gesture by Qatar, explaining that His Highness the Amir of Qatar put the "Bisht" on Messi before joining his teammates to celebrate their victory over France.It noted that some viewers and media professionals who are not familiar with the meaning and importance of this outfit were confused when seeing this scene, however, Dr. Mustafa Baig, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of Exeter, explained that the Bisht is an official cloak worn by members of the royal family, dignitaries and grooms on the wedding day and graduates at graduation ceremonies.Baig added that a select few people, therefore, wear the Bisht, and placing it on Messi's shoulders a gesture of welcome and cultural acceptance of him, indicating that this gesture as an expression of embracing the local culture of Messi, considering it a beautiful gesture from Qatar as well as a smart idea on their part. Omani news paper Al Roya said that the World Cup in Qatar dazzled the world and that it competently overcame all challenges it faced, especially that this edition had its doubters and foes who relied on misinformation. The paper congratulated the government and people of Qatar for hosting a historic, unprecedented World Cup edition. It highlighted that this World Cup also knew no big or small teams, only rewarding those who put the effort during the match on the pitch. It also said that this edition was a true melting pot, with all fans regardless of nationality wearing Arab items of clothing, and then His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani put a Bisht on Lionel Messi just before he lifted the World Cup.Its Omani counterpart Al Watan said that the World Cup saw all Arabs unite and support the participating Arab teams, and especially Morocco after their historic achievement that saw them finish fourth. They praised Qatar for achieving the impossible and organising a World Cup that gained the plaudits of all. The paper added that the World Cup final celebrations were even greater because they coincided with Qatar National Day.Sudan's Akhbar El Youm said that timing the final with Dec. 18 national day celebrations was a stroke of genius. The paper added that the Qatari edition was the most unique World Cup ever, thanks to the present Qatari culture and Islamic principles.In Jordan, Ammon news said that 2022 was the year of Arabs, thanks to Qatar's success in hosting a unique World Cup edition filled with surprises and twists and turns. The article added that Qatar's hosting of the World Cup increased the Arab people's sense of pride that they can accomplish anything.

Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has recorded 26,425 air traffic at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through Hamad and Doha international airports.Air traffic at Hamad and Doha international airports saw a high operational intensity during the World Cup with many Gulf airlines operating shuttle flights to the State of Qatar, in addition to many additional flights from the rest of world countries, including Germany's Lufthansa, Air France, Finland's Finnair, and the Netherlands' KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, in addition to airlines from South America and Africa, which operated regular and charter flights to Qatar.According to QCAA, the significant rise in air traffic was managed professionally and smoothly thanks to the great preparations made by the Authority. September 8, 2022 saw the activation of the new airspace developed for Qatar and the launch of the first phase of the Doha Flight Information Region (Doha FIR), in implementation of the decision issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in March 2022 to establish a Flight Information Region (FIR) and a Search and Rescue Region (SSR) in Doha.Accordingly, the capacity has been increased to about 100 flights per hour, and the number of air routes arriving to and departing from Qatar has increased to (17) separate routes, with the aim of ensuring a smoother flow and a greater safety.Meanwhile, aircraft air waiting areas, that were used during peak periods, have been increased to arrange aircraft during landing. Landing and take-off procedures were separated into two runways (Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport) with the aim of increasing the capacity for take-offs and landings during the World Cup, giving the possibility of running three take-offs and landings at the same time. Air traffic management simulator tests have been conducted to ensure that all operations are carried out safely and smoothly.The Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) system in Qatar is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and has contributed to properly arranging the arrival and departure of aircraft to Doha. In addition, neighbouring countries were provided with an electronic page to know the departure hours from their country through the SLOT Departure Time system, which also contributed to regulating air traffic at peak times during the World Cup.QCAA Air Navigation Department also developed alternative operational contingency plans to ensure that no confusion occurs in air traffic management during the period of the tournament.The efforts aim at ensuring a unique travel experience for visitors, and highlighting the great development in the civil aviation sector in Qatar. They also demonstrate the level of distinguished services provided by the civil aviation system in the country, leaving a special imprint during the exceptional World Cup through which Qatar dazzled the world.

HE Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani attributed the success of Qatar in hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which came to an end yesterday, to the great support of the wise leadership of the State of Qatar. The wise leadership supported all work and stood behind this great success recognised by the world with its various cultures and its diversity, he said, noting that this success did not come from a vacuum, but rather is the result of great work that continued for more than twelve years since Qatar won the bid to organise the World Cup.Speaking to Alkass TV channel, His Excellency said that they in the SC were confident in Qatar's ability to achieve the highest levels of success owing to the great support of the Qatari leadership to organise a more distinguished edition, and that they had set special criteria for success, most notably the legacy of the tournament that benefits the world, in addition to the criterion of mass attendance with the World Cup, which is a major criterion for them in the committee.The technical criterion was something known to everyone who followed the tournament through the impressive level of the teams as well as the level of the final match between Argentina and France, which exceeded all expectations and was more powerful and exciting, he said, praising at the same time the Moroccan national team and the impressive results they achieved in the World Cup as the first Arab and African team to reach the semi-finals and to compete strongly, describing their performance as an honourable one that added a lot to the tournament from a technical point of view.HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani affirmed Qatar's fulfilment of the promises and commitments made before organising the World Cup through many distinctive standards that the world will absorb after a long period of time.The tournament met all the standards of organisation and added a lot to the World Cup tournaments, His Excellency said, noting that it was a good opportunity that changed many world concepts about the Middle East and what it was known for in the past.The SC Managing Director said the hard work and sincerity of all committees were behind the full success of the championship, considering that the implementation stage of Qatar's bid projects was the most difficult and that the Qatari competencies did a great job and did the impossible for an impressive organisation of the championship.His Excellency stated that they focused on working diligently and with high quality in order to achieve success, without considering any criticism, pointing out that they in the committee went through difficult stages in the past 12 years that followed the announcement of Qatar's winning of organising the World Cup, but their confidence in achieving success was great.HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani thanked all the tournament's committees and said that they did a great job, noting that the security committee made a great effort to make it a success along with the media committee and the medical committee, which revealed distinguished talents and competencies that had an impact on the organisation, in addition to other civil committees that carried out their work with high professionalism, and they deserve thanks and appreciation.For his part, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi said in a statement that the challenges facing Qatar's World Cup bid were turned into positives, adding that anti-Qatar campaigns started Dec. 3, 2010, only one day after Qatar had won the World Cup bid.The Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy indicated that organising the tournament in Qatar opened horizons for many fans to fulfil their dream of attending the World Cup matches. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was the best tournament and sporting event in the world, and the Qatari organisation will not be repeated in any tournament in the future, he added.Al Thawadi pointed out that one of the most prominent problems facing the Qatari World Cup bid was the lack of seriousness to accept Qatar's submission as a small and Arab country.Qatar's goal from the beginning was not just to participate, but rather to host the tournament; Qatar was confident in winning, and over the days, it proved the seriousness of its bid and ideas, and managed to alter stereotypes of the FIFA members, he said.The championship was an opportunity to connect together diversified cultures worldwide amid great interaction from Qatar's nationals and residents, he pointed out, adding that the fans who came to Qatar conveyed the advantages of organising the tournament in Qatar, which changed their perceptions of the Arab peoples.The Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy noted that the World Cup Qatar 2022 is one of the most diverse tournaments that witnessed a variety of fan attendance, adding that the matches were highly watched by families around the world.For his part, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser Al Khater highlighted that the tournament did not witness any security obstacles, thanks to the security authorities' plans. It was a safe and family-friendly tournament that brought cultures around the world together, he said.All previous World Cups did not see four matches being played in one city or one region, and this was one of the most difficult challenges that faced the Committee, Al Khater said.For his part, Director General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Yasser Abdullah Al Jamal said the vision of the country's wise leaderships and their follow-up on all the details of the committee's work was the motive for achieving an organisational success, carried out by Qatari cadres and the hard-working tournament team. This tournament gave Qatari cadres the ability to organise better future tournaments in all fields, he said.

HE Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Qatar National Day (QND) Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani honoured heads of committees, events, and entities that participated in QND events at Darb Al Saai from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18. The events saw great success and strong interest from the public.HE Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Qatar National Day thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the National Day activities in Darb Al Saai, praising their courage and work ethic during a time when the country was hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. His Excellency added that those who participated showed how important the Qatari identity is to its people.During the ceremony, His Excellency honoured the Qatar Center for Cultural and Heritage Events, the media committee, the sponsorship and communication committee, the military music band, the security committee, the security permits team, and the ministry of environment and climate change, in addition to honouring all the heads of the events participating in Darb Al Saai.The honours also included the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Voluntary Center, the Director of the Volunteer Strategy Department at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the founder of the Kind Touches Team, and the founder of the Young Volunteer Team, in addition to a group of volunteers as well.

Weather inshore until 6 pm on Tuesday will be misty at first, partly cloudy with chance of rain maybe thundery at places and cold by night, the department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report, warning of expected thundery rain associated with strong wind.Offshore will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times with chance of rain maybe thundery at places at times, the report added, warning of expected thundery rain associated with strong wind and high sea.Wind inshore will be northwesterly to northeasterly 05 to 15 knot reaches 25 knot with thundery rain.Offshore, it will be northwesterly to northeasterly 06 to 16 knot reaches 25 knot with thundery rain.Visibility will be 4 to 8/3 kilometers or less at places with thundery rain.Sea state inshore will be 1 to 3 feet rises to 5 feet during thundery rain. Offshore it will be 2 to 4 feet, rises to 8 feet with thundery rain.

Immediately after winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Qatar made a pledge to deliver an amazing edition of the global football tournament (Deliver Amazing). As the referee sounded the final whistle to signal the end of the final match at the iconic Lusail Stadium, the whole world said in unison- Qatar delivered the best ever World Cup in the tournament's history.Amir: "We have fulfilled our promise to organize an exceptional championship from the Arab countries, which provided an opportunity for the peoples of the world to learn about the richness of our culture and the authenticity of our values"The FIFA World Cup may be over along with the celebrations, festivities and excitement surrounding it, but it will be remembered for ever as a shining example of Qatar's ability to host a stunning event that won the hearts of billions around the world. From the planning stage to preparation and final implementation, the hosts ensured that every minute detail was taken care of to provide participants and fans with an impeccably mounted event - one that can be described as the best ever World Cup.In doing so, Qatar successfully overcame the campaigns carried out by cynics, naysayers and critics, eventually winning over many of them and showing the world the true picture. The testimonials of foreigners, as captured by both the local and international media, emphatically proved the critics wrong and showed how the fans loved every aspect of the tournament - from the state-of-the-art stadiums, the remarkable transportation arrangements and the safety and security to the carnival-like atmosphere, the warmth and hospitality of the locals, and the world-class events and activities lined up by the organisers, among others.Aptly, and as an icing on the cake, the final between Argentina and France turned out to be an absolute thriller, and arguably the greatest final in the history of the tournament.As His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said in a tweet, "Qatar has fulfilled its promise of delivering an exceptional tournament from the land of Arabs, providing the chance for peoples of the world to learn about the enriched and authentic Arab culture and values".From the state-of-the-art stadiums, the remarkable transportation arrangements and the safety and security to the carnival-like atmosphere, the warmth and hospitality of the locals, and the world-class events and activities lined up by the organisers enthralled the fansThe FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 recorded an impressive attendance figure of 3,404,252 fans over 29 days - from November 20 to December 18, QNA reported.The final on Sunday at Lusail Stadium, which saw Argentina defeat France 4-2 on penalties to lift the trophy, was attended by 88,966 spectators."Attendance for the final match pushed the cumulative total for this FIFA World Cup over 3.4mn spectators, with an average attendance capacity of 96.3%," FIFA said in a statement.The World Cup in Qatar ranks third in terms of attendance in the history of the tournament. USA in 1994 tops the list with 3,587,538 fans, while Brazil in 2014 is second with an attendance tally of 3,429,873.Fan attendance at the end of the group stage of Qatar 2022 amounted to 2,457,059, while the Round of 16 of witnessed the presence of 411,609 fans in eight matches.In the quarter-finals, 245,221 fans were recorded in the stands - 43,893 fans in the Croatia-Brazil match at Education City Stadium, 44,198 in the Morocco-Portugal showdown at Al Thumama Stadium, 88,235 fans in the Netherlands-Argentina tie at Lusail Stadium, and 68,895 in the France-England match at Al Bayt Stadium.A total of 157,260 fans attended the semi-finals at Lusail and Al Bayt stadiums. The Argentina-Croatia clash saw an attendance of 88,966 fans, while Morocco against France at Al Bayt Stadium witnessed the presence of 68,294 fans.The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 recorded an impressive attendance figure of 3,404,252 fans over 29 days - from November 20 to December 18The third-place play-off match, which was held between Morocco and Croatia at Khalifa International Stadium and ended with a 2-1 victory for Croatia, witnessed the attendance of 44,137 fans.More than 1.4mn fans from across the globe visited Qatar for the World Cup, the tournament organisers said.Qatar 2022 also engaged TV audiences around the world with record-breaking numbers across multiple markets. For instance, reports said the World Cup final set a new all-time record for viewership in France with an average of 24.1mn watching the game. Earlier, in Japan, the group game between Japan and Costa Rica on November 27 drew an average audience of 36.37m viewers. This surpassed the audience of their incredible comeback against Germany in their tournament opener by over 10mn and was 74% higher than the average domestic group stage audience during the FIFA World Cup in 2018.More details are expected in the coming days.Fans in Qatar revelled in the compact nature of the event with many thousands attending more than one match per day – the first time this has been possible in the modern history of the tournament.FIFA said the top visiting nations were Saudi Arabia, India, the United States, Britain and Mexico.If not watching matches, fans enthusiastically attended a host of entertainment events, including the FIFA Fan Festival, Corniche Activation and many others. More than 530,000 people attended the entertainment events daily throughout the tournament, according to the organisers.The FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park, the centrepiece of the celebrations, saw more than 1.8mn fans enjoy the live broadcasts of games and the vibrant entertainment on offer at the venue. Opening on November 19, the FIFA Fan Festival was the hub for both international and local fans during the tournament, showing every FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 game on an iconic 1,800sq m screen and providing free entertainment with some of the most famous names from music scenes around the world.The 145,000sq m and 40,000-capacity venue welcomed an average of 70,000 visitors per day.Beyond the FIFA Fan Festival, large crowds were seen throughout the tournament at various other venues hosting events and activations. These included the Doha Corniche, Souq Waqif, Hayya Fan Zone, Lusail Boulevard, Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, MDLBEAST Presents: Aravia, Arcadia Music Festival, Daydream Festival, QetaiFAN Beach Fest, The Pearl Island, 900 Park and others - offering something for everybody.Qatar consistently ranks at the top of global safety lists. So, it's hardly surprising that the World Cup in Qatar will be remembered as a remarkably safe and secure event. As an official recently said, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has turned out to be the safest event of its kind with zero major crime.The efforts of the Tournament Security Force and Ministry of Interior, along with the co-operation of fans, helped deliver the safest ever FIFA World Cup, in accordance with the best standards at competitive and non-competitive facilities.This was echoed by visitors from around the world, who felt extremely safe walking around the streets of Doha or at stadiums and in other places. It also vindicated Qatar's stand on banning alcoholic beverages at stadiums. In particular, female fans from various places said they never felt this secure at any such event elsewhere.The transportation arrangements were at the heart of the event, with the Doha Metro, Lusail Tram, Mowasalat (Karwa) buses, various taxi services, and the Education City and Msheireb trams safely and effectively transporting millions of people.The Doha Metro and Lusail Tram transported a staggering 19.2mn people during the tournament, the number of passengers carried by the Education City and Msheireb trams was 177,838.Well-laid out plans along with precise implementation ensured the operations went off smoothly. There were massive crowds on some occasions, but the issues were duly addressed by the authorities and staff concerned.The Hayya card enabled people to use public transport for free, something the fans highly appreciated.The experience at Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport was also exceptional as detailed measures had been taken to ensure smooth operations.The volunteers, security teams, medical workers, and other personnel involved in the operations ensured that the entire process worked like a well-oiled machine. And they did so with a smile and brought cheer to fans from around the world. The now-famous 'Metro Man' is just one example of how something as mundane as going from one place to another became a joyful experience.Also bringing joy were the locals and residents with their hospitality and warmth, helping visitors understand and appreciate the local culture while making their 'trek' to and from stadiums pleasant by offering refreshments.And finally, the experience at the stadiums themselves was truly exceptional. Happy, cheerful, disciplined crowds were seen everywhere, as millions caught the action on the pitch.There were many other highlights of the tournament, including accessibility and sustainability, to name a few.Qatar has delivered, leaving a lasting legacy.

International news agencies and newspapers have highlighted the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, describing it as exceptional, majestic and most magnificent in the history of the tournament. Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, lifted the coveted trophy beating France 4 - 2 in a penalty shootout on Sunday.The French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) pointed out the tweet of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in which he said that Qatar has fulfilled its promise of delivering an exceptional tournament from the land of Arabs and thanked everyone who contributed to its success.The agency recalled the statement of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in which he described the tournament as the best among all the previous editions.German news agency DPA referred to the closing ceremony performance by two Arab poets - Tamim al-Barghouti and Mohamed Ould Bemba, who affirmed that the spirit of football was reflected in the tournament, promoting peace, equality and coexistence by emphasising that there are no differences between the competitors, as humanity is equal in the football world and the privileges are distributed equally to everyone."These words embody the relationship between Qatar and the challenges it faced in order to organise an exceptional event such as the World Cup, and shed light on Qatar's resilience and determination supported by regional and International stances with the right to organise, without double standards or changing measures in judgments," DPA said.The agency indicated that more than 3.4mn tickets were sold for the tournament matches that took place in eight world-class stadiums, all located within an hour of the centre of the Qatari capital, Doha. The German news agency stressed Qatar's success in hosting the first close-distance edition in the history of the World Cup since its launch in 1930, explaining that the proximity between stadiums allowed the fans to attend more than one match in a day during the first stages of the tournament matches, and that the country received more than 1.4mn visitors over a period of 29 days.DPA noted that in addition to attending the World Cup matches, fans enjoyed a variety of recreational activities at many locations across the country, including the FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha, which received nearly 2mn fans, in addition to the Doha Corniche, and the areas surrounding the stadiums. The tourist attractions in Qatar served as destinations for fans from everywhere to get together to celebrate their passion for football, and learn about diverse cultures from around the globe in an exceptional atmosphere, DPA added.Turkey's Anadolu Agency described the closing ceremony as "inspiring" and that the ceremony focused on the message of "building a bridge between cultures".Russia Today channel commented that His Highness the Amir of Qatar was keen to send a message to the winner and participants in the finals of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. It republished the tweet in which His Highness congratulated Argentina for winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 trophy and France for the runner-up position, and extended his thanks to all the participating teams for their wonderful performance and the fans who cheered for them enthusiastically.Russia Today also shed light on the "Bisht" in which was draped on Messi before he received the World Cup trophy.AFP Sports indicated that after the conclusion of the World Cup, Qatar is aspiring to be a "world leader in the field of sports", and seeking to host the Olympic Games in 2036.The agency stated that the road is long, but several major milestones have been set to win the honor of organising such an event. AFP Sports pointed out that Qatar has organised several international tournaments with great success, including the Asian Games in 2006, the World Handball Championships in 2015 and the 2019 World Athletics Championships.Qatar will also organise the next Asian Football Cup, the World Swimming Championships in 2024, the World Table Tennis Championships in 2025 and the Asian Games in 2030.The Algerian News Agency commented on the FIFA Fan Festival, served as a destination for foreign and local fans during the tournament, with all the World Cup matches shown on a giant screen, in addition to free entertainment.Tunisian News Agency (TAP) confirmed that the World Cup in Qatar achieved many records, perhaps the most prominent of which is the total attendance of 3,404,252 in the stadiums throughout the days of the tournament.The agency pointed out that Qatar 2022 ranked third in the number of public attendance in the history of the World Cup. The 1994 FIFA World Cup USA topped the list of the largest public attendance in the history of the tournament, as it witnessed the presence of 3,587,538 fans. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil comes in second place with an attendance of 3,429,873 fans, and the 2006 World Cup in Germany comes in fourth place with an attendance of 3,359,439 fans.The French television station, RMC, commented, "Messi and Argentina are at the top of the world, despite France's heroic performance and Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick."The French newspaper "Le Parisien" indicated that France "was close to a miracle" but was "deprived of the third star", while the French newspaper "L'Equipe" wrote that the final was "perhaps the best in history."The British newspaper "The Sun" praised the match, describing it as "the best final match ever," while the Spanish newspaper "Marca" wrote, "Messi has now got his well-deserved award."Several TV channels covered the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary General HE Hassan al-Thawadi told the British Sky News TV that the 22nd edition of the tournament reflects the great work that Qatar has done in organising the World Cup, most notably that Qatar has brought together the whole world with its various cultures and beliefs about sports, in a message of peace through football.HE al-Thawadi stressed that the World Cup reflected the distinctive image of the region and the great capabilities of Qatar in the success of any sport events. He underlined that the World Cup not only allowed Qatar to show its best but also changed the perception of others about this part of the world.Speaking to the Lebanese MTV, Qatar Tourism's (QT) public relations and Communication Officer Maryam al-Maslamani, confirmed that the World Cup has put Qatar on the world map and many visitors were surprised by the excellent infrastructure, vast roads, and diverse entertainment venues, in addition to the wonderful combination of modernity, antiquity and authentic Arab heritage.The official pointed out that many tourist places were opened shortly before the World Cup, including the beaches of West Bay, Al Maha Island, Lusail Boulevard. The QT's plan, which is part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, is to double the number of tourists to 6mn or three times compared to 2022, and contribute to increasing the local and economic income of the State by 7% to 12%.

From its humble, culturally rich origins as a pearling nation, today, Qatar is firmly set on the world tourism map and is set to become the region’s fastest-growing tourism destination by 2030.Although still firmly rooted in its unique heritage and culture, rapid economic growth in Qatar over the last few decades has seen a flurry of infrastructure spring from the surrounding desert, leading to the suite of world-class hotels and soaring skyscrapers that the country is now globally renowned for.Preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament ushered in a particularly impressive programme of new hotels, public beaches and malls in recent years, making its leisure and hospitality landscape virtually unrecognisable from the handful of original hotels and malls to open a few decades earlier.With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final and Qatar National Day wrapped up in one historic day of celebrations, Qatar Tourism takes a nostalgic look at the first and latest additions to some of the country’s most famous touristic landmarks, in recognition of all Qatar has achieved, on and off the pitchIn celebration of the country’s journey from its first mall to hosting the world’s largest sports tournament, Qatar Tourism takes a nostalgic look at some of the country’s first leisure destinations, including hotels, museums and parks, and how these have evolved to the present day.Haya al-Noaimi, head of the Promotions Sector at Qatar Tourism, said: “Over the last few decades, Qatar has been on an incredible journey. From the small number of original 5-star hotels in the 1970s and 1980s, today there are endless options that span the length and breadth of the country. World-class assets, a safe environment and a host of family-friendly activities make Qatar a perfect choice for tourists of all preferences, and perfectly poised to meet its goal of welcoming 6mn visitors a year by 2030.”First hotelThen: Gulf Hotel (1973)Nearly 50 years ago, Qatar’s first 5-star hotel opened to the public. The Gulf Hotel’s distinctive, brutalist architecture was one of Doha’s most easily identifiable buildings, and set the standard for the country’s hotel industry, which would expand at impressive pace over the coming decades.Now: Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha (2022)Opened in 2022, Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha is Qatar’s first all-inclusive luxury resort and is located within the original Gulf Hotel building. A reimagining of its older ‘brother’, this impressive new beach resort offers state-of-the-art facilities and gorgeous views of the Doha skyline.First museumThen: Qatar National Museum (1975)Qatar’s museums have received international acclaim for their fresh take on Middle Eastern museology, and the bar was well and truly set when Qatar National Museum opened in 1975. Now known as the National Museum of Qatar, it is an ode to the country’s heritage and culture. Today, the building has been refreshed to resemble a desert rose and is a truly stunning addition to Doha’s skyline.Now: 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum (2022)Since 1975, Qatar’s suite of museums has swiftly increased. One of the latest additions is the fascinating 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum, a fun, highly interactive international hub for sports history and knowledge launched earlier this year. Three new museums, Art Mill, Lusail Museum and Qatar Auto Museum have also been announced for completion by 2030.First universityThen: Qatar University (1977) Qatar’s first higher education institution opened its doors to students in 1977, signalling the beginning of the country’s academic journey. Rigorously focused on academic research, Qatar University offers the country’s broadest range of programmes, with numerous bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered across eleven colleges.Now: Education City (2022)Since the 1970s, Qatar has heavily invested in building a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy. Qatar Foundation’s truly impressive Education City campus, an extensive, standalone 12sq-km site, is home to satellite campuses of various internationally renowned universities, home-grown establishments, and cutting-edge research facilities.First parkThen: Al Muntazah Park (1980)The place of fond childhood memories for many, Al Muntazah Park is thought to be the oldest public park in Qatar. Now renovated to Rawdat Al Khail Park (2022), its lush green spaces, kids play areas and outdoor exercise equipment make it a particularly popular place for a morning visit.Now: Rapid Beautification (Since 2019)Since 2019, Ashghal’s expansive Beautification Project has seen in excess of 11mn sqm of lush green spaces created across the country, in addition to more than 900,000 trees. An impressive 11 public parks have been opened during this time, including the ideally located 5/6 Park, vibrant Box Park, and Al Gharafa Family Park, which contains Qatar’s first air-conditioned walking track.First shopping mallThen: The Mall (1997)The Mall Shopping Complex, Qatar’s first shopping mall, opened in the late 1990s. Its warm, homely environment and convenient mixture of stores, food courts and entertainment outlets made it an instant hit with Doha’s thrifty shoppers. Today, it is still one of the city’s most popular malls, and a shopping staple for families.Now: Place Vendome, Printemps (2022)2022 has seen some banner additions to the country’s already vibrant shopping scene. September and October saw the arrival of the first Printemps department store outside of France, and the exquisitely designed Place Vendome mall. Both are already some of the city’s most sought-after spots for luxury shopping, and Vendome's famous dancing fountains are a regular focal point for celebrations.First public beachThen: Naturally beautiful beachesQatar’s gorgeous coastline, crystal clear waters and powder-soft sands offer visitors some of the region’s most naturally beautiful, and unique, beaches. Nestled amongst the mangroves of Purple Island, Al Khor Beach is home to thousands of plants that turn the water a stunning shade of purple when in full bloom, while the rare limestone formations of Zekreet Beach make for one of the country’s most scenic camping spots.Now: West Bay Beaches (2022)November 2022 saw the opening of Qatar Tourism’s hotly anticipated West Bay Beaches, where three separate beaches, B12, West Bay Beach and Doha Sands, run the length of Doha’s shoreline. Although all beaches are family friendly, centrally located, and affordable, they each offer a distinctly different look and feel.First skyscraperThen: Pinnacle Residences (1995)It’s difficult to imagine Doha without its visually arresting skyscrapers. Standing at 387ft, the Pinnacle Residence apartment block, which opened in the mid-1990s, was relatively small by contemporary Middle Eastern standards but marked the beginning of the capital’s swift ascension into the skies.Now: Fairmont Doha and Raffles Doha; The Ned (2022)The Fairmont and Raffles Doha are two luxury hotels and face each other in beautifully imposing structures that stand at an impressive 692 feet tall. Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, and will feature the world’s tallest chandelier, whereas the suite-only Raffles Doha features a spellbinding entrance and offers a personal butler service. It also houses the first international debut of the fine-dining restaurant, ‘Alba’ by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa, which presents delectable white truffles that are only found in Alba, Italy.Also debuting in the region is The Ned, which opened last month along the calming waters of the Doha Corniche waterfront. The hotel and exclusive member’s club marks the brand's third international expansion, following London and New York, and is itself a transformation of the former Ministry of Interior building in Qatar.First water parkThen: Aqua Park (2010)The country’s first water park opened in 2010, offering visitors a giant wave pool, a lazy river ride and various thrilling slides. Today, it is still one of Qatar’s most popular spots for adrenaline-fuelled fun.Now: Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park (2020)One of the largest theme parks in the Middle East, Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park can be found in the heart of the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas. Offering 25 rides, slides, and attractions, including the white-knuckle King Cobra slide, this park is a must for the country’s thrill seekers.Meryal Water Park, which will feature the world’s tallest waterslide, is also set to open in 2023.First buildings in The Pearl-QatarThen: Cugini (2008)Today, The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island with ten areas inspired by Mediterranean towns, is synonymous with luxury shopping, fabulous cuisine, and high-end living. In 2008, the island saw its first shopping outlet, Saudi Arabian-owned Cugini, open to the public in the Porto Arabia boardwalk, which would pave the way for rapid expansion across the island.Now: Corinthia Yacht Club (2022)Qatar’s rich seafaring past has found a proud modern home in the Corinthia Yacht Club, which has recently opened in The Pearl-Qatar. The newly minted, invitation-only private members club is set on the banks of Porto Arabia’s glistening seafront and will reinforce the island’s position as a haven for yachting enthusiasts.First major sporting tournamentThen: Qatar ExxonMobil Open (Since 1993)Qataris are, famously, avid sports lovers and have been hosting major sporting events for decades. The country’s international sports hosting journey began with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open tennis tournament in 1993, which has been held annually in Doha ever since.Now: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (2022)Twelve years of boundless imagination, resilience and sheer teamwork since winning the bid has led to the small but mighty Qatar having the privilege of hosting the largest sporting event on the planet. Eight glistening, architecturally magnificent stadiums, each with their own story to tell, have been built and prepared for the tournament, some of which will transform into community spaces after it has ended, including hospitals, schools and shops.There’s plenty to celebrate this year in Qatar. However, the country’s well-defined and research-based tourism strategy will see Qatar’s rich pipeline of leisure and hospitality offerings expand to 2030 and beyond.

As the World Cup wrapped up on Qatar National Day, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) hosted various activities to commemorate the final day of the month-long football event as well as the nation’s history.MDD offered various cultural activities for its visitors and fans to celebrate the nation’s longstanding, rich history in a city where the past meets modernity. A wide range of events brought families and guests from all cultural backgrounds together to celebrate the National Day as well as the conclusion of the World Cup.In a press statement, Maryam al-Jassem, manager of PR and Communication, at Msheireb Properties, stated: “The whole world celebrates Qatar for its culture and tolerance of its traditions and the success of the ending of a major football event. We are proud to be part of the history that Qatar made with a successful hosting of the World Cup and the events we can offer for everyone to celebrate. We are excited to see what the future holds for the city.”Located at the heart of Doha, visitors to MDD enjoyed a distinctive festive atmosphere through traditional performances such as the Qatari Arda folkloric dance at Al Barahat and Daffah performances in the tram.MDD distributed Qatari flags to the public along with Karak, Arabic coffee and traditional Arabic sweets in the Sikka area, highlighting the welcoming hospitality of Qatar. In addition, Barahat Msheireb screened the final match of the World Cup tournament and hosted the celebrations of the fans and audience.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) have teamed up with industry to launch a coalition committed to promoting recycling, renewable materials and diverting waste from landfill. The One Tide Industry Coalition was unveiled at the Education Above All pavilion at the FIFA Fan Festival. The group, including local, regional and global organisations, will leverage Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup to promote awareness and positive action towards sustainable consumption in order to support the local economy.HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali al-Thani, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, said: “I would like to thank the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for organising this event and launching this coalition that will not only achieve a sustainable legacy for Qatar, but also address plastic waste pollution in a sustainable manner. We hope that the coalition will achieve its desired goals, and be a leading example to reflect this year’s Qatar National Day slogan, by collaborating together, to show that our unity is the source of our strength, even in dealing with environmental issues and challenges.”HE Hassan al-Thawadi, Secretary-General, SC, and Chairman, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, said: “One of the key legacies of Qatar 2022 is the increased commitment to environmental issues across the country and region. Environmental sustainability has been embedded in our FIFA World Cup project from the very beginning, including green building practices, plastic reduction, a commitment to recycling and diverting waste from landfill wherever possible.“The new One Tide Industry Coalition will continue our commitment to the environment and help organisations across Qatar and the region come up with innovative solutions in this area. Cross-collaboration is an important tool between government and industry, and I envisage many important innovations being delivered by this group.”The Coca-Cola Company is one of the founding signatories of the coalition. Tolga Cebe, Vice President & General Manager Middle East, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “For Coca-Cola Middle East it is a statement on our legacy in Qatar. We have begun an incredible journey in the market with the pilot of our 100% recycled bottles across FIFA World Cup 2022 venues. The signing and pledge to champion waste collection projects shows a united front from the industry, highlighting our dedication to raising awareness for plastic recycling and minimising the impact we have in the markets we operate in.”The One Tide Industry Coalition aims to be inclusive and will welcome organisations interested in joining. More information will be released in 2023.The founder members of the coalition are as follows: the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Al Rayyan Water, APEX Waste Management, Averda, Baladna, Doha Plastics, Modern Cleaning and Trading MCC, Nestle Middle East FZE, Unilever, Seashore, and The Coca-Cola Company.

The official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 magazine 'The Final' has been issued, giving key highlights on the mega sporting event that was held from November 20 to December 18, with Argentina lifting the prestigious trophy.Starting with the line-up of the finalists, Argentina and France, the English/Arabic publication – a FIFA Official Licensed Product – has brief descriptions of the semi-finals, along with some captivating images.This format is continued through the subsequent pages, dedicated to snippets and pictures from quarter-finals, an article about Qatar's legacy, followed by group games round-up and brief interviews with Brazil and Croatia captains.Next are FIFA World Cup all-time stats (from 1930 to 2018), such as leading goal scorers in the finals, players at most finals, official best goalkeeper, all-time ranking, finals top scorers and overall tournament attendances.The “FIFA World Cup Moments” section showcases “individual brilliance, wonderful teamwork, acts of courage and compassion ... magical moments that transcend sport and create legends”.The “History of FIFA World Cup” is published in two parts, with landmark images from the finals in 1930, 1950, 1958, 1962, 1970, 2002, and 2014.The last article is about the Qatar 2022 mascot, La'eeb.

Birla Public School (BPS), a leading Indian school in Qatar, has been awarded two different ISO Certifications by the internationally recognised certification body under International Accreditation Services (IAS) USA for ISO 21001:2018 (EOMS) and ISO 9001:2015 (QMS). BPS is the first Indian school in Qatar to receive such a certification, a statement said Monday. ISO 21001:2018 Management System for Educational Organisations is a specific standard set that demonstrates the ability to support the acquisition and development of competence through teaching, learning or research."By meeting the extensive criteria of these standards, Birla Public School has proven its commitment in providing quality education. With this certification, BPS’ processes and the management systems have been vetted against the rigid quality standards outlined by the ISO. ISO 9001-2015 Certification, on the other hand, provides a model for organisations of all types and sizes in creating an effective quality management system," the statement explained.Speaking on being certified for ISO, BPS' academic director-cum-principal Harish Sanduja said: “It’s yet another milestone reached with the unflinching support from our Patron HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and the Board of Directors of the School. I am sure, the academic excellence envisioned by the school is being attained strategically and progressively with sheer dedication, hard work and team work of its employees as well as with the committed efforts of its students, parents and other stakeholders”.BPS chairman, Gope Sahani, said: “The successful ISO Certification of Birla Public School is an emphatic demonstration and confirmation of its unparalleled commitment to the quality standards, dedication and visionary approach in the education industry as well as to its stakeholders.”BPS vice-chairperson Maria Pakalomattom, said: “We are glad to add yet another feather to our cap and demonstrate our continued commitment to excellence in education to our school community. It is an assurance to our stakeholders that they have invested in the best.” The Board of Directors expressed their jubilation on the occasion and congratulated the team.

The President of the Togolese Republic Faure Gnassingbe, praised the impressive organisation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.The president expressed his admiration for the amazing stadiums that were built and the equipment available for the tournament, as well as the advanced infrastructure and the development process achieved by Qatar.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the president said Qatar should be proud of its history and development and what it has shown to the whole world, and the remarkable development it has achieved, as well as the distinguished organisation of the World Cup that was not achieved by countries before. Qatar is a country with a promising future, he stressed.He pointed out Qatar has thwarted all the malicious campaigns it was subjected to since winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It has proven its ability to organise an exceptional World Cup and fulfilled all its promises by showing a lot of determination, seriousness and diligence, he said.In the beginning there were those who questioned the ability of Qatar to organise a sporting event of this size, and they used to say that there are no football traditions in Qatar, the president pointed out. However, these criticisms has fallen flat in the face of the wonderful organisational success, enthusiasm and large public attendance, the president added.He said the malicious campaigns, which aimed at questioning Qatar's ability to organise an exceptional World Cup, involved non-sports agendas, pointing out that some claim the right to give lessons to others and judge them according to their standards. This is "unacceptable," he stressed.Hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for the first time in the Arab world has succeeded in changing the stereotype about the region and showed that Qatar and the Middle East have the same passion for football, enthusiasm and ambition, the president said adding this should entice and encourage FIFA to balance the representations within it, as well as alternate the distribution of the organisation of the World Cup tournament.Gnassingbe said Qatar's organisation of the World Cup has achieved many gains, most notably that it provided an opportunity for the world to discover the splendour of Arab culture and its values, and to get acquainted with the Qatari society and the impressive development witnessed by the country.With regard to bilateral relations between the two countries, the president stressed that the two nations are keen to consolidate relations and co-operation in various fields, noting that his previous visit to Doha was within the framework of an economic forum.The president said he had the honour of meeting His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "and talks took place between us, and therefore we are on the way to enrich and consolidate relations between the two countries in the future".The president concluded his statement with QNA by congratulating His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and the Qatari people on the occasion of the National Day, wishing Qatar further prosperity and development.

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha organised its first Qatar National Day (QND) event after it opened recently, as 'a stunning reimagined property on the site of Doha’s first ever and much-loved historic 5-star hotel of the 1970s'. The Rixos QND celebration event kicked off with a cake cutting to celebrate Qatar and its government for staging the hugely successful World Cup, a statement said.The highlight of the event was the Rixos Qatari Corner that included activities such as the traditional Arda, henna painting and Arabic calligraphy. Also, traditional Qatari dishes were served. Rixos became the first 5-star all-inclusive all-exclusive hotel and beach resort to open in Qatar, reiterating the brand’s commitment to offering a fresh perspective on discerning travellers’ idea of paradise, the statement explained. "Rixos has redefined the meaning of all-inclusive luxury by creating meaningful experiences from a blend of abundant cuisines, sports activities, professional entertainment, kids’ activities and immersive spa experiences. "Guests at Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha enjoyed being part of the Qatar National Day celebrations and appreciated the memorable culinary event featuring the delectable cake cutting."Sherif Kasseb, Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha general manager, commented: “We are truly proud to celebrate our first Qatar National Day since we opened and have ensured all our guests join in to thoroughly enjoy the event and understand its significance. Coming after such an enormously successful World Cup it is a great occasion to acknowledge the immense achievement of the country welcoming the world to Qatar to watch the football and explore what it has to offer.”

The Shura Council held Monday its regular weekly meeting under the chairmanship of HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.At the beginning of the session, the Shura Council extended its congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Qatari people on the success of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which concluded its activities with the final match between Argentina and France on Sunday at Lusail Stadium.The Council renewed its congratulations on the occasion of the Qatar National Day, wishing Qatar more success and prosperity.The Council pointed out that Sunday was an exceptional day for the State of Qatar, as the world was following the FIFA World Cup final, which coincided with the anniversary of Qatar National Day.The Council expressed its pride in what the State of Qatar has accomplished for its people and the region, and for what it has provided to humanity in establishing new concepts of sport for the unity and brotherhood of peoples.It noted that the State of Qatar presented an impressive tournament, with a tight organization, witnessed by everyone, during which the masses who came to the country from all over the world lived in an enthusiastic and festive atmosphere, and the organization won the admiration of all the participating teams, while newspapers, international networks and various media outlets praise it.The Council also affirmed that the State of Qatar succeeded in presenting the correct image of the region, and changing the prevailing negative stereotypical image of Arab and Muslim people by putting its Arab and Islamic imprint on the most important and largest sporting event in the world.The Shura Council indicated that this was clearly demonstrated in the opening ceremony, which mixed Arab and Islamic cultures and its openness to various cultures, noting that the tournament received thousands of fans from all over the world, who made good impressions of the region and its people after a number of them had negative thoughts and hesitated to come to it.The Council affirmed that the effects of the World Cup legacy have been evident in various fields for a long time, especially in establishing an integrated infrastructure, promoting transportation, providing multiple recreational, tourism and sports facilities, parks and gardens across the country, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting people with disabilities, and providing the technology for cooling stadiums, adding that this success would not have been achieved without prior planning and the sound vision of our wise leadership.The Council appreciated the support and assistance provided by the wise leadership of the country for this event, as it periodically followed the stages of its workflow, directed to harness all capabilities for it and to overcome the obstacles that might face it.The Council also praised the efforts of the esteemed government and all State institutions in the public and private sectors, and their contributions to the success of this global event, stressing that cooperation, solidarity and the joint efforts made by everyone in this championship embody the slogan of this year National Day, "Our Unity Source of Our Strength."It noted the government's meticulous plan of action, which received unlimited support from the wise leadership, to organize the tournament in the best and most professional manner, confirming that this plan contributed to not affecting the level of services provided in light of the increase in the number of visitors to the state.The Council extended its sincere thanks to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) for its tireless efforts over the past years to achieve this historic achievement, commending its work, which greatly contributed to presenting the correct and positive image of the country, by completing projects according to the highest standards, correcting misconceptions, and addressing everything that would undermine this entitlement. It also thanked the volunteers for their efforts, which had a tangible impact on the success of the tournament.The Council denounced the systematic and tendentious campaigns and heinous attacks that the country had been subjected to since winning the honor of hosting the World Cup. It added that these campaigns were built on false allegations and misleading statements, and Western media and organizations stood behind them, supported by some officials and authorities in some countries, stressing that these campaigns increased the strength and determination of Qatar, so those criticisms during the tournament turned into praises.The Council pointed out that hosting the World Cup is just a stage and not the end of the road, affirming its confidence that the process of work and achievement will continue by building on this success.The Shura Council also affirmed that Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup was a long and arduous journey, full of difficulties and challenges, which the country was able to overcome, as it welcomed, over 28 days, the whole world, and succeeded in organizing the best edition of the World Cup, which will be remembered forever.After that, HE the Secretary-General of the Shura Council Dr. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Fadhala read the agenda of the session, and the minutes of the previous session were approved.The Council reviewed a draft law on documents and archives referred to the Council by the esteemed government and decided to refer it to the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee, for study and submit a report thereon to the Council.The Council also reviewed the report of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on a draft law amending some provisions of the Income Tax Law promulgated by Law No. (24) of 2018.After reviewing the committee's report, and reviewing and discussing the draft items, the Council approved the aforementioned draft law.The Council also approved two requests to extend the work of the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee to study a draft law amending some provisions of Law No. (6) of 2014 regulating real estate development, and the work of the Information and Cultural Affairs Committee to study the issue of promoting national values and identity in society.The session was attended by several SC ambassadors as well as specialists in the General Tax Authority (QTA) and legal researchers.