His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi Saturday. Discussion during the meeting focused on the latest regional and international developments, primarily the situation in the Middle East. The two sides exchanged views on current issues and the challenges facing the region as well as efforts to promote peace. They also affirmed their continued joint coordination and stressed the importance of prioritising dialogue and diplomatic solutions, and supporting all efforts that would consolidate security and stability, thus contributing to maintaining peace and enhancing development opportunities for the peoples of the region. HH the Amir and the UAE president also touched on the strong fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and develop them for the benefit of both nations. The meeting was attended by HH Personal Representative of the Amir, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani; His Excellency President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani; His Excellency Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi; and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs. From the UAE side, it was attended by Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chief of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan; Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum; Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt.-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan; Deputy Chief of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan; Advisor to the President Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Nahyan; and a lineup of senior officials. Earlier, HH the Amir and his accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at the Al Bateen Airport by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. HH the Amir and the accompanying delegation were also welcomed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Lt.-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Nahyan, Ambassador of Qatar to the UAE Dr Sultan Salmeen al-Mansouri along with a number of Their Excellencies senior officials. Later, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani returned home Saturday.

The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs announced its plans, programs, and activities for the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH under the slogan "Obedience and Forgiveness," outlining its key Quranic, preaching, endowment, and Zakat initiatives.The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, in the presence of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani.At the outset of the conference, Director of the Public Relations and Communication Department, Ahmed bin Shaheen Al Ghanem, reviewed the main features of the Ministry's Ramadan programs, highlighting the month's significance in strengthening faith-based values, reinforcing social bonds, and promoting spiritual principles.Al Ghanem explained that the Ministry's mission is to create the appropriate environment to welcome the holy month through comprehensive programs and quality initiatives aimed at strengthening social solidarity and deepening faith values.The conference showcased a wide range of Ramadan activities and projects, including Iftar initiatives organized in several areas across the country, preparing mosques with all requirements, reviving the nights of Ramadan with Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers, and preparing to receive worshippers observing I'tikaf in designated mosques equipped with necessary facilities.The Ministry also announced a series of religious lessons, sermons, and scholarly seminars addressing various Ramadan-related topics, along with awareness campaigns on the obligation of Zakat and its importance. Eid prayer grounds and major mosques will be prepared, and a set of religious programs will be launched in cooperation with Qatar Media Corporation and several newspapers and digital platforms. These include live broadcasts of prayers and lessons from major mosques, as well as talk shows featuring prominent scholars and preachers.In addition, awareness campaigns will be rolled out on social media platforms to deepen religious awareness and reinforce values of solidarity during the holy month.Reviewing the programs of the General Directorate of Endowments, Director of Endowment Expenditure Department, Jassim bin Hassan Bu Hazza said that this year's "Iftar Saem" project will expand to cover new neighborhoods, with a total capacity of 360,000 fasting individuals throughout the month. The Directorate will also distribute "Basket of Giving" packages to underprivileged families. He noted that the Directorate continues to enhance partnerships and community cooperation to serve various segments of society.Bu Hazza added that Ramadan activities are designed to address community needs, particularly vulnerable groups, through partnerships with educational, health, and social institutions. Initiatives include awards supporting the Holy Quran and Sunnah, religious and educational values, and charitable work. Several Ramadan initiatives will support persons with disabilities, heart and diabetes patients, and individuals with autism spectrum disorder, as well as the educational program 'Flower Each Spring'. Daily recitations from the ninth season of the Katara Prize for Quran Recitation will also be aired on Qatar TV.On the media front, television programs and awareness initiatives will be presented across multiple platforms, alongside daily competitions aimed at promoting endowment culture and enhancing public awareness of its role. The Directorate will also implement the "Eid Joy" program to bring happiness to more than 4,000 children through field initiatives at Eid prayer grounds, reinforcing values of compassion and social solidarity.For his part, Assistant Director of the Mosques Department, Mohammed bin Abdul Latif Al Mahmoud, confirmed that all preparations for the holy month have been completed. This includes appointing 12 distinguished Qatari imams with melodious voices at Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, as well as assigning qualified imams to Sheikh Mosque, Education City Mosque, and Hamad bin Jassim Mosque in The Pearl.Al Mahmoud added that 113 cooperative imams have been appointed throughout Ramadan to support state and private mosques. Several Qatari school students participating in "Bilal Al-Asr" competition have also been assigned to perform the call to prayer at nearby mosques during Ramadan, aiming to instill faith-based values and encourage them to pursue future roles in imamate and adhan.He further noted that the Mosques Department coordinated with private donors to issue permits for Iftar gatherings in mosque courtyards, in addition to organizing religious lessons and sermons throughout the month. Coordination was also carried out with media institutions to produce and film religious programs in several mosques, and Eid prayer imams have been prepared and distributed across all regions of the country to ensure that worshippers can observe fasting and nightly prayers in a comfortable and conducive environment. Director of the Zakat Affairs Department Mal Allah bin Abdulrahman Al Jaber reviewed the Ramadan 1447 AH plan, emphasizing that a comprehensive strategy has been developed to facilitate the performance of zakat and enhance community awareness of its importance as a pillar of Islam, with a strong focus on digital transformation.He highlighted key features of the plan, including the "Your Zakat Is a Trust" campaign, a wide-ranging educational and marketing initiative aimed at correcting misconceptions related to zakat.The department has intensified its field presence through 28 collection offices and points across the country, in addition to collectors stationed in 28 mosques and seven government entities.Digital services have also been enhanced with the launch of an online "Zakat Calculator" via the department's website and mobile app, along with fast payment options through smart devices.The "Zakat Al Fitr" initiative will ensure timely delivery to eligible beneficiaries by partnering with supply and delivery companies to distribute high-quality food provisions discreetly and respectfully.Assistant Director of the Da'wah and Religious Guidance Department Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani announced a comprehensive package of Ramadan 1447 AH religious and Qur'anic programs aimed at strengthening faith among men, women, and children.Qur'anic initiatives include the "Tamkeen" project featuring Quran recitation gatherings in mosques, completion circles in 50 mosques, review sessions, and programs.The "Al-Sab' Al Mathani" service offers correction of Surah Al Fatiha via 10 dedicated phone lines.The religious lecture program includes 100 Ramadan talks under the series "Ramadan Breezes" across four main mosques, as well as the intellectual seminar series "And He Made Them Feel Secure from Fear" at Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, featuring academics from local and international universities.The humanitarian campaign "Healing and Mercy" will involve 20 Qatari preachers visiting patients at Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals.The department will also maintain strong media engagement through programs such as "Story of a Verse" (30 episodes) on Qatar TV, presented by Dr. Abdul Salam Al Majidi, alongside contributions to Al Rayyan Channel and Qatar Radio, including participation in programs like "People of the Qur'an" and Fatwa segments.Programs for women and children include the "Recitation and Empowerment" series in six Quran centers, numerous lectures and fiqh courses (in-person and online), children's competitions such as "Abjad" and "In the Realm of the Qur'an," the "Young Fasting Person" program, and educational camps at Mall of Qatar.Meanwhile, Director of the Engineering Affairs Department Mohammed bin Yousuf Al Ibrahim announced the completion and opening of several new mosques ahead of Ramadan.Twelve new mosques have been handed over, with 12 more to follow. Four mosques underwent comprehensive maintenance, 18 had carpets replaced, and maintenance continues in 17 others. A total of 1,000 women's prayer areas were prepared, along with the installation of 126 wooden partitions.Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque has been fully equipped to host the ministry's central events, and 25 mosques have been prepared for i'tikaf during the last ten nights.Six temporary mosques have also been opened to meet worshippers' needs. Emergency engineering teams will operate around the clock throughout Ramadan to address any technical issues across the country. Assistant Director of the Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center Sultan bin Saad Al Badr said the center will organize special Ramadan programs for non-Arabic speakers, including lessons in jurisprudence and ethics, cultural gatherings, and the "Guided Iftar" initiative aimed at supporting new converts and strengthening their integration into society.He noted that the programs promote Islam's moderate message and cultural understanding through multilingual lectures and awareness activities.The center aims to reach around 250,000 people, in addition to hosting large public gatherings in Al Wakrah for 20,000 attendees and mosque-based lessons and iftar outreach benefiting about 55,000 people.Introductory programs in English, Spanish, and Filipino will target nearly 20,000 non-Muslims and new converts, alongside iftar programs, i'tikaf activities, and Eid celebrations to help integrate them into the community.Media and digital initiatives include online programs such as "With Allah, Glorified and Exalted Be He," the Urdu-language radio program "Baseerah" on Qatar Radio, awareness videos, and daily Ramadan competitions across the center's digital platforms.Community and student initiatives also feature hospital visits, Eid prayers for expatriate communities at sports clubs, and the "Knowledge and Youth" program, launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to train English-speaking Qatari students to serve as future ambassadors of Islam.In a related context, Assistant Director of the Islamic Affairs Department Dr. Saad bin Fadel Al Kuwari announced a series of Ramadan activities aimed at promoting Islamic heritage and publications.These include three scholarly seminars at Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque to launch the ministry's latest Islamic books and host specialized scholars.The department will distribute around 15 new Islamic titles published this year through both special and public channels, including copies of the Qatar Mushaf and selected books at major Ramadan centers such as Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, Education City Mosque, Al Manar Mosque in Lusail, and Katara Mosque.The seventh edition of the Qatar Mushaf will also be distributed during Ramadan, bringing total printed copies to more than three million worldwide.Meanwhile, Assistant Director of the Islamic Research Department Dr. Mishari bin Ali Al Namlan announced a Ramadan program featuring a daily religious and cultural competition of 30 questions published in local newspapers and on social media platforms. Winners will be selected electronically, with a daily prize of QAR 500, totaling QAR 15,000.The department will also collaborate with Qatar National Library on the program "Mosques of Qatar: Architecture and Society," exploring mosque architecture and the social and cultural role of mosques in Qatari society.These initiatives reflect the ministry's commitment to strengthening religious awareness, promoting moderation, and expanding community engagement throughout Ramadan in Qatar.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is transforming academic research into commercial success through a comprehensive innovation pipeline that has already produced 85 patents, over 15 startups, and Qatar's first university-born technology to achieve international commercial success valued at over $100mn, Gulf Times has learnt.The university's approach encompasses intellectual property protection, seed funding, mentorship programmes, and a dedicated commercialisation company—all designed to ensure research creates tangible impact both nationally and internationally."We are overseeing all research and development activities including the commercialisation pipeline, their intellectual property rights protection, turning them into spin-out startups and also commercialise the research and create an impact in the market," disclosed Dr Nadir Yildirim, executive director of Innovation and Industrial Relations, HBKU.Interacting with Gulf Times, Dr Yildirim said HBKU supports innovation through structured startup programmes."Our programmes such as Mijhar and Reyada help researchers, faculty, and students turn ideas and research into businesses. The university provides seed funding, early-stage funding, mentoring, and full intellectual property management, including patent filing and follow-up," he explained.Dr Yildirim said HBKU has different startup programmes for researchers, faculty and students. He continued: "Mijhar is a programme where they can come up with their ideas and research outcomes and see how they can commercialise it. The other initiative is where they can come up with an idea and turn them into businesses and spin-outs. In addition, we provide early-stage funding and provide mentoring sessions as well."According to the official, HBKU provides seed grants for faculty researchers and students who have a certain idea to be developed. "We provide them seed funding to see if their ideas can be converted into businesses as well and we provide from cradle-to-grave intellectual property rights management. We also protect their ideas and do patenting and follow-up," he stated.Dr Yildirim revealed that HBKU has established a company for the university named HBKU Research and Development Corporation."This is a 100% private company responsible for commercialising our research outcomes. It is located at Qatar Science and Technology Park and so far we have licensed more than 20 patents. And currently, we have 85 patents and over 15 startups in general," he noted."We have technologies focusing on food waste, food security, food management, energy and environment and the solar maps," highlighted Dr Yildirim. "We have technologies on biomedical sciences as well where we offer our works on longevity of the brain cells. So mostly we are focusing on biomedical sciences, energy, and environment and computing as well as the ethical perspective of these technologies," he said.The official said the HBKU Research and Development Corporation is a revenue-generating and impact-creating company where HBKU-developed technologies are taken to the market."There are two options for commercialisation of product through our company. Commercialisation occurs either directly through HBKU R&D Corp or independently through startup creation," he underlined.Dr Yildirim described a notable success story about a cybersecurity company that licensed an HBKU technology, expanded internationally, secured multiple investments, and is now valued at over $100mn—marking the first HBKU-born technology to achieve major international commercial success."The university collaborates locally with leading companies and applies for tenders to address national challenges. So we are creating an impact and also generating revenue at the same time. But the most important aspect for us is not the revenue, but the impact it creates in the country and beyond," he added.