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Al Jazeera 360 platform launches its new Ramadan package under the slogan "Ramadan Ghair", providing integrated digital content that keeps pace with the aspirations of the audience, and includes exclusive programmes, documentaries, and dramas, which will be shown throughout the holy month of Ramadan.The package includes more than 500 broadcast hours, including 20 diverse programmes between documentaries, historical series, and dramas, in addition to new formats that are being shown for the first time within the content of the Al Jazeera Network.In the context of enhancing original production, Al Jazeera 360 offers a group of exclusive shows, in addition to the platform's first drama series, "Al Mahta". The platform also continues to show its distinguished programmes, such as: "Kahwet Al Nawawi".In a new step to enhance digital content, the platform has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for the digital version of the "Omran" programme, which documents unprecedented scenes and stories from Sudan.Al Jazeera 360 has also concluded strategic partnerships with Qatar TV and the TOD platform, to exchange joint broadcasts of a cluster of distinguished dramas and programmes.The platform offers its audience for the first time a distinguished package of family and social programmes, dramas and historical series, including: "Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal".The productions vary to include social, religious, political, entertainment, historical, and comedic aspects, in addition to a group of distinguished documentaries, including: "Fasting in Religions", "Victorian Muslims", "Voice of the Soul".The famous programme "Sharia and Life in Ramadan" also tops the list of Al Jazeera Channel programmes, in addition to the productions of the digital newsroom, such as: "From Jerusalem", "Islamic Landmarks", "Ramadan from Gaza", "Ramadan from Syria", and "Profile".As part of providing a spiritual experience during the holy month, Al Jazeera 360 broadcasts the Isha and Tarawih prayers live from Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and the Gaza Strip.Al Jazeera 360 confirms its position as a leading destination for digital content during Ramadan, through quality productions and strategic partnerships that enhance the quality and enrichment of the content provided to the public.

The Brennan family arrived in Qatar in 1990, bringing with them a passion for education that would leave a lasting impact on the country’s academic landscape. Driven by her dedication to teaching and learning, Heather Brennan founded Park House English School with just 27 students in a 14-room villa. Over the next two decades, her commitment transformed Park House into a thriving institution that now serves over 1,500 students from 67 nationalities.In an interview with Gulf Times, Heather Brennan and her son, Niall Brennan, shared insights into their remarkable educational journey.Niall joined Park House English School in 2008 and became Chief Executive in 2011.Niall secured and co-led the exit from Park House in 2016. In 2019, he founded Artemis Education, a dedicated school operator, which quickly expanded its footprint. By 2020, Artemis had established operations across multiple countries in Europe and the Middle East.As the CEO of Artemis Education, Niall continues to uphold the family’s educational legacy. He said: “We were born in Qatar, for Qatar. Artemis Education operates three schools here. While our instruction is in English, we have a deep-rooted understanding of Qatar’s unique educational needs. What sets us apart from other international school operators is our holistic approach to education. It’s not just about school hours from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM—we extend learning from 6am to 6 or even 8pm. We provide a complete education for the whole child.”Discussing Qatar’s evolving education sector, Niall added: “As the country grows and the Qatari population expands, there is an increasing demand for high-quality international education. We are meeting this demand by opening new schools—starting with one, and now operating three.”On the subject of innovation, Niall highlighted Artemis Education’s forward-thinking approach: “Education is increasingly intertwined with AI technology, robotics, and digital learning. However, at its core, education remains about human interaction—students learning from professional teachers in a secure environment. While we integrate cutting-edge advancements like maker spaces, virtual reality, and augmented reality, our foundation is rooted in traditional, high-quality education. We continuously future-proof our schools to stay ahead of industry changes.”Regarding Artemis Education’s expansion plans, he revealed: “We are growing in Europe and the GCC. This September, we will launch in Portugal, followed by Muscat, Oman, next year. In Qatar, we aim to open two additional schools within the next six to nine months, focusing on improving education quality while making it more accessible.”Striking a balance between academic excellence and holistic development is a priority for Artemis Education. “You have to set clear expectations from the outset,” Niall explained. “Every person in the organisation — staff, parents, and students — must be aligned with this vision. It requires an immense, daily commitment. We are responsible for children’s futures, and we take that responsibility very seriously.”Heather Brennan, a visionary educator, reflected on her early days in Qatar. “I arrived as a teacher looking for a job and was delighted to quickly secure a position at Doha College in 1990.” She opened Park House English School with just 27 students in a 14-room villa.Recalling her educational journey, she shared, “It was a privilege and a joy every single day. We started with 27 students, and as demand grew, we had to expand. Eventually, the government required schools to move into purpose-built facilities. Designing and constructing our own school was another milestone. We moved into a state-of-the-art building, designed by renowned Italian architect Domingo Nigri, in just ten months. We started with 500 students, and each year, we enhanced the school’s facilities and staff. It was an incredible journey.”Discussing Qatar’s evolving educational landscape, Heather remarked, “Doha expanded rapidly, and new schools emerged. Children educated here are incredibly fortunate, as most schools maintain high standards.” She praised Qatar’s achievements in the education sector, stating, “The biggest milestones include Education City, the expansion of Qatar University, and the improved facilities available to students. Qatar has excelled in education, alongside its progress in many other sectors.”Sharing her philosophy on teaching, Heather emphasized, “I always wanted every child in my class to reach their full potential. This requires strong communication between teachers, students, and parents. Education is a three-way partnership. When all three work together, the child is sure to succeed. That is the key to progress.”The Brennan family’s impact on education in Qatar continues through Artemis Education, ensuring future generations receive innovative, high-quality learning experiences tailored to the country’s evolving needs.

Qatar-based TV channel Alaraby 2 has announced its programming schedule for the holy month of Ramadan this year, featuring five series and four shows, including the live daily programme “Fi Dhilal Alyasamine” which will be broadcast every night from the Syrian capital, Damascus.Building on the success of last year’s Ramadan lineup, the channel will continue airing new seasons of two exclusive series that debuted last Ramadan. This includes the exclusive premiere of the second season of the comedy series “Ma Ekhtalafna” featuring a diverse cast from across the Arab world, and the exclusive second season of the Palestinian drama “Nazeef Alturab”.The channel also announced three additional series: the Egyptian drama “Al-Noss” and, for the third consecutive year, a Yemeni series, “Al-Jamaliya”.The channel will present four new shows, three of which will air before Iftar including “Min Falasteen”; a documentary series that captures the essence of Palestinian heritage in all its facets, “Alemara Alislamiya”; a visual exploration of the beauty of Islamic architectural styles throughout history, and “Sirr alwasfa”; where Chef Lubna Alabed shares unique recipes, revealing the secrets behind mastering them.For evening entertainment, “Fi Dhilal Alyasamine” will air live from Damascus for the first time. The programme aims to create a rich dialogue space, bringing together intellectuals, artists, and changemakers from Syria to discuss cultural, artistic, and social issues.Al Araby 2’s Executive Director, Elias Khoury, emphasised that this year’s Ramadan programming is a continuation of past successes. Regarding the series lineup, Khoury said: "We carefully select our shows, and their success is expected due to the dedicated efforts of our acquisition team, led by Joseph Alhusseini, after months of preparation. The return of ‘Ma Ekhtalafna’ and ‘Nazeef Alturab’ for new seasons is a natural result of their success last year. This motivated us to be even more selective with this year's offerings, ensuring high-quality productions that balance drama and comedy with depth and sophistication, avoiding superficiality and triviality."Al Araby 2’s Ramadan programming will run from 6pm to midnight Jerusalem time, with replays available the following day and select shows accessible via the Al Araby+ app.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC) hosted the book signing ceremony of Lover of Words, authored by media professional Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik, which deals with the life and times of the late Qatari writer and poet Jassem Safar.The event was held in the presence of family members of the late writer and a group of writers and media professionals who have interacted with Safar through his illustrious career. The ceremony began with a speech by Prof Abdullah bin Hayi al-Sulaiti, who welcomed the writer Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik, and the attendees. Prof al-Sulaiti paid glowing tributes to the late Jassem Safar who was a prominent figure in the cultural and artistic scene with a prolific contribution in the form of songs, plays and newspaper articles. He also lauded the outstanding effort made by Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik in writing the book that documents the biography of the late writer, which took about a year. Al-Sulaiti discussed the contributions of Safar in the national football song, the most famous of which may be Hail My Team, which is still played in the stadiums with every participation of the national football team.Media professional Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik said through this book he sought to do justice to the works of Jassim Safar, who did not receive his due in terms of media exposure, despite his rich contributions.He pointed to the difficulties he faced in collecting information and data about the writer, due to the weakness of archiving, explaining that he relied on the family of the deceased and his personal documents to portray the human side of him.This is in addition to the records of Qatar Radio, to document his works, especially in the field of song and theatre.The book also included chapters on the human and social side of Jassim Safar, supported by pictures and documents, the most important of which was a book titled Shudharat (Arabic for pieces of gold mined from metal without melting the stones), which was not published, written by Safar and was dedicated to his wife.Dr Abdulmalik said: The idea of preparing this book began to mature two months after the author’s death, as I contacted his family, who welcomed the idea and gave me a lot of their time to document the life of Jassim Safar — the father, husband and the human being.It was important for me to inform the reader about the human side of the Safar’s personality. For example, what were his writing rituals? What made him angry? How did he express his love and affection for near and dear ones? What kind of a father he was? And why was he a mysterious person?! And many such aspects that were not known to those who knew Jassim Safar as the writer and poet. I also gained the family’s trust, so I obtained many rare photos of him, as well as some of his manuscripts that I was keen to publish.Dr Abdulmalik added: It required me to communicate with Qatar Radio, which ironed out all difficulties for me, by sharing the national songs written by the deceased, and talking with the people who composed the music, and the singers to talk about these contributions that were established in the national and Gulf memory.I also wanted in this book to inform the reader that Safar was less of a journalist, but rather a playwright, and a writer of series, as he had many contributions in these fields, in addition to the fact that he had wonderful contributions in writing for the Arabic UAE newspaper Al-Ittihad, and for Arabic Zahrat Al-Khaleej magazine.Dr Abdulmalik concluded his speech by announcing his presentation of an initiative by the Ministry of Culture titled ‘Faces in Memory’ to immortalise Qatari creators in several fields; Artistic, cultural and football, because it is important to document these icons and immortalise their creativity; to be a legacy for future generations.

The Arabic Book Award announced the opening of nominations for its third session, starting from February 23 – through the award’s official website – until May 23. The Arabic Book Award, which has its headquarters in Doha, is an annual award launched by Qatar, and aims to honour researchers, publishing houses, and institutions contributing to the Arabic book industry.The announcement of opening nominations came during a press conference held by Dr Abdul Wahid al-Ilmi, Academic Director of the Arabic Book Award and Dr Al-Siddiq Omar, Adviser to the Award, at the Qatar Press Center (QPC), in the presence of officials from the QPC and a group of media professionals and intellectuals.Dr Al-Siddiq Omar said that the award is making steady progress, and despite its recent launch, it has received distinguished participation during the past two seasons, both from academics inside and outside Qatar.He pointed out that the award seeks to gain a greater reputation, expand in the Arab world, and be present in various Arab cultural forums, appreciating the successes it has achieved so far.Dr Abdul Wahid al-Ilmi explained that this year’s award will include several categories, namely: literary and critical studies of Arab heritage until the end of the 10th century AH, social and philosophical studies.This session is dedicated to intellectual studies, economic studies, historical studies, Arab and Islamic history from the end of the sixth century AH to the end of the 12th century. As well as Shariah sciences and Islamic studies, the Prophet’s biography and Hadith studies.Al-Ilmi pointed out that the award includes two categories: the single book category and the achievement category, where nominations can be made in either category, provided that the work comes under one of the scientific specialisations indicated by the award this year. To be nominated for the award, the book must be written in Arabic, its subject must be in one of the award’s specified fields, the book must have been published in print and have an ISBN during the last four years.The book must not be less than 30,000 words, the author must adhere to scientific procedures in terms of methodology and documentation. The book must constitute a qualitative addition to Arab culture, and the author must be alive when nominated for the award.The candidate must adhere to intellectual property laws, and submit supporting files and documents attached to the nomination form via the award’s website.

The Ministry of Culture organised a seminar titled "Islam: A Way of Life and an Integrated Culture" Sunday evening, as part of the fourth edition of the seminar season. The seminar was held in the presence of HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture, and a large gathering of intellectuals and the public. The Kuwaiti preacher Dr Othman al Khamis spoke during the seminar, which was moderated by preacher Dr Youssef Asheer.The seminar shed light on the foundations and rules for building our lives according to an integrated approach and culture that affects various aspects of human life. It also addressed moral and social values in Islam. Islam and science and the encouragement of civilizational contribution, the role of Islam in shaping cultural identity, the impact of Islamic teachings in building societies.The preacher, Dr Othman al-Khamis, stressed that the true renaissance of the Muslim nation will only be achieved through adherence to Islamic knowledge. Emphasising that Islam has given great attention to education since its inception, as the mosque was the first school from which the Companions acquired religious and worldly knowledge. He explained that the crisis that the nation is experiencing today is due to the decline in the status of knowledge and scholars, and the spread of intellectual chaos as a result of moving away from the correct understanding of Islamic texts.Dr Al-Khamis focused on the importance of Islamic knowledge in the renaissance of nations. Indicating that the Muslim nation was not in the forefront except when scholars dominated the scene and knowledge became a basic driver of life. He quoted the eras of Islamic prosperity that were full of scholars in various fields, from jurisprudence and interpretation to medicine, astronomy and engineering. In response to some voices accusing scholars of living in isolation from reality, Dr Othman al-Khamis stressed that this view is unrealistic and incorrect, and that true scholars understand reality more than is thought, and are able to provide solutions based on solid Islamic foundations.He explained that a deep understanding of reality is an integral part of Islamic knowledge. He added: Scholars throughout history were not just transmitters of texts, but rather they were people of ijtihad and jurisprudence. They were teaching people and interpreting the rulings of Sharia to them in a manner consistent with the developments in their lives. He quoted the biography of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, who faced the temptation of the creation of the Qur’an with a deep understanding of the political and social context of his time, as well as Ibn Taymiyyah, who was alert in confronting the issues of his time. Contrary to what some promote that religion was a stumbling block to scientific progress, Dr Al-Khamis stressed that Islamic civilization at the height of its prosperity was based on science and knowledge.As the great schools were established in Baghdad, Cordoba, Damascus and Cairo, and scholars such as Ibn Sina, Al-Razi and Ibn Al-Haytham emerged, and contributed to various sciences from medicine to astronomy and mathematics. There was no conflict between religion and science, as happened in Europe during the Middle Ages, but rather science was an extension of the correct understanding of religion, as the revelation began with the word “read”. This confirms that any accusation that Islam is hostile to knowledge is a misreading of history and civilization.At the end of his lecture, Dr Othman al-Khamis addressed a message to students of knowledge, calling on them to bear the responsibility of spreading correct knowledge and correcting the misconceptions that are prevalent in society. Stressing that knowledge is the most powerful weapon in confronting the intellectual and cultural challenges facing the Muslim nation today.

A three day conference orgnaised by the Strategic Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies on “defence Strategies of Small States and Smaller Forces: Tactical Adaptations and Operational Innovations,” kicked off Sunday.Participants in the conference, including leading researchers and experts from 28 countries around the world, will discuss the vast range of security challenges and responses available to small states and non-state actors in 30 small states across ten sessions. Drawing from numerous comparative and regional case-studies – from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia, including the Gulf and the wider Middle East region – participants will analyse the evolving nature of defence practices in small states and the innovative ways they employ to confront emerging security threats.Omar Ashour, Director of the Strategic Studies Unit, in his opening speech, welcomed the participating researchers and attendees. He noted the relativity of the concept of small and smaller, making it subject to the size of the other party in a confrontation. The idea of the conference came to fill some of the knowledge gaps in the literature on the subject. Including definitions, as the literature on the subject is still limited compared to the literature on the economies of countries and their international relations. Ashour then explained the three main objectives of the conference: First, to provide multi-level analyses - from tactical innovations to strategic transformations in the seven fields of war (land, sea, air, space, information-intelligence, cyber, and electro-magnetism). Linking field experiences on the front lines on the one hand, and academic discussions on the other. Second, to provide comparative lessons from the experiences of regular armies of small (or smaller) states and irregular non-state powers. Demonstrating how similar challenges – such as limited manpower, economic resources, or geopolitical influence – produce diverse and sometimes surprising strategic adaptations, as well as operational and tactical innovations. Third, to explore how these lessons and perspectives can inform the strategic defence policy agenda and contribute to national, regional, and international security. Abdelwahab El-Affendi chaired the keynote panel, in which Anthony King, Professor of War Studies and Director of the Strategy and Security Institute at the University of Exeter, delivered a lecture on “Small States in Modern Wars: The Roles of Urban Warfare and Artificial Intelligence in Strategic defence”. King argued that, as Ukraine has showed, even a relatively small military power may be very capable of defending itself, if it harnesses the defensive potential of urban areas, enabled by AI. Omar Ashour, who is also Professor of Security and Military Studies and the Founder of the Critical Security Studies Programme at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, followed with his lecture, “Hybrid Defence for Small(er) States: Lessons in Combat Effectiveness from Ukraine to Gaza”, offering strategic insights into the evolving character of contemporary warfare and its implications for defence policies and national security strategies.The lectures were followed by the first panel, “Strategic Endurance: Gaza and Modern Warfare Lessons”, a panel on “The Role of Women in Small(er) State defences”, the third panel, “Securing the Gulf: Multi-Domain Adaptions and Innovations”.

The students who won the writing competition of the 'Qatar Writes' initiative were honoured at the Qatar National Library for the second year in a row, with the support of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding (SHATIU). Dr Hanan al Fayyadh, the official spokesperson for the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, and the novelist Abdulaziz al Mahmoud, honoured the winners.The ceremony witnessed the honouring of the winning students and the supervisors of the winning research papers.Dr Hanan Al Fayyadh said that the award’s support for this initiative is not a passing support, but rather reflects the award’s deep belief in the role of writing in promoting cultural understanding and communication between peoples.Dr Al Fayyadh explained, during her speech at the event, that the award is interested in translation as a basic means of transferring knowledge between civilizations, and realizes that writing is the foundation upon which translation is built. As it is impossible to care about translation without caring for the original texts created by writers in their different languages.Dr Al Fayyadh added that writing and translation together constitute two basic pillars in building bridges between cultures and expanding the horizons of human knowledge. Noting that “societies that write are societies that read, and they are the ones that lead the scene of thought, culture and awareness.”She stressed that writing is not a luxury or a marginal activity, but rather a responsibility towards oneself, society and future generations. Also the “Qatar Writes” Initiative is not just a cultural event, but an invitation to everyone who has a passion for writing, and to everyone who believes that the word is a tool for change, influence and creativity.Laila Mohammed, founder of the "Qatar Writes" initiative, commended the support of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding for the initiative, which aims to enrich the cultural scene, especially among young writers, who have accomplished distinctive creative works.

The Saudi Cultural Week concluded on Friday evening at Darb Al Saai. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with its Saudi counterpart from Feb 18 to 21. The event included a handicrafts pavilion, which witnessed the participation of an elite group of skilled craftsmen. They presented arts that have been passed down through generations, such as the manufacture of prayer beads, which requires precision and mastery that reflect the Saudi people’s connection to the craft as part of their cultural identity. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore unique wooden crafts that embody traditional crafts with a contemporary spirit, reflecting the continuity of the cultural heritage that has evolved over time. The Saudi Cultural Week was not limited to craft shows only, but rather offered an integrated experience that combines art, music, and traditional costumes, to present a vibrant image of Saudi culture. Through interactive events, the public was able to learn very closely about the customs and traditions that form part of the Saudi social fabric, which enhanced the cultural exchange between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The Music Authority participated in events which introduced Saudi music and spread it regionally and globally. They also organised a pavilion that showcased the most prominent heritage musical instruments from which Saudi music was composed. In addition there were introductions on large screens for the most prominent initiatives and events organised by the Authority. There were also a number of interactive screens for the visual and audio outputs of the “Saudi Ways Meet the World” and “Memory of Saudi Music” initiatives. The Culinary Arts Authority presented a live cooking experience in the Chefs’ Corner with the participation of a group of Saudi chefs who presented the most prominent Saudi dishes and food items. In addition the Coffee Expert Tent highlighted the taste of authentic coffee hospitality with best quality dates. The Beverages Corner also offered various types of hot and cold drinks that gave visitors a taste of the Saudi culinary arts.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC), in cooperation with the Encyclopedia of Palestinian Camps, launched the website of the Encyclopedia of Palestinian Camps, which is the largest electronic reference documenting the history of Palestinian asylum and the lives of Palestinians in the camps. The long years of suffering, challenges, and legendary steadfastness, the insistence on preserving the national identity, and the certainty of returning to the homeland one day. The encyclopedia is a living record that tells the story of a people who were destined to live in camps inside or in diaspora abroad, without giving up their right to return to their homeland no matter how long it takes, and it monitors the transformations within those societies that arose in harsh conditions, and it remains a symbol of the Palestinian struggle.The encyclopedia represents the fruit of tireless efforts in which an elite group of researchers, historians, and those interested in Palestinian affairs participated. They sought to document history, far from any distortion or obliteration of facts. Its launch comes at a time when the Palestinian narrative is being subjected to attempts of falsification and obliteration, and escalating calls for displacement. So, the encyclopedia constitutes an important tributary in preserving the truth and transmitting it to future generations.Abdullah bin Hayi al-Sulaiti, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, welcomed hosting the launch of the Encyclopedia of Palestinian Camps, stressing that the encyclopedia is a document for the Palestinian people. It supports the legitimate Palestinian cause, and is a reference for researchers, interested parties, and journalists to monitor the reality of the Palestinian camps and the suffering of our Palestinian brothers. He expressed his appreciation for the great efforts made by the members of the encyclopedia team for this achievement and to make it prominent in front of the whole world.Ruba Al-Atrash, Director of the Encyclopedia of Palestinian Camps, confirmed that the Encyclopedia of Camps is a window into the memory of the diaspora and the history of the struggle. She said: “The encyclopedia is one of the cultural and historical references that document the issues of Palestinian refugees and their stories that span decades. As each chapter of the encyclopedia highlights the misery of a people who suffered displacement, but did not forget their land and identity. She added that the encyclopedia reflects daily life in the Palestinian camps, where memory meets history to tell the story of a people who did not surrender to the pain of asylum, but continued to resist and survive.She highlighted that through this encyclopedia, the stories of the cities and villages from which the Palestinians were forcibly displaced are recalled. As well as the names of places and the unforgettable moments, to reflect in all its details the steadfastness and sacrifices of the refugees. She stressed that the encyclopedia is considered a living record of what happened and tells about the development of the Palestinian camps in the lands where the refugees settled, whether in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan or Syria.She explained that the Palestinian camps are not just a historical archive, but rather a source of inspiration for new generations. Noting that they contribute to preserving the Palestinian identity by spreading cultural and historical awareness about the origins of these camps and the reality of life in them.She noted that the encyclopedia reflects the Palestinians' insistence on preserving their culture, heritage and history in the face of attempts at liquidation and neglect. Through the details it contains about life in the camps, as well as about the heroes who were martyred to sacrifice for Palestine. The encyclopedia is the cornerstone in telling the story of an entire people. She pointed out that the encyclopedia is distinguished today as an important reference point for researchers and those interested in Palestinian affairs, as it provides accurate and reliable information about the camps and their history, and monitors the social and political developments they have witnessed since their establishment until today. She emphasized that the encyclopedia contributes at the same time to documenting the issue of Palestinian refugees at the local and international levels, which contributes to keeping the issue of return and Palestinian rights alive in their memory.

The 'Hour and Hour' program, in cooperation with the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), organised the second edition of the 'We Meet for Awareness' event, as part of the celebration of World Cancer Day and in conjunction with the Qatar National Sports Day (QNSD), with the aim of raising community awareness about cancer and encouraging the culture of early detection. As well as emphasising the role of sports in promoting public health and disease prevention.The event was opened with a welcoming address by HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QCS, in which he stressed the keenness of the QCS to participate in the 'We Meet for Awareness' event for the second year in a row, which we consider an important step in enhancing community awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection.QCS believes in the importance of effective partnerships with various institutions and entities to achieve our awareness message and enhance cancer prevention with the participation of all sections of society. We commend the awareness efforts made by the 'Hour and Hour' program in spreading awareness and promoting the culture of early screening, as awareness is our key to overcoming this disease. HE Sheikh Dr Khalid added, “We believe that science and sports are two important factors in confronting this disease, and the event showed how sports can be a means of strengthening the body and improving public health. In addition, we at the QCS are keen to support cancer patients and survivors, and we consider them a living model of hope and challenge.”The 'Hour and Hour' program, in cooperation with the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), organised the second edition of the 'We Meet for Awareness' event, as part of the celebration of World Cancer Day and in conjunction with the Qatar National Sports Day (QNSD), with the aim of raising... pic.twitter.com/B8aNw43Ag5— Gulf Times (@GulfTimes_QATAR) February 19, 2025Tamani al Yafei, CEO of the 'Hour and Hour' program, said that she was keen, by organising this event, to create a space for hope, celebrate success stories, and highlight scientific and technological efforts in combating the disease. She pointed out that the participation of an elite group of specialists, innovators, athletes, and survivors whose stories and messages embody the meanings of strength and resilience in the event, increased its richness and impact on the attendees.Al-Yafei explained that the event received international participation through some embassies that attended and presented important messages of steadfastness and awareness. She stressed that 'Window of Hope' succeeded in achieving its awareness message, while emphasising the continuation of efforts to enhance the culture of early detection and prevention, and support patients and their families. She also thanked and expressed her appreciation to the Westin Doha Hotel for hosting the event and for granting the 'Hour and Hour' program the space in which the event was organised.The event included many activities, most notably a documentary about the talents of cancer survivors, which reviewed inspiring success stories of creators in the fields of art, music, sports, and crafts. In addition to a discussion session titled 'We meet to raise awareness', moderated by journalist Sheikha al-Mannai, in which Nour Makkia - Health Educator at the QCS, Dr Muhammad Osama al-Homsi - 'Health Educator' at Hamad Medical Corporation, and Suad Walid al-Humaidi - Sports Affairs Researcher at the Women's Police Institute participated. The discussion shed light on the different types of cancer, the importance of early detection, and the latest medical treatments, in addition to the role of technology in spreading health awareness. The importance of sports for cancer patients was also discussed.The event also saw on stage, students from Qatar Academy Al Khor who presented an innovative theatrical scene titled 'Sports is a Way of Life'. In addition to a plastic arts exhibition, which displayed inspiring paintings about cancer, an Arabic calligraphy exhibition, a handicrafts exhibition, an interactive corner: where visitors wrote messages of support for cancer patients. The Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum also provided a special corner for sports memorabilia. A health awareness corner with the participation of the Qatar Cancer Society, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the Primary Health Care Corporation, to provide free health consultations. The program also included a cultural competition “Think and Answer” presented by social media influencers Khalifa al-Haroun and Salman, with the aim of promoting health awareness in an interactive manner, with incentive prizes distributed to participants.HE Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, honoured the participating news outlets before the conclusion of the event.

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), in collaboration with the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN), held Tuesday the opening session of the International conference “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Peacemaking in a Destabilised World” in Doha.In his opening address Prof Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Naimi, the Chairman of DICID said: “The name of the Islamic religion stems from peace, and it is a religion of love, brotherhood, and mercy. In our consultations to choose the topic of this conference, we were keen to include two words in its title (building peace and a conflicting world) because in reality, in our world today, they have become the utmost aspirations of the faithful, and the harshest things that disturb their sleep and sadden them, but at the same time, they will not extinguish the ray of hope in their hearts so that they may work with co-operation and determination to return this world to its senses and warn it of the consequences of its insistence and stubbornness; if these conflicts that surround it from every side continue like a bracelet surrounds the wrist.”Al-Naimi added: “From this standpoint comes the importance of this conference; to confirm through it that religious values and teachings are the only guarantee to confront the conflicts witnessed by many countries, especially (in the Middle East), and cause crises at all levels. The day that a person adheres to the values and principles of his religion, it will certainly be the first line of defence against the evil tendencies of his soul to conflict with others, and the motivator and caller for love, peace and coexistence with others.”He highlighted that "the quest to open horizons for dialogue to build true peace between individuals and societies has been - and still is - one of - indeed the most important - pillars on which our mission at the DICID is based. Through many years and numerous projects of co-operation with religious leaders, global dialogue centres, scholars, thinkers and opinion leaders, we have strived to build bridges of convergence and joint work between all parties for dialogue and discussion about the challenges that prevent coexistence and peaceful coexistence between followers of religions and cultures.”Al-Naimi went on to say: “No-one disagrees on the importance of the role of religious institutions and religious leaders in launching and leading peace-building efforts, especially in times of conflict and war; they are the most worthy of being mediators for calm by creating an appropriate environment for dialogue, facilitating negotiations, and promoting reconciliation.Hence the importance of such meetings between us, and our gathering from different countries with different religions, ethnicities and diverse cultures to search together not only for the reasons for the continuation of these conflicts and ways to confront them, but also to try together to find future solutions that prevent them from happening in the first place or at least reduce them. This will not be possible for us except by building trust among us, to be transmitted honestly and faithfully to our countries and to the societies that we represent and whose religious and intellectual leadership we represent.Al-Naimi recalled that “Qatar has established its name as a reliable international mediator and an influential player in mediation to resolve conflicts and build peace, and has succeeded in doing so in many of them, such as signing the Doha Agreement on Lebanon in 2008, the reconciliation file between Djibouti and Eritrea in 2011, the Darfur Peace Document in 2011, the Washington-Taliban Agreement in 2020, and Doha hosting peace negotiations between the conflicting parties in Chad in 2022. Recently, we have witnessed the vital Qatari role in joint efforts with Egypt, the United States, and the Hamas movement to reach a humanitarian truce agreement in Gaza and exchange prisoners between Hamas and the Israeli occupation.”

HE the official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr Majed al-Ansari confirmed Tuesday the continuation of Qatari aid to Gaza, as twenty million liters of fuel entered out of thirty million liters. Stressing that "there is a great need for aid in Gaza and aid should not be used to pressure in negotiations." Al-Ansari explained in the weekly briefing of the MOFA regarding the entry of aid into the Strip that a mechanism has been put in place to receive complaints regarding the entry of aid into Gaza to resolve any problems and that they are awaiting updates from the field about it. There is no information about what has been entered and he renewed his call to all parties to abide by the terms of the agreement.The MoFA spokesman stressed that Qatar is committed to supporting efforts to start negotiations on the Gaza agreement and hopes that it will lead to the second phase. Noting that daily contacts are being made to start negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, but they have not started yet. Explaining that there is a positive atmosphere to move forward in the negotiations, and that the mediation continues to work to start negotiations on the second phase. The provisions of the first phase will be implemented before moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, and the arrival of delegations is subject to the decision of the parties concerned. He added that "the delegations come and go and there are no specific dates, adding that the recent statements from the Israeli side were positive, hoping that they will serve the interests of the second phase." Regarding whether the mediation has received an Israeli commitment to its involvement in the second phase of the negotiations, HE Al-Ansari responded: "We will not comment on behalf of the Israeli government regarding its involvement in the negotiations, but the atmosphere is positive." He stressed Qatar's commitment to efforts to launch negotiations on the second phase and work with all parties, adding that there is no doubt about implementing the agreement with all its provisions, and welcomed the American statements in this regard. He stressed that Qatar and all brothers in the region reject any displacement or settlement without the Palestinian people obtaining their rights. Noting Qatar's involvement in the Arab Working Group on Gaza and that contacts are ongoing.Concerning the war between Russia and Ukraine, HE Dr Al-Ansari expressed Qatar's strong welcome of Saudi Arabia's role in hosting the US-Russian dialogue and ending the suffering and war in Ukraine. Calling for support for Riyadh's efforts, and said in this regard: "We hope to announce through negotiations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the end of the Ukraine war."

Under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Second International Conference on Religious Freedom and Peacemaking, organised by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, in co-operation with the Multifaith Neighbors Network, kicked off Tuesday in Doha over three days, under the slogan “From Religious Freedom to Religious Responsibility: Building Peace in a Conflicting World”, with the attendance of an elite group of religious scholars, academics, decision-makers, and religious leaders from around the world.In her speech during the opening ceremony, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad stressed the extremely delicate and complex circumstances in which this conference is being held for the entire world, due to the expansion of conflicts and the growing challenges that threaten its stability and the safety of civilians.HE Al-Misnad considered the conference the best evidence that the problems of the world today and the military and intellectual conflicts have become border-less, and that the danger of their challenges has become a source of suffering and instability for the entire world, noting in a related context that today's conflicts have come to include countries that were recently considered relatively far from problems, to the point that talk now has become about cross-border challenges and threats, which makes everyone, each in his position and place, responsible for that confrontation and addressing the causes of those conflicts.HE Al-Misnad also pointed out that the wide international and regional participation in the conference, which provided an ideal opportunity for the distinguished elite of prominent religious leaders and senior thinkers and academics participating in it from all over the world. It indicates the distinguished position that Qatar enjoys among them, which always confirms its firm position calling for peace and achieving reconciliation between the parties to conflicts around the world, and its interest in achieving communication and dialogue and providing its means and mechanisms in all its forms and levels for everyone without exception “as long as they are willing to find solutions to stop the conflict and look forward to that.”She expressed her hope that the efforts of the conference participants would yield useful results that would help everyone continue to unite and co-operate permanently in order to build true peace in this “unfortunately” conflicting world. Stressing the need to study the best way to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations that will be issued from the conference’s dialogue sessions to achieve the desired goal and purpose that everyone aspires to.The conference also comes within the framework of the message of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue and Qatar's vision in promoting dialogue and understanding, at a time when humanity is facing unprecedented challenges, which requires a firm commitment to promoting dialogue, coexistence and mutual respect.

Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) launched the first edition of Tadweer (Arabic for recycling) initiative on Sunday.The initiative, that is to continue until Thursday, was opened in the presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Service Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, the Head of the QYH and Bodies Department at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the Director of Msheireb Museums.Abdullah Saeed, Head of Public Relations and Communications said on the opening: “We are happy to open the Tadweer initiative whose founder is Al Anoud al Muqbali, in the company's house square in Msheireb City, which will last for 5 days. The initiative is distinguished by the presence of success partners who contributed to implementing the initiative on the ground. Namely (Istidama Company - the official sponsor, Erthna - the community sponsor, Msheireb Museums - the host entity, Action Media Company - the media sponsor).”Al Anoud al Muqbali, the founder of the initiative, said: “Initially, I established the idea through my participation in the Tourism Ideas Incubator Program organized by QYH in 2023. I searched for an idea that could be implemented on the ground and which is sustainable at the same time. Accordingly, I came up with the idea of an interactive awareness initiative that works to exploit fabrics that are harmful to the environment and reuse them for useful purposes. Accordingly, the initiative won second place and then moved to the planning and implementation stage in cooperation with QYH."

Al Faisal without Borders Foundation (Alf) held an awards ceremony to honour the winning school teams in the 10th edition of the Destination Imagination programme 2024/25 academic year.The programme, implemented by the Alf Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), has been running in public and private schools across Qatar for the past decade.In his opening speech, Alf chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani “expressed his delight at attending the ceremony to recognise the outstanding school teams that participated in the 10th edition of Destination Imagination”.He emphasised the Alf Foundation’s commitment to delivering innovative programmes that foster the development of students' skills across all age groups.HE Sheikh Faisal highlighted that the participation of international teams in this year’s regional championship is a testament to the programme’s success and Qatar’s excellence in its implementation.He also extended his gratitude to the MoEHE for its continued support over the years, Qatar University for hosting the national championship for the third consecutive year, and all participating schools for their dedication.Alf Foundation general manager engineer Abdullatif Ali al-Yafei “reiterated the foundation’s vision of leadership through programmes that enrich Qatari culture and share its rich heritage with the world”.He noted that Destination Imagination is an internationally recognised programme implemented in over 30 countries and more than 50 US states.Over the past nine years, it has impacted more than 30,000 students in Qatar’s public and private schools.For the 2024/25 edition, 104 public and private schools participated, forming 222 teams with nearly 2,000 students from various academic levels.This year also saw participation of student teams from Poland, competing alongside Qatar school and university teams in a special Destination Imagination challenge.The local championship, held on February 14-15 at Qatar University’s College of Education, showcased the remarkable creativity and innovation of participating students.Al-Yafei highlighted the programme’s role in integrating non-traditional learning methods into school activities, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.He also noted that Destination Imagination serves as a platform to highlight Qatar’s rich culture and showcase students’ talents to more than 10,000 global participants in the programme’s international championship, set to take place in May in Kansas, US.Al-Yafei extended his deep appreciation to HE Sheikh Faisal for his unwavering support, to HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed AlKhater for her continued endorsement of the ALF Foundation’s programmes, and to Qatar University president Dr Omar bin Mohammed al-Ansari for hosting the national championship.Gratitude was also expressed to the judges, volunteers, and ALF Foundation staff for their contributions.During her address, Maha Zayed al-Qaqa al-Ruwaili, the assistant undersecretary for educational affairs at the MoEHE, “emphasised the significance of this achievement, recognising the dedication of students in striving for excellence”.She reaffirmed the ministry’s vision of "A Pioneering Learner for Sustainable Development", which aims to create an integrated educational environment that nurtures leadership, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation, equipping students to make well-informed decisions and tackle future challenges.Al-Ruwaili further noted that Destination Imagination aligns with this vision by fostering communication skills, creativity, and critical thinking, preparing students to navigate an ever-evolving world with confidence and competence.School team leaders praised the programme for its impact on students, particularly in enhancing teamwork, imagination, and innovation.They expressed gratitude to the Alf Foundation for providing a dynamic cultural and educational platform for public and private schools in Qatar.

The Ministry of Culture is participating in the fourth edition of the “Me and My Family” Festival, organised by the “Qatar Reads” initiative. The festival kicked off Sunday evening at the Qatar National Library. This participation comes within the framework of the Ministry’s commitment to supporting families and promoting community culture around childhood.Jassim Ahmed al-Buainain, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture, said that the Ministry’s participation in the festival, which is specifically directed at parents, comes in line with its vision to enhance cultural exchange, strengthen community ties, and create opportunities to meet and learn about Qatari culture and its various traditions.He added that the Ministry offers, through a special pavilion, many interactive activities and displays publications related to children and the family, in addition to folk songs that reflect the authentic Qatari heritage. Noting that the Ministry’s pavilion provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the latest initiatives and services related to the family.The Ministry’s pavilion offers many activities directed at the family, including “Printing Family Palms” and “With My Family”, a daily interactive competition, and gifts for children and the family.The three-day festival aims to provide an interactive educational environment that provides families with the necessary information and guidance for the periods of pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing, through lectures and meetings with experts from prestigious entities and institutions in the country.The festival includes workshops, seminars and interactive games suitable for all ages, in addition to providing opportunities to discover new books and products related to motherhood and children. It also aims to promote family values and strengthen community ties.The festival includes a family market that includes about 15 stores for books, educational products and family activities, in addition to a space dedicated to recreational activities for children in a safe environment.

The 16th Al Jazeera Forum kicked off Saturday in Doha under the title ‘From the War on Gaza to Change in Syria: Shifting Dynamics in the Middle East’. The two-day forum will include in-depth discussions through a series of sessions and events with the participation of experts and officials from all over the world. The forum will examine the geopolitical transformations in the Middle East.Starting with the repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza, through the reshaping of the political scene in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, it will also address the repercussions of these developments on the regional balance of power and their implications for the Arab situation and regional and international alliances in the region.HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jazeera Media Network, opened the forum’s activities. During his speech at the opening session, he said that the forum focuses on important topics that concern our Arab region and the world as a whole. Noting that on this date last year, the focus of the forum’s previous edition was what was happening in Gaza and the consequences of the Al-Aqsa Flood events. “Consequences that were reflected on the region in general, including what we saw in the collapse of the regime in Syria and many other major challenges that we are currently seeing, such as displacement attempts and other changes in the region.”He added that, “it is expected that we will see transformations in the coming period if correct decisions are not taken to deal with these changes, which we are meeting today in the forum to discuss and shed light on."He added that today we stand at the end of 15 months of aggression on Gaza, during which Al Jazeera Channel made many sacrifices, as the channel was keen to be in the eye of the event, whether in Gaza, Lebanon or Syria, and was keeping up with the event and made many sacrifices of martyrs and wounded, whom we remember today with all goodness.”HE Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer continued that with regard to the Syrian issue, Al Jazeera was present in the heart of the event and has witnessed the sacrifice of many martyrs since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution to convey the truth, which confirms the sincerity of the channel’s approach in working to support the truth and carry out its message. He touched on what is currently happening in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where Al Jazeera offices were closed, while they are doing a noble work to help our brothers in Palestine and convey the reality they live in. Noting that it seems that there are people who do not know the truth of the work of a journalist who seeks to shed light on the truth.HE Sheikh Hamad stressed that the number of journalists killed in the past year, especially in Gaza, is a very large number. Especially during wars, reporting from conflict zones can cost them their lives at some point, as has actually happened with many of them for the sake of their mission and noble work. He paid glowing tributes to the journalists who laid down their lives in the line of duty.He stressed that there are many questions about the future of the region that the forum will discuss, in Arab world in particular and the world in general, as there is rich material to enhance the dialogue and provide a detailed vision of what matters to the peoples of the region. The forum’s activities during the first day included many sessions, comprising a session dedicated to the challenges of the post-war in Gaza, a session dedicated to discussing regime change in Syria and its regional effects. The sessions also looked at the positions of Iran, Israel and Turkiye in light of the Arab absence, in addition to a session dedicated to future arrangements for the Palestinian issue and the region after the war.The sessions of the second day will include a discussion of transitional justice in post-conflict countries, monitoring the impact of the war in Ukraine and changes in the US administration on international relations.In addition to a special purpose for the film “Eyes of Gaza”, followed by a discussion on the global protest and solidarity movement with the Palestinian issue, before concluding the forum with a closing speech summarizing the most prominent visions and outcomes.