The Rwandan embassy in Qatar honoured the memory of the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, at an event on Thursday at the Qatar National Convention Centre, a statement said Friday.Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Protocol director ambassador Ibrahim Fakhro, African Affairs Department assistant director Mubarak Mohammed al-Khalifa, Rwandan ambassador Igor Marara, other dignitaries and senior members from the Rwandan community in Qatar were present to remember more than one million lives lost during this tragic chapter of history."On April 7, 1994, a genocide was unleashed against the Tutsi minority of Rwanda, leaving over a million dead in just 100 days, in full view of the world. A minimal United Nations peacekeeping force stood by and watched the genocide unfold, after a decision was made by the Security Council to withdraw most of the peacekeepers," the statement explained."Kwibuka," meaning 'to remember' in Kinyarwanda, encapsulates the essence of this commemoration. During the event, the attendees took a minute of silence, followed by the symbolic act of lighting the flame of hope, reminiscent of the spirit of renewal that emerged from the ashes of tragedy."This yearʼs historic commemoration is an opportunity for Rwandans and the rest of the world to honour victims, comfort survivors, and reflect on Rwandaʼs journey of recovery, reconciliation, and resilience, with national unity at the core of the countryʼs stability and progress," the statement said.In his remarks, ambassador Marara emphasised the importance of collective action in combating genocide ideologies. "As we reflect on the lessons learned from our past, we believe that fighting genocide ideologies of any form is a battle humanity should never stop fighting. We renew our commitment to actively cooperate with all stakeholders, promoting regional and international peace and security."Malaika Uwamahoro, a Rwandan-born actress, poet and singer together with her team gave a performance, taking the audience through Rwanda's journey. Gloriosa Uwimpuhwe, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi, shared her testimony during the event where she highlighted the pivotal role of unity in Rwanda's post-genocide development.The event also featured an exhibition that served as a learning journey for participants. It provided insights into how the genocide against Tutsi was prepared and executed, its profound impact, and Rwanda's remarkable journey of perseverance, the embassy statement added.

The Hamad International Airport has again secured its position as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ by the prestigious 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt.The airport also clinched the title of ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second time in a row and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth consecutive year.HIA's recognition is based on “meticulous assessments” conducted by air travellers, it said in a statement. They evaluated the airport's performance across key performance indicators and selected it as the best in the world amongst a group of over 500 global airport contenders.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohamed al-Meer, who spearheaded the development and growth of HIA over the past decade, said: “This is a remarkable achievement for Hamad International Airport, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of operational excellence, connecting passengers seamlessly from all around the world.“It is a testament to the dedication of our team and partners, who have contributed to providing passengers with the finest travel experience. Our continuous investment in our facilities and pioneering initiatives in retail and hospitality within a single expansive terminal has made this achievement possible.”He emphasised the importance of understanding passengers' needs and evolving travel trends: “At the heart of our growth strategy lies the passengers’ journey, their evolving needs, and our commitment to meeting and exceeding their expectations. We have introduced a diverse range of experiences at the airport, including ‘Souq Al Matar’, which brings Qatari hospitality and culture closer to travellers; and ‘Orchard’, the ideal place for relaxation and rejuvenation between flights and an array of high-end lounges. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the industry to maintain our position as the world’s premier airport.”HIA achieved a significant milestone in 2023, witnessing an exceptional surge in passenger traffic. Serving over 45mn passengers, the airport experienced a remarkable 31% increase compared to the previous year, surpassing the momentum established during the historic FIFA World Cup.The airport also welcomed new airline partners including Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines, and serves over 250 destinations, including passenger, cargo, and chartered flights.As HIA approaches its milestone 10th year of operations, it anticipates a bustling 2024.Plans include welcoming new airline partners, enhancing connectivity, and supporting Qatar's endeavours to host various global events.Committed to the Qatar National Vision 2030, HIA aims to enhance sustainability efforts through investments in new technologies and pioneering industry-first initiatives, further solidifying its position as a leader in the aviation industry.