tag

Few leaders have ever possessed as much genuine love for their people as HH the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. He was not only the true father of his nation; he was far more than that. He was a visionary, a man of truth and justice whose compassion extended beyond the people of Qatar to all those who suffered from injustice.The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina will always remember HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani as a true and steadfast friend. He was the first Arab leader to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina after the war of aggression, standing beside its people in one of the darkest chapters of their history.In those most difficult times, he was a true friend of Alija Izetbegovic, president of Bosnia, on whom Bosnia and Herzegovina could always rely. His generosity lives on through countless acts of goodwill and his unwavering assistance to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.He transformed a small desert nation of Qatar into one of the world's most successful and influential countries, while never losing sight of his responsibility toward those beyond his own borders.His humility, simplicity, and openness towards ordinary people made him truly great.The love of his people and the respect of leaders from around the world were reflected in the countless mourners who came to offer their condolences to his family.In the eyes of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, one could see profound sorrow. The faces of those closest to him reflected the deep grief of losing a beloved father, a leader, and the father of the Qatari nation.The simplicity and dignity with which the family received thousands of mourners stand as a testament to their greatness and their closeness to the people of Qatar. In moments like these, no-one can remain untouched, and tears find their own way down our faces.May Allah grant you His eternal mercy, O great leader.From the dust of the desert, you helped build one of the world's most advanced nations. From a Bedouin society, you helped shape a proud, confident, and modern Arab nation. Education City stands as a lasting reflection of your vision and your faith — a living testament to the generations you prepared to lead the country into the future.Your son, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, is a source of pride for all of us who love Qatar. Your children are a reflection of your life's work and values, shining beacons of leadership, service, and devotion to their people.May Allah ease the pain of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and grant her many more years in good health and strength, for the joy of her family and all those who admire her. She is a motherly figure to many across the Ummah, a radiant star whose light continues to illuminate the difficult paths we walk.O blessed leader, your deeds bear witness to your righteousness. We pray that, by Allah's boundless mercy, you are granted the highest ranks of Jannat Al-Firdous. The love with which your people bid you farewell stands as a testament to the purity of your path and the goodness you spread throughout the world.I pray to the Almighty to envelop you in His infinite mercy, to grant you His protection, and to reward you with the highest ranks of Jannat Al-Firdous. Ameen.• The writer is former deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Doha Film Institute (DFI) today announced that the 2025 Doha Film Festival will open with "The Voice of Hind Rajab" (Tunisia, France) by award-winning director Kaouther Ben Hania, marking a powerful start to Qatar's spotlight of global cinema.A recipient of the Institute's grants program, the profound film captures the final moments of an innocent child, Hind Rajab, whose voice shook the conscience of the world. Hind's story is not just one of unimaginable loss, it is a testament to courage, a reminder of the human cost of silence, and a call for compassion that transcends borders.The film won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the recently concluded 82nd Venice Film Festival.DFI stated that choosing this powerful film to open the festival affirms its belief in cinema as a force that can pierce through indifference, carry voices across continents, and remind us of our shared humanity. This selection reflects the Institute's mission to champion truth, give voice to the unheard, and boldly confront the realities that shape our world.Fatma Hassan Alremiahi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: "To open our festival with The Voice of Hind Rajab is to honour truth — fragile, heartbreaking, and urgent. Hind's voice, trembling yet unyielding, speaks to every one of us.It is the story of all the children, women, and men of Palestine whose lives have been shattered by the violent aggression of the Israeli occupation and whose resilience continues to inspire global conscience." This powerful film demonstrates cinema's unique role in amplifying voices that matter, reflecting the pain and courage of the Palestinian people, and the extraordinary efforts of the unsung heroes who tried to save an innocent child. "By honouring Hind's memory and that of countless others, we hope to awaken empathy, inspire justice, and remind the world that no story, however painful, should be left untold," she added.The Voice of Hind Rajab integrates actual emergency call recordings with scripted performances in recreating the harrowing period when the young Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, was trapped in a car under military fire. Hollywood luminaries, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara and Alfonso Cuaron have joined on board as Executive Producers, and the film will represent Tunisia at the 98th Academy Awards. Ben Hania has established herself as one of the Arab world's most compelling filmmakers. Her remarkable works have garnered international acclaim. Taking place from November 20-28 2025, Doha Film Festival (DFF) represents the bold next chapter in Doha Film Institute's mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema.The festival will transform iconic locations across Doha, including Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Museum of Islamic Art, into vibrant hubs of cultural exchange, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences from every corner of the globe, to reaffirm art's power to heal, to unite, and to spotlight voices that deepen our shared understanding.