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In early days in Qatar, Ramadan gatherings were more than just spaces for hospitality or places to exchange pleasantries. For decades, they were a firmly established social institution, reviving the spirit of community each Ramadan and reinforcing the values of dialogue, solidarity, and communication among the residents of the same neighbourhood.After Taraweeh prayers, men would head to the (Majlis) gatherings, where Arabic coffee and dates were served, and attendees would sit in facing circles. There, news of the sea and land was shared, trade and work were discussed, and some disputes were resolved in a friendly spirit characterized by the serenity of the holy month. Daily issues were raised, and diverse opinions were heard in an atmosphere of respect, especially for the elders.The Majlis also served as an unwritten school for the rising generations; the young men sitting on the periphery of these gatherings learned the etiquette of conversation, the art of listening, and respect for elders. They also gained insight into life experiences through the stories and recounting of past events shared by the adults. Thus, these gatherings became indirect educational spaces, contributing to the formation of social awareness and character development.During Ramadan specifically, these gatherings were more frequent and organised, as the month's rhythm allowed for longer periods of time to meet, and late-night gatherings became an integral part of daily life.With urban development and the expansion of cities, these gatherings did not disappear. Instead, they moved to modern homes and larger Majlis halls, and are a cherished tradition to be held in cultural and heritage spaces such as the old Souq Waqif, Souq Al Wakrah and Katara Cultural Village, sometimes tackling cultural or intellectual debates, addressing issues of society, identity, and heritage.These Ramadan gatherings contributed to strengthening the bond between Qataris and their environment, reinforcing the concept of community consultation, and solidifying the value of gathering based on kind words. Though its forms may have changed, it still carries at its core that profound meaning: that Ramadan is not only a season of worship, but also a season of gathering and dialogue, a time when bonds are renewed and collective memory is preserved. 

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a flurry of phone calls from heads of state, government leaders, and senior international officials Sunday, all reaching out to express their countries' unwavering solidarity with Qatar following what world leaders have widely condemned as Iran's flagrant and unprovoked aggression against the country.The wave of diplomatic outreach underscored the breadth of international support for Qatar and the deep concern among regional and global partners over the implications of the attacks for peace and stability.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye offered perhaps the most emphatic condemnation among the leaders who reached out. President Erdogan expressed his strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territories and those of other Arab nations, making clear Türkiye's flat-out rejection of anything that compromises the sovereignty of nations or the security of their peoples.HH the Amir expressed his gratitude for President Erdogan's solidarity and backing, praising the rock solid ties between the two nations. The call concluded with both sides stressing the criticality of de-escalation and the intensification of diplomatic efforts to safeguard the region's security and stability.Among those who called was President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, who conveyed his country's full solidarity with Qatar and its people. HH the Amir expressed his thanks and appreciation for the president's stance, praising the existing relations between the two countries.President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria also reached out, inquiring about the situation in Qatar following the attacks and voicing Algeria's complete solidarity with its Qatari brothers. HH the Amir thanked President Tebboune for his sincere sentiments, which he said were a reflection of the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.Both sides used the call to stress the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of resolving the current crisis, underlining the importance of sparing the region further escalation and preserving security and stability at both regional and international levels.Mohamed al-Menfi, Chairman of Libya's Presidential Council, similarly called to express his country's full solidarity and support for Qatar, affirming Libya's backing of all measures taken to safeguard Qatar's sovereignty, security, and stability. HH the Amir expressed his gratitude in turn, praising the deep fraternal relations binding the two countries.In a separate call, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah reaffirmed Libya's solidarity and his personal reassurance regarding the situation in Qatar. HH the Amir thanked the prime minister for his brotherly sentiments, which he said reflected the depth of the ties between the two nations, and the call went on to address the latest regional developments and their repercussions on international peace and stability.President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid of Iraq expressed his country’s solidarity with Qatar following the Iranian aggression, also seeking direct reassurance regarding the situation on the ground. HH the Amir conveyed his gratitude for the Iraqi president, praising the strong relations between the two sisterly countries. The call also touched on the latest regional and international developments of mutual concern.President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus offered his country's solidarity and issued a clear condemnation of what he called Iran's blatant aggression against Qatar, affirming Nicosia's support for all measures taken by Doha to safeguard its sovereignty and stability. HH the Amir thanked President Christodoulides for his solidarity, praising the friendship and co-operation between the two countries. The two leaders also discussed the key security developments in the region and their broader implications for peace and stability.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called to seek reassurance about the situation in Qatar, affirming the European Union's solidarity with Qatar and its condemnation of Iranian aggression. She reiterated the EU's support for all efforts aimed at strengthening Qatar's security and sovereignty, while stressing the importance of restraint and de-escalation in preserving regional peace.HH the Amir expressed his appreciation to von der Leyen for the EU's solidarity, praising the multifaceted partnership between Qatar and the European Union. The call also addressed ongoing efforts to support stability regionally and internationally.President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan conveyed his country's solidarity with Qatar. HH the Amir thanked President Tokayev, and both sides emphasised the importance of de-escalation and opening avenues for dialogue to safeguard the region's security and stability.Lt.-General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, expressed Sudan's full solidarity and support for Qatar in the aftermath of the attacks. HH the Amir thanked al-Burhan for his genuine sentiments, and took the opportunity to emphasise the critical importance of Sudan's own security and stability to the broader regional equilibrium. The two sides discussed the security developments in the region and their implications for global peace, underlining the need for restraint and intensified diplomatic efforts.HH the Amir received a phone call from Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Cheikh el-Ghazouani.The president emphasised Mauritania's solidarity and full support for Qatar, stressing that Mauritania stands by Qatar in all the measures it may take to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability. HH the Amir voiced his thanks and appreciation to the president. 

In the wake of Iran's attacks on Qatar, an outpouring of international solidarity reached Doha as heads of state and government from across the globe reached out to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to express their support, condemn the aggression and reaffirm their countries' commitment to Qatar's security and stability. The calls reflected the breadth of Qatar's diplomatic relationships and a shared conviction that dialogue, de-escalation and diplomacy must guide the path forward.His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a phone call Monday from Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.The UN chief condemned the recent attacks on Qatar, describing them as a violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and affirming Qatar's status as a strong and valued partner of the UN.HH the Amir expressed his appreciation for the UN Secretary-General's positions and the UN efforts in promoting international peace and security, stressing the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis and prevent further escalation in the region.Both sides emphasised the necessity of prioritising political dialogue and the diplomatic track as the best way to contain the current situation and preserve regional security and stability.In this context, they discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, international efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and the importance of intensifying efforts to halt the escalation, provide protection for civilians, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in light of the current challenges.Russian President Vladimir Putin was among the leaders who reached out, conveying his country's solidarity with Qatar and signalling Moscow's readiness to provide any form of support needed to overcome the fallout of the attacks and reinforce Qatar's security and stability.HH the Amir expressed his thanks for the Russian president's sentiments and the strong bonds of bilateral friendship. The two leaders discussed regional developments, agreeing on the primacy of dialogue and negotiations in reducing tensions, and also reviewed ways to further strengthen the strategic relationship between their two countries.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered Rome's unequivocal condemnation of the Iranian aggression and voiced Italy's solidarity with Qatar and its people during what she described as exceptional circumstances. HH the Amir thanked her for the gesture and the strong bilateral relationship it reflects. The two leaders aligned on the need to pursue de-escalation and elevate political dialogue as the primary instrument for resolving the crisis.Prime Minister Viktor Orbán conveyed Budapest's firm support for Qatar, condemning the Iranian aggression and affirming Hungary's backing for any measures Doha takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability. HH the Amir expressed appreciation for Hungary's solidarity. The two leaders discussed the broader regional security implications of the situation, stressing the importance of political solutions through intensified diplomatic engagement.Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin called HH the Amir to inquire about the situation in Qatar following the Iranian attacks, voicing Bern's condemnation of the aggression and its solidarity with Qatar. Switzerland, he affirmed, stands ready to support all efforts that would bolster Qatar's security and stability. HH the Amir expressed his gratitude for the President's sentiments and the spirit of friendship and co-operation that characterises relations between the two countries.Acting President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela also reached out to HH the Amir, inquiring about sitaution in Qatar in the aftermath of the attacks and reiterating Caracas' solidarity with Doha. She took the opportunity to express Venezuela's appreciation for Qatar's longstanding supportive positions toward the Venezuelan people — a gesture HH the Amir warmly acknowledged, along with his appreciation for the Acting President's solidarity.The two sides exchanged views on the repercussions of the regional situation, converging on the need to halt escalation and uphold security and stability at both the regional and international levels.President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu of Kosovo contacted HH the Amir to inquire about the situation following the Iranian aggression, offering Pristina's unequivocal condemnation of the attacks and affirming Kosovo's full solidarity with Qatar in whatever measures it deems necessary to protect its sovereignty, security and stability. The president also took the occasion to express her country's gratitude for Qatar's continued support for Kosovo — a reflection of the mutual regard that underpins relations between the two states. HH the Amir thanked President Osmani Sadriu for her sentiments and the close cooperative ties the two countries enjoy.Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia similarly contacted HH the Amir to inquire about the situation in Qatar, expressing confidence in Qatar's resilience and reiterating Addis Ababa's full support. HH the Amir warmly acknowledged the close ties between the two nations. Both sides echoed a common refrain — that constructive dialogue and diplomatic action remain the surest path to containing the crisis and preserving regional stability.President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives rounded out the series of calls, condemning the attacks and affirming his country's full solidarity with Qatar. HH the Amir expressed sincere gratitude and acknowledged the deep-rooted ties between the two nations. 

Muslim women holding portraits of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gather during a solidarity protest outside of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur Sunday after the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei amid US-Israel strikes.  

Qatar Foundation’s Awsaj Academy marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People through a cultural and humanitarian event that brought together its students and several Palestinians evacuated from Gaza. The initiative sought to deepen awareness of Palestinian heritage and highlight the stories of resilience demonstrated by the people of the Gaza Strip. Held at Awsaj Academy’s theatre and surrounding outdoor areas, the event drew a wide audience of students’ families, the school community, and visitors. It offered an integrated blend of cultural expression and humanitarian reflection, providing students with a meaningful opportunity to explore Palestinian culture and engage with the lived experiences of Gaza’s residents within an educational context. The programme included artistic and cultural performances such as the traditional Palestinian ‘Dabka’, alongside an exhibition of artwork, crafts, and handmade pieces representing Palestinian identity. The outdoor spaces featured sculptures symbolising Palestine, as well as booths showcasing heritage products and photographs documenting the humanitarian realities faced by Gazans. Maryam al-Subaie, events and activities coordinator and teacher of Qatari History and Heritage at Awsaj Academy, underscored the importance of such initiatives, saying: “At Awsaj Academy, we are committed to ensuring that educational activities serve as platforms that strengthen our students’ humanitarian awareness and connect them to global issues through direct experience. “The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People provided a valuable opportunity to instill the values of empathy and responsibility, and to broaden students’ understanding of what communities around the world are going through. “This event also highlighted how art, culture, and storytelling can serve as bridges that bring people together and promote respect for human diversity. We believe that such activities strengthen our students’ sense of belonging and humanity, broaden their perspectives, and nurture their social and emotional development.” Al-Subaie emphasised that the significance of the event extended beyond celebrating heritage, as it helped instill a sense of responsibility in students and expand their understanding of their role in addressing humanitarian causes. “We want our students to understand that solidarity is not merely a momentary stance but a value expressed through action, listening, engagement, and understanding,” she said. “This reflects the essence of holistic education at QF, education that broadens perspectives, deepens awareness, and cultivates students’ moral and ethical consciousness,” added al-Subaie.    

Qatar took part in an event organised Sunday by the General Secretariat of the Arab League at its headquarters in Cairo to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the Arab League, Maryam Ahmed al-Shaibi, led Qatar’s delegation to the event.The event was held in response to the UNGA resolution issued in 1977 to revive this day annually, with the aim of reaffirming the just Palestinian cause and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to end the occupation and restore freedom and independence.It underscores their independent and sovereign statehood, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.Overall, the event featured solidarity speeches and the screening of a short film prepared by the General Secretariat, showcasing the plight of the Palestinian people, marked by decades-long ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and deprivation of their right to self-determination due to the long-standing injustice caused by the persistent Israeli occupation.The event was intended to highlight the role of those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights across the world, in addition to their steadfast commitment to the principles of humanity, justice, and respect for human rights.Alongside this event, a fine art exhibition was staged, featuring photographs spotlighting the Palestinian cause, in collaboration with the General Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of the State of Palestine to the Arab League.The event also included the honouring of several institutions in recognition of their efforts to support the Palestinian people, as well as some segments of the Palestinian community for their resilience and sacrifices. 

Qatar wrapped up its campaign at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with three medals — a silver in fencing and bronze medals in handball and athletics — bringing its overall tally to 11 (3 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze).The men’s foil team of Khalid al-Yafei, Adham al-Deeb and Abdullah Khalifa won silver after a tight 43-45 loss to Uzbekistan in the final, having beaten the UAE in the semi-finals. The men’s and women’s epee teams were eliminated in the Round of 16.Qatar’s handball team claimed bronze after a 36–28 win over the UAE, overcoming the disappointment of a narrow semi-final defeat to Bahrain. They topped their group with three victories before finishing the tournament with a 4–1 record.In athletics, Abubaker Haydar secured bronze in the men’s 800m with a time of 1:46.26, while Moaz Ibrahim was placed fourth in the discus throw. In camel racing, Hazam Abdullah al-Nadeela finished fourth in the 2km event at Al-Janadriyah.

Qatar won two bronze medals in fencing and wrestling at the Islamic Solidarity Games, currently being held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, until Nov. 21.More than 3,000 athletes representing 57 countries are participating in the Games.The Qatari delegation's two medals were won by Khalid Al Yafei, who took bronze in the men's foil fencing competition, and Shaheen Mohammad, who won bronze in the 77 kg wrestling category.Qatar's medal tally now stands at seven, including three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.In handball, the Qatari national team defeated the Maldives 44-6, finishing the first stage at the top of Group A with a perfect record. They will face Bahrain, the runner-up in Group B, in the semifinals. The other semifinal match will see Saudi Arabia, the top team in Group B, take on the UAE, the runner-up in Group A.The Qatari national team had won its previous two matches against Iran (39-23) and the UAE (41-24), and aims to retain the gold medal it won in the previous edition of the Games, held in Konya, Turkiye in 2022.In camel racing, Hazem Abdullah Al Nudailah qualified for the men's 2000-meter final after finishing second in the second heat held at the Al-Janadriyah Racecourse. The final will take place on Wednesday.In athletics, Qatari runner Abubaker Haidar qualified for the 800-meter final after finishing first in the first heat with a time of 1:50.09. Meanwhile, Qatari shot putter Ahmed Jibril finished fourth in the men's shot put with a throw of 18.51 meters.

Qatar Charity (QC) has completed a new round of food assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Gaza, distributing 26,000 food baskets that benefited around 130,000 people.The initiative was funded by generous donors in Qatar through the campaign "Labbeh Gaza: Commitment and Solidarity".QC said the aid aims to ease the severe humanitarian crisis and improve food security for families affected by the blockade and two years of the war.Gaza continues to face acute shortages of essential supplies, with the UN declaring a widespread famine in August, the first ever in the Middle East. According to UN agencies, over 500,000 people are trapped in famine conditions, while 91% of Gaza's population, around 1.95mn people, suffers from extreme food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).Each basket contains basic food supplies sufficient for a family for about a month.Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, calling the assistance "a timely lifeline" and "a message of solidarity from hearts that never forget." Qatar Charity continues to urge donors to support its ongoing "Labbeh Gaza" campaign.Contributions can be made via the organisation's website and mobile app, through its home collection service, by dialling 44290000, or by visiting its branches and representatives in commercial centers.As part of Qatar's land bridge of humanitarian aid, a recent shipment of relief supplies, including shelter tents and essential items, crossed the Rafah border to help ease the suffering of Gazans, especially with winter approaching and temperatures dropping.

Swimmer Ali Tamer earned Qatar’s first medal at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, winning silver in the 100m freestyle at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex. Tamer clocked 49.63 seconds, narrowly missing gold to Saudi Arabia’s Zaid Al-Sarraj (49.62). Another Saudi swimmer, Emad al-Zaben, took bronze in 50.40 seconds. **media[380620]** The Qatari swimmer had reached the final after posting 50.44 seconds in the heats and 50.53 seconds in the semifinals on Monday. “The race was tough, but I entered it with great motivation to swim for my country,” Tamer said after his podium finish. “I am extremely proud to have won Qatar’s first medal at these Games. This result is the fruit of teamwork between the swimmers and the coaching staff, and I dedicate it to everyone who supported me during the preparation period.” He added: “This medal gives me even more motivation to continue training and improve my times in future championships.” Meanwhile, Mohammed Mahmoud advanced to the 50m breaststroke final, clocking 28.68 seconds in the semifinals. His team-mate Hamza al-Shaalan fell short of qualification in the same event, while Mohammed Aziz Ismail missed out in the 100m butterfly. **media[380622]** In table tennis, both Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Abdullah Abdel Wahab exited in the round of 16, losing 4–1 to Algeria’s Milan Amine Djellouli and Mehdi Bouloussa, respectively. The Qatari duo will face Ibrogimovich Sultanov and Jamshid Hasanov of Tajikistan in the doubles round of 16 today. **media[380621]** In women’s karate, Mona Al-Kharafi was eliminated in the round of 16 of the under-50kg category, losing to Ivory Coast’s Abene Adéatou Adebayo. Today, Qatar’s volleyball team will take on Bahrain as they aim to secure qualification for the bronze medal match. The volleyball competition is being played in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the final.

The Qatari men’s volleyball team secured a crucial victory on Monday, defeating hosts Saudi Arabia 3–1 in an exciting encounter at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh until November 21.Qatar recovered well after dropping the opening set 21–25, taking control of the match with confident attacking play and solid defense to claim the next three sets 25–16, 25–20, and 25–21 in front of a large crowd at Riyadh Boulevard.With this result, Qatar moved a step closer to advancing to the medal rounds. They will face Bahrain Wednesday in a decisive fixture that could confirm their qualification to the knockout stages.Tamer qualifies for 100m Freestyle FinalQatar’s swimmer Ali Tamer qualified for the final of the men’s 100m freestyle, to be held today at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex. Tamer clocked 50.44 seconds in the heats and 50.53 seconds in the semi-finals.Meanwhile, teammate Mohammed Aziz Ismail narrowly missed out on the 200m butterfly final after finishing fourth in his heat with a time of 2:12.26. Hamza al-Shaalan withdrew from the 200m breaststroke final after sustaining an injury during warm-up. He had earlier qualified with a time of 2:23.35 in the heats.Today, Ismail will compete in the 100m butterfly, while al-Shaalan and Mohammed Mahmoud will contest the 50m breaststroke.Elsewhere, Qatar’s table tennis players begin their individual campaigns today, while Mona Al-Kharafi will represent the nation in the women’s under-50kg karate category.Turkey tops medal tableTurkey continues to lead the medal standings at the Games with 58 medals — 37 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze. Egypt sits second with 18 medals (6 gold, 4 silver, 8 bronze), followed by Nigeria in third with 10 medals (5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze). Indonesia ranks fourth with 18 medals (4 gold, 11 silver, 3 bronze), and Uzbekistan is fifth with 21 medals (4 gold, 10 silver, 7 bronze).

Qatar’s swimmers continued their strong form at the Islamic Solidarity Games Riyadh 2025, with Mohammed Mahmoud narrowly missing a podium finish in the men’s 200m individual medley, placing fourth in 2:05.69, just 0.62 seconds behind third. Mahmoud also finished seventh in the 100m breaststroke while teammate Ali Tamer clocked 22.72s to claim fourth in the 50m freestyle, only 0.15s off the bronze.The Al Annabi swimmers remain in action today, with Tamer contesting the 100m freestyle, Hamza Shaalan in the 200m breaststroke and Aziz al-Jilani in the 200m butterfly. Elsewhere, Qatar’s men’s table tennis team exited in the quarter-finals after a loss to Kazakhstan, while judoka Haya al-Kuwari bowed out in the repechage round of the under-70kg category.The men’s volleyball team faces hosts Saudi Arabia today before wrapping up their group stage against Bahrain on Wednesday. More than 3,000 athletes from 57 nations are competing across 23 sports in Riyadh. Qatar has sent 82 athletes participating in 16 disciplines.