Qatari Newspapers Editorials

Doha, December 25 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers' editorials on Sunday touched on an array of topics at the local and international levels. At the local level, the Qatari dailies highlighted Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding which continues to implement its objective of spreading the Arab and Islamic culture. The papers also praised Qatar's unprecedent organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and stressed the importance of investing in the legacy of the World Cup to promote Qatar's position as a tourist destination. Internationally, the papers called for a strong and united Arab action to support the Palestinian cause and confront the schemes of the occupation. Under the headline "Excellence and Creativity Award", Al-Watan said the Steering Committee of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has completed the preliminary screening process for the nominations submitted for the Award in its eighth edition for the year 2022. The paper noted that the Award Steering Committee received this year a number of nominations of individuals and translation institutions, the highest of which were from Turkey, followed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Iraq and Jordan. The nominated works featured various fields of human sciences, including: Islamic studies, literature, philosophy, social sciences, political sciences and history. Al-Watan said that Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding was founded in 2015 to honor translators and appreciate their role, noting that the high turnout in the Award's eighth edition confirms its importance and its internationally prestigious position after its strong contribution to enriching human heritage and thought. The paper underlined that Sheikh Hamad Award continues to implement its objective of spreading the Arab and Islamic culture, after it took upon itself, since its first edition, to encourage translation from and into Arabic in more than one language, adopting an international language every year alongside English. Meanwhile, Al-Arab daily praised the cultural movement in the State of Qatar, which reflects its vision of spreading knowledge in the society and presenting the true image of the State of Qatar abroad, away from the stereotyped image given by the Western media outlets which are known to have preconceptions about the Gulf region in general and Qatar in particular. The paper noted that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was not simply a football tournament, rather an excellent cultural event through which Qatar succeeded in adhering to its identity, traditions and culture which stems from the Arab and Islamic identity and culture, presenting a "clean" World Cup from the beginning till the end. Throughout Qatar's dazzling hosting of the World Cup, there were no immoral acts or violations of the law, prompting all observers to agree that Qatar World Cup was the best World Cup edition of all time, the paper added, noting that the celebrations of Qatar National Day at Darb Al Saai was also an opportunity to highlight the heritage and culture of Qatar and the Gulf. As an extension of this cultural momentum, the Steering Committee of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has completed the preliminary screening process for the nominations submitted for the Award in its eighth edition for the year 2022, Al-Arab said, emphasizing that the goals sought by the Award stem from the vision of Qatar which harnesses all its capabilities and its regional and international role to renounce wars, spread peace, bring people together, and solve international problems through dialogue. These are the goals that made Qatar an honest mediator and accepted by all parties in the international arena. Al-Raya newspaper said that the echoes of the professional organization of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 continue in light of widespread praise at all official and popular levels, while the legacy of the tournament remains present in a giant infrastructure, concepts and the different images presented of the Arabs and Muslims that must be built upon. In its editorial entitled "World Cup Legacy Opens New Horizons for Investments", Al-Raya underlined the need to strengthen Qatar's position as a tourist destination and to promote its landmarks around the world, after the remarkable successes achieved by hosting of the first World Cup on an Arab land. The infrastructure reflects the civilized face of nations, and Qatar was able to display its capabilities in this regard during the most popular tournament in the world, with its ability to host and manage large crowds smoothly and easily through a network of roads, tunnels, bridges, hotels, resorts and means of transportation at the highest level. The State is also abundant with many unique tourist attractions, Al-Raya said. The newspaper drew attention to the importance of investing the legacy of the World Cup on a larger scale by combating the phenomenon of Islamophobia, the unjustified fear of Islam and Muslims, which some politicians and media professionals in the West have been promoting, while the direct experience of the first World Cup in Arab countries proven the falsity of these allegations and fabrications. It is essential to build on the testimonies of the masses of various nationalities, cultures and religions, to reveal the real motives behind these allegations and demand more equitable media coverage of the issues of the Arab and Islamic region, Al-Raya concluded. Under the headline "Qatar to Stay as Sports Hub", Qatari English newspaper The Peninsula said that the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 is the pinnacle of Qatar’s rich history in staging mega sports events. But the Gulf State will not stop here and will continue to bring the best events in the country to stay as world’s sports hub. Qatar organized the football showpiece – the first in the Middle East and the Arab world and the most compact in tournament’s modern history with huge success, the newspaper noted. After 12 years of tireless efforts to make the World Cup a roaring success, Qatari sports authorities don’t aim to stop here. The country has been an important part of sports calendar of major championships over the years hosting world class athletes on regular basis. The country annually hosts the MotoGP, tennis, squash, showjumping, athletics, swimming, gymnastics and table tennis events, with padel and Formula One added to the long list last year, The Peninsula added. Qatar will add another major competition in its busy calendar in 2024 by hosting the inaugural 6 Hours of Qatar after Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), the Asian Cup which is expected to be held in December 2023 or January 2024 and FINA World Championships Doha 2024, will take place from February 2 to 18, the newspaper said. Qatar would love to host mega multi-sporting event as the Olympics. Qatar with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and huge experience is the perfect venue to stage this event, The Peninsula concluded. English newspaper the Gulf Times highlighted in its editorial Qatar’s continued focus on the key health and education sectors, which is reflected in the budget for fiscal 2023, recently approved by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The health sector has been allocated QR21.1 billion, which represents 11% of the total expenditures, while QR18.1 billion has been set apart for the education sector, nearly 9% of the total expenditures, the paper explained. The paper noted that Qatar will continue high spending on projects supporting the local economy, in line with the Atate’s plans to complete and finalize infrastructure projects, especially those related to existing and new lands of citizens as well as projects supporting the local economy. As part of eff orts to ensure a dignified life and advanced standard of living for Qatari citizens, an increase in salaries by QR4 billion has been set in 2023 budget. This is based on a directive by HH the Amir to raise pension for retirees, the Gulf Times said. Internationally, Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq called for supporting the Palestinian cause in light of the escalation of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people, and the repercussions expected by the rise of the extreme right-wing coalition to power in the Israeli entity. The paper said that the Arab and international popular support for the Palestinian cause, which was evident in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, reaffirmed that the cause of the Palestinian people remains and is present in the hearts and consciences of the peoples of the Arab and Islamic nation, which requires Arab governments and the Arab League to take practical and serious stances and measures that go beyond statements and declarations. The strong presence of the Palestinian cause during the World Cup sent a message that Arab and Islamic governments and countries should take the necessary measures consistent with the risk posed by the extreme right-wing coalition, in a way that guarantees the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, Al-Sharq concluded. (QNA)