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Katara Cultural Village has launched the “Youth Eyes on the Silk Roads” photo exhibition, which is organised in co-operation with the Katara Centre for Public Diplomacy and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).The exhibition was attended by a number of ambassadors as well as the Unesco representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and director of the Unesco Office in Doha, Salah El Din Zaki Khaled.Running until October 14, the exhibition displays 30 photos from 21 countries, selected in the international competition "Youth Lens on the Silk Roads", organised by Unesco.Katara general manager of Katara Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti stressed that the exhibition reflects the close co-operation between Katara and the Unesco, confirming the mutual appreciation for culture and art, and for building bridges of communication between cultures and people.He stated that they are creating a new path inspired by the Silk Road, connecting the East to the West and the North to the South through artwork that reflects the unique human heritage of various cultures.Dr al-Sulaiti emphasised the significant role of Arabs in promoting Arab culture along this historic trade route.He also noted that the exhibition highlights Katara's ongoing efforts to foster collaboration with various organisations to promote the importance of cultural exchange, understanding, and peace among nations.Zaki Khaled described the exhibition as an expression of the Unesco's celebration of the community and cultural participation of youth through the activities of the Unesco Silk Roads Programme of the Unesco Social and Human Sciences Sector, and voiced his appreciation of the efforts of the Katara Cultural Village in co-operation and joint work.He said that through the international competition exhibition "Youth Lens on the Silk Roads", the Unesco aims to enhance youth engagement with their cultural heritage and share their ideas with the world.Zaki Khaled noted that the exhibition showcases vibrant perspectives from young artists living or travelling along historical routes, reflecting their spirit of creativity and collaboration.Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said the contest, in its fourth edition for 2024, received 300 applicants from 21 countries, of which 30 were selected.They completed their works that reflected the cultural heritage of their countries, which are located on the Silk Road.In a related context, photographer Abdulrahman Abdullah from Bangladesh shared that his contribution to the exhibition was inspired by a heritage festival in Katara, highlighting Qatar's cultural legacy.His photograph features a person holding a falcon, symbolising the care for heritage.Abdullah said that Katara's support for such exhibitions fosters the development of artists' talents, particularly among emerging photographers. – QNA

Qatar’s young athletes continued their strong showing at the West Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Beirut, raising the country’s gold medal tally to eight after three days of action. Ibrahim Zakaria and Younis Al Balushi won gold medals in the pole vault events, while Abdulrahman Mohammed claimed first place in the hammer throw, also securing qualification for the 2026 World Youth Championships in Los Angeles. In the men’s 400 metres, Mohammed Kala took silver and his teammate Youssef Abdulaziz earned bronze to complete another successful day for the Qatari contingent.

A Palestinian youth was shot by Israeli occupation forces on Sunday in the town of Al Ram in northern occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank. The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing the Palestine Red Crescent Society, reported that its medics treated the youth for a gunshot wound to the thigh near the separation wall in Al Ram. Israeli occupation forces are firing live ammunition deliberately and directly at Palestinians who are near the separation wall. Daily raids and incursions into villages and towns across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem are a regular occurrence, with Israeli forces clashing with residents, making arrests, and using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas against Palestinian youth. This has escalated amid the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which began on Oct. 7, 2023.

The embassy of India in Qatar, jointly with MY Bharat under the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, organised the Viksit Bharat Run 2025.Held simultaneously across more than 150 international locations, the event became a global celebration of service, fitness, and sustainability.The run in Doha saw participation from the Indian diaspora including students and professionals.Under the theme Run to Serve the Nation, participants from Doha came together for community runs of 1km, 2km, and 6km, turning the event into a powerful statement of collectiveness.It embodied India’s Swadeshi ethos, highlighting the collective call for self-reliance, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.Approximately 500 runners turned out for the event, with 100 volunteers and many community groups and community organisations joining hands.The event included the recitation of the Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Pledge, where participants committed to contributing towards India’s journey of becoming a developed nation by 2047, a statement from the embassy said.

Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) has concluded its "Your Game is My Idea" hackathon.Held in partnership with the Studio 5 Initiative, the five-day hackathon from September 14-18 targeted those aged 13-17, with the participation of 22 young men and women."We witnessed the conclusion of the 'Your Game is My Idea' hackathon for the 13-17 age group, in a successful and fruitful partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) through the Studio 5 Initiative,” the QYH said yesterday."The hackathon focused on video game design through programming and interactive design, with the aim of promoting Qatari culture and innovation,” it continued. “This exceptional edition witnessed diverse participation and creative ideas from participants to create innovative tourism and heritage games aimed at promoting tourism and technology culture."During the first three days, participating teams were engaged in understanding the process and environment of creating and designing games and characters.On the fourth day, they entered the programming phase of the approved game ideas.On the final day, the teams completed their game development and submitted them to the testing phase.Each team presented and explained their game to the judging panel headed by Nouf Abdulaziz al-Haddad, the chief of the Digital Competencies Department and director of Studio 5 at the MCIT.The *Peninsula game was selected as the programme's winning game.During her speech at the closing ceremony, al-Haddad emphasised that "Studio 5's participation in organising the 'Your Game is My Idea' hackathon falls within the MCIT’s efforts to develop digital skills among Qatari youth by providing an interactive learning environment that enhances their capabilities”.“The hackathon enables participants to gain practical experience in developing digital games that reflect Qatari identity, from concept design to implementation, strengthening their technical capabilities and preparing them for a promising digital future,” she said.The QYH concluded that "through these programmes, we aspire to encourage children to become more involved in the fields of tourism and technology, discover their talents, and harness them in projects that help develop their skills so they can become leaders in various areas of life”.

The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with the Ministry of Sports and Youth to support the seventh edition of the "Samla Race 2025," taking place from 27 to 29 November 2025.Under the agreement, DAAM will provide financial backing for the event and allocate prizes worth over QAR 3 million to participants.The agreement reflects DAAM's leading role in promoting sports activities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, alongside other companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange.Samla Race 2025 is a one-of-a-kind 200 km race bringing together five sports: swimming, running, mountain biking, kayaking, and shooting.Chief Executive Officer of DAAM Abdulrahman bin Abdul Latif Al Manaei emphasized the significance of supporting such initiatives: "Events of this kind play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of sports within the community and in developing exceptional athletes. This edition of the race is expected to bring strong competition and record participation. I wish all participants every success."For his part, President of the Qatar Challenge Raceing Club (Samla), and CEO of the Samla Race Organizing Committee Azzam Al Manaei expressed his pride in hosting Samla 2025, stating: "This event serves as a platform to foster the spirit of competition, athletic exchange, and passion for adventure sports. Year after year, participation continues to grow, and the Samla Race has become one of the most thrilling and demanding competitions in the region, requiring exceptional physical and mental endurance to complete all stages and reach the finish line."Since its inception in 2010, DAAM has initiated numerous crucial projects and programs across social, sports, and cultural sectors. Contributions from shareholding companies listed on the QSE are a major financial resource for the Fund, positioning them as crucial partners in advancing sustainable community development in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Ministry of Sports and Youth concluded its 2025 summer activities with wide participation exceeding 43,000 participants, through more than 750 sports and youth events organized across various regions of the country.The Ministry confirmed in a statement that the success of these activities was due to the combined efforts of partners from various governmental and private sectors, notably the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Social Development and Family, Qatar Sports for All Federation, National Cyber Security Agency, Education City, Qatar Museums, alongside numerous sports clubs, media channels, and other entities.The ministry emphasized the continuation of its community and youth programs throughout the year to reinforce the role of sports in society, supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 in building a conscious and active generation. In this context, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior, launched several summer programmes and activities to raise awareness and develop skills among youth. The most prominent of these was the awareness programme 'Aware Generation' which benefited 1,163 young men and women across 28 centers and youth organizations under the supervision of five trainers. Additionally, the Hina Salma Farm saw the participation of 4,686 young men and women from youth and girls’ centers, with an average daily participation of 158 attendees per center.In the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the Qatar Scientific Club and the Qatar Society of Engineers organised the summer program STEM 2025 with the participation of more than 141 students. Meanwhile, the summer data camp, organized in co-operation with the National Planning Council, Qatar Scientific Club, and Microsoft, hosted over 100 students competing in 20 teams to develop skills in analysis and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, 1,800 young men and women participated in events organized by the Programs and Activities Department at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).The programmes varied between sports, recreational, and awareness activities, including events held at Lusail Sports Arena, Education City Stadium, Al Furjan playgrounds, and races in various public parks. Other specialised programs included 365 Days of Activity, Self-Defence Program, Steps Challenge, as well as dedicated events for youth and girls at youth centers.

Despite several challenges, Muslim youth in Qatar are turning to faith as a source of strength. Islam provides spiritual resilience, confidence, and guidance in navigating societal pressures. As global interest in Islamic youth leadership and authentic Muslim voices rises, it is clear that faith can empower – not isolate – the next generation.As the global conversation on youth aspirations continues, Qatar Foundation (QF) is hosting its inaugural Qiyada conference, sponsored by Qatar International Islamic Bank. The conference will take place on September 19-20 at Multaqa and is open to students of all faiths aged 17-24 who are eager to engage in honest conversations, share fresh perspectives, and explore faith-driven solutions to challenges.Tarteel Elamin Emam, a Muslim student pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at QF's Hamad Bin Khalifa University says: “My faith inspires my strength. I didn’t reach this phase of my life despite my faith; rather, because of it.“In Arabic, there is a word called Sanad which means backbone: a source of support, strength, and empowerment. And my faith is that – Sanad. It is the hand that will always catch me no matter how many obstacles I face or how many challenges lay ahead.”For Emam, staying true to her faith is success in itself. “I’ve met many people who reject my beliefs,” she says. “They walk their path, and I walk mine. At times, our paths intersect, but this doesn’t take away from my journey, and it won’t determine my path ahead. Even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encountered opinions, resistance, and misunderstanding."Tasami Kamal Elobied Hussein, a student at Qatar University’s College of Nursing, says empowerment and faith aren’t in conflict – they feed each other. “I don’t feel powerful despite being Muslim; I feel powerful because I am,” she says.“My faith doesn’t limit me; it liberates me and protects me from manipulation, doubt, and losing myself amid people’s arguments or expectations. I know many enjoy questioning faith, especially in an era where science is idolized and spirituality is often dismissed.“It’s not just about praying or checking boxes. Even when I feel different from others – whether they are Muslims who treat religion as culture, or non-Muslims who see it as blind faith – I still stand tall. And even if I haven’t changed the world yet, simply being aware of its reality, and my role in it, makes me powerful.”When asked about achieving her goals while staying true to her religious values, Hussein says: “Success means remaining aligned with my values, purpose, and Islamic worldview. It means living as a vicegerent on Earth, not just as a contributor within the system. My academic performance is a tool that serves my purpose, but it doesn’t define my worth or tell the whole story. Real success is when my beliefs become practical; when I use my worldview to generate new ideas, take action, and grow.”