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Msheireb Properties announced the launch of the fourth edition of Baraha Cinema, which will run from Dec 25-Jan 3, 2026, which will include an outdoor cinema experience featuring family films, seasonal activities, and a movie-themed culinary programme. Baraha Cinema is part of Msheireb Downtown Doha’s winter calendar, offering accessible entertainment for families and visitors. Building on the success of the past three years, this edition introduces a more immersive outdoor setting shaped by Msheireb’s long association with cinema culture. Senior Director of Corporate Communication at Msheireb Properties Dr Hafiz Ali Abdulla said: "Now in its fourth edition, Baraha Cinema continues a tradition that is part of Msheireb’s story in Qatar’s cinema history. More than six decades ago, local residents brought families and neighbours together to watch films outdoors, creating some of the earliest open-air screenings in the country. This year, once again, we celebrate that spirit back with screenings that combine films, food, and community in the district where it all began. We hope visitors will enjoy the programme while experiencing a piece of Msheireb’s cultural heritage firsthand.” The 10-day festive film programme is a celebration of classic adventures and modern animated favourites, designed to spark joy and nostalgia. The schedule includes timeless hits such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), and Night at the Museum (2006). It also features animations like Coco (2017), Meet the Robinsons (2007), Kung Fu Panda (2008), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Hotel Transylvania (2012), alongside newer releases including The Garfield Movie (2024) and Lilo & Stitch (2025). Msheireb, Doha’s oldest district, is historically connected to the origins of cinema in Qatar. In the 1960s, residents — including Dukhan oil company employees, began screening films in their homes and courtyards using 16mm projectors. Neighbours gathered to watch titles projected onto simple wall surfaces, creating one of the country’s earliest open-air viewing experiences. What began as informal family evenings soon expanded into community screenings at local sports and cultural clubs, which later collaborated with distributors and began acquiring films. This shift laid the groundwork for the commercial cinema activity that followed in subsequent decades. Baraha Cinema draws from this heritage by restoring the open-air film tradition to the place where it first gained momentum, giving today’s audiences a contemporary version of an experience rooted in Msheireb’s past. Baraha Cinema continues to support Msheireb Downtown Doha’s broader goal of offering regular cultural and family-friendly activities throughout the year. The open-air screenings present an opportunity for the community to gather in a familiar public space and enjoy a varied film selection during the holiday season. 

A military court sentenced the former head of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency to 14 years in prison for violating state secrets and abusing his authority, the army said Thursday.Faiz Hameed, who served during the tenure of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, was also convicted of "engaging in political activities" and causing "wrongful loss to persons", the army's publicity wing said in a statement.Faiz Hameed, a lieutenant general who stepped down in December 2022, was detained in August 2024 after claims he raided the businesses of a real estate developer, according to Supreme Court documents published in 2023.The intelligence chief is considered the second most-powerful position in the Pakistani military."After lengthy and laborious legal proceedings, (the) accused has been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by the court," the statement said.It added that an accusation of "fomenting vested political agitation and instability in cohorts with political elements... is separately being dealt with".The statement did not give specific details of Faiz Hameed's purported crimes.Faiz Hameed was a staunch supporter of Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 after losing the backing of some top brass, experts say.Khan had openly challenged the military, the most powerful institution in Pakistan, which analysts say is behind the rise and fall of every civilian government.His arrest on corruption charges in May 2023 triggered nationwide protests that fuelled deep public resentment against the army.Once seen as a contender for the prestigious post of army chief, Faiz Hameed took early retirement a few months after Khan lost power.Faiz Hameed was later accused of "multiple instances" of violating the Pakistan Army Act and stripped of all rank."Violations of the Official Secrets Act, the illegitimate use of authority, misusing one's office to harm people, and getting involved in politics to spread chaos — these things were all proven," information minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X after the verdict.He said Faiz Hameed had also been illicitly "interfering with politics" by advising Khan's opposition Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party after his retirement.Khan has long accused the military of orchestrating his downfall, in particular Field Marshal Asim Munir, the army leader once dismissed by Khan who now is considered the most powerful man in the country."My wife and I have been imprisoned on fabricated charges at his command," Khan charged in social media post this month.That prompted a rare public rebuke by the army's spokesman, who called Khan a "delusional person" who had become a "national security threat". 

Dadu, Qatar's Children's Museum has announced a diverse lineup of interactive programs and activities as part of its new season, featuing engaging experiences, hands-on workshops, and fresh activities designed to inspire learning, creativity, and play for children and families.Located at Al Bidda Park, Dadu Gardens offers a nature-based play environment for children aged 0 to 12. The space is designed to spark creativity, exploration and learning through play, with a wide range of outdoor experiences.Running through April 2026, the season's activities include Recycled Art Workshops, Interactive Pathways, Find the Plant Game using Plant Matching Cards, as well as Puppet Shows, and Nature Play, including gardening, cooking, and balance activities.Among the season's highlights is the Car Painting and Washing activity, where a vehicle will be provided by Seashore Group, in addition to a custom-built platform and supply materials for the activation’s setup. This will allow children to paint and decorate a life-sized car and later wash it clean, promoting self-expression, teamwork, and environmental awareness through creative and hands-on play.Dadu encouraged families to book tickets early to secure their preferred dates and nature-based workshop spots, arts activities, games and performances. (QNA) 

The Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is preparing to host the 2025 Paralympic Day, an event aimed at empowering people with disabilities and offering them the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports activities that promote teamwork and positivity. The event, in collaboration with the Qatar Paralympic Federation for People with Disabilities and Qatar Stars League, will take place Wednesday at Aspire Dome’s Indoor Athletics Track from 9am-1pm, with the participation of around 250 participants from schools and centres across Qatar. Participants will engage in 15 sports activities designed to encourage interaction, build team spirit, and enjoy sports in an inclusive and safe environment. The activities include goalball for the visually impaired, table tennis for people with disabilities, obstacle course, javelin throw, tug-of-war, and parachute game. The event will also feature specialised sports activities for individuals with hearing and visual impairments, the deaf community, and those with physical disabilities. Through this initiative, the AZF reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting the values of inclusivity and equality in sports, and by empowering all members of the community to engage in sports activities within a safe and motivating environment that encourages positive participation and social integration, a statement added. 

Organised by the Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS), the conference on knowledge management: enhancing humanitarian action effectiveness kicked off Tuesday. With the participation of a distinguished lineup of experts and specialists from Qatar and beyond, the conference aims to explore ways to develop knowledge management in the humanitarian and development sectors, and to showcase leading regional and international experiences in this field. In his opening remarks, Director of Licensing and Support at RACA Rashid Mohammed al-Nuaimi highlighted that the conference comes as part of RACA's ongoing efforts to enhance response efficiency and the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, especially during times of crisis. He noted that the application of knowledge management in the humanitarian field still requires deeper understanding and adaptation to local and regional contexts. He also called for greater investment in this area and the establishment of institutional systems and practices to anchor knowledge management as a strategic asset that supports innovation, good governance, and improved performance in humanitarian organisations. Al-Nuaimi added that through this conference, RACA seeks to promote a shared understanding of knowledge management concepts within the humanitarian and development context, to identify and analyse key challenges, and to benefit from local and international experiences in developing effective and sustainable strategies for the sector. The Director of Licensing and Support at RACA said that the conference aligns with the humanitarian and charitable sector strategy 2025-2030, which aims to empower nonprofit organisations in Qatar with tools for institutional excellence, while strengthening innovation and integration across their operations. Director of CHS Dr Ghassan Elkahlout praised the ongoing partnership between CHS and RACA, noting that the conference serves as a scientific and professional platform for exchanging expertise and building a deeper understanding of the role of knowledge management in improving humanitarian response. Dr Elkahlout said knowledge exchange among humanitarian work actors is a key pillar for policy development, enhancing field work efficiency, and improving humanitarian institution governance. The first day of the conference featured panel discussions on global concepts and standards of knowledge management in humanitarian work, where participants underscored the importance of building an institutional culture grounded in knowledge and innovation, and of developing systems that support the quality and sustainability of humanitarian efforts. The conference will continue showcasing Qatari experiences in humanitarian knowledge management and decision-making support, along with practical applications in knowledge management and discussions on localising global best practices to suit the specific needs of Qatar's and the region's humanitarian sectors. RACA aims, through this conference, to consolidate Qatar's position as a key hub in the development of humanitarian practices and the enhancement of their efficiency, by building institutional systems that adopt knowledge management as a strategic tool for innovation and performance improvement. This approach aligns with the humanitarian and charitable sector strategy 2025-2030 and contributes to achieving Qatar's National Vision for Sustainable Development. (QNA)

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at current prices reached $588.1 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2025, compared with $570.9 billion in the same period of 2024, reflecting a 3% annual increase, according to data issued by the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat). The statistics indicated that non-oil activities contributed 73.2% to the GCC's GDP at current prices by the end of the first quarter of 2025, while oil activities accounted for 26.8%. At constant prices, the GCC's GDP recorded marginal quarterly growth of 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025, compared with $587.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. The figures highlight the region's continued progress in diversifying its economic base, supported by sustained expansion in non-oil sectors across member states.

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.

Qatar Museums (QM), celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will present a wide-ranging programme of cultural, educational, and creative activities for the community this September, a statement said Thursday.From stargazing during a once-in-a-century lunar eclipse at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) to storytelling and family tours at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), and workshops at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, M7, and Liwan, the month is filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and be inspired.Highlights also include Tasweer’s immersive photography lecture with Kamal Naji, archaeology-inspired workshops, and interactive sports debates at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.Mathaf presents workshops and training sessions ranging from portraiture with Ismail Azzam to creative fashion upcycling and public speaking skills.How to Write a Public Speech: September 3, 4-5.30pm - A series of interactive training workshops designed to enhance communication, public speaking, and vocal expression skills, positively impacting participants’ personal and professional abilities.Art lessons with Ismail Azzam: Every Sunday and Tuesday throughout September, from 4-6pm - Participants will learn different portraiture techniques using various mediums, including pencil, charcoal and paint.Fashion Forward, September 29, 4-6pm - Upcycling Style is a 7-month journey happening once a month at Mathaf.NMoQ welcomes families for interactive storytelling, drop-in activities on pearl diving heritage, and guided tours that bring Qatar’s culture and history to life.Drop-in Activity: The Life of the Pearl Divers - English session: September 7, from 11am to 12noon. Storytelling: Mya’s First Day of School, September 11, 5-6pm. Family Tour: Family’s Exploration Journey - English Session: September 13, 1-2.30pmMIA offers experiences including a once-in-100-years total lunar eclipse viewing, family days, and creative workshops celebrating the beauty of nature in Islamic art.Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7, 7-10.30pm (eclipse peak at 8pm) - A public astronomy event organised by MIA in collaboration with Qatar Calendar House. The programme includes live observation of the total lunar eclipse from MIA Park, along with interactive astronomy activities for the whole family.Daytime Activities relating to the Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7 - Guided tour, English session at 3pm, for adults, exploring the scientific and technological contributions of the Islamic world.Treasure Hunt at 4pm - A family-friendly game for children (8+) and their families, combining fun with educational clues themed around the lunar eclipse.Art Workshop at 4.30pm - A creative session for adults, to create artwork inspired by the lunar eclipse. Family Day: The Blessings of Qur'anic Plants and their Meanings.September 13, 3-5pm - In collaboration with the Qur'anic Botanic Garden, the public are invited to discover the hidden blessings of Islamic plants and learn about their significance and representation in Islamic art and traditions.Sacred Gardens: The Plants of the Qur'an - September 23, 3-4.30pm3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum inspires dialogue on sport and society through international conferences, debates, and family-friendly peace-themed activities.321 Goals - September 7-11 4-6pm: A series of three week conferences, debates and hackathons will invite high profile speakers to debate the “big issues”.Celebrate International Day of Peace with Us: September 21, 10am to 12noon - This year’s theme, 'Act Now for a Peaceful World' reminds us that peace is not just a dream—it’s something we create together.Liwan Design Studios and Labs combines tradition and technology in a laser cutting and pattern-making workshop that bridges heritage with modern design.Design Meets Tradition: Laser Cutting & Pattern-Making Workshop - English Session: September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 4.30-6.30pmQM’s Archaeology Department engages children in hands-on artefact workshops exploring pottery and drawing techniques inspired by Qatar’s archaeological discoveries. Artefact Workshop - English Session: September 23, 4-5.30pm.M7 invites participants to develop fashion illustration skills in a hands-on drawing workshop designed for beginners, and personalise their own postcards in a creative session. Creative Letter and Post Card Workshop: English Session: September 20, 11.30am to 1pm.

The Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities (RACA) signed a co-operation agreement with Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, aiming to strengthen national efforts to develop the charitable, humanitarian, and developmental sectors in line with Qatar's strategic directions toward innovation and sustainability. The agreement was signed by Head of the Department of Licenses and Support of Raca, Rashid Mohammed al-Nuaimi, while Senior Director for Innovation Development and Piloting Programs, Nada al-Olaqi, represented QRDI Council. On the occasion, al-Nuaimi said that the co-operation will primarily focus on supporting, funding, and implementing priority research projects for the non-profit sector in general, and for charitable and humanitarian organisations in particular, emphasising innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, governance, and policy development. Al-Olaqi stressed that collaboration with Raca represents a strategic step toward integrating innovation into Qatar's charitable, humanitarian, and developmental sector by aligning it with the national vision and leveraging the country's research and innovation ecosystem. She emphasised the importance of developing impactful, technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges and support sustainable development. The agreement aims to formalise co-operation between the two parties in research and innovation, supporting the development of charitable, humanitarian, and developmental initiatives through knowledge and technology-based solutions. It also seeks to establish a practical framework that enhances the integration of efforts between the two sides to achieve shared objectives reflecting the national directions in comprehensive development.