*Year-long events to be held in Qatar under the slogan "Our Culture is Enlightenment"
 
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the activities of "Doha, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021" began Monday and will continue for a year in Qatar under the slogan "Our Culture is Enlightenment."
"Doha, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021" activities, which take place over the course of 2021, are held under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, in co-operation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, and the strategic partners in the country, namely, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Qatar Foundation for Education Science and Community Development (QF), Qatar Museums, the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), and other state institutions. Qatar Charity and the Social and Sporting Activities Support Fund (DAAM) are golden sponsors.


Director-General of ISESCO Dr Salim bin Mohamed al-Malik

A special episode on the launch ceremony of "Doha, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021" was broadcast yesterday on a number of local and Arab stations like Qatar TV, the media partner, Al Rayyan channel, Al Araby TV, and Al Jazeera Mubasher.
HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem al -Ali said in the opening speech that culture reflect nations' beliefs and determines relations between different societies, highlighting that culture plays an important role in defining the identity of any given society.
He pointed out that the history of the Islamic world's culture is a testament to the important role that generations of scholars, thinkers, writers and artists have contributed to in many scientific literature in various sciences, arts and literature moved to Europe and the world, and was translated into Latin until they became basic references in their universities and a source of enlightenment for Europe and humanity.
HE the minister noted that the Muslim world today must realise the importance of benefiting from the cultures of other nations, building cultural diversity from engaging others, so that diversity becomes a core part of the culture, and a value worthy of care and development that the Muslim world strives for today.
He stressed that this year Doha will be a cultural space full of potential for cultural work and a mirror for diversity and dialogue with the other, which also bears witness to the richness of local culture and Qatar's role in promoting culture in the Islamic world. He called for continued efforts so that the future generations can enjoy more human dignity, more breadth of creativity, making culture a platform for dialogue and joint action in the interest of building minds and building the future of humanity.
For his part, Director-General of ISESCO Dr Salim bin Mohamed al-Malik congratulated Qatar for having Doha as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, saying it reflects the status of Doha and its history. He praised the efforts of the Qatari government in preparing for the year-long event.
At the conclusion of his speech, he called on member states and Qatar in particular to support its programmes and projects in order to advance joint cultural work and protect the Islamic world's heritage.
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