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Making changes to vehicles without permission from the authorities is a violation that is punishable with a fine of QR1,500, a General Directorate of Traffic official has said. These include making any unauthorised change to a vehicle's colour as well as to the shape of number plates, altering the details on them, or loaning/exchanging them. Captain Mohamed Abdullah al-Kuwari, from the Traffic Awareness Department of the General Directorate of Traffic, said this at a webinar Tuesday. The webinar on Traffic Law No 19/2007 was organised by the Ministry of Interior’s Public Relations Department in co-operation with the Traffic Awareness Department. “Driving under the influence of alcohol, and running away, or trying to run away, in case of an accident, are offences that draw imprisonment and penalty,” Capt al-Kuwari warned, noting that some violations can be settled through reconciliation while some cannot. The official said that obstructing traffic through illegal construction or through the destruction of roads will result in stringent action. “Any kind of obstruction caused by illegal construction or destruction, or by making holes on roads that may obstruct traffic or cause harm to drivers, draws imprisonment of a minimum one month or fine ranging from QR10,000-15,000,” Capt al-Kuwari said. The same penalty applies for not putting up warning signs and cautionary boards, and for not following the rules and regulations of licensing authorities during the construction of roads. He said that violating customs and the norms of public morality inside a vehicle, or allowing someone to do it, is subject to the same penalty and punishment. “The punishment will be doubled by the minimum level in case of repeating the same violation,” he said. Capt al-Kuwari urged drivers to be careful on roads and not to damage public infrastructure. He noted that drivers are responsible and accountable for the damage caused and reminded that some types of damage are not covered by insurance companies. Capt al-Kuwari explained the fines and penalties imposed for different violations. He said that accidents have social and psychological impacts and that everyone should be careful while driving in order to ensure public safety. Capt al-Kuwari added that the “black points” demerit system was introduced with the aim of preventing accidents and penalising errant drivers. He also urged people not to drive non-registered vehicles, not to drive without a valid licence, and not to give their vehicles to people who will drive without a licence.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), while urging expatriates to make use of the grace period, has asked leaders of various communities to encourage their members to benefit from the scheme. Addressing a press conference Tuesday, officers from the Search and Follow Up Department (SFD) and Unified Services Department said the ministry has ensured the provision of all facilities to help companies and expatriate workers legalise the latter's stay in the country, adding that there is a 50% reduction in the violation settlement amount. “Beneficiaries can rectify a violation by transferring from one employer to another. They can approach one of the five MoI service centres at Umm Sulal, Umm Sunaim, Mesaimeer, Al Wakra and Al Rayyan for this. A violation can also be rectified by paying the settlement amount and getting the residence permit issued/renewed under the existing employer. Beneficiaries can go to the Al Shamal, Al Khor, Al Daayen, Umm Salal, The Pearl-Qatar, Onaiza, Souq Waqif, Rayyan, Umm Sunaim, Al Sheehaniya, Mesaimeer and Al Wakra service centres for this,” said Capt Mohamed al-Rashid, officer from the Unified Services Department. The grace period started on October 10 in accordance with Article 45 of the law regulating the entry, exit, and residence of expatriates. It will come to an end on March 31. Capt Kamal Tahir al-Tayri from the Search and Follow Up Department said the grace period is an opportunity for correcting the legal status of violators by allowing them to change the employer in accordance with the regulations, and exempting them from the fines imposed on them. “The grace period exempts violating expatriates who wish to leave the country from legal responsibility without holding them accountable for the violations,” he said. He reiterated that the violator will not be arrested while approaching the service centres or the SFD. There will be no legal consequence or action against those who avail of the grace period,” he added. Residence Permit (RP) holders who have passed 90 days since the RP expiry date and wish to move to another employer, and RP holders against whom a ‘Leaving Work’ complaint has been filed and they wish to move to another employer, can approach the SFD. Work visa holders who have exceeded 90 days since entering Qatar without getting an RP and wish to correct their status to stay in the country, as well as work visa holders against whom a ‘Leaving Work’ complaint has been filed and they wish to correct their status to stay in the country, can avail the service at SFD. The Search and Follow Up Department ensures the departure of applicants who accepted the legal reconciliation amount. Those looking to benefit from the grace period can approach MoI service centres from 1pm to 6pm.

*Out of the total applicants, 8,227 have left the country after completing the procedures whereas more than 6,000 continue to stay in Qatar after correcting their residence status. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has received a total of 28,476 applications under the grace period window from October 10, 2021 until Tuesday (March 1, 2022) it was announced. With the grace period for expatriates to correct their residency status set to end on March 31, the MoI continues to receive applications, a press conference at the Search and Follow Up Department (SFD) was told. Out of the total applicants, 8,227 have left the country after completing the procedures whereas more than 6,000 continue to stay in Qatar after correcting their residence status. Capt Mohamed al-Rashid, an officer from the Unified Services Department, said the MoI service centres continue to receive applications while helping those concerned legalise their stay in Qatar. “Those beneficiaries allowed to leave the country were exempted from all consequences of legal responsibility,” he explained. Capt Kamal Tahir al-Tairi, another officer at the SFD, said the department ensures departure of the applicants and they can return to Qatar if they leave the country upon accepting the legally prescribed reconciliation. “In addition, an expatriate whose residence permit has been cancelled and has passed 90 days from its cancellation can also return to Qatar if he leaves the country after accepting the legally prescribed reconciliation. In all cases, the deportation of minors will be without a ban to return to Qatar, regardless of their violation of the provisions of the law, and they are exempted from any legal consequences,” he said. The beneficiaries, who wanted to stay in Qatar, have to correct the violation by transferring sponsorship from one employer to another or by paying the settlement amount, issuance and renewal of residence permit under the current employer. These procedures are done at various MoI service centres across the country.

The Indian Sports Centre (ISC) is all set to create a Guinness World Record for Maximum Nationalities in a Yoga Lesson. As per the plan, the apex body of sports activities under the Indian embassy will organise a mega event at Katara Cultural Village where Yoga aspirants from various countries will take part. The event will be held on March 18 from 7am to 10am at Katara amphitheatre. ISC president Dr Mohan Thomas told a press conference yesterday that the event is expected to involve participants from 130 countries, breaking the record of an event held in Dubai in 2017 with the participation of 112 countries. “Efforts are on to ensure the participation of maximum countries,” he said adding that the event will showcase the diversity of the expatriate community in Qatar while living in a harmonious way. “The event is planned to add sparkle to the celebrations Qatar is gearing up to welcome the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The participants as well as the organisers will demonstrate the solidarity of the expatriate community for the mega event and our excitement to welcome the world into our second home `` he said while urging all communities to take part. He added that Qatari officials representing Katara and other government bodies are expected to attend. Two persons from each country will be given the opportunity to be part of the event. Application will be accepted from up to five persons while two of them will be selected on the basis of experience and fitness. Qatar residents and visitors can complete their registration at www.yogagwr2022.com by using their QID or passport. The participants will be given dress kits for the event and certificates if the event breaks the record. ISC managing committee member Nisha Agarwal, who is in-charge of the event, said the programme consists of a simple demonstration of a yoga lesson for a duration of approximately 30 minutes, following the current Covid-19 protocol. ISC managing committee member Cyril Anand and vice president Sheji Valiyakath were also present.    

While enhancing the bond between Keralite expatriates, the Malappuram Peruma programme by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) has turned out to be a venue for cultural exchange. The programme, which literally means ‘Malappuram Grandeur’, features a slew of programmes across Qatar while focusing on arts, sports and culture. “In its fourth edition, we are looking to highlight the cultural alliance and social intimacy between India and Qatar. Various programmes have been so far held while bringing together the expatriates from across Malappuram district,” said KMCC Malappuram district committee president K Mohammed Easa. The programme brings together the expatriates from 16 constituency committees under the district committee while giving them venues to show their talent in arts and sports competitions and cultural programmes. “We have exclusive programmes for students, youth and women. And the previous editions witnessed fair participation from the expatriate community,” Easa said. Football, tug of war and athletic items are held as part of the sporting events while elocution, quiz, story writing, poem recitation and singing competitions are organised. Malappuram Peruma has several programmes on the cards while highlighting the cultural legacy of Kerala. Besides, Malappuram Peruma, through its gathering programmes, lends expatriates spaces to share their ideas and experiences while helping the community grow in various sectors. “The programme is a venue for experts and professionals to discuss and help each other,” he added. KMCC, through the programme, also looks to support the country’s preparations for FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar. “This year is special as Qatar is all set to host the mega event. And we are looking to enhance Qatar’s transition to the post Covid-19 period that’s going to witness several events. Also, the programme is dedicated to the Covid-19 warriors,” said KMCC Malappuram district committee general secretary Abdul Akbar Vengassery. The fourth edition was launched on February 9 and the valediction will be held on March 11. The programme is run by a committee that consists of Ali Morayoor, Rafeeque Palliyali, PMA Salam, Basheer Vallilkunnu, Layis Eranad and Yoonus Kadampott.

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) 2022 will take place from March 21 to 23 at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme 'Connecting the World's Maritime Defence and Security Community'. More than 200 companies from nearly 20 countries will participate in the biennial event, showcasing their products and capabilities, the Organising Committee has said. This was announced during a diplomat briefing session at Sharq Village & Spa yesterday, during which the Organising Committee briefed representatives of diplomatic missions in the country, ambassadors, defence and commercial attaches, on the preparations for Dimdex 2022, Qatar News Agency reported. Addressing the session, chairman of Dimdex Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S al-Ansari, said it was an honour to receive the ambassadors, defence and commercial attachés, and representatives from the military at the briefing. “The unstinting support we received strengthens our determination to organise an edition that will be bigger and better than previous editions. We can feel the anticipation building up as we enter the last leg of preparations for Dimdex 2022. The Organising Committee will leave nothing to chance and will work hard to ensure a smooth, safe and successful edition,” he said, adding that there will be a significant growth in the exhibition space, spanning over 35,000sqm. The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), which will take place on the second day of the three-day event, is one of the most popular features of Dimdex. At the briefing, participants were provided details of the event, including the conference theme - 'Resilience in the Maritime Domain – Confronting Asymmetric Threats' - and information about the keynote speakers. At the conference, a glittering panel that will include experts from academia and leading industry figures will discuss a variety of topical issues in the maritime domain and attempt to find globally applicable solutions to what is one of the most daunting challenges the domain faces - asymmetric threats. Middle East Naval Commanders Conference director Dr Andreas Krieg said the MENC is an integral part of Dimdex 2022 and brings together a diverse group of world-leading experts in maritime security to better understand how to develop resilience in the maritime domain. “As the centre of gravity for security in the Gulf, it is important that the various challenges to actors in the maritime domain are well understood and where possible mitigated. MENC 2022 will address these challenges in an effort to achieve a higher degree of resilience of critical maritime infrastructure and waterways around the Arabian Gulf and connected waterways," he added. During the event, exhibitors will showcase their products and capabilities while in addition to networking with key decision makers from Qatar and other countries. Through successive editions, Dimdex has earned a reputation for facilitating major commercial success and providing unparalleled opportunities for knowledge sharing at the highest levels of industry and government. The event has played a major role not only in the growth of Qatar’s military capabilities but also in speeding up the growth of the country’s domestic defence industry. Agreements worth over $32bn have been signed since the inaugural edition. In the 2018 edition alone, 35 partnerships were announced, with 27 agreements signed at the event itself, the organisers said in a statement. More than 13,000 visitors and participants from 69 countries attended the sixth edition of Dimdex. The upcoming edition, which will have more than 200 companies from across the globe showcasing the latest innovations in the maritime and naval sphere, including anti-piracy systems, C5iSR systems, AI software, electronic warfare and intelligence, and autonomous systems, is expected to see the largest ever turnout of visitors. An overview of the progress Dimdex has achieved over the past editions was presented to the diplomats and other high-level delegates in attendance at the briefing session. The Dimdex Organising Committee also shared details on various aspects and attractions of the upcoming edition: the main exhibition where new and futuristic technologies will be on display, the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference, the Visiting Warships Display at Hamad Port, as well as the opportunity to network with VIPs and senior defence decision-makers comprising Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of Navies, Coastguard Commanders, and heads of defence industries who will be attending Dimdex 2022. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) officials and Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services representatives provided details of the medical preparedness plan in place for the event, including Covid-19 health and safety protocols. First-Lieutenant Abdulrahman al-Nassar talked about the travel policy and health protocol while First-Lieutenant (sea) Khalifa Asheer detailed the final preparations to welcome the guests. Details on the hospitality and services for official VIP delegations were also shared with the diplomats, along with insights on the logistics and security for visiting warships that will be hosted at Hamad Port. Dimdex 2022 visitors will get a chance to get up close with an array of warships from navies around the world. While Dimdex 2018 featured nine warships from seven countries, the organising committee expects to have 15-20 warships in the upcoming edition. The crew of the visiting warships will be welcomed to discover Doha and the activities associated with the event, including a crew sports tournament that will be held to promote camaraderie between visiting crews.    

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and hosted and organised by Qatar Armed Forces, DIMDEX 2022 will take place from 21st - 23rd of March 2022 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme ‘Connecting the World’s Maritime Defence and Security  Community.’ With more than 200 companies from nearly 20 countries participating, DIMDEX is set to showcase their products and capabilities. Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S. Al-Ansari, Chairman of DIMDEX While addressing the diplomatic briefing session on Monday, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S. Al-Ansari, Chairman of DIMDEX, said: “It is indeed an honour to receive ambassadors, defence and commercial attachés, and representatives from the military at today’s briefing. The unstinting support we received strengthens our determination to organise an edition that will be bigger and better than previous editions. We can feel the anticipation building up as we enter the last leg of preparations for DIMDEX 2022.The Organising Committee will leave nothing to chance and will work hard to ensure a smooth, safe and successful edition.” The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), which will take place on the second day of the three-day event, is one of the most popular features of DIMDEX. At the briefing, participants were provided details of the event, including the conference theme - “Resilience in the Maritime Domain – Confronting Asymmetric Threats”- and information about the keynote speakers. At the conference, a glittering panel that will include experts from academia and leading industry figures will discuss a variety of topical issues in the maritime domain and attempt to find globally applicable solutions to what is one of the most daunting challenges the domain faces - asymmetric threats. Dr. Andreas Krieg MENC Conference Director, said: “The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) is an integral part of DIMDEX 2022 and brings together a diverse group of world-leading experts in maritime security to better understand how to develop resilience in the maritime domain. As the centre of gravity for security in the Gulf, it is important that the various challenges to actors in the maritime domain are well understood and where possible mitigated. MENC 2022 will address these challenges in an effort to achieve a higher degree of resilience of critical maritime infrastructure and waterways around the Arabian Gulf and connected waterways.“  PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam DIMDEX, which has grown both in scope and size over the years since the inaugural edition in 2008, will have a larger exhibition space at DIMDEX 2022 than previous editions. In an area landscaped over 35,000 sqm at the QNCC, exhibitors will showcase their products and capabilities, in addition to networking with key decision makers from Qatar and other countries. Through successive editions, DIMDEX has earned a reputation for facilitating major commercial success and providing unparalleled opportunities for knowledge sharing at the highest levels of industry and government. The event has played a major role not only in the growth of Qatar’s military capabilities but also in speeding up the growth of the country’s domestic defence industry. Agreements worth over USD 32 billion have been signed since the inaugural edition. In the 2018 edition alone, 35 partnerships were announced, with 27 agreements signed at the event itself. Over 13,000 visitors and participants from 69 countries attended the sixth edition of DIMDEX. The upcoming edition, which will have more than 200 companies from across the globe showcasing the latest innovations in the maritime and naval sphere, including anti-piracy systems, C5iSR systems, AI software, electronic warfare and intelligence, and autonomous systems, is expected to see the largest ever turnout of visitors. An overview of the progress DIMDEX has achieved over the past editions was  presented to the diplomats and other high-level delegates in attendance at the briefing session. The DIMDEX Organising Committee also shared details on various aspects and attractions of the upcoming edition: the main exhibition where new and futuristic technologies will be on display, the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), the Visiting Warships Display at Hamad Port, as well as the opportunity to network with VIPs and senior defence decision-makers comprising Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of Navies, Coastguard Commanders, and heads of defence industries who will be attending DIMDEX 2022. Ministry of Public Health officials and Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services representatives provided details of the medical preparedness plan in place for the event, including Covid-19 health and safety protocols. Details on the hospitality and services for Official VIP delegations were also shared with the Diplomats, along with insights on the logistics and security for visiting warships that will be hosted at Hamad Port. DIMDEX 2022 visitors will get a chance to get up close with an array of warships from navies around the world. While DIMDEX 2018 featured nine warships from seven countries, the organising committee expects to have 15-20 warships in the upcoming edition. The crew of the visiting warships will be welcomed to discover Doha and the activities associated with the event, including a crew sports tournament that will be held to promote camaraderie between visiting crews.

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has hailed Qatar’s efforts to improve the employment culture saying the recent reforms have contributed to ensuring the protection of human and labour rights of migrant workers. Addressing a press conference in Doha on Sunday, general secretary of the organisation Kwasi Adu-Amakwah welcomed the reforms and said they are progressive. He is part of the ITUC Africa delegation that concluded yesterday a two-day working mission. The visit was a follow-up to the commitment that the African Workers Group made during the 2021 Africa-Arab Labour Migration Webinar Conference hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in order to continue to explore ways to build cohesion and find means to improve fair recruitment and general labour migration governance. “From the visits and interactions with workers, we are confident that the reforms are real and are being implemented, albeit with some challenges," Adu-Amakwah said. "Qatar has established several best practice initiatives such as the elimination of exit visas while giving freedom to change employers. These have led to the progressive reform of the sponsorship system. Also, it has implemented a national minimum wage payment that includes accommodation and feeding, and those who opt out of company accommodation and feeding provisions have the option of being paid in lieu,” he said, noting that the reforms have also delivered improved health and safety requirements in construction sites and anywhere the temperature exceeds a certain degree. The ITUC-Africa general secretary observed that signing of labour contracts in Qatar Visa Centres (QVC) before migrant workers’ departure to avoid discrepancies upon arrival in Qatar, and the establishment of workers’ representative councils have resulted in ensuring the rights of workers. The delegation that included 11 members from eight African countries visited several places – work and construction sites, organisations and interacted with different categories of stakeholders involved in and connected to the reform processes such as ILO officials, officials from the Ministry and Minister of Labour as well as the Qatar Human Rights Committee and the Shura Council. Adu-Amakwah said that the mission was undertaken as a way of building and enhancing social dialogue between Qatar and the African trade union movement. “It should be recalled that there is a significant and growing number of African migrants living and working in Qatar. Also, in the wake of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, migrant inflow to Qatar significantly increased,” he said and added that the union will encourage the workers who want to opt for Qatar as a workplace. The delegation also visited and interacted with migrant workers, especially those from Africa and obtained first-hand information about their working conditions. “The Afghan evacuation is a strong show of solidarity and pragmatic demonstration of Qatar’s commitment to our shared humanity,” he said. The ITUC-Africa official said there are certain challenges when it comes to implementing the reforms and said there is still room for improvement as the efforts are work in progress. ITUC president Ayuba Wabba said that certain recommendations have been given to the Qatar government and the organisation will continue to work with Qatar in order to achieve improvement in work culture. Botswana Federation of Trade Unions president Martha Molema and Secretary-General of Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Kenya, Francis Atwoli were also present.    

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet on Monday with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, who will arrive in the country on a state visit. The Amir and the Iranian President will discuss at the Amiri Diwan the relations between the two countries and the prospects for their development, in addition to a number of issues of common concern.  

Showcasing various varieties of honey and the growing richness of Qatar’s local vegetable farming, the Agricultural Products and Local Honey Exhibition started at Al Ahmad Square in Souq Waqif on Sunday. Organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Souq Waqif Management, the festival has about 70 pavilions, representing many farms and apiaries that display local agricultural products, fresh fruits and honey. Souq Waqif director Mohammed Abdullah al-Salem, in a statement to official Qatar News Agency (QNA), said that the event will serve the producer and the consumer while providing an ideal marketing experience in a tourist attraction that brings together visitors from among citizens and residents of different nationalities. “The prices of vegetables and Qatari honey are competitive," he said while pointing out that the exhibition comes in support of Qatari farm produce and also introduces local honey-producing companies. Al-Salem explained that the administration provides continuous support through such exhibitions and festivals to market their products in the Souq's squares. He also stressed that Souq Waqif administration is keen to adhere to the precautionary measures followed in the country against Covid-19. Ameen Abu Assim, a honey seller from Hadramout in Yemen, said he has brought varieties including Sidr Usaimi, Sidr Do’ani, Sumar Honey and white honey. Farm produce sellers said mushrooms, tomato and cucumber are great in demand as many opt to buy fresh vegetables from the stalls here. Also, pumpkins, beans, cabbage, brinjal, cauliflower, broccoli and capsicum are available. Some pavilions have dry dates on sale while others sell locally produced eggs. Running until March 1, the exhibition is held from 9am to 9pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and 9am to 10pm on Thursday and Friday.    

The 'Park and Ride' facility is available near four Doha Metro stations - Lusail, Education City, Al Wakra and Al Qassar, the Ministry of Transport has said. "'Park and Ride' supports the country’s public transportation network and Doha Metro services for members of the society, visitors and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 fans," the ministry said in a tweet Saturday. "The service is available at four locations near Doha Metro stations." As part of this initiative, free parking spaces are provided to passengers who can park their vehicles and avail of Metro services to reach their destinations. The project is being implemented as part of the ministry's efforts to provide high-quality transportation services and modern parking facilities that are strategically distributed across the country and accessible for everyone easily and affordably. It is aimed at encouraging vehicle owners to use the modern public transportation systems while helping them save time and cost. The project comes as part of the ministry's Public Bus Infrastructure Programme that has been envisioned to improve services on public roads and at major intersections by achieving smoother traffic flow, less congestion and less carbon emissions while providing a significant enhancement to Qatar’s public transportation network. It supports the country’s public transportation network and Doha Metro services for citizens, residents, visitors, and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 fans who can make use of public transportation to reach World Cup stadiums. The Public Bus Infrastructure Programme, implemented by the ministry in co-ordination with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), also includes the construction of bus depots. Work is under way to establish bus terminals in Lusail, Al Wakra, Education City and the Industrial Area, while one terminal was opened in Al Sudan last year.

While reiterating that Qatar's foreign policy is based on the principle of co-operation and international peace, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said that the country is committed to alleviate humanitarian and political crises through developmental aid, counter-terrorism efforts and assistance. Speaking at the Chatham House panel discussion in the UK Wednesday, he said: "2022 is the year to solve the crises and Qatar is functioning through its resources while urging for international cooperation. Recent incidents have highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the crises can be addressed only through international efforts, not unilateral ones,” he said, adding that mediation is at the core of Qatar's diplomacy and it has a sense of optimism. Asked about ties with the US and China, HE Sheikh Mohamed said that Qatar has a strong relation with both but not limited to any particular sector. “We have a long time relationship with the US in defence, energy and education sectors with a diplomatic relationship of 50 years. We have achieved progress while supporting the anti-ISIS combat. And we demonstrated partnership in the Afghanistan issue while hosting the mediation talks for about seven years and supporting the evacuation. We work in an international and multilateral environment. The US is a partner in various sectors and cooperates in solving various issues, holding nuclear talks with Iran and resolving the Israel-Palestine issue,” the minister said, noting that Qatar worked well with the Trump administration. “China is one of our largest consumers of gas. We have a strong security relationship with the US and a growing economic relationship with China," he said. “There is a better environment for talks between Iran and the US. And we are trying to understand how the gaps could be bridged. It’s in our interest to reach an agreement with Iran and GCC. We hope that we can have a positive outcome in the near future,” he explained. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said there is a positive momentum to strengthen the ties among Gulf countries after years of crisis in order to help the people get benefits noting that trade talks are to be started. GCC has a close coordination in the Afghanistan issue. A meeting was recently held in Doha to create a better understanding. "It is unfortunate that there is no Arab leadership in conflict areas in the Middle East. We need a comprehensive dialogue with the non-Arab states like Iran and Turkey. In Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine, we need to consider Arab interests," he said. In the Israel-Palestine issue, mediation is the core principle of Qatar's foreign policy. “We are taking up efforts to alleviate the suffering Palestinian people, especially in Gaza. The treatment for the issue is for Israelis to come to the table and secure a two state solution through a peace process," he said. While asked about supporting Hamas, Sheikh Mohamed explained that Qatar is supporting the people of Palestine and noted that many Arab countries do not list Hamas as a terrorist organisation as they are under occupation and Hamas is a component of Palestinian society. “We condemn all attacks on civilians,” he said. Regarding Afghanistan, he affirmed that Qatar is ensuring the fund for counter terrorism is not going to wrong hands and wants the frozen financial assets to go to the Afghan people. “We are working closely with Europe and the US. We don't want the Afghan people to suffer just because the Taliban are disliked internationally. Recapitalising the Afghan economy needs collective efforts by the international community," he said. “We want to bring the Yemeni people together and stop the crisis. We have educated 10mn children in different conflict zones. We try to teach them to carry pens as their weapons, not the traditional weapons to maintain their statuesque,” he said. With the current energy crisis, Sheikh Mohamed said Qatar is looking to expand its capacity of production while working to build a longer plan for supplies of gas to Europe. Qatar is taking environmental policies into consideration. “Qatar has been very much looking at environmental policies. The country has a leading role in reducing carbon emission. We work on generating solar energy and renewable energy plays a significant role in energy generation in Qatar,” he said. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that Qatar has helped around 50 countries to ease the adversity of Covid-19 crisis and is actively supporting Gavi, the vaccine alliance. "As we approach the 2022 World Cup, it’s a privilege to host the first World Cup in the Middle East and in an Arab country. I look forward to welcoming you all in November to cheer your teams,” he added.

Qatar has made remarkable progress in employing people with disabilities and their employment rate has reached 80% in government and private institutions. Engineer Ahmed al-Mohannadi, vice chairman of the Voluntary Committee for Employing the Disabled, told Qatar TV’s Hayatna programme on Sunday that this could be achieved through collective efforts by the ministries and other entities concerned. Al-Mohannadi, also a trainer, noted that the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour, and Qatar Olympic Committee provide training to job aspirants with disabilities before they are employed. “We are thankful that most of the ministries and private companies tend to train the persons with disabilities in order to make them fit for the job,” he said, adding that the Voluntary Committee for Employing the Disabled also supports job seekers to get training. Al-Mohannadi noted that the employment rate could be increased if more efforts are taken. Recently he interacted with the public through a Twitter Spaces session while seeking suggestions about the rights and duties and measures to support and employ people with disabilities. The suggestions and recommendations include the necessity of employing psychologists in evaluating students with disabilities before they enter schools, interest in spreading awareness about the services provided to people with disabilities and the way to obtain them and and extending the period of renewal of parking permits for permanent disabilities as long as possible.    

*Public urged to report online fraud immediately Photographing accidents by mobile phones and cameras is a crime, which is punishable according to Qatar Penal Code, an official of the Ministry of Interior has said. “In 2017, Law No. 4 of 2017 was issued amending Article 333 of the Penal Code in the State of Qatar in order to add the criminalisation of unauthorised photography through cameras and mobile phones; not only accidents, but everything that violates the sanctity of private life. The article stipulates that any violator of this law shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years and by a fine not exceeding QR 10,000,” he explained. While reiterating its advice to be cautious to online fraud, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has urged the public to report such case immediately to the authorities concerned. First Lt. Sheikh Ahmed Hamad Hasan al-Thani, awareness officer at Cyber and Financial Crimes Prevention Department, said the Cyber and Financial Crimes Prevention Department should be informed about the incident immediately through email, phone, Metrash2 or by personal presence in order to initiate search and investigation. First Lt. Sheikh Ahmed, awareness officer at Cyber and Financial Crimes Prevention Department, was addressing a webinar on Cyber and Financial Crimes , organised by the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Wednesday. He said blackmailing is a crime and it draws punishment. “Upon falling victim to blackmailing, don’t respond to the perpetrator at all, and block him from all communication channels.The Economic and Cyber Crime Combating Department must be informed directly through the available reporting channels,” he said. “The Department mainly collects inferences, investigates, probes and searches for perpetrators with the use of the latest tools, programmes and methods to track down the perpetrators and reach their real identities via the internet. The department is also responsible for monitoring all that would violate the law or security of cyberspace. The department receives complaints from the public and companies and then proceeds with its policing work in collecting inferences to find out the perpetrator,” he said. “As per the Qatar Law No. 14 of 2014 (Cybercrime Prevention Law), any act involving an unlawful use of an information technology technique, an information system or the Internet illegally, in violation of the provisions of this law is cybercrime. The penalties in Law No. 14 of 2014, the Cyber Crime Prevention Law in the country vary according to the offence, ranging from six months to five years imprisonment and fines ranging from QR 10,000 to 500,000,” he explained. The officer also urged the public to be careful while using credit cards and protect cards and email. Sharing tips to protect credit/debit cards, First Lt. Sheikh Ahmed said: “Personal information should not be disclosed by email, such as name and credit card number. Non-disclosure of the credit card PIN to anyone, regardless of his level of importance. Always try to memorise the card’s PIN and avoid writing it. If the payment is made in a restaurant or anywhere, you must ask the staff there to bring the mobile payment device and should not give him the card and the password. Make sure to use safe and trusted sites when using the card, and do not purchase from fake or unknown sites. The bank must be directly informed in case of discovering any fraud and theft, and then a complaint should be filed at the Economic and Electronic Crime Prevention Department.” Regarding email, he urged the public to perform a two-step verification process to secure email access. Additional security measures should be set up in the email, such as a phone number and a backup email. Don’t open links from un-trusted sources. Use updated security tools on computers, such as anti-virus programmes and firewalls. Don’t open suspicious or anonymous attachments. Personal information should not be disclosed by email, such as name and credit card number, date of birth and address,” he said. He advised parents to block inappropriate websites for children and said phones or computers should not be left with children unattended. “All latest phones come with Kids Mode, where most harmful content is automatically blocked for children. Parental control applications can be used to filter harmful content in children's phones,” he said.

Katara- the Cultural Village hosted a slew of sporting and recreational activities on the occasion of National Sport Day on Tuesday. People of different ages and walks of life participated in the activities, which were organised by Katara with the aim of promoting awareness of the importance of practising sports, raising the level of fitness and capabilities, spreading its culture among all members of the society, and consolidating it as a way of life. With three areas allocated for various sports and games, Katara drew members of the public to its beach, southern area and Katara Hills where hundreds spent hours while engaging in physical activities from 8am to 4pm. The beach witnessed some volleyball action and water sports as participants showcased their skills. The Qatar Basketball Federation set up exclusive play areas in the southern area of Katara while karate, cycling and various other games were hosted at different spots. The Katara Hills area was dedicated to marathons, walking, aerobics and fitness classes. The kids' play area saw the joyous participation of children who enjoyed the games there. Some of them also tried their hand at kite flying. Families, both Qataris and residents, had a good time at Katara. "Indeed, the day has been made great with Katara welcoming all. We had a good time here and all facilities, including different kinds of public amenities and refreshments, were arranged for families,” a visitor told Gulf Times. Some of the participating companies gifted children toys and games equipment. People with special needs also had their share of sports classes, where they participated in a basketball match from their wheelchairs. An official press statement by Katara noted that the activities were carried out with the participation of 30 entities, including ministries, sports organisations, clubs, health institutions and private companies. Katara general manager Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti noted that Qatar’s vision is successful in raising awareness of the importance of practising sports for the health of the individual and society. He added that Katara has worked since the issuance of the Amiri decree in 2011 to approve National Sport Day to support the country’s efforts to spread the culture of sports throughout the year with various activities, tournaments and local and international sports events in co-operation with a large number of ministries health and sports centers in the country. He noted that Katara provides a suitable space for practising sports for various members of the community due to the diversity of its facilities and the availability of various services. He thanked all the entities that chose Katara to hold their activities for the public, saying this confirms the great confidence that Katara enjoys as a destination not only for tourism and culture in the country, but also for sports. Abdul Rahman al-Tamimi, chairman of the Organising Committee for Katara Activities on Sport Day, said Katara offered a variety of sports and awareness activities and events this year while covering different segments of society, from the young to the old.    

Syrian opposition forces have called for renewed efforts to wage a united struggle against the Bashar al-Assad regime and help realise the aspirations of the long-suffering Syrian people. The two-day ‘Whither Syria’ conference that started at Hotel Sheraton Doha Saturday, assessed the current Syrian situation and discussed the need to create new mechanisms to resolve the crisis. Salem al-Meslet, President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, addressing the conference Attended by politicians, academics and experts, the conference, on the first day, discussed improving the performance of the opposition coalition and bringing in the political transition process. While addressing the opening session, Dr Riyad Hijab, former Prime Minister of Syria and General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee, said that there was a need to ensure that Syrians obtained all their legitimate rights and got rid of the repressive regime. Dignitaries attending 'Whither Syria' “Despite the grim situation in Syria today, we are more determined than ever to fulfill our people's demands, strengthen our national identity, achieve a political transition free of Assad regime and to unify our efforts to hold all perpetrators accountable while ensuring that they do not go unpunished,” he said and thanked Qatar for its firm principled positions and its support for international efforts to implement UN resolutions, for its call to hold those who committed violations against the Syrian people accountable and for hosting this symposium. First session of 'Whither Syria' is attended by politicians and academics Hijab emphasised his insistence on reaching a political solution and a complete transitional process in which Assad and his regime have no place, stressing that the regime's claim of victory is incorrect. The Syrian opposition requires to assume full responsibility and set national interest as its priority to launch a new episode in the battle in which Syrians will be given all their rights. Claiming that Bashar al-Assad has won against the Syrian people is far from reality, Hijab said his regime suffers heavy losses at all levels. “Syria has declined to the lowest levels of corruption, poverty, and unemployment in the world and Assad's exhausted allies fight a desperate battle to naturalise a regime that has lost its legitimacy,” he noted. Salem al-Meslet, President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, presided over the first session on ‘Shifts of National and International Stances’. The symposium includes eight dialogue sessions, focusing on evaluating the current Syrian scene, anticipating challenges and expected scenarios and proposing mechanisms to deal with them, in addition to adopting recommendations that contribute to providing a comprehensive vision of the Syrian opposition’s work, to get out of the political, humanitarian and economic crises that Syrians suffer from.

More than 5.72mn transactions were completed through the Metrash2 application in 2021, it was revealed at a webinar organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Tuesday. Residency renewal, according to figures provided by the MoI, was the most-used service on Metrash2 followed by traffic violation payment and adding/updating the National Address. Also, Metrash2 recorded transactions for vehicle renewal, vehicle ownership transfer and visa extension. The total number of transactions stood at 5,722,569 in 2021, the webinar was told. Addressing a webinar on "E-Services of the Ministry of Interior", First-Lieutenant Ali al-Eidrous from the General Directorate of Information Systems explained that Metrash2 has 2,087,529 active users. “In six languages, Metrash2 ensures secure and encrypted services while supporting multiple platforms with different screens. Metrash2 features more than 250 services for Qatari nationals, expatriates and companies,” he said, adding that it completes transactions while helping users save time and effort on a 24x7 basis. First-Lieutenant al-Eidrous explained various services offered through the app and said Metrash2 fixes issues automatically and gives notifications to users regularly. “The MoI has introduced the zero click concept for companies while enabling them to complete various transactions. A company is required only to register in the Automatic Residency Renewal section through Metrash2 and every month the service will renew the residency of employees automatically and send IDs to the company location without human intervention,” he said. He noted that Metrash2 is more than a profile and the Smart Dashboard facility features everything about the user on the screen. First-Lieutenant al-Eidrous noted that the E-Wallet service eases many proceedings as it can produce digital copies of key documents to avail of MoI services. The E-Wallet contains digital copies of important documents that people can produce while availing of different MoI services or if asked for by security or traffic patrols. It consists of official documents, including the Qatar ID card (residence permit), driving licence, vehicle registration and ownership of fancy/significant number. The public can use the E-Wallet while approaching various departments and sections of the MoI to avail of their services. The webinar also informed that the 2021 figure for Metrash2 transactions - 5,722,569 - marked a drop of 18.78 % compared to 2020, when 7,046,227 transactions were completed. The webinar attendees included HR and Admin officers, PROs and government relations officers of public and private companies, establishments and organisations.

Urging violators to utilise the grace period for correcting their residency status, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has said there is no room for apprehension while approaching the authorities for this purpose. Capt Kamal Tahir al-Tayri from the Search and Follow Up Department said the violator will not be arrested while approaching the service centres or the Search and Follow Up Department. “We reiterate that there will be no legal consequence or action against those who avail of the grace period,” he said. _______________________________________ Read also: Make use of grace period to legalise residency status: MoI ________________________________________ Capt al-Tayiri urged expatriate leaders to encourage their community members to avail of the scheme. He urged the violators to utilise the grace period for correcting their status as early as possible before the deadline. “We need time to clear the proceedings before letting the violators leave the country. It’s very important to avoid delays in their transactions due to the possibility of some restrictions imposed against them without their knowledge that may prevent their travel, so that they can settle it and leave without hindrance within the prescribed period. So, we urge all not to wait till the deadline,” he said, while urging the residency law violators to benefit from the advantages granted during the period and co-operate with the competent authorities in implementing the prescribed legal procedures and not to delay or procrastinate in completing the procedures in advance.