Turkish ambassador Fikret Ozer visited QatarDebate (QD) recently and gave a speech during the Training of Trainers (TOT) Academy closing ceremony. The academy was organised and hosted by QD, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), at the student centre in Education City. It featured 26 participants from Arabic-speaking and non-Arabic-speaking countries.
The Turkish envoy stressed the significance of conducting such an academy, adding that it was an honour to visit QD and “meet friends and expatriates in Qatar in preparation for a valuable gathering at the fifth International Arabic Universities Debating Championship 2019."
Ozer expressed happiness at the effectiveness of the initiative and its importance, noting that the academy is a global communication tool for those interested in Arabic.
Further, he extended his thanks and appreciation for Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF, on the idea of QatarDebate. He also thanked the QD staff. He noted that a Turkish team won the first place at the fourth International Arabic Schools Debating Championship, he said: “It is worth mentioning that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan studied in a school that won the championship 40 years ago, and was one of the first to be proud of this victory. This was an honour for all schools in Turkey and the result of an interest in Arabic.
"What Qatar has done to enhance the position of Arabic and Islamic culture through debate is a great endeavour, given that Arabic -- the language of the Holy Qur’an -- is the language of civilisation and we know that Europe reached this development through the Arabs. So, we must strive to reestablish its position."
The Turkish ambassador said QatarDebate -- through the International Arabic Debating Championship -- will make participants speak fluent Arabic and this is an important initiative as far as learning the Arabic language is concerned.
Fikret Ozer with QatarDebate officials and employees during his visit.
