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Monday, February 09, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "Arab" (188 articles)

Group photo at conclusion of the Arab Moot Court Competition for Human Rights.
Qatar

The Arab Moot Court Competition for Human Rights concludes its first edition

The first edition of the Arab Moot Court Competition for Human Rights has concluded at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI).The competition was organised by the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region and hosted by the DI’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities.This pioneering event – the first of its kind in the Arab region – brought together more than 50 law students from Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Oman, Palestine, and Syria aiming to develop their legal advocacy and argumentation skills through realistic simulations of international and regional court proceedings, with a particular focus on human rights issues.The closing session, which featured the announcement of the winning teams, was attended by prominent academics and human rights experts, representatives from the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre, and DI faculty and students.The competition was launched by the UN Centre in March of this year, and received 53 applications from universities across the Arab world.The applicants then participated in awareness and training sessions organised by the Centre’s Human Rights Education Unit.Participating teams were required to submit written reports addressing the case topic – both for the applicant and respondent sides.Based on the evaluation criteria, 11 teams were selected to take part in the oral rounds hosted at the DI, as part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to foster academic dialogue and promote justice and human rights in the Arab region.These efforts align with the goals of the Human Right master’s programme at the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.Following several competitive rounds, the first-place prize was awarded to Sultan Qaboos University, while the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies secured second place.The third place was shared between An-Najah National University (Palestine) and Menoufia University (Egypt).In their closing remarks, the organisers emphasised that this initiative represents a distinctive academic platform for developing students’ legal capacities and strengthening the integration between practical training and academic study in human rights while keeping pace with regional international developments in this vital field.They further noted that the success of this competition underscores its importance as an interactive platform for Arab youth, enabling them to gain the practical skills and experience necessary to advocate for human rights in their professional careers.The high level of engagement and enthusiasm reflected the shared vision of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the DI to continue organising future editions of the competition and foster greater human rights awareness across the region through education and training.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Doha Institute hosts first edition of Arab Moot Court Competition for Human Rights 

The first edition of the Arab Moot Court for Human Rights competition kicked off Tuesday at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI). The event is organised by the United Nations Center for Training and Documentation in the Field of Human Rights for Southwest Asia and the Arab Region of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and hosted by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the DI. Students from various Arab universities are participating in this competition, which is the first of its kind in the region, and aims to enhance awareness of human rights issues and develop pleading and moot court skills.The opening session, attended by distinguished academic and human rights figures, was opened by Dr. Amal Ghazal, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, welcoming the participants and stressing that this competition reflects the School’s deep interest in promoting the principles and culture of human rights, not only as an academic subject, but also as an ethical and professional commitment. Dr. Ghazal pointed out that the event aligns with the school’s mission to strengthen students' practical abilities in legal analysis, formulating arguments, advocacy, and applying critical thinking towards issues of justice and equality, locally and globally.Dr. Abdelwahab El-Afendi, President of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, highlighted in his speech the importance of experimental legal education in preparing a generation of Arab youth capable of defending human rights at the national, regional and international levels.In her speech, Dr. Abeer Al-Kheraisha, Director of the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre, explained that this competition is a leading interactive educational platform, designed to enable students to gain integrated practical experience in the field of international human rights law. It provides them with a unique opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life cases that mimic contemporary legal and humanitarian challenges, by engaging in in-depth legal research and analysis, formulating legal arguments and pleadings, working in a team spirit, and enhancing communication and defense skills.Al-kheraisha pointed out that the competition contributes to consolidating awareness of the principlesDr. Moataz El-Fujairy, Head of the Human Rights Program at DI and Moderator of the opening session, emphasised that the competition represents a practical step in linking academic knowledge with professional practice. He explained that organising moot court competitions in the field of Human Rights is a well-established tradition in European Universities, and it strengthens students’ capabilities in comparative law, advocacy, and strategic litigation. Dr. El-Fujairy also said that there is an urgent need to institutionalise this tradition in the Arab region to help establish a regional human rights protection system that safeguards individuals’ rights and is based on independent judicial mechanisms. Dr. Ahmed Khalifa, Academic Advisor of the competition, explained that the idea of the moot court was conceived to enhance students’ research and legal analysis skills, and to provide them with hands-on experience in advocacy. He added that this competition is unique as it offers a realistic and interactive learning environment that uses competition to motivate learning through inquiring, analysing, developing an opinion and clearly expressing it orally as well as in writing. Dr. Khalifa clarified that the ultimate objective is to help create a new generation of lawyers capable of defending human rights through a conscious understanding of the protected interests and by applying coherent reasoning based on critical thinking that enables them to analyse legal issues and view them from multiple perspectives. Following the opening session, a panel discussion titled "The Future of the Human Rights System and Regional Guarantees in the Arab World" was held, with the participation of Mr. Sultan Al-Jamali, Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Commission in Qatar, and Hindam Rajoub, Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Training and Documentation Centre. The session was moderated by Bushra Elias, Coordinator of the Education and Awareness Unit at the Centre.This was followed by a second session on "The Future of the Human Rights System and the Changing Reality of International Politics", in which Fadl Abdel Ghani, President of the Syrian Network for Human Rights, participated alongside Dr. Moataz Al-Fujairi, and was moderated by Dr. Abdul Karim Amankai, Professor of Comparative Politics at the DI.After the sessions, the oral competition began with a special session that included an explanation of the rules and evaluation mechanisms, as well as distribution of the participating teams into advocacy rounds. The competition continued for two days, with the first and second rounds being held on Wednesday, followed by the announcement of the teams qualifying for the semi-finals. The final round and the closing ceremony will be held on Thursday, in which the winning team will be announced and certificates of participation will be distributed. The Doha Institute's hosting of this event reflects its academic efforts to consolidate a culture of human rights and promote human rights dialogue in the Arab region, as part of the activities of the master’s program in Human Rights. This initiative supports the efforts of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the field of education, through a realistic simulation of international and regional court procedures, offering students a unique practical experience that builds their confidence and ability to defend rights and freedoms.The organisers described the competition as a significant addition to academic and human rights activities in the region, and a clear message about the importance of investing in university youth as opinion leaders and agents of change in their communities.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Arab innovators rise to the challenge, elevating scientific practice on QF's stars of science

The seven Arab innovators on Qatar Foundation's Stars of Science continue their competition in the finals of Season 17, facing challenges that prove that perseverance is the key to transforming innovative ideas into global impact. The program, hosted by Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation, has become a catalyst for innovation in the Arab world since its launch in 2009. Through mentorship, access to state-of-the-art labs, and investor connections, QSTP helps contestants, like Season 16 winner, Yaman Tayyar, transform their ideas into viable startups that create global impact. This season, contestants will be required to exert their utmost effort to keep up with the program's increasingly advanced standards. Broadcast weekly on several regional channels and online platforms, the show challenges participants to build on the experiences of past graduates, an advantage that, coupled with their own vision and determination, could lead them to remarkable success. The Qatar Foundation edutainment show is raising the bar once again. This year's contestants aren't just building from scratch, they're attempting something uniquely challenging: refining what already exists. That kind of progress requires more than creativity. It demands precision, patience, and above all, targeted optimization. In the Arab region, Stars of Science has quietly forged something extraordinary: a generation of innovators who turned setbacks into stepping stones. This perseverance isn't just part of the show's legacy, it's the heartbeat of Season 17. Among the standout projects currently in the running are Razan Salem Bahabri's adaptive rehabilitation gaming system, and Mohamed Kahna's AR-assisted surgical navigation tool. Both push the boundaries of existing methods, and both are driven by a clear understanding of the real-world problems they aim to solve. "To improve what already works, you need more than invention, you need endurance," says Bahabri, a contestant from Saudi Arabia. Her approach is timely. Globally, there are 12.2 million new strokes each year, and rehabilitation centers now incorporate gamified therapy tools to support recovery, a field she is helping localize and adapt. Her project builds on those successes, offering a more engaging and accessible way to support neuroplasticity and user motivation in stroke rehabilitation. "When lives are at stake, you don't start from scratch, you make what's working even safer," says Kahna, her fellow Season 17 contestant. For Kahna, the stakes are high. Each year, more than 310 million major surgeries are performed around the world. The Tunisian's project seeks to improve outcomes by using augmented reality to support surgical decision-making, potentially helping surgeons avoid complications and act with greater clarity under pressure. Another shining example of resilience with long-haul success, when show alumnus, long-standing mentor and now co-host, Anwar Almojarkesh, joined Stars of Science in Season 5, he finished in fifth place. But his story didn't conclude there, it just began. Driven by advanced engineering, Almojarkesh developed a smart assistive pillow for the hearing impaired that detects emergencies such as fire alarms, alerting users through vibration, light, scent, and app notifications. After the show, he took the core of his invention and founded two companies, Innovation Factory in the UK and Sound Genetics in the US, bringing AI-powered technologies to governments, transport authorities, and healthcare providers worldwide. It is worth noting that Stars of Science has aired over 313 episodes since the first season, with the participation of 175 alumni from 18 Arab countries. Its graduates have helped launch more than 55 companies in various vital sectors.

Gulf Times
Region

Arab, Islamic FMs back Hamas steps to end war

The Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, on Sunday welcomed the steps taken by Hamas regarding US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war on Gaza, release all hostages, alive or deceased, and the immediate launch of negotiations on implementation mechanisms.In a joint statement, the foreign ministers also welcomed President Trump's call on Israel to immediately stop the bombing and to begin implementation of the exchange agreement and they expressed appreciation for his commitment to establishing peace in the region.They also affirmed that such developments represent a real opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, and to address the critical humanitarian conditions facing people in Gaza Strip.The foreign ministers also welcomed the announcement by Hamas of its readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee of independent technocrats. They emphasised the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal, and address all of its aspects.The foreign ministers reiterated their joint commitment to support efforts towards the implementation of the proposal, to work for the immediate end of the war on Gaza, and achieve a comprehensive agreement that ensures unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, no displacement of the Palestinian people, and that no measures are taken that threaten the security and safety of civilians, the release of hostages, the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, and reaching a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides, in a manner that leads to the full Israeli withdrawal, and to the rebuilding of Gaza, and that creates a path for a just peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

Gulf Times
Sport

‘Iraqi fans will be the life of the Arab Cup’

Iraqi football legend Nashat Akram looks forward to Qatar hosting the FIFA Arab Cup for the second time as tickets go on sale With the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 set to take place from December 1-18 in Qatar, Iraqi football legend Nashat Akram spoke about the tournament’s ability to showcase the region’s passion for football, in particular for fans of the Lions of Mesopotamia. Speaking to the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), the former Qatar Stars League player, said: “Iraqi fans will be the life of the Arab Cup. Fans in Qatar witnessed the fervour and passion that Iraqi supporters brought to the stadiums and beyond in previous tournaments. This time will be no different. Our Lions of Mesopotamia will hear the roar of fans at every match, they will have our full support.”Fans can purchase FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 tickets exclusively on: www.roadtoqatar.qa, with prices starting from QR25. Supporters can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of their team of choice during the group stage. All tickets are digital and include accessible seating options for disabled fans.For Akram, who famously led Iraq to AFC Asian Cup glory in 2007, the FIFA Arab Cup has become the pinnacle of Arab football and a tribute to the rich culture of the region: “Qatar has been successful in celebrating Arab and Islamic identity through all the tournaments it has organised. It is a matter of pride to see our culture celebrated on such a global stage.”Known as “The Maestro” for his exceptional vision and excellent passing ability throughout his career, Akram looks to the new generation of Iraqi players to make their country proud. “The Arab Cup will be a huge opportunity for participating teams and players. It's an honour to play for your country, for your national team,” said the former playmaker, who is recognised as one of Iraq’s best all-time players.In the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup, Iraq has been placed in Group D, alongside defending champions Algeria, and will be joined by the winners of Bahrain v Djibouti and Sudan v Lebanon.“Our players are going to play in World Cup stadiums in Qatar, and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities that are not available even in some of the most football-developed countries. Qatar has truly set a benchmark in football infrastructure,” said Akram.A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 trophy. Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers. The qualifying matches will be held ahead of the tournament on November 25-26 in Qatar. The opening match will take place on December 1, 7:30pm, at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya. The Final will be held on 18 December, 7pm, at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International Stadium and Stadium 974. Throughout the competition, fans will also be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities. All venues are connected seamlessly by public transport and will offer a barrier-free experience to disabled fans.The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 is part of several tournaments that Qatar will be hosting up until the end of the year, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 from November 3-27. Qatar will also be hosting the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on December 10, 13, and 17.In addition to this year’s edition, Qatar will be hosting the FIFA Arab Cup again in 2029 and 2033.

Gulf Times
Sport

Al-Mohannadi appeals ITTF presidential vote dispute to sports court

Khalil bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, President of the Qatar, Arab and Asian Table Tennis Federations and First Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has officially filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to contest the ITTF presidential elections.Al-Mohannadi described the case as one of “fraud and violation of democratic legitimacy”, echoing media reports that labelled the election outcome the “steal of the century”.The elections, held in Doha in May, ended with al-Mohannadi leading 98–87 in votes cast by national federation representatives present in the hall. However, Swedish candidate Petra Sorling gained an unexpected 17-4 advantage through remote electronic voting, tipping the final result. Al-Mohannadi rejected the validity of the 21 electronic ballots, noting that the number had originally been set at 16. The sudden increase, he said, shocked the General Assembly.In a statement released by the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) Tuesday, al-Mohannadi emphasised that the 2022 General Assembly in Doha — where 185 federations voted in person — reflected the true will of the membership. He stressed that administrative decisions or internal ITTF procedures should not override the democratic mandate, calling any such move “a violation of the essence of the electoral process and its credibility before the international sports community.”Responding to ITTF President Sorling’s recent remarks that “the file has been closed” and “the elections have been decided”, al-Mohannadi called the statements “misleading and inaccurate”. He pointed out that the ITTF’s internal arbitration decision is not final and remains under review by CAS.Al-Mohannadi underlined that the legal process will remain open until the ITTF General Assembly in London in 2026, where federations will again have the chance to vote. He pledged to pursue all available legal avenues “to defend transparency and protect the rights of member federations”, stressing that the dispute is not personal but “a legal and moral duty toward the global table tennis family”.He also warned against attempts to mislead federations into believing the case is settled, calling such claims a “deliberate distortion of legal reality”. He reaffirmed that the QTTA, alongside allied federations, will continue efforts until CAS delivers its final ruling.“Table tennis is bigger than any administrative or political dispute,” al-Mohannadi concluded, adding that safeguarding democratic legitimacy within the ITTF is “a collective responsibility to protect the future of the sport and its global reputation”.

Gulf Times
Sport

Ticket sales for FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ to go live today

Ticket sales for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ will begin today, 3pm, Doha time, at www.roadtoqatar.qa.Fans can purchase tickets in three categories, with prices starting from QAR 25. Supporters can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of their team of choice during the group stage. Throughout the competition, fans will also be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities. All tickets will be digital and will include accessible seating options for disabled fans. A maximum of 6 tickets per person can be purchased at one time. Disabled fans wishing to request accessible seats can do so by sending an e-mail to [email protected] opening match will take place on 1 December, 7:30pm, at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya. The Final will be held on 18 December, 7pm, at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974. A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ trophy. Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers. The qualifying matches will be held ahead of the tournament on 25-26 November in Qatar, with ticket prices starting from QAR 15.Qatar’s spectacular line-up of mega-sporting events will kick off with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ from 3-27 November, followed by the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December. In addition, the country is also set to host the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™, which will take place on 10, 13 and 17 December.For the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ match schedule, visit: www.roadtoqatar.qa.For all tournament updates, follow @arabcupqa on all major social media platforms.

Gulf Times
Business

Qatar among ‘best and most attractive’ Arab countries for investment in power and energy sector: Dhaman

The Arab region’s renewable energy sector attracted some 360 FDI projects with investments of $351bn in 22 years up to 2024, a report by Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) has shown.This, the report noted, provided more than 83,000 jobs during the period from January 2003-December 2024.According to Dhaman, Qatar is among countries that lead investment and business attraction in power and energy.In its second report for 2025 on the Arab power and renewable energy sector, the Kuwait-based Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation noted five countries - Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, Mauritania and Jordan, made up approximately 69% of the number of projects (248 projects), around 83% of the Capex ($291bn), and 82% of the new jobs (approximately 68,000 jobs).It added that the top 10 companies investing in the power sector in each index accounted for around 25% of the number of implemented projects, 40% of Capex, and 38% of the total new jobs.Five Arab countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt, invested in 90 inter-Arab renewable energy projects, accounting for roughly 25% of the sector’s foreign projects over 22 years. These projects were implemented with Capex of approximately $113bn, or more than 32% of the total Capex of the FDI projects in the sector, providing approximately 22,000 jobs.Based on Fitch Ratings’ assessment of investment and business risks and rewards in the electricity and energy sector in 14 Arab countries, by monitoring and measuring two main indicators, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman topped the Arab rankings as the best and most attractive Arab countries for investment in the power and energy sector in 2025. They were followed by Morocco, Egypt and Algeria respectively.Generated electricity in the Arab region (15 countries) is likely to surge by 4.2% to exceed 1,500 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025 and is even projected to keep rising to 1,754 terawatt-hours by 2030. Electricity generation is largely concentrated geographically, with five countries - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq and Algeria – making up 74% of the region’s total electricity generation by the end of 2025, it said. The report noted that electricity consumption in Arab countries is forecast to edge up by 3.5% to 1,296 terawatt-hours by the end of 2025, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and Kuwait accounting for 74% of the region’s total electricity consumption: around 958 terawatt-hours.It added that average per capita electricity generated in Arab countries is forecast to go up by 3.1% to 8.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by the end of 2025, amid forecasts of a hike to roughly 9.6 thousand kilowatt-hours by 2030.Arab foreign trade in power generation equipment and electric current shot up by 8% to approximately $39.2bn in 2024, with five countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Qatar – making up 81% of the total.This is the result of a surge in power generation equipment and electric current exports of Arab countries by 9% to roughly $7.6bn and its imports by 7.8% to more than $31.5bn in 2024. The list of the region’s top 10 exporting countries made up around 78% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment imports, valued at $24.7bn.Turkiye topped the list as the region’s top electricity exporter, with a value of $446mn, while the United States came as the largest power generation equipment exporter, with a value of $6.6bn, according to the report.It noted that the list of the region’s top 10 importing countries represented 58% of total Arab electricity and power generation equipment exports worth $4.4bn. Libya topped the list as the region’s largest importer of electricity, with a value of $59mn, while France ranked as the region’s largest power generation equipment importer with a value of $593mn.

Gulf Times
Sport

Tickets to go on sale for FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

Tickets for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ and the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ are set to go on sale this week, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced today.Starting from 30 September, 3pm Doha time, tickets for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ will be available. Tickets for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ will go on sale exclusively to Visa cardholders starting 2 October, 3PM. All tickets will be digital and will include accessible seating options for disabled fans.Qatar’s spectacular line-up of mega-sporting events will kick off with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ from 3-27 November, followed by the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December. In addition, the country is also set to host the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™, which will take place on 10, 13 and 17 December.Hassan Rabia Al Kuwari, LOC Executive Director of Marketing, Promotion and Commercial, said: “The launch of our ticket sales marks an important milestone for us, as Qatar getsready to welcome the world once again. Fans will be treated to an exciting football season, where they will be able to experience the country’s signature hospitality and be part of awonderful cultural exchange that will showcase our shared passion for football.”FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™Fans can purchase FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ tickets in three categories, with prices starting from QAR 25. Supporters can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of their team of choice during the group stage. All stadiums will provide a number of accessible seating options for disabled fans.The opening match will take place on 1 December, 7:30pm, at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya. The Final will be held on 18 December, 7pm, at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International Stadium and Stadium 974. All venues will feature a robust fan zone, where fans can enjoy a variety of entertainment and cultural activities.A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ trophy. Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers. The qualifying matches will be held ahead of the tournament on 25-26 November in Qatar.This is the second time that Qatar will be hosting the prestigious tournament. In 2021, the country successfully hosted the inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup™, which was the first time the competition was played under the auspices of FIFA.In addition to this year’s edition, Qatar will be hosting the FIFA Arab Cup™ again in 2029 and 2033.FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™Tickets for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ will be available as a number of Day Pass options, with prices starting from QAR 20. The Day Pass will enable fans to attend multiple matches a day as well as a number of cultural and entertainment activities taking place around matches, in what will be an electrifying football festival-like atmosphere.The tournament, taking place at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone, will see eight matches a day taking place during its various stages, for a total of 104 matches.Fans can also purchase a Prime Match Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches. Supporters of the Qatar national team can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of the Qatari U-17 team during the group stage.All pitches will provide wheelchair-accessible seating for disabled fans. Tickets will also include a parking pass to enable easy access to tournament venues.Hosts Qatar have been drawn into Group A, alongside Italy, South Africa and Bolivia, and will play their first match against Italy on 3 November, 6:45pm. The young Maroons will look to improve on their best finish, when they claimed fourth place in the 1991 edition of the tournament.The Final will take place on 27 November, 7pm, at Khalifa International Stadium. Tickets are available in two categories,with prices starting from QAR 15, and also includes accessible seating options.The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ is the first of five consecutive editions that Qatar will be hosting and is the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams.For tournament updates, follow @arabcupqa, @u17worldcupqa and @roadtoqatar on all major social media platforms

Gulf Times
Sport

Qatar to deliver spectacular FIFA tournaments in 2025: minister

HE Minister of Sports and Youth and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani affirmed that the committee's partners and sponsors will play a pivotal role in delivering an exceptional hosting experience for the upcoming tournaments in Qatar.This statement came during a ceremony held Saturday by the organising committee at Stadium 974, where the official sponsors of both tournaments, scheduled to take place in November and December, were announced.In his speech, HE the minister stated that the committee's partnership with these companies reflects the prestigious status and global reach of these tournaments, which will unite fans from across the region and the world in celebration of their shared passion for football.During the event, sponsorship agreements were signed with several Qatari companies, including Visit Qatar, the entity responsible for marketing and promoting Qatar's tourism sector, and Qatar Airways, the national carrier of Qatar and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards.The list of sponsors also includes Media City Qatar, which brings together media firms and content creators, and Aspetar, the world-renowned orthopedic and sports medicine hospital.The ceremony also featured the announcement of global hospitality firm Beyond Hospitality as the official hospitality provider for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, offering premium packages including hospitality suites and other exclusive experiences for fans attending the highly anticipated sporting event.Qatar will host the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 from December 1 to 18, with matches played across six World Cup stadiums. Sixteen national teams will compete for the title, including nine top-ranked teams that have automatically qualified through FIFA rankings, while 14 others will vie for the remaining seven spots in a qualifying series to be held in Doha this November.Meanwhile, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 will take place from November 3 to 27. This year's edition marks the first of five consecutive annual tournaments to be hosted by Qatar through 2029, featuring 48 national teams, a historic expansion in the tournament's format.Matches will be held at Aspire Zone's competition complex, with the final set to take place at Khalifa International Stadium.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Unesco showcases ‘Arab Latinos! Shared Roots, Shared Horizons’ in Doha

Building on the enduring cultural and historical connections between the Arab world and Latin America and the Caribbean, Unesco organised the “Arab Latinos! Shared Roots, Shared Horizons” event at the United Nations House in Doha.The gathering highlighted the need to foster sustainable South–South solidarity and mutual support in the face of today’s global challenges, while also showcasing how literature, archives, and cinema can advance inclusive narratives, promote intercultural dialogue, and contribute to peacebuilding.The event brought together representatives of more than 32 embassies alongside academics and cultural leaders, underscoring broad international support for the Arab Latinos! initiative and its role in strengthening cultural cooperation between regions.‘’Arab Latinos! is not only a celebration of this legacy, but also a strategic platform for South-South co-operation, echoing the spirit of the United Nations Day for South-South Co-operation,” said Salah Khaled, the Unesco representative to the Gulf States and Yemen and director of Unesco Office in Doha.“Through education, culture, the sciences, and communication, this initiative seeks to foster inclusive dialogue, collaborative knowledge production, and solidarity across regions of the South,” he said. “Through this event, we are proud to contribute to the Qatar-Argentina-Chile 2025 Year of Culture.”The first roundtable discussion on Al-Mahjar focused on the literary heritage of Arab migrants in Latin America and emphasised the importance of preserving the archives of Arab Latinos.Refqa Abu-Remaileh, associate professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, and Tan Huism, executive director of the Qatar National Library, stressed that the preservation, documentation, and accessibility of these sources require the co-ordinated engagement of governments, national institutions, academia, and civil society.In a second roundtable, “Cinema as a Bridge”, experts retraced the history of the Arab Latinos cinema and its powerful medium for promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.Prof Geraldo de Campos from the Department of International Relations at the Federal University of Sergipe in Brazil and Christian Mouroux, the director of the LatinArab International Film Festival in Buenos Aires, illustrated how LatinArab co-productions create opportunities for collaborative storytelling that reflect diverse identities and self-narratives.These partnerships enrich artistic expression, transcend borders, and challenge stereotypes, thereby advancing South-South solidarity co-operation in line with Unesco’s mission of promoting international co-operation through its fields of expertise.Building on the exchanges, participants emphasised the importance of advancing the Arab Latinos! initiative through concrete follow-up actions, including expanding access to archives, fostering cultural exchanges, and reinforcing bilateral co-operation between national institutions.

Gulf Times
Qatar

QU organises international conference on Sustainability in Arab World

The College of Arts and Sciences at Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) in Germany and the National Planning Council, organised the international conference “Empowering Sustainability: Sustainable Development Goals and Future Prospects in the Arab World.”The two-day conference, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange knowledge and best practices on advancing sustainability. The conference provided a platform for regional and international dialogue, enabling stakeholders in the Arab world to benefit from global experiences while addressing local and regional priorities. Sessions covered pressing topics such as food and water security, renewable energy, climate change, education for sustainability, and digital innovation.**media[361718]**Dr Fatima Ali al-Kubaisi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at QU, stated: “This conference is the outcome of constructive collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences and HAW Hamburg with strategic support from the National Planning Council. It reflects QU’s commitment to fostering co-operation with national institutions stemming from our deep belief in the importance of integration between academic institutions and executive bodies to achieve our shared goals.”Dr al-Kubaisi noted that the conference themes address key topics such as food and water security, renewable energy, climate change, and education for sustainability — aligning with both national and regional priorities and reflecting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which have become a roadmap for humanity toward a more stable future.Ahmed Khalid al-Sumaiti, director of the International Indicators and International Cooperation Department at the National Planning Council, emphasised collective responsibility.Prof Walter Leal, director of the Research and Transfer Centre for Sustainability and Climate Change Management at HAW Hamburg, noted that the event offered a valuable opportunity to exchange insights and share experiences at a time when the need for regional and international collaboration is increasingly urgent to address accelerating challenges and achieve development goals in a tangible and effective manner.