Arab League praises visit

QNA/Cairo

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with Prime Minister Ismail Haniya waving to the thousands who gathered to welcome them on their one-day visit to Gaza. HH Sheikha Moza visited a series of pioneering education projects supported by her Al Fakhoora initiative which are opening up learning opportunities to children and students in one of the world’s most challenging political and economic circumstances. PICTURE: Maher Attar/HHOPL

Arab League has called the visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, accompanied by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and a number of senior officials, to the Gaza Strip on Tuesday “historic” and “an important initiative to break the siege on the Strip”. The Arab League deputy secretary general, Ahmed bin Helli, said in a statement to QNA that the Emir’s visit “constitutes a victory for the Palestinian will and, significantly, contributes to breaking the Israeli siege on the Strip”. He added that the “significance of this visit is reflected in showing Qatar’s keenness to fulfil its commitments to the reconstruction of Gaza, as one of the important initiatives in breaking the siege on the Strip and being a message of solidarity with the steadfast people of Gaza”. Ahmed bin Helli noted Emir’s speech to the Palestinian people in which he called for bridging the gaps and restoring the harmony and unity of the Palestinian people, and for implementing the programme of the Palestinian national reconciliation sponsored by Egypt in co-ordination with Qatar and supported by Arab countries.Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Dr Nabil al-Arabi   has welcomed the visit, stressing the importance of such efforts exerted to break the illegal siege clamped on Gaza. In a press release, the  secretary-general expressed the hope that the visit would also contribute to the achievement of Palestinian reconciliation, “a goal that we must all work for it, especially since the Palestinian issue is currently passing through an important juncture in the light of the announcement by President Mahmoud Abbas’ intention to go to the UN General Assembly to gain Palestine the status of ‘observer state’ in the international organisation”.‘A great initiative’

HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser being taught how to use sign language to say her name by a child with hearing impairment at the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza. The Atfaluna Society partners with Al Fakhoora, founded by HH Sheikha Moza in 2008, to provide hearing tests, hearing aids and support services. More than 12,000 children most in need have been helped. HH Sheikha Moza visited Al Fakhoora projects as a side programme to the one-day visit of HH the Emir to Gaza. PICTURE: Maher Attar/HHOPL

Members of the Central Municipal Council have highly appreciated the visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani  to Palestine. Eng Jassim al-Malki, CMC vice-chairman, pointed out that such a visit is a great initiative that reflects HH the Emir’s great vision and expectations for the Palestinian cause and helping to rebuild Palestine. Al-Malki said that the balanced policies  adopted by Qatar had made the country highly acceptable worldwide. “It has also played a great role in supporting the Palestinian people in their struggle regionally and internationally. Further, Qatar has undertaken various reconstruction projects in Gaza to support its national economy and maintain sustainable development for its people.“The visit of HH the Emir is part of his great and unique stand to support the struggle of nations to attain freedom and prosperity,” said al-Malki. CMC secretary general Abulaziz al-Ahmed said the visit  was a subject of pride for every Qatari and Arab citizen. He described it as a courageous and noble initiative that had sent a message to the whole world to break the siege imposed on the Palestinian people .“All the people of Qatar support the visit and back HH the Emir’s efforts to help those people through all possible means,” he stressed.