Marhaba takes a look back at the year that Qatar held its first legislative elections, ended the blockade, broke Guinness World Records, triumphed at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and much more!


International Relations

Qatar Welcomes Al Ula Declaration

The year began with the historic signing of Al Ula Declaration, bringing to an end the blockade against Qatar that began on 5 June 2017, and the restoration of GCC diplomatic relations.

Al Ula Declaration was announced on the sidelines of the 41st session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), held in Al Ula Governorate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 5 January 2021.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘The State of Qatar underlined that the unity of the Gulf ranks and its peoples has always been on the list of the State’s endeavours and a priority for it, expressing its aspiration to achieve the ambitions of the GCC peoples for more solidarity, growth and stability.’ Trade and travel relations subsequently began to be restored, with land, sea, and air links resuming between Qatar and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt.

HH The Amir attends COP-26

HH The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) held in Glasgow, Scotland in November. 

Coinciding with the summit, Qatar launched the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy by the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, confirming the State’s interest in environmental and climate change issues. The creation of the Ministry of Environment and Change Climate shows the State’s support for international action to protect people from the harmful effects of climate change.

Read more: HH The Amir Participates in United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26)

Highlights of other international news:
• Qatar pledged USD500 mn towards reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip, following a ceasefire that saw some of the worst fighting in years between Israel and Palestinian armed groups (May).

• Qatar played a large role in efforts by the US by evacuating over 40,000 people from Afghanistan. Qatar also evacuated a girls boarding school, an all-girls robotics team, sports teams and international media staff, among others (August).

Domestic News

Legislative History Made

Dr Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti as Deputy Speaker

In October, Qatar went to the polls for the first legislative elections. Qatari citizens voted to elect 30 candidates of the 45-member Shura Council – an election that had been much delayed over the years – in a landmark step towards a more representative system of governance.

The Shura Council is an advisory and legislative body that was formed in 1972. It is responsible for approving, rejecting and issuing general state policies and law proposals, as well as overseeing the state budget. Under the 2004 constitution, HH The Amir will appoint the remaining 15 members. Prior to the Shura Council elections, citizens could only vote in municipal elections. 

There were 233 candidates across 30 constituencies, including 26 women, with 63.5% voter turnout. HH The Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani named two women among his new appointments to the Shura Council after no women candidates secured a seat. This included HE Dr Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti as Deputy Speaker.

HH The Amir Reshuffles Cabinet

HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad
HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad
HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi
HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi

Following the Shura Council elections, HH The Amir issued Amiri Order No 4 of 2021 reshuffling the Cabinet. There is a new Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, headed by HE Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani. Two women were handed cabinet posts: HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi as Minister of Education and Higher Education, and HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad as Minister of Social Development and Family. Read more about the changes to the Cabinet in Qatar’s Government Structure, in the Discovering Qatar section.

Highlights of other domestic news:
• Doha was named the second safest city in the world in terms of safety and low crime rate, out of the 431 cities covered in the Numbeo’s Crime Index by City 2021. Doha secured 87.96 in the safety index and a crime index of just 12.04 (January).

• Qatar’s landmark minimum wage came into force, which ensures all employees receive a minimum monthly wage of QAR1,000, as well as a minimum allowance of QAR300 for food and QAR500 for housing, unless their employer provides both (March).

Healthcare

COVID-19 Restrictions Gradually Eased as Residents Receive Vaccinations

HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, was awarded The Woman Health Leader of The Year 2021 Prize in June for her role in managing the COVID-19 crisis.

The Qatar Vaccination Centre for Business and Industry closed in October after providing more than 1.6 mn COVID-19 vaccinations to residents since opening in June. At more than 300,000 sq m, it was one of the largest vaccination centres in the world, administering up to 25,000 COVID-19 vaccines a day. Qatar has registered 4,787,360 total vaccine doses since the National Vaccination Program began in December 2020, with 83.1% of the population now protected.

The Cabinet decided to implement the final phase of the COVID-19 Qatar National Response Plan in October, leading to the Public Health Care Corporation (PHCC) reopening 27 of 28 its centres to full operations and reintroducing face-to-face consultations. This was just one part of the Ministry’s phased plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions, along with schools ending online lessons, and hospitality outlets, leisure facilities and beauty salons increasing capacity.

Highlights of other healthcare news:
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has visited Qatar and is assessing a request by the Ministry of Public Health to obtain WHO’s ‘Healthy City’ accreditation for two municipalities, Doha and Al Rayyan. This is as per an objective of the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, which states that at least one city is to receive ‘Healthy City’ accreditation by WHO by 2022. Eventually the municipalities of Al Wakra, Al Khor and Al Shamal are also to be considered for WHO’s ‘Healthy Cities’ (November).

Travel and Tourism

Qatar Airways won the Skytrax Airline of the Year award for a sixth time in September, as well as the World’s Best Business Class, the World’s Best Business Class Seat and the Best Airline in the Middle East. Additionally, Hamad International Airport won the Skytrax World’s Best Airport for 2021 award.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, commented that being named the World’s Best Airline for an unprecedented sixth time was an enormous achievement, and that passengers have even greater confidence when travelling after Qatar Airways became the first global airline to achieve the Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating. 

Hospitality

Also in September, the Holiday Home Rentals in Qatar regulations were issued by Qatar Tourism (QT), outlining the requirements for individuals who own or rent apartments or villas when applying for a licence. Similar to the Qatar Clean Programme, an initiative launched by QT and the Ministry of Public Health to ensure safety for travellers and residents, the Holiday Home regulations promote a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors.

Luxury hotels continue to dominate the local hospitality sector, with another 14,150 rooms expected in the next 12 months, around 80% of which will be in four- and five-star hotels. According to a report by ValuStrat, the total supply could exceed 44,000 rooms by the end of 2022.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar’s hospitality sector is recovering with an additional 1,500 keys during H1 2021. New projects include Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, Bentley Luxury Hotel & Suites, Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb, and Marriot Executive Apartments City Centre. There has been a rise in hotel-apartments, now standing at over 8,000 keys.

Business

In October, Qatar Petroleum changed its name to QatarEnergy. Minister of State for Energy Affairs, and President and CEO of QatarEnergy HE Saad Al Kaabi said the name change signals a new strategy focusing on energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly technology. 

Education

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Education announced in October that Al Wakra was one of 10 cities to win the 2021 UNESCO Learning City Award. The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) defines this as a city that promotes inclusive learning from basic to higher education, for families and communities, and fosters a culture of learning throughout life. Al Wakra has made lifelong learning a priority as part of its sustainability plan. There is an emphasis on vulnerable groups, including women and older people. Programmes available aim to ensure that women hold leading positions in the city’s administration and society as a whole. 

Smashing Guinness World Records!

Qatar is no stranger to breaking world records and yet more were achieved in 2021:

• The Qatar Skydive Team and the Joint Special Forces in the most parachuting sequences in canopy formation by a team. The record was for 5 parachuting sequences attempted by 25 skydivers in Evora, Portugal and was verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (January).

• Ahmed Al Shahrani for the fastest crossing of the country by wheelchair. The trip took 1 day, 17 hours and 55 minutes to complete (August).

• The Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads & Public Places in Qatar for Most Nationalities Planting Trees Simultaneously, with 66 nationalities and one million trees (October).

Sporting Achievements

Success at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games
There was much jubilation after Team Qatar athletes achieved their best performance so far at an Olympic Games. Meso Hassona received a gold medal in the men’s 96 kg weightlifting competition, while Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi decided to share gold in the men’s high jump, in what many called the highlight of the games. Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse won bronze in the men’s beach volleyball tournament.

Abdulrahman Abdulqader then won the bronze medal in the shot put F34 event at the Paralympic Games, to join the silver medal he won at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Meanwhile shot putter Sara Masoud achieved a personal best with a distance of 5 m 42 cm.

F1 Annoucement_September 30, 20216Losail International Circuit Hosts First Formula 1 Grand Prix
Qatar hosted its first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in November, replacing the cancelled Australian GP. The race took place at Losail International Circuit on 21 November and is the first part of a regional ending to the Formula One season, with races to follow in December in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Qatar has also signed a 10-year deal to host Formula 1 from 2023. Losail International Circuit already hosts MotoGP, so this is another treat for motorsport fans!

FIFA World Cup™ Stadium Inaugurated
Al Thumama Stadium inauguration ceremony was held on Friday 22 October 2021 for the 49th Amir Cup Final. Located 12 km south of Doha, Al Thumama Stadium will host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches up to and including the quarter-finals. As with other new FIFA World Cup 2022™ venues in Qatar, Al Thumama Stadium celebrates Arab culture and traditions, and reflects the gahfiya, a traditional woven cap that has been worn by men and boys all across the Middle East for centuries. Coached for the last time by Spanish footballing legend Xavi, Al Sadd won the 49th Amir Cup on penalties in front of 40,000 spectators. The team is now the most successful in the competition, having won 17 times.

Read more: Qatar Inaugurates Two World Cup Stadiums on Opening Day of FIFA Arab Cup™

FIFA ARAB CUP Schedule updatedAll Set for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™
The FIFA Arab Cup™ started on 30 November, with Qatar hosting 16 teams from across the Arab world. The event is a great opportunity for both competitors and spectators to experience the famous Qatari hospitality and the iconic stadiums that will host the World Cup in 2022. 

This is the 10th edition of the Arab Cup, and the first to be organised by FIFA. Prepare for the greatest celebration of Arab football in what looks set to be a hotly contested final on Qatar National Day, 18 December!


Author: Sarah Palmer

This feature is from Marhaba’s WINTER 2021/22 Issue – M82.

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