Gulf Publishing and Printing Company (GPPC), publishers of Arrayah and Gulf Times newspapers, launched on Wednesday Arrayah's upgraded website and mobile app in a move to enhance its news services and presence on the Internet.
GPPC chairman HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah, launched the new website and mobile app in the presence of members of the board of directors of the company, Arrayah editor-in-chief Abdullah Ghanim al-Binali al-Mohannadi, a number of heads of departments, editors, reporters and guests.
The ceremony saw also the launch of the revamped and upgraded design of Arrayah print edition's business and sports supplements, and news services on Telegram and WhatsApp. Further, the daily launched its new upgraded accounts on the social media including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
A unique addition to the new website and app of the daily is a special link dedicated to its excellent archives of photos, articles and old news of the region.
HE al-Attiyah expressed his happiness on this important event that would further set Arrayah on the proper way for more technological progress and distinguished presence on the Internet to keep up with the developments in the world of media and journalism.
Arrayah editor-in-chief Abdullah Ghanim al-Binali al-Mohannadi making a presentation at the event.
In his address on the occasion, he pointed out that the board of directors is always keen to provide all the support for the daily to continue its pioneering work and to enhance the media and national role of Arrayah to be up to the high expectations of the readers and serve the strategic objectives of the country.
Al-Mohannadi talked about the various features of the upgrades of the Arrayah website, social media accounts and print edition, stressing that the daily focuses on popular issues and national causes and gives key updates of the events in the country and the world. He also thanked the members of the board for their unrelenting support and continuous encouragement. He further thanked the team of the paper for their dedication and excellent performance.
Nasser al-Othman receiving a copy of the commemorative edition from Abdullah Ghanim al-Binali al-Mohannadi.
HE Abdulla bin Hamad al-Attiyah, member of the board and chairman of Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Foundation for Energy & Sustainable Development, said that Arrayah has seen great developments and advancements for the past 40 years. The paper was established in 1978, when the members of the board thought of launching a modern newspaper in Arabic to follow on the success of Gulf Times, which was launched first by the company.
The first editor-in-chief of Arrayah was Nasser al-Othman, also a board member. Back in 1979 it was issued on weekly basis every Thursday, which was followed by two editions a week. A year later it became a daily, which was a move to keep up with the developments of the country and give voice to the people and their views and demands. In addition, the company maintained its own commercial press to print both papers.
Prominent Qatari businessman and board member Hussain Alfardan, pointed out that after 40 years of the launch of the paper it has become a pioneering publication and a leading media institute, which gives him great happiness.
Hussain Alfardan goes through a copy of the commemorative edition.
"Now after the launch of the new website and app of Arrayah on smart devices, the reader will have everything easily accessible and can go through Arrayah from anywhere," said Alfardan.
He said that the field of development in press is broad, especially with new innovations and ideas that can make the services given to the readers and the society more diversified and easily accessible. Accordingly, he praised and appreciated the efficiency of the team work at Arrayah and their readiness to continue progress and development.
Al-Othman considered the launch of the new website, mobile app and social media accounts as a quantum leap and a key step for more future upgrades. He expressed his great optimism on the future of Arrayah, stressing that it will have a much brighter future as it constantly embraces developments and overcomes the involved challenges.
Yousef Mohamed al-Darwish, general manager of GPPC, said that the new tools will give readers many services easily accessible and respond to their demands and expectations moment by moment, regarding the coverage of local, Arab, international news and other updates. He said young people greatly liked the website and praised it for its unique updates with news, videos and photos. Further, the new platforms of the daily will give better services to both the reader and the advertisers as it will achieve more instant reach without extra cost for the advertisers.
GPPC chairman HE Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah speaking at the event.
Al-Mohannadi presented commemorative copies of the first edition of Arrayah issued on May 10, 1979 to the board members and the guests at the ceremony, who expressed happiness to receive such a gift, which was specially reprinted for the occasion.