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His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the award ceremony of the 9th Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence (ACE) Award at Katara Hall in the Fairmont and Raffles Hotels in Doha Sunday.Also attending were His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani; His Excellency Speaker of the Shura Council, Hassan bin Abdullah al Ghanim; President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino; and a number of Their Excellencies ministers, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar, alongside high-ranking officials and distinguished guests.During the ceremony, a film was screened documenting the award and its history and evolution in countering corruption, as well as the ongoing efforts by the award winners and their outstanding contributions through presenting exemplary models and demonstrating leadership, innovation, and commitment to combating corruption.His Highness the Amir honoured Professor Nikos Passas and Dr. Marianne Camerer, winners of the Academic Research and Educational Materials Award, as well as Gloria Pallares-Venials, Tatenda Chitagu, and Andiswa Matekenka, winners of the Innovation and Investigative Journalism Award.**media[393709]**In addition, His Highness honoured Mar Niang and Motiullah Wesa, winners of the Youth Creativity and Engagement Award, along with Drago Kos and Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, winners of the Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Achievement Award.On this occasion, Acting Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), John Brandolino, delivered remarks, in addition to the remarks of Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Alexandre Zouev, and His Excellency Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Award, Dr. Ali bin Fetais al-Marri.Members of the Higher Committee for the Award and the Award’s Advisory Committee, along with members of the Executive Committee and the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), as well as several international researchers specializing in the field of the award, attended the ceremony. 

On behalf of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, His Excellency Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Sheikh Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani presented the awards to the winners of the 11th Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding. The ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies sheikhs, ministers, senior officials, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the State of Qatar.The 11th edition of the award witnessed wide international participation from 32 countries, with five languages included in this year’s competition categories. In the German-Arabic translation category, three translators were honored. Mohammad Ahmad Abu Zaid won second place, sharing the award with Omar Al Ghoul, while Haroun Ahmad Sulaiman Ahmad won third place. The first-place prize in this category was not awarded.In the Arabic-German translation category, Larissa Bander won first place. In the Turkish-Arabic translation category, Abdul-Razzaq Barakat won third place, while the first- and second-place prizes in this category were not awarded. In the Arabic-Turkish translation category, Davut Elitas and Mehmet Yusha Ozmen shared first place, while Elif Baga and Cahit Senel shared second place. Mustafa Ismail Donmez won third place.The ceremony also honored winners of the Achievement Awards for institutions and individuals. In the English language category, the award went to Namaa Foundation. In the Turkish language category, the awards were shared by Baqa Publishing, Vahdettin İnca, and Ankara Okulu Publishing. In the German language category, the award was presented to the Institute of Oriental Studies at the University of Leipzig.In the Thai language category, the achievement awards went to Amnawai Efendi Boker Ajin, the Association of Graduates of Arab Universities in Thailand, and Arun Jalaluddin. In the Albanian language category, the achievers included Muhammad Muwafaq Al Arnaout, Dar Logos-A Publishing, Viti Mehdiu, the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Pristina, and Sulejman Tomçini.At the beginning of the ceremony, an introductory film was screened highlighting the key milestones of the current edition of the award, as well as its activities and accompanying events, including field tours conducted in several countries.

The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) and the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding have signed a co-operation agreement to launch strategic partnerships in organising academic and knowledge-based events.Part of the agreement covers the hosting specialised seminars and workshops in the fields of translation and international understanding.It aims to draw on the expertise of both parties in preparing training programmes, and cultural and media publications that enhance the value of translation in developing journalistic and media content.The agreement, signed at the Abdulla bin Hussein Al-Nuaimi Hall, seeks to make the QPC a key platform for hosting the Award’s activities, which promote dialogue between cultures and open avenues for co-operation with related institutions.The agreement was signed by QPC director-general Sadiq Mohammed al-Amari and the Award’s media director Abdulrahman al-Marri.Al-Marri lauded the QPC’s leading role in developing journalistic talent and enhancing professional media work in the country, adding that the QPC has become a model of institutional and media excellence at both the local and regional levels.“Co-operation between national institutions is a national duty aimed at unifying efforts and achieving institutional integration across different sectors in a way that serves the public interest and strengthens the role of media and culture in Qatar,” he said.He emphasised the need to create a shared vision between the Award and the QPC that helps utilise translation to serve the media and journalism fields.Al-Marri noted that translation is not merely the transfer of language, but a bridge of communication between cultures and nations.He explained that benefiting from translators’ expertise contributes to improving journalistic content and enhancing the quality of media outputs, especially amid rapid developments in artificial intelligence and the challenges it poses to the accuracy and integrity of translation.Al-Amari meanwhile noted that the Award represents a national and humanistic value in spreading a culture of understanding and dialogue between different peoples.He lauded the Award’s vision and objectives in improving the image of Arabs and Muslims in other cultures, noting that this noble purpose aligns with the QPC’s mission of promoting responsible media and conveying a positive portrayal of Qatari and Arab society.“This agreement opens a new chapter of cultural and media cooperation that supports the principles of openness and dialogue, strengthens Qatar’s stature as a beacon of understanding and communication between nations, and reinforces the country’s pioneering role in supporting culture and knowledge as two essential pillars of human development,” al-Amari said.He said the translation and media are complementary wings of one mission: disseminating knowledge and building bridges between nations.Established in Qatar in 2015, the Sheikh Hamad Award is one of the world’s most prominent prizes dedicated to translation as a bridge between cultures and a tool for strengthening human dialogue.It aims to honour creative translators who contribute to transferring knowledge, literature and human thought between different languages and cultures, and to reinforce the values of mutual understanding and respect among peoples. 

The Arab Book Award, headed by Dr Hanan al-Fayyad, the award's media adviser, and including Dr Imtinan al-Samadi, a member of the media committee, participated in one of the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair's cultural events with a critical session titled: "Literary Awards: Between Honoring Creativity and Building Presence."Dr al-Samadi pointed out that literary awards are not merely a matter of honoring and recognising an individual, but extend to a broader and more far-reaching framework, transcending mere celebration to exert a real influence on the cultural landscape.She explained that the most important question is not simply, "Who won the award?" but rather, "What is their impact on culture?" She emphasised that awards confer significant power, generating fame, adding financial value, and facilitating translation, thus making their impact deeper and more profound than what can be directly observed. She added that awards face the challenge of maintaining their presence, because their demise means a loss of value, highlighting the importance of keeping them vibrant and dynamic.As for Dr Hanan al-Fayyad explained that creative individuals constantly experience a state of creative anxiety, and that one of their characteristics is that they are not easily satisfied with their work. They also face suspicion when they boast about their work without hesitation. This is where awards play a crucial role in shifting the creative individual from anxiety to conscious confidence, based on rigorous standards that are free from deception or favoritism. This is achieved by placing the work against its artistic foundations. If it passes this test, the creative individual gains legitimacy that qualifies them to influence their society.Al-Fayyad pointed out that the Arab Book Award provides a platform that celebrates outstanding works and grants creators greater opportunities for dissemination and influence. She added that the award not only honors authors but also contributes to building new pathways for the flourishing of writing through the transfer of knowledge and the exchange of ideas, making it a vital contributor to strengthening intercultural communication. Al-Fayyad further explained that the Arab Book Award continues to play its role in elevating the Arab cultural landscape by honoring works of high intellectual value and encouraging knowledge creators to produce content that raises public awareness and enriches the Arab cultural scene. She considered the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and the Arab Book Award to be two of the most important Qatari cultural prizes, alongside the many other state awards with institutional affiliations. These awards, she noted, represent two essential pillars in supporting Arab creativity and enhancing its role in enriching human culture.Al-Fayyad concluded by pointing out that the awards do indeed contribute to reducing cultural isolation and encourage marginalized cultures to participate. She explained that the difference between the awards lies in their ability to open doors to openness without discrimination, clarifying that some awards have remained confined to a single culture, while others have been able to mark a significant step towards openness to the entire world. 

QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has been honoured with the ‘Innovation Award’ at the Red Hat Summit 2025, in recognition of the bank’s leadership in digital transformation, hybrid-cloud adoption, and its strategic advancements in AI-driven financial services. The award was accepted by Information Technology experts from QNB, reflecting the bank’s commitment to modernising its technology landscape and pioneering new solutions that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and information security.During the panel discussion, QNB showcased its forward-looking roadmap in digital transformation and governance of artificial intelligence, as well as its role in fostering innovation across the financial sector. Red Hat Summit Connect, being its first time in Qatar, brings together technology leaders, decision-makers, and open-source experts to explore the next frontier of IT innovation. The event serves as a platform for accelerating digital transformation through collaboration, education, and real-world application.  QNB’s participation in the event, which is considered one of Red Hat leading strategic showcases, strengthened with the award reinforces its significant contribution and its continuous efforts to strengthen its digital capabilities, support Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, and set new benchmarks for sustainable and secure technology adoption. 

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) celebrated its outstanding students in a prestigious annual academic awards ceremony, honouring 50 students across eight majors.These majors included Academic Excellence Awards, Academic Merit, Academic Distinction, Foundation Program, Industrial Trades Dean Award, Achievement Award, Applied Research Award, and Innovation Award.UDST President Dr Salem bin Nasser al-Naemi affirmed that the celebration embodies the boundless potential that education can achieve and reflects UDST's shared belief that excellence is a way of life.Every award UDST presents today tells a story of determination, passion, and purpose-values that define its community. Its role as academics is to nurture these capabilities and guide students to become innovators and change‑makers, contributing to the nation's renaissance and progress on the global stage, Dr al-Naemi underlined.Noteworthy, all recipients of the Academic Excellence and Academic Merit awards received financial rewards, alongside an official certificate from UDST recognising this exceptional achievement in their academic records.Dr al-Naemi further indicated that the annual awards ceremony underlines UDST's commitment to fostering an environment that spurs academic excellence and innovation, making this yearly event a powerful source of inspiration and recognition for the extraordinary accomplishments in the community.He emphasized that the purpose of this annual celebration is to help build an academic, research-driven, and home-like environment that consistently supports students, promoting their excellence and distinction.Academic excellence is not the only criterion for recognition, there are other urgent and impactful standards based on evaluations and engagement in events at the college, university, and national level-standards that bolster UDST's educational ecosystem and prepare students holistically in both academic and research dimensions, he outlined.Dr al-Naemi highlighted that the honoured students have not only excelled at UDST or in Qatar but have also won prestigious international awards in academic and research arenas.He elucidated some of UDST's scientific programs in academics, health, and innovation, stressing that true innovation only arises through research, and that is how students are being trained to maintain the required balance in their lives and sustain their ongoing excellence.Through the UDST-championed innovation and research, students have founded seven commercial companies, aligning with the nation's developmental plans and its National Vision 2030, Dr al-Naemi elaborated.Dr al-Naemi further noted that earlier, UDST launched its innovative business incubator, "UHUB", to support the university community on its journey to transform exceptional ideas into tangible projects.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) held the sixth edition of the Productive Families Incentive Award, and the Productive Families Exhibition — From the Homeland, where the winners of the award for the year 2025 were announced. **media[381115]** The ceremony was attended by Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi, His Excellency the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud, Her Excellency the Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed AlKhater, a number of senior officials and representatives of supporting entities, in addition to productive families, media professionals and guests of the exhibition, which reflects national creativity in the field of home and craft products, and embodies the journey of empowering productive families in Qatar. **media[381116]** Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at the MSDF Sheikha Shaikha bint Jassim al-Thani delivered a speech in which she indicated that the journey of productive families in Qatar extends for more than three decades since the launch of the first market dedicated to them in 1986, noting that the MSDF has supported more than a thousand productive families through training, empowerment and marketing, and the number of direct beneficiaries has now reached 680 families, in addition to the families that have established independent brands known today as “ministry-friendly families.” **media[381117]** Sheikha Shaikha emphasised that the incentive award represents an important milestone in the journey of supporting and empowering productive families, in line with the National Strategy for Social and Family Development 2025-2030, which is based on the slogan “From Welfare to Empowerment,” noting that the ministry is continuing to empower families and open new horizons for them to actively participate in the national economy. Dr Nadia Hamad al-Mannai, owner of the Al Mashmom Clothing Workshop project, also gave a speech on behalf of the participants, in which she expressed her gratitude to the MSDF for its continued support for productive families, noting that her passion for Qatari heritage products was the driving force behind the establishment of her project, which has developed to participate in local and international events. She emphasised that the MSDF’s support has been a fundamental pillar in empowering Qatari women and enhancing the presence of national products. The support of the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) for this award comes as an extension of its role in promoting social and economic development initiatives in the country. Daam has contributed through its support to providing award allocations for productive family projects, believing in the necessity of relying on local energies among members of society and enabling them to produce, in line with its vision of supporting people and investing in their capabilities, to be an active partner in achieving comprehensive development in Qatar. The ceremony included a video presentation introducing the winning projects, which showcased the families’ experiences and products, and concluded with the announcement of the winners in the categories of Best Productive Family and Best Product, where HE the Minister of Social Development and Family honored them amidst a festive national atmosphere. Fatima Yousef al-Sulaiti’s project won the first place in the Best Productive Family Award, receiving a prize of QR100,000. Nawal Hilal Ramadan’s project came in second with a prize of QR70,000, while Saud Mubarak’s project came in third place with a prize of QR50,000. She also crowned the winners of the Best Product Award, where the Juma Mubarak al-Kuwari’s project won first place with a prize of QR100,000. Iman Abdullah Ali al-Kuwari’s project won second place with a prize of QR70,000, while the Al-Jazi Fahd al-Hajri’s project won third place with a prize of QR50,000, in recognition of their creativity and the quality of their production, according to precise judging criteria that included quality, innovation, creativity, and professional presentation. Following the honouring ceremony, Her Excellency inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, “Productive Families Exhibition — From the Homeland,” at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, which runs until Nov 15 and includes a range of distinguished national projects.

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open men’s tennis tournament has won the Best ATP 500 Tournament award, according to the 2025 ATP Players’ Choice Awards.This award adds to the tournament’s impressive record, having previously won the Best ATP 250 Tournament award six times before its upgrade to the 500-point level this season.Tournament Director Karim Alami said: “We are proud to have won the Best ATP 500 Tournament award, after the Qatar ExxonMobil Open had already won the same award six times in the 250-point category.”Alami added that this achievement confirms that success is not a matter of chance, but rather the fruit of a clear vision, unwavering passion, and integrated teamwork. He emphasised that the award is a testament to the players’ own confidence, reflecting Qatar’s image as a global sports destination thanks to its state-of-the-art facilities and high-level organisation.He continued: “We dedicate this achievement to everyone who contributed to this success, including players, fans, and sponsors, especially Qatar ExxonMobil, the title sponsor, as well as the dedicated team from the various committees who consistently strive to deliver an exceptional tournament. This award serves as an incentive to continue our journey of development and innovation year after year.”This year’s tournament featured a stellar lineup of the game’s top players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.Andrey Rublev of Russia won the title this year after defeating Jack Draper of Great Britain, while the British duo of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspole claimed the doubles trophy.

Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser al-Khelaifi has been named Best President of the Year at the 2025 Golden Boy Awards held in Italy on Tuesday. The awards saw PSG’s Désiré Doué win the 2025 Golden Boy Award after an outstanding season.The annual awards, organised by Italian newspaper Tuttosport since 2003, recognise excellence across European football and are voted for by a panel of 50 sports journalists from across the continent.PSG’s achievements during the 2024/25 season were a major factor in the recognition. Under al-Khelaïfi’s leadership, the club completed a quadruple that included the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions and their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy.Doué, the 20-year-old forward, scored 16 goals and provided 16 assists in 61 appearances, including two goals in PSG’s Champions League final win over Inter Milan.The club’s sporting advisor, Luis Campos, was also named Best Executive for his role in shaping PSG’s football strategy and building a balanced and competitive squad.

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.

Msheireb Properties, Qatar's leading sustainable developer, has been recognised with two international awards at the 2025 Green Apple Awards.The UK-based Green Organisation named the Qatari developer a winner for the 'Beautiful Buildings' award, specifically for the Msheireb Mosque, and the 'Environment Best Practice - Built Environment' award for its Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) development.Selected from over 700 entries worldwide, Msheireb Properties will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony in the House of Lords, London, on November 17.Achieving this landmark achievement marks a successful title defence for Msheireb Properties, which won the Green Apple Award for Beautiful Buildings in 2024 for its "Transforming Doha's Heritage Houses" project. This repeat recognition places the company among the few organisations globally to be honoured in consecutive years for different projects.Commenting on the achievement, Chief Executive Officer of Msheireb Properties Eng. Ali Al Kuwari said: "We are privileged to receive recognition in two categories at the esteemed Green Apple Awards."The Msheireb Mosque serves as a symbol of spiritual peace and architectural beauty, while Msheireb Downtown Doha validates that environmental responsibility and urban development can, and must, go hand-in-hand."These accolades recognise Msheireb Properties alongside all those who believe in our mission to set a new global standard for sustainable and culturally sensitive urban regeneration. Winning in two categories this year underscores that our projects are both culturally and architecturally important but also exemplars of environmental best practice."These awards distinguish Msheireb Downtown Doha as a notable international case study in sustainable city design. The project moves beyond being a collection of buildings to become a working model for future urban development that prioritises environmental stewardship alongside cultural heritage.The Green Apple Awards are judged by an independent panel of environmental specialists, who review entries based on innovation, measurable outcomes, and transferability of best practice. Winners are showcased as examples to encourage further progress in the global environmental movement.

The US James Foley Foundation has awarded HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, the 2026 American “Hostage Freedom Award”. In a statement published on its official website, the Foundation stated that “His Excellency, in his capacity as Chief Negotiator, played a decisive role in securing the release of Americans held hostage in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, and Venezuela.”The Foundation noted that his expertise contributes to opening channels of dialogue when all other paths are blocked, building bridges of trust, and guiding negotiation tracks in the most challenging cases.The American Foundation confirmed that HE Dr al-Khulaifi succeeded in finding means of communication and humanitarian solutions in cases where the US lacked formal relations. It added, “His Excellency’s work embodies the role played by the State of Qatar as a trusted mediator and affirms the strength of diplomacy in serving peace and preserving human dignity.”