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Startup Grind Doha recently announced the winners of its ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’, which, according to a veteran Qatari businessman, supports entrepreneurship and fosters sustainable innovation. The ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’ recognised outstanding founders, startups, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders who continue to shape and strengthen Qatar’s entrepreneurial landscape, Startup Grind Doha announced in a statement. The awards ceremony brought together founders, innovators, investors, and ecosystem partners to celebrate excellence, impact, and community spirit within Qatar’s fast-growing startup ecosystem. Now in its second edition, the awards remain “a community-led initiative created by the community, for the community.” This year’s winners represent a diverse range of sectors and contributions, reflecting the depth and maturity of innovation emerging from Qatar. The winners of the ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’ for 2025 are Steve Mackie (Community Builder of the Year), Dr Hanan el-Basha (Mentor of the Year), Shipbee (Tech Disruptor Award), Empowrd (Idea Stage Startup of the Year), Emma Systems (Growth Stage Startup of the Year), PayLater (Breakthrough Startup of the Year), Golden Gate Ventures (Most Value Added Investor), Hissa al-Thani (Female Founder), Lillia (AI Startup of the Year), and Karty (FinTech Startup of the Year). The chapter director of Startup Grind Doha stated, “These awards represent more than just recognition: They celebrate the people and startups who consistently give back, push boundaries, and help build a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem in Qatar. The winners truly represent the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our community.”As the Title Sponsor of the event, MBK Global reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in Qatar. Veteran entrepreneur Sheikh Mansoor bin Khalifa al-Thani, who is also chairman of MBK Global, said: “Supporting initiatives like the Startup Grind Tech Startup Community Awards aligns strongly with our belief in empowering entrepreneurs and building sustainable innovation ecosystems. “These awards highlight the talent, ambition, and collaborative spirit driving Qatar’s startup community forward, and we are proud to support a platform that recognises those creating real impact.” As an annual event, the Tech Startup Community Awards aim to spotlight role models, encourage collaboration, and inspire the next generation of founders by showcasing success stories across different stages of the startup journey, Startup Grind Doha added. 

Qatar has set an ambitious target to achieve diabetes control by 2030, launching an aggressive prevention campaign as health officials reveal thousands of residents are living with the disease without knowing it.The comprehensive national action plan combines community outreach programmes, enhanced screening efforts, and targeted interventions aimed at reducing prevalence rates and preventing deaths from diabetes and related non-communicable diseases.As the country prepares to host the prestigious International Diabetes Federation World Diabetes Congress in 2027, Diabetes Qatar is intensifying efforts — from shopping malls to workplaces — to identify at-risk individuals and reverse what has become one of the nation's most pressing public health challenges.Prevention of diabetes is one of the key healthcare priorities for Qatar and several programmes along with a strong action plan are being chalked out to achieve this goal, a senior official of Diabetes Qatar has told Gulf Times.“Currently we are focusing on preventing diabetes among the population of the country. Our efforts are focused on this direction and we are engaged in several such activities to achieve this goal,” said, Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq, executive director of Diabetes Qatar.Dr al-Hamaq said that several people are still living with diabetes but are unaware of it and Diabetes Qatar is taking steps to raise awareness about the condition among the public.Diabetes Qatar is an entity under Qatar Foundation and an official organisation in the fight against diabetes in the country. Previously known as Qatar Diabetes Association, the organisation was established in 1995 to support adults, children and families living with diabetes in managing the disease and avoid debilitating complications and maintain good quality of life.“Diabetes and obesity are among the most pressing public health challenges of our time. Prevention is very important and it is the best way to overcome the challenges of diabetes. Now, we are designing some prevention programmes. These programmes are created in such a way that everyone in the country can benefit from it and follow their own schedules to overcome diabetes,” explained, Dr al-Hamaq.“Qatar has a real action plan for diabetes control to be realised by 2030. We are implementing it properly to make life expectancy grow in Qatar with lower deaths from diabetes and other non-communicable diseases,” he underlined.Al-Hamaq stated that as part of the awareness campaign, teams from Diabetes Qatar regularly visit malls, organisations and many other public places to raise awareness about diabetes among the population of the country.“We are focusing on the visit to the malls and other public places just to teach about diabetes and to inform them about the dangers posed by it. So, we meet people and conduct random tests. This turns out to be an opportunity as we discover people who have diabetes. We advise them to go to the health centres to take their detailed blood test and start efforts to bring down the diabetes level and get rid of it completely,” he described.The official said that diabetes prevalence rate in the country has come down marginally as per the latest STEP wise survey conducted in 2023. “The prevailing rate of diabetes is lesser than the previous survey conducted in 2012. It has dropped by 0.3% from what it has been in 2012. Though marginal, it shows that we have been able to manage diabetes and control it well,” Dr al-Hamaq noted.Qatar, last year launched National Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes, and Modifiable Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease 2024-2030, a pivotal step towards reducing their prevalence and impact on the community.The action plan aims at several areas such as obesity reduction, enhanced diabetes management and risk factors control among others.Meanwhile, Dr al-Hamaq revealed that preparations are well underway to host the International Diabetes Federation World Diabetes Congress 2027 to be held in Doha.He noted: “Qatar’s hosting of the congress is a milestone for the country and for the entire region. The International Diabetes Federation Congress is one of the most significant global events dedicated to combating diabetes, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, and patient advocates from around the world to exchange knowledge and develop solutions to address the growing prevalence of the disease.”“Selecting Qatar to host the 2027 congress underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing its healthcare sector and making a lasting impact on global efforts to combat diabetes,” he added. 

The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) unveiled Sunday the details of the Rawda Award for Excellence in Social Work.This came during a press conference attended by a contingent of national leaders, representatives of public agencies, civil society institutions, and media professionals engaged in social affairs.The Award represents the first official national Qatari award dedicated to honouring individuals, families, institutions, and key actors who have contributed with outstanding efforts and innovative, sustainable initiatives in service of the Qatari community.The award operates within an organised MSDF-led institutional framework, embodying the values of magnanimity, social responsibility, and active citizenship that characterise the State of Qatar.The award is a national initiative that intends to build an excellence culture in social work based on recognition, encouragement, and motivation within an evaluation system and accurate judging standards that ensure transparency and credibility, said CEO of the Award Abdulaziz Ibrahim al-Ishaq.Al-Ishaq noted that Her Excellency Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al Jabr al-Nuaimi issued a ministerial decision appointing the Award's vice-chair and members of the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the provisions of Amiri Decision No. 16 of 2025, establishing the Rawda Award for Excellence in Social Work.He added that the decision designated Khalifa Essa al-Kubaisi as vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees, along with the appointment of representatives from relevant government entities, namely Nasser Abdulaziz al-Mugaisib, representing MSDF; Najla Faisal al-Thani, representing the Ministry of Culture; Fawaz Abdullah al-Musaifri, representing the Ministry of Sports and Youth; Maryam Abdullah al-Muhannadi, representing the Ministry of Education and Higher Education; Najla Majid al-Khulaifi, representing the Council of Ministers Secretariat General; Saud Ahmed al-Buainain, representing the Government Communications Office; Rana Madi al-Hajri, representing the Audit Bureau; and Al Anoud Ali al-Thani, representing the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority.Al-Ishaq further elaborated that the decision encompassed the appointment of independent members with proven expertise and competence in the award's programmes and initiatives, namely Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi, Abdulaziz Ibrahim al-Ishaq, and Fahad Mohamed al-Attiyah.This falls within the framework of enhancing the independence of strategic direction and consolidating the principles of governance, reflecting the principles of accountability, institutional integrity, and proactive leadership.This decision embodies the legal and institutional framework governing the award and reflects institutional integration among national entities, ensuring sound governance, impartial oversight, and the alignment of the Board of Trustees' work with the award's objectives and national mission, al-Ishaq underlined.Al-Ishaq explained that the award comprises five main categories: individuals, families, non-profit organisations, the private sector, and media, noting that the total annual prize pool amounts to QAR 2.7mn, granted to the initiatives demonstrating the greatest impact and sustainability in serving the community.The official outlined the nomination mechanism, clarifying that a select group of experts specialised in social work, community initiatives, corporate social responsibility, and community media will be engaged to nominate eligible individuals, families, institutions, and projects for the award.This process, he said, relies on their professional expertise and direct role in monitoring initiatives that have a national impact.Al-Ishaq added that the specialised nomination experts and relevant entities will submit to the Board of Trustees of the award the nomination lists, enclosed by explanatory reports detailing the justifications for each selection.The Board retains the right to request any supporting materials or additional documents, or to decline any nomination that does not meet the award criteria or falls outside the approved scope of authority, he highlighted.Al-Ishaq also noted that the award represents a focal point between official and community efforts, serving as a national platform to honour generosity, exchange expertise, and build partnerships across various sectors.The award's executive team will, immediately following the conclusion of the conference, engage with the specialised nomination experts and relevant entities to submit their nominations for the first cycle of 2025, he remarked.In addition, al-Ishaq affirmed that the award is not limited to symbolic recognition alone, but rather represents a national call to adopt responsible institutional practices that keep up with the nation's developmental and social transformations.He emphasised that partnerships with the private sector and media constitute a fundamental pillar in the award's success and in disseminating its messages, with MSDF playing a pivotal role in launching this Award and exercising full oversight, considering it a national initiative aligned with its mandate and role in advancing the social work ecosystem and fostering community engagement in Qatar.The overall framework of the award oversees its vision, policies, and standards, ensuring alignment with national strategies and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of human and social development, and fostering the principle of the transition from care to empowerment.It also supervises the governance of the award and its organisational structure, through the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees, the approval of the executive team and sub-teams- scientific, selection and admission, media, administrative, and financial- as well as the monitoring of evaluation and verification mechanisms, ensuring the highest levels of transparency, integrity, and fairness in selecting the winners.The ministry's role further includes strengthening strategic partnerships with government entities, the private sector, civil society institutions, and media outlets, contributing to the expansion of the award's impact, promoting a culture of excellence and social responsibility, and encouraging social initiatives with sustainable impact.The award forms part of the MSDF-led national initiatives system, affirming its commitment to supporting institutional social work, recognising humanitarian efforts, and empowering individuals and institutions to contribute effectively to community development and cohesion.The event concluded by affirming that the Award will contribute to building a national system that strengthens the culture of excellence in social work and highlights Qatar's leading role in sustainable development and enhancing social solidarity.  

Qatar is rapidly establishing itself as a major cultural and entertainment hub for expatriates, hosting an increasing number of high-profile concerts, live shows, and cultural performances tailored to its diverse resident population.With expatriates making up the majority of Qatar’s population, the nation’s entertainment landscape is evolving to reflect the cultural tastes and artistic traditions of its global communities—particularly those from India.One of the most talked-about events in recent months was Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s performance in Doha, headlining the spectacular Da-Bangg The Tour Reloaded at the Asian Town Amphitheatre in November 2025. Joined by film stars including Jacqueline Fernandez, Tamannaah Bhatia, and legendary dancer-choreographer Prabhu Deva, the show delivered an unforgettable mix of music, dance, comedy, and cinematic flair. **media[394506]**“For us, this was like watching a Filmfare-style show right here in Doha,” said Rajesh Kumar, an Indian expatriate who has lived in Qatar for over a decade. “Back home, getting tickets for Salman Khan shows is extremely difficult. Seeing him perform live here felt unreal.”The excitement continued with Vedan Live in Qatar last week, which drew large crowds for a night of high-energy music and electrifying performances. Fans filled the venue, singing and dancing throughout the evening. Vedan, whose real name is Hirandas Murali, is a prominent rapper and songwriter from Kerala and a recent winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist. He enjoys a devoted fan base among Keralites worldwide.“I’ve attended concerts in Kerala, but the vibe here was just as powerful,” said Anjali, a young professional from Kerala. “For expats like us, these shows give a sense of home and community. It’s more than entertainment—it’s emotional.”Over the past year, Qatar has hosted a steady stream of South Indian movie stars, Bollywood performers, and regional music icons, offering expatriates rare access to cultural experiences they often miss while living abroad. For many, traveling back home specifically for concerts or cultural shows is neither affordable nor practical.“Living overseas means you miss out on many cultural moments,” said Mohammed Irfan, another expat from Kerala. “When artists from our region perform here, it bridges that gap and makes life abroad feel more complete.”Event organisers say Qatar’s growing appeal lies not only in audience demand but also in the country’s world-class infrastructure and efficient logistics.“Qatar offers everything an international production needs—modern venues, strong technical support, and a very responsive audience,” said a Doha-based event organiser. “Indian expats here are passionate and eager to attend live shows, which makes Doha an important destination on global tour calendars.”Another promoter highlighted the ease of operations and digital accessibility. “The online ticketing system works seamlessly, and venues are well-connected and easy to reach,” said another Doha-based event manager. “From parking to security, the overall experience is smooth, which encourages repeat attendance.” **media[394505]**Audience members have echoed these sentiments, praising the convenience and organisation of events. “Buying tickets online was simple, and the venue was close to where we live,” said Suresh Nair, a long-time Doha resident. “Everything—from entry to seating—was well managed.”Looking ahead, organisers confirm that many more concerts and cultural shows are lined up for the coming year, spanning Bollywood, South Indian cinema, comedy acts, and traditional performances.“The demand is only growing,” an organiser added. “Qatar is no longer just a stopover—it has become a destination where artists want to perform and audiences eagerly respond.”As Qatar continues to invest in cultural infrastructure and inclusive entertainment programming, it is steadily transforming into a regional crossroads for global artistic expression. For expatriates, these live events offer more than star-studded performances—they provide a sense of belonging, nostalgia, and shared identity, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a true home away from home. 

Doha Design District (DDD) hosted its first Talent Gathering, an initiative designed to introduce local artists and designers to the District while fostering opportunities for engagement and collaboration within Qatar’s creative community.The programme began with a session, led by DDD director Dana Kazic, who outlined the District’s mission, vision, and long-term business strategy. Attendees were able to directly engage with the DDD and Msheireb Properties team, gaining insight into DDD’s role as a strategic collaborator.The programme also included a guided tour at the DDD building, offering the community an overview of the various spaces and facilities available. The tour highlighted the ecosystem being developed to support design-led businesses and cross-disciplinary collaboration. 

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to community safety and emergency readiness by conducting a comprehensive full-scale exercise recently.This large-scale simulation, which saw the participation of over 100 actors, was designed to rigorously test and enhance PHCC’s ability to respond to an emerging public health event. The exercise evaluated the effectiveness of command-and-control systems, clinical operations, security protocols, and resource management procedures in a realistic emergency scenario.“These exercises are a critical component of our multi-year training and exercise programme,” said Dr Hamda Ahmed J A al-Mansoori, manager of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at PHCC. “They ensure that our health centres and staff are fully prepared to provide optimal care to our community during any emergency situation.”Dr al-Mansoori explained: “ PHCC is committed to emergency readiness by ensuring that all health centres receive annual major incident training and conduct drills as part of its comprehensive preparedness programme.”PHCC has designated 18 nodal centres across Qatar as focal points for major incident response, each equipped and trained to deliver round-the-clock emergency services when needed. The recent exercise demonstrated seamless coordination, ensuring comprehensive coverage and preparedness across the healthcare network.While preparing for the exercise, PHCC made provisions to ensure that business-as-usual (BAU) operations were not impacted. Patient care continued seamlessly throughout the day, reflecting PHCC’s dedication to maintaining service continuity while strengthening emergency response capabilities. There was no disruption to services, and patient care was not affected.PHCC operates 31 primary health care centres throughout Qatar, serving as the first point of contact for community healthcare needs. The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Department continuously works to ensure organisational readiness through ongoing training, policy development, and regular exercises aligned with national and international best practices. 

Ooredoo has announced WHOOP as the Official Wearable Partner for the 2026 and 2027 Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.The agreement was signed by Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, vice-chairman of the Doha Marathon Organising Committee, and Stephan Muller, director of WHOOP – GCC.The two-year collaboration brings together Ooredoo’s commitment to community health, fitness, and sports innovation through world-class technology. As the Official Wearable Partner, WHOOP will play a central role in enhancing athlete performance, training insights, and overall race experience for participants of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.Al-Kuwari said, “This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we support our running community. WHOOP has advanced performance insights, from recovery to sleep data to real-time strain and live tracking, and will provide participants, from first-time runners to elite athletes, with a deeper understanding of their bodies throughout the marathon journey.”Muller said, “WHOOP empowers members of all levels to better understand their bodies and unlock deeper insights into recovery, sleep, and strain.” 

Qatar Charity celebrated the graduation of 185 male and female university students sponsored under its 'Talib Al-Ilm' scholarship programme for the 2024-2025 academic year.The initiative, generously supported by the people of Qatar, aims to promote higher education, empower youth, and prepare a new generation of qualified leaders capable of driving social and community development.Speaking at the ceremony, Adam Abdul Fattah expressed pride in the partnership between Qatar Charity and SIMAD University, describing the occasion as a "historic milestone" in a journey of co-operation spanning several years.He said: "This moment marks not the end, but the beginning of a new journey one that calls for commitment, perseverance, and a sense of responsibility towards building a better future for your communities." He extended heartfelt thanks to the people of Qatar for their continued generosity, noting that their support has enabled thousands of students to complete their education and pursue professional success.In his remarks, Dr Mohamed Mohamud praised Qatar Charity's long-standing contribution to education and capacity building in Somalia.He highlighted that over the past 27 years Qatar Charity has played a vital role in preparing a new generation of leaders who now occupy influential positions in both government and the private sector.Since its launch in 1997, the "Talib Al-Ilm" programme has supported more than 3,600 university students around the world, providing full and partial scholarships to those in need.As part of its broader "Tamkeen" (empowerment) initiative, Qatar Charity has also supported over 225,000 students across 23 countries, enabling them to pursue their studies and build a brighter future.

The Center for Indian Community (CIC) Rayyan Zone organised a recreational trip under the theme ‘Harmony’. From morning until 9pm, participants took part in a variety of competitions, divided into five teams — Ghazal, Ababeel, Camel, Leopard, and Tiger. The Ghazal team, named after Palestine’s national bird, emerged as the overall champions. Leopard and Ababeel teams secured the second and third positions, respectively. The event was inaugurated by zonal president T K Sudheer, with leadership and co-ordination provided by Abdul Hameed Edavanna, Ahmad Shafi, and Abdul Wahid. The children’s activities were led by Shibili Sibgatullah and Ashraf A P. Prizes were distributed by zonal vice presidents Suhail Shanthapuram and Subul Abdul Aziz, along with secretary Abdul Jaleel M M. The visual presentation of the skit that won first place in the inter-zone arts competition was inaugurated by Thaneema zonal director Muhammad Rafeeq Thangal. More than 300 participants, including children and families, took part in the recreational trip, managed by volunteer captains Siddiq Vengara, Tahir T K, Muhammad Rafeeq, and Fahad E A K, along with a team.

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) marked World Mental Health Day with a campus-wide event emphasizing the theme "Community Care: Supporting Mental Health in Challenging Times." The event highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in supporting mental wellbeing. This year's program featured a variety of interactive booths, wellness activities, and educational sessions aimed at strengthening resilience and fostering inclusivity. In his remarks, President of UDST Dr. Salem bin Nasser Al Naemi emphasized the university's commitment to wellbeing: "At UDST, we believe that mental health is a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of a healthy society." "By preserving a culture of care and compassion, we empower our community to face challenges with resilience, while reinforcing our mission as a Healthy Campus recognized by the International University Sports Federation," he said. The event also featured student-led initiatives, including workshops and peer engagement activities, encouraging participants to reflect on how mental health can be supported through everyday interactions and proactive care. World Mental Health Day is observed every year on Oct. 10. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and promote global, encourage more open discussions about mental illness, and promote investment in both mental health services and prevention measures.

South Korea on Tuesday reaffirmed its "consistent" goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. "Denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula is the consistent goal of the international community, including South Korea and the United States," South Korea's foreign ministry said. The ministry stressed that the UN has also been calling for North Korea to denuclearize through a series of Security Council resolutions, according to (Yonhap) news agency. Addressing a general debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong reiterated North Korea's position that it will never give up its nuclear program "under any circumstances." He said imposing denuclearization is "tantamount to demanding (North Korea) surrender sovereignty and its right to existence." The ministry said Seoul will continue its diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence and mutual growth through comprehensive dialogue under close coordination with the US.

The Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation (QCSF) has unveiled its calendar of activities for the 2025–2026 season, which will run from September 2025 to April 2026. The new season features a series of annual championships for male and female students across a wide range of team and individual sports, including basketball, chess, volleyball, table tennis, cricket, padel, football, athletics, futsal, handball, 3x3 basketball, e-sports, and swimming.This season will witness broad participation from higher education institutions across the country, with competitions hosted at venues including Qatar University, Qatar Foundation, Doha University for Science and Technology, and the Community College of Qatar.Rashid Saeed Adiba, secretary-general of the QCSF, praised the efforts of the federation’s working team, affirming that Qatar’s university sports system is progressing on the right track by continually developing its annual programmes and attracting more public and private educational institutions.He also commended the strong co-operation of sports federations, partner organizations, and host institutions on both the organisational and administrative levels, stressing the importance of maintaining these partnerships to elevate university sports to new levels of excellence at the continental and international stage.The federation highlighted that its events are designed to reinforce the role of sport as a vital tool for instilling educational values among students. The various competitions contribute to strengthening discipline, teamwork, and the love of learning through sport. They also enhance participants’ mental, physical, and psychological development by improving focus, fitness, leadership, cooperation, and building balanced sporting personalities making sport an essential part of a healthy and productive campus lifestyle.Last season (2024–2025) was marked by strong organisational, administrative, and technical efficiency, contributing to its success at the highest standards. It also saw the introduction of new sports such as chess, e-sports, cross-country running, and swimming, aligned with university exam and holiday schedules.A total of 21 championships were held, including 11 for male students and 10 for female students, with the participation of 14 universities and educational institutions, covering both team and individual sports, a statement added.