Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani during the launch of ‘Doha-The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019’ at Marsa Malaz Kempenski at The Pearl-Qatar, yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin/The Peninsula
Under the patronage of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday inaugurated “Doha–The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019” activities under the motto ‘Youth is power of the nation’.
The event aims at strengthening the bonds of friendship and respect that the State of Qatar enjoys with many countries in the world, especially Islamic countries. The inauguration took place at Kempinski Hotel, and organised by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and in collaboration with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), and supervision of Qatar Center for Cultural and Heritage Events.
The opening ceremony was attended by a number of ministers, senior officials from Islamic countries, as well as Ambassadors accredited to the State of Qatar and representatives of ICYF and youth delegates from Islamic countries.
Doha was chosen for this prestigious position in October last year in Istanbul after the activities of Al Quds as the capital of Islamic youth for the year 2018. President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) Taha Ayhan, expressed his pleasure to participate in the opening ceremony of ‘Doha – The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019’, under the theme ‘Youth is power of the nation’, noting Qatari youth occupy great position in sustainable development programs and plans in their homeland.
“It is important for societies to give and share opportunities with youth to show their energies and express themselves in the development process in various Islamic countries,” he said.
Ayhan pointed out that the annual celebration of Muslim youth gives the youth an impression that they always remain the basis of every development process and remain potential that societies rely upon to achieve their desired growth.
“The launch of ‘Doha - The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019’ activities represent a unique event in which the youth of Qatar express their role in enhancing the gains of the State and their responsibility to continue to progress,” said Hussein bin Rashid Al Kubaisi, Director of the Department of Youth Affairs.
About the theme, he mentioned that it demonstrates the role played by young people in the renaissance of Islamic societies, and the Ministry of Culture and Sports employs all its capabilities and experiences to organise the activities in the best way.
For his part, Dr Issa Al Hur, Head of Youth Development and Empowerment Section at the Ministry of Culture and Sports said that Qatar has been chosen to be the capital of Islamic Youth due to what the country has achieved regarding youth empowerment by supporting their innovations and creations and providing them with spaces to work better.
Executive Director Qatar Scientific Club, Dr Hareb Al Jabri, said: “Qatar Scientific Club will participate in the event by ‘Doha Space for Innovation’ activity through organising a competition involving 56 innovators from Islamic countries, and this competition will be an exhibition of their innovations.
In the ceremony, the key of ‘Doha - The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019’ was handed over to Qatar. The activities of ‘Doha – The Capital of Islamic Youth 2019’ include an array of activities, programs and festivals which will take place in Doha with the participation of youth delegations from various Islamic countries to allow youth to discuss many current issues.
