FROM LEFT: Panellists Dr. Hassan Al Barari, Professor of International Relations at University of Jordan; Dr. Mustafa Othman, Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and former Sudanese Foreign Minister; Dr. Muhammad Al Misfer, Professor of Political Science at Qatar University; at the Qatar Press Centre event. Picture by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
A seminar held in Doha yesterday called upon Arab League to play more proactive roles in addressing Arab issues for meeting the aspirations of Arab people.
The seminar entitled ‘Arab League between Reality and Ambition’ was organised by the Qatar Press Center at its headquarters.
President of Qatar Press Center, H E Saad bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi, opened the seminar which was attended by Editors-in-Chief of local newspapers, media persons, experts, and academics.
The panellists included Dr. Mustafa Othman, Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and former Sudanese Foreign Minister; Dr. Muhammad Al Misfer, Professor of Political Science at Qatar University; and Dr. Hassan Al Barari, Professor of International Relations at University of Jordan.
The topics on discussion focused on ‘Arab League as a Nucleus of the Arab Regional System’, ‘Work Mechanisms of Arab League’ and ‘Does Arab League Meet the Aspirations of the Arab Citizen?’.
In his opening speech, President of Qatar Press Center said that the seminar is a series of the events organised by the Center to address Arab issues by hosting experts and intellectuals.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event, Al Rumaihi said that the Center is focusing on media, culture, and intellectual subjects. This is why, he said, we are keen to host intellectuals from Qatar and other Arab countries to share their experiences.
Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula, Dr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi (third left); Editor-in-Chief of Al Arab, Abdullah Talib Al Marri (fifth left); mediaperson Dr. Ilham Badr Al Sada (fourth left) with other media persons and guests during a seminar entitled ‘Arab League between Reality and Ambition’ held yesterday at the headquarters of the Qatar Press Centre.
He said that Arab League Summit will begin on Friday (today) in Jeddah, which is why it was necessary to highlight the activities of the Arab League, its history and journey and some Arab issues.
Dr. Mustafa Othman said that Arab leaders will be gathering today at the Arab League Summit in Jeddah which is one of the occasions which made us get together to raise our voice through media. He said that the Arab League is one of the oldest organisations in the Arab region and the world.
“Arab League as a regional organization with its roots and institution playing some roles in addressing Arab issues and succeeded in accomplishing some,” said Othman. He said that Arab League is enhancing Arab and African relations through its activities and supporting African countries in many issues.
However, he said, Arab League needs reforms and development for playing its roles in a better way.
“The Arab League also needs a stronger political will which enables it to undergo reforms and development,” said Othman.
Dr. Muhammad Al Misfer briefed about the journey of the Arab League since its establishment until now. He said that Arab League with its specialist agencies is addressing the issues of Arab countries and people.
“We expect from Arab League to unite us which is most important from any other issues,” said Al Misfer.
Dr. Hassan Al Barari said that Arab League needs to focus on the education sector to address the unemployment issue in the region. He said that the League also needs many reforms inside it to make it an effective organization meeting the aspiration of Arab people.
