Doha: In its editorial, Al-Raya condemned the ongoing Israeli incursions and settler provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, warning against the repeated attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem. The editorial criticized the disregard for international and Arab warnings about the dangers of infringing upon Islamic holy sites and the efforts to Judaize areas surrounding Bab al-Rahma under the protection of occupation forces, similar to actions taken at the Al-Buraq Wall.
According to Qatar News Agency, the newspaper emphasized Qatar's firm stance that settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque represent a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. Al-Raya insisted that Al-Aqsa Mosque is an exclusively Islamic place of worship and declared that any unilateral measures aimed at altering Jerusalem's identity are null and void.
Al-Raya concluded that preserving Al-Aqsa Mosque's historical and legal status necessitates a decisive international response to compel Israel to adhere to international law and halt all measures aimed at changing its identity. The newspaper warned that ongoing violations could lead to further escalation, emphasizing that ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital is essential for a just and sustainable settlement.
Locally, Al-Arab praised Qatar's commitment to honoring high achievers through the annual Education Excellence Award, which spans all academic levels, from primary students to doctoral holders and institutions. This award is the highest honor granted by the State, represented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The current edition introduced three new specialized tracks for master's and doctoral degrees in Science, Engineering and IT; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Medical, Biomedical, and Health Sciences.
The award encourages individuals and institutions to enhance their performance and focus on knowledge and scientific research aligned with Qatar's development goals. It supports the nation's education system by providing opportunities for students, undergraduates, post-graduates, teachers, schools, and researchers to showcase their academic achievements.
Al-Arab concluded that the state's regular celebration of educational excellence strengthens a culture of innovation and enhances academic standards across Qatar's educational system. Over the years, the award has highlighted the achievements and innovations of students, teachers, and high achievers, fostering a spirit of competition and innovation within the scientific community.
Meanwhile, The Peninsula noted that Qatar's digital transformation is entering a more meaningful phase, shifting from simply placing government services online to creating a more connected, efficient, and responsive public administration.
The newspaper reported that around 1,650 of approximately 2,300 government services are now fully digitized and integrated, laying a strong foundation for future progress. The country is moving towards a proactive government model where digital systems and data can anticipate legitimate needs rather than just respond to requests.
The paper explained that artificial intelligence could enhance these advantages by using integrated data from education, healthcare, housing, employment, and social services to help the government understand changing needs and develop more targeted services. The systems could increasingly identify patterns and address issues earlier, improving service delivery.
The Peninsula concluded by stating that Qatar's continued progress should be judged not just by the number of digital services but by how effectively technology simplifies, accelerates, and enhances government responsiveness. The real measure of success is the time saved, procedures eliminated, and the ease with which people can complete a service.