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Paying homage to the legendary lyricists and music directors who made immortal contributions to Malayalam film music, ‘Thirasheelukal - Smaranaanjali Season 4’ — organised by Gramophone Qatar — captivated audiences recently.The event beautifully wove together the melodies of the silver screen — blending the lyrical poetry and musical brilliance of Malayalam cinema’s golden era. Each song was introduced through its emotional and historical context, while preserving the soulful essence of classic Mappilappattu.Conceived, directed, and presented by Dr Rasheed Pattath, Thirasheelukal was a soulful journey through the golden years of Malayalam film music — featuring 30 timeless “ishals” and references to hundreds of evergreen songs.Noted Doha-based singers Shivapriya Suresh, Mythili Shenoy, Riyas Kariyad, Manikandadas, Aathira, Anisha Rajesh, Ajmal Mohammed, Ram Ravindran, Mohammed Usman, Rashad Kuraishi, and Lal Kumar Alappuzha — brought the vintage melodies back to life with remarkable grace and authenticity. The Rhythm Orchestra, led by Binu, added rich texture and depth to the renditions, while sound engineer Ranjith lent technical brilliance to the performance.As part of its tradition of honouring contributions to music and culture, Gramophone Qatar announced that its annual award, henceforth named ‘Gramophone Qatar - Mohammed Easa Memorial Annual Award’ — will be dedicated to the memory of the late Easa, whose work left an indelible mark on Qatar’s cultural, social, and artistic scene. The inaugural award was presented to A V M Unni, a luminary of Doha’s theatre, literary and cultural world.A special felicitation was also extended to Shivapriya, who reached the top 12 in Asianet Star Singer. The organising committee comprised Makhdoom Insight, Shamsudeen Pazhuvil, Mohammed Usman, Rashad Khuraishi, Suresh Kumar Vannarath, Niyas Rahman, Dr Rasheed Pattath and K R Jayaraj.

MES Indian School inaugurated Innovex - 2025, a science, mathematics, and art exhibition, at the Girls’ Section, alongside a Science Expo, at the Junior Section. The aim was to foster inquiry-based learning, creativity, and innovation among students across academic levels. University of Doha for Science and Technology faculty members Dr Salmiah Ahmad (Professor, Electrical Engineering Department - for Automation and Control Systems) and Dr Luay Hussein (Engineering professor, Mechanical Engineering) were the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively. MES founder member Mohammad Ali K P and other members of the school governing board were present. Dr Ahmad inspired the young minds to remain bold in their thinking and proactive in their pursuit of scientific discovery so as to thrive in the ever-evolving world of science and technology. Students must nurture curiosity, embrace change, and think beyond the ordinary, she advised. There was an array of over 2,000 exhibits across four categories, featuring working models, and artistic expressions. In the Junior Section, a total of 64 classrooms were transformed into innovation hubs, where students displayed their projects. Earlier, head girl Hadiya Hashim welcomed the gathering. Lia Rolland and Ayesha Nidhal from the Department of Chemistry, co-ordinated the event.

HE the Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, met this week with French ambassador Arnaud Pescheux.The meeting discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance and further develop them, particularly in the field of labour. HE Dr al-Marri also met with Director of the ILO Office in Qatar, Francesco d’Ovidio.The meeting reviewed the framework of bilateral co-operation between Qatar and the ILO, and to follow up on the progress and key developments of the ongoing joint programme.

The Embassy of Japan in Qatar hosted the 2025 Japan-Qatar Illustration Contest Award Ceremony on Wednesday. The contest, themed 'Draw a Japanese element in a Qatari setting,' attracted over 130 entries from artists of diverse ages and backgrounds, an embassy statement said. The first prize went to Moza al-Marri for her piece titled 'Qahwa wa Chai – Coffee and Tea.' The jury, which included noted Qatari artist Kholoud al-Ali, praised the participants for their creative works that truly captured the elegance of Japanese aesthetics and the warmth of Qatari environment. The contest was co-organized by Geekdom, Nakama, and the Japanese Club at Qatar University. The Embassy also thanked the sponsors, including Teyseer Motors – Suzuki, FNAC Qatar, Daiso Japan, and North Café. In his opening remarks at the ceremony, ambassador Naoto Hisajima, commended all participants for their exceptional creativity, and expressed his hope that such initiatives would continue to enhance the excellent bilateral relationship between Japan and Qatar.

The 25th Congress of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) concluded Friday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.The three-day congress saw the participation of a delegation from Qatar, headed by HE President of the State Audit Bureau Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ahmed al-Emadi.The "Sharm El Sheikh Declaration," issued at the conclusion of the Congress, emphasized the importance of strengthening the independence of supreme audit institutions, adopting artificial intelligence technologies in auditing, and expanding international cooperation to achieve more efficient and sustainable governance.The Congress is held every three years under the auspices of INTOSAI, with the participation of heads and representatives of supreme audit institutions from around the world and relevant regional and international organizations. Its aim is to discuss ways to enhance co-operation and exchange experiences among leaders of the international audit community, and to support efforts toward transparency, integrity, and the protection of public funds.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opened “Resolutions: Celebrating 15 years of Mathaf Exhibition” and “we refuse_d” to the public Friday, honouring its roots in Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali al-Thani’s foundational collection and confronting the struggles of artists who face censorship and displacement.“Resolutions”, on view until August 8, 2026, explores the institution’s journey, showcasing four areas that cover its origins and impact on the region.The section “Infrastructure: Traces of a Legacy”, curated by Fatima Mostafawi, examines the museum as a complex case study rooted in the vision of artist and collector Sheikh Hassan.It details how Doha emerged as an artistic hub during the political turmoil of the 1990s and includes archival materials like letters, photographs, and video interviews that capture Sheikh Hassan’s role as both fellow artist and patron.The exhibition continues its self-examination with “Mathaf as Institutional Memory: An Exhibition History”, curated by Hadeel al-Kohaji, which chronicles the “kaleidoscopic range” of exhibitions the museum has hosted.This section utilises an elaborate timeline and backstage documents to foster a sense of institutional memory, valuing the museum’s publications, graphic design, and international partnerships.“Resolution” broadens its scope to the regional impact of art, featuring “Education: Art as Knowledge Creation”, curated by Noora Abdulmajeed.This underscores the foundational role of art education in cultivating revolutionary possibilities and knowledge circulation within the Arab world.“Representation and the Writing of History”, curated by Arthur Debsi, spotlights how artists in West Asia and North Africa used a shared visual language in the post-independence era to define a Pan-Arab ideology and continuous resistance, especially in relation to the occupation of Palestine.Addressing contemporary issues, “we refuse_d” exhibition, curated by Nadia Radwan and Vasif Kortun, brings together 15 artists whose practices explore refusal, endurance, and action.On view until February 9, 2026, this exhibition asks critical questions about how to persist, resist, and create under conditions of silencing, censorship, and displacement.Speaking to the media, Kortun said: “To see other people’s misery it’s not what we really wanted to do and we kind of turned the idea of refusal around its head... we know of the concrete cases of cancelations but what we don’t know is the untold, or unwritten or unknowable history of refusals and cancellations.”Among the highlights of this exhibition are Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara’s *Untitled, from the Mahmoud Darwish series (2008), the newly commissioned installation *Resonance (2025) by Majd Abdel Hamid, Samia Halaby’s *Six Golden Heroes (2021), and Taysir Batniji’s early work *Untitled (1997).

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, met with ambassador of South Sudan Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel. Discussion during the meeting, focused on co-operation relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to the situation of displaced persons from Sudan.HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation emphasized the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and ensuring the provision of essential services to them, especially in light of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas. She stressed the need to strengthen international and regional efforts to coordinate the humanitarian response and support the most vulnerable groups. HE al-Misnad also reiterated Qatar's unwavering support for the Sudanese people and its continued support for all initiatives aimed at achieving peace and alleviating the suffering of civilians in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Department of Land Protection in cooperation with the Environmental Security Unit of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), has carried out a surprise inspection campaign in various sites in the northern region of the country. During the campaign, an unlicensed bird-hunting shelter that had been set up in violation of applicable environmental regulations was detected and removed. This action is part of the ministry’s measures to address any practices that harm the environment or distort the public landscape. The campaign is part of a series of periodic field inspections conducted by the ministry to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as to preserve vegetation cover and biodiversity across different regions of the country, supporting Qatar’s environmental sustainability goals.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 is set to take place at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone from November 3-27, promising a spectacular football festival-like atmosphere for families and fans at one of the world’s most celebrated sporting venues.Renowned as a global centre of sporting excellence since hosting the 2006 Asian Games, Aspire Zone will transform into a pulsing football hub throughout the 25 days of the tournament. A total of 104 matches will be played across eight pitches, with up to eight matches a day during the group stage through to the Round of 16. This will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams.The final will take place at Khalifa International Stadium, also located in the Aspire Zone, and one of eight venues that hosted matches during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.“We are excited to welcome the best young talent from around the world to train and play at Qatar’s world-class sporting facilities. The pitches at Aspire Zone and Khalifa International Stadium will offer players optimal conditions to showcase their talent to the rest of the world,” said Rashid al-Khater, LOC Operations Executive Director.“Fans attending the tournament are set to experience an unforgettable football-festival like atmosphere. The compact nature of the venue will allow spectators to attend multiple matches a day, while enjoying a specially curated fan zone offering cultural and entertainment activities for everyone. We are excited to bring the world together once again to celebrate a shared passion for football,” he added.Operating daily on match days from 1:30pm until the final whistle, the fan zone will offer a family-friendly celebration of football and culture. Young fans can indulge in a variety of gaming activities, including e-sports challenges and a mini football arena.Families will also be regaled by various folkloric and cultural performances, while enjoying food and beverage stations from around the world. A dedicated sensory room will provide an inclusive space for fans with neurodivergent needs.Regarded as the world’s most unique sports city, Aspire Zone also features Aspetar, a leading orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and Official Medical Partner of the tournament. The Zone is also home to the renowned Aspire Academy that has produced world and Olympic champions across multiple disciplines, since opening its doors in 2004, most notably track and field athlete Mutaz Barsham, regarded as one of the best high jumpers of all time.Aspire Zone is located within close proximity to Al Aziziyah (Gold line) metro station, allowing fans to easily access the venue using Qatar’s modern public transportation network. More information on how to reach the venue is available through the official tournament mobility guide: https://qr1.be/1A6UTickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa. Fans must also download the RoadtoQatar mobile app to present purchased tickets and access tournament venues.Tickets are available as a Day Pass, enabling fans to attend multiple matches a day as well fan zone activities. Fans can also purchase a Prime Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches. Supporters of the Qatar national team can avail the Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of the Qatari U-17 team during the group stage.All tickets will be digital and will include wheelchair accessible seating options for disabled fans. Accessible seat requests must be sent to: [email protected].

FIFA has partnered with a pair of viral emerging artists – Egypt’s Nour and Nigeria’s Yarden – to create TMRW'S GOAT, the Official Song of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.The multi-lingual anthem provides an inspirational soundtrack for the highly anticipated football festival that will take over Qatar’s Aspire Zone from 3 to 27 November. The track is now live across all major streaming services.Hailing from Cairo, Nour is an alt-pop artist whose bilingual lyrics and introspective writing build an intimate world that feels both personal and cinematic. Following the success of her breakout single Meen Ysadak, she stands on the verge of a bold new chapter, continuing to evolve her distinct voice and vision.Following the release of the track, Nour said: “Being part of TMRW'S GOAT was such a special experience. The FIFA U-17 World Cup is all about giving young players a stage to dream big — an opportunity to create something new and inspiring. Working with Yarden showed how powerful it can be when different worlds come together. The song carries that same anthemic spirit, and I hope the young players — and everyone listening — feel that energy and make it their own.”Lagos-raised artist Yarden is shaping the future of Afrobeats with a sound that fuses soul, rhythm, and global energy. Having burst onto the scene in 2023 with his viral hit Wetin, he is considered one of Nigeria’s most exciting up-and-coming voices, with music that embodies the fearless and borderless spirit of a generation of African artists shaping global sound.“TMRW'S GOAT is all about celebrating the energy, dreams, and spirit of young players who are writing their own stories,” shared Yarden. “The FIFA U-17 World Cup is where future legends are born, and this song is a reminder that greatness starts today. Working with Nour from Egypt made it even more special, it shows how music, just like football, can unite us across cultures and inspire the next generation.”The spirit of unity and competitiveness fostered by the track will be on full display as an exciting new chapter of FIFA U-17 World Cup history gets under way this Monday.This year’s edition of the tournament is the first ever 48-team FIFA competition and will once again provide a priceless opportunity for the next generation of world football’s superstars to announce themselves on the global stage.With all 104 matches taking place at the state-of-the-art Aspire Zone, fans can attend multiple games in a single day, while enjoying cultural and entertainment offerings in the adjoining fan zone. To find out more and purchase tickets, visit FIFA.com/tickets.

Renowned Arab architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil has been named the recipient of 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tamayouz Excellence Award.El-Wakil was recognised during the Tamayouz Excellence Award Ceremony in Baghdad, held as part of the inaugural Arab Architecture Festival. The award celebrates his pioneering role in reviving traditional Islamic architecture, his extensive contributions to built projects and research, and his enduring influence as an educator and mentor.Born in Cairo in 1943, El-Wakil studied architecture at Ain Shams University, where he graduated with distinction in 1965. While initially influenced by modernist design, a formative mentorship under Hassan Fathy reoriented his vision towards traditional and vernacular methods. His career has since become synonymous with the revival of Islamic architectural heritage, integrating local craftsmanship and climate-responsive design with a timeless sense of dignity and purpose.Among his earliest celebrated works is the Halawa House in Agami, Egypt, which earned him the first Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980. This milestone project, rooted in vernacular and climate-sensitive design, set the stage for a career defined by innovation grounded in tradition. During the 1970s and 1980s, El-Wakil became a leading authority on Islamic architecture, with his mosque designs in Jeddah and Madina reshaping the urban and cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. Notable projects such as the King Saud Mosque demonstrated his mastery of brick construction, vaults, and domes, while reaffirming the enduring relevance of heritage building methods in modern contexts.His influence extended internationally, with landmark projects including The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in the United Kingdom, a work that reflects his capacity to blend cultural identity, spiritual purpose, and architectural excellence across diverse geographies.El-Wakil’s architectural contributions have been recognised worldwide. In addition to being the only recipient of two Aga Khan Awards, he was the recipient of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Classical Architecture in 2009 and the Arthur Ross Award for Excellence in the Classical Tradition in 2023. These accolades place him among the most influential architects of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.Ahmed Al-Mallak, Founding Director of Tamayouz, commented on the selection: “This year recognition of the distinguished Egyptian Architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil is in recognition of his achievements as an architect who contributed towards the advancement of architecture through his built work and extensive research, his outstanding contributions to important initiatives for the built environment, and as a respected educator and mentor for generations of younger architects.”The prize was given during the Tamayouz biennial ceremony, which was part of the Tamayouz-organised inaugural Arab Architecture Festival held in Baghdad under the Patronage of the Prime Minister of Iraq.The Tamayouz Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates architects whose careers have had a profound impact on the profession and the built environment. By recognising Abdelwahed El-Wakil in 2025, Tamayouz pays tribute to a visionary who has elevated architecture through his built work, research, and teaching, and who continues to inspire future generations around the world.The Lifetime Achievement Award was previously presented to Iraq’s renowned architects: Dr Mohamed Makiya (2014), Dr Rifat Chadirji (2015), Dr Kahtan Al-Madfai (2016), Hisham Munir (2017) and Maath Alousi (2018). In (2019), the award opened to architects from across the Near East and North Africa, and was presented to Palestinian-Jordanian architect Dr Rasem Badran, and in (2020) to Egyptian architect Dr Abdelhalim Ibrahim Abdelhalim.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayer at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amidst the strict military measures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on access to the mosque. Palestinian News & Information Agency (WAFA) reported that the occupation forces tightened their grip at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, deploying iron barriers, stopping young men, and checking their identity cards. Following the arrival of the worshippers, the occupation forces arrested a person from inside the mosque during the Friday sermon. Israeli authorities continue to deny thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank access to Jerusalem for prayers at Al-Aqsa, requiring special permits to cross the military checkpoints encircling the city.