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The Centre for Empowerment and Elderly Care (Ehsan) has announced the launch of a Holy Qur’an competition for the elderly as part of its efforts to provide programmes and initiatives addressing their religious, cultural, and social needs and enhancing their quality of life and active participation in society.  In a statement issued yesterday, the centre said the competition aims to encourage elderly participants to recite, memorise, and reflect on the Holy Qur’an, while providing an opportunity for positive competition in a spiritual atmosphere that strengthens their connection with the Book of Allah Almighty and recognises their efforts in learning, memorising, and mastering the recitation Tajweed of the Holy Qur’an.  The centre emphasised that the competition reflects its commitment to providing specialised programmes that respond to the needs and interests of the elderly and encourage their participation in community and religious activities. It also seeks to highlight outstanding participants and honour their achievements, reinforcing their status, capabilities, and sense of social inclusion and appreciation.  The centre noted that the competition will be conducted in accordance with approved terms, regulations, and judging criteria designed to ensure integrity, transparency, and equal opportunities for all participants.  A specialised committee of qualified judges will assess participants based on precise, scientifically grounded standards, including accuracy of memorisation, correctness of recitation, adherence to Tajweed rules, and quality of delivery.  The centre announced that registration will open for the target groups in accordance with the published terms and guidelines, encouraging prospective participants to register promptly andreview and comply with the competition requirements.  The initiative is part of a series of programmes and activities aimed at enhancing the spiritual and psychological well-being of the elderly, creating interactive spaces that enrich their lives and foster community engagement. It also reflects the centre’s belief in the value of investing in their experience and potential and recognising their contributions to society. 

To mark the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), Hamad International Airport (HIA) and the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), one of the centers operating under the Qatar Foundation (QF), launched a joint collaborative program aimed at enhancing the awareness of the valued elderly regarding travel procedures, services, and accessibility facilities available at the airport. The move contributes to greater independence and confidence while travelling and provides them with a smoother, more comfortable, and inclusive travel experience. The launch of the program comes as part of both entities’ commitment to strengthening community partnerships and integrating efforts aimed at empowering the valued elderly and improving their quality of life. It also seeks to reinforce the concept of inclusion and provide them with the opportunity to directly learn about HIA’s facilities, travel services, digital solutions, and the available channels for requesting assistance throughout the various stages of their journey. The program includes organising periodic visits for the valued elderly to HIA, featuring guided and introductory tours of the airport’s facilities and services dedicated to travelers, as well as awareness sessions covering the key stages of the passenger journey, travel procedures, digital solutions, and accessibility services. These sessions aim to help participants navigate the travel experience with greater knowledge, confidence, and independence. The program also prioritises the participation of the valued elderly by listening to their views and feedback regarding their experience and utilizing their input to further develop future sessions and tours. This supports ongoing efforts to provide a more inclusive travel experience that better meets their needs, while helping to identify areas that may require further awareness or clarification. This collaboration embodies HIA’s commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible travel experience for all passengers, alongside the role undertaken by Ehsan in empowering the valued elderly and enhancing their quality of life, thereby supporting the provision of a travel experience characterised by accessibility, confidence, and independence. Executive Manager of Ehsan, Manal al-Mannai, said the launch of the collaborative program with HIA, coinciding with IDOP, reflects the importance of integrating the roles of community institutions in supporting and empowering the valued elderly and providing services and experiences that enhance their independence and active participation in society. Al-Mannai added that Ehsan is committed to ensuring that the valued elderly are active partners in development of the services and experiences provided to them, and for opportunities that enhance their independence and confidence across various aspects of their lives. She elaborated that the program combines awareness, practical experience, contributing to enhancing their knowledge of travel services, airport facilities and achieving a more inclusive, suitable experience for them. 

The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) – under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work – has announced the launch of the summer programme of the Council of Elders in co-operation with youth centres.  The summer programme encompasses a range of cultural, social, recreational, and awareness-raising activities targeting various age groups, aimed at strengthening communication and interaction among community members and reflecting the importance of partnerships with youth centres.  The Council of Elders explained that the programne is an extension of its mission to support purposeful community initiatives and enhance the role of elders in passing on their experiences and authentic values to younger generations.  The council commended the fruitful co-operation with youth centres and the resources they provide, which contribute to the success of the various events and activities.  The programme is scheduled to run throughout the summer, featuring a variety of events, workshops, and meetings designed to enrich the participants’ intellectual and social experiences and reinforce values of belonging and intergenerational communication.

The Center for Empowerment and Elderly Care (Ehsan), affiliated with the Qatar Social Work Foundation, has launched the ninth edition of its Scientific Research and Innovation Competition.The initiative is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, with sponsorship from Al Rayan Bank.This year's edition introduces an expanded scope, adding categories for senior citizens as well as researchers and academics, alongside students from preparatory and secondary levels in both public and private schools.The move reflects a strategic effort to broaden participation and foster integration across generations and expertise.Director of Planning and Development at Ehsan Anoud Mohammed al-Marr said the competition underscores the centre's commitment to empowering the elderly and reinforcing their role as active contributors to development and innovation.She highlighted that selecting artificial intelligence as the central theme aims to promote advanced technological solutions that enhance seniors' quality of life while opening new avenues for their engagement and knowledge production.For his part, Ghanem Saad al-Humaidi, representing the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Acting Head of the Research, Talent and Innovation Section, emphasised that the ministry's participation reflects its commitment to strengthening the research ecosystem and advancing students' innovation skills in line with modern demands.He noted that focusing on AI encourages practical solutions to societal challenges while fostering students' sense of responsibility and creativity.The competition witnessed strong participation across all targeted groups, reflecting growing societal awareness of the importance of scientific research and innovation in addressing issues related to the elderly and improving their quality of life, in line with Qatar's vision for a knowledge-based economy.Submissions were evaluated by a panel of distinguished academics and experts, with entries demonstrating a high level of innovation and diverse research-driven solutions aimed at supporting and enhancing the well-being of senior citizens. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), in collaboration with Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), held an awareness workshop to empower consumers to protect their personal data and promote safe use of mobile phones, as part of the National Initiative to Celebrate 160 Years of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).The workshop comes as a part of CRA’s ongoing series of initiatives launched to raise awareness about the safe and responsible use of digital technologies to reinforce confidence in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Qatar, in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aspires to create an informed and secure digital community.CRA experts conducted interactive sessions that demonstrated how users can manage privacy settings on their mobile phones, identify potentially unsafe applications, and control data access permissions effectively.The workshop also featured practical discussions on enhancing privacy on messaging and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, with participants learning how to adopt safe digital habits that reduce exposure to online risks.On this occasion, Director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA Amel Salem al-Hanawi stated: “Enhancing awareness is the cornerstone of digital protection. Through this workshop, we aimed to empower elderly people to take control of their digital privacy and make informed decisions about their data. We remain committed to engaging directly with the community and translating our consumer protection mandate into tangible action that builds trust and strengthens digital resilience.”Acting Director of Social Awareness and Community Outreach Department at Ehsan Center Shaikha Ahmed al-Horaib stated: “The collaboration between the Center for Empowerment and Elderly Care, Ehsan, and the Communications Regulatory Authority comes as part of our ongoing efforts to promote safe digital literacy among the elderly and to empower them to use modern technologies with confidence and security”.She added: “This partnership reflects the Center’s commitment to supporting the elderly in keeping pace with digital transformation, enhancing their ability to protect their personal data and private information, and enabling them to interact with technology in a conscious way that contributes to their digital safety and quality of life.”

The Cultural Village Foundation - Katara has launched a series of heritage workshops targeting older people as part of its efforts to preserve traditional crafts and pass them on to future generations. The initiative is being organized in collaboration with the Center for Empowerment and Care of Older Persons (Ehsan). The workshops provide a platform to highlight the expertise of older persons and acknowledge their contributions, enabling them to relive experiences while applying their skills in an interactive setting. This not only enhances their sense of giving and improves communication with their peers, but also facilitates the transfer of knowledge to younger generations. Studies show that engaging older people in creative and practical activities has a positive impact on memory and increases satisfaction with daily life. The program covers a range of authentic Qatari crafts. "Sadu" is one of the oldest hand-weaving arts used by Bedouins to produce tents and furnishings. "Naqda" involves embellishing fabrics with metal threads to add a distinctive decorative touch. "Gypsum" carving is a traditional craft used in old houses and mosques, while "Khous" refers to weaving palm fronds into baskets, mats, and other household items. The series began with a Sadu workshop for women and a Naqda workshop, followed by a Gypsum workshop for men scheduled for October 8-9. The program will conclude with a Khous workshop on October 15–16. Katara gives special attention to older people by offering activities tailored to their skills and needs, ensuring they remain active participants in Qatar's cultural scene. The foundation also encourages their involvement in cultural seasons and national celebrations, underscoring their role as bearers of popular memory and guardians of heritage. The collaboration with Ehsan reflects these efforts, as the center works to integrate older persons into community events, promoting values of loyalty and appreciation while giving them opportunities to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), affiliated with the Qatar Social Work Foundation, has resumed the activities of its day clubs with the start of the new academic year. The aim is to continue the mission of providing distinctive programmes and services to empower and care for seniors, enhancing their quality of life, and strengthening their active presence in society. The clubs include three women’s branches in Izghawa, Al Wakra, and Al Shamal, in addition to a men’s club. Ehsan is also preparing to open the Men’s Seniors’ Majlis in Katara to enrich the community activity system. These clubs have transformed into vibrant environments that combine recreation, empowerment, and social interaction, providing members with opportunities to engage in diverse activities that foster independence and strengthen their connections with their surroundings. During the previous season, Ehsan organised 477 activities, including 104 handicraft and skill-based workshops that highlighted the talents of seniors in arts and crafts, 197 awareness lectures covering social, health, family, and psychological issues, and 163 empowerment courses across various fields such as Holy Qur’an memorisation and recitation, e-learning, physical fitness, and others. These activities effectively contributed to enhancing members’ knowledge and refining their experiences. In addition, 13 trips and external visits were conducted, which offered enriching social and cultural experiences and strengthened community ties among the seniors. Ehsan’s partnerships with governmental and community institutions, including the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Municipality, Qatar Museums, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Mada Centre, and Doha University of Science and Technology, have played a key role in the success, continuity, and diversity of these activities. Sheikha Ahmed al-Hareeb, acting director of Ehsan’s Awareness and Community Department, stressed that restarting the clubs with the new school year marks a fresh milestone to build on past achievements. She noted that the upcoming phase will feature more innovative initiatives tailored to the needs of seniors, supporting their sustainable integration into society. “Ehsan clubs have become platforms for empowerment and development,” she said. “Through them, we focus on several goals, most notably enabling seniors to carry out their daily activities independently, maintaining their physical and psychological well-being, activating their developmental role and benefiting from their experiences, as well as strengthening their integration with different segments of society and expanding partnerships with governmental and civil institutions to ensure sustainable services.” Ehsan offers membership in its clubs under certain conditions, including being 60 years old or above, whether citizens or expatriates with a valid residency permit. Applicants must provide a medical report confirming their health stability, in addition to completing the membership form and submitting the required documents via the centre’s website or by visiting its headquarters.