In its editorial, Al-Sharq daily said that HH Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s visit to Renad Academy, a school established by Qatar Foundation to support children with autism in Qatar and the region, and HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani’s visit to Al Hedaya Kindergarten and School for People with Special Needs on Sunday, which coincided with the celebrations of the World Autism Awareness Day, reflect the wise leadership’s care for the category of people with autism spectrum, and affirm that the State of Qatar believes that quality education is an effective tool to empower autistic people.
The paper said that the State of Qatar pays special attention to the category of people with autism spectrum, noting that the World Autism Awareness Day was first proposed by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to the United Nations in 2007. The first World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated in 2008.
The daily underlined that the State launched the National Autism Plan, which aims to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families, in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030, in order to provide an appropriate environment for target groups with autism at all levels. Qatar has also provided all the necessary capabilities to support people with autism, providing them with education and integrating them into society, through a comprehensive care system that includes providing jobs that are commensurate with their abilities.
The paper explained that the State of Qatar provides special care for people with autism spectrum disorder, as it opened specialized hospitals and centers such as Rumailah Hospital and the rehabilitation center at Hamad Hospital, noting that there are 28 centers for people with disabilities in the country, which provide a variety of medical and educational care, guidance and awareness services. This reflects the importance Qatar paid for these people, and its efforts to integrate, care for, and contain this important group of society.
Al-Sharq concluded by saying that the successes achieved by the State of Qatar in the field of supporting and educating people with autism necessitate continued cooperation between the concerned authorities to find new means of joint work, enhance aspects of cooperation, and establish a more comprehensive approach to ensure a better future for people with autism in the State of Qatar, so that they become a positive addition to the comprehensive development process.
For its part, Al-Arab newspaper stressed that the State of Qatar pays special attention to people with autism spectrum disorders, whether by launching the National Autism Plan, which aims to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families, in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030, and by providing the appropriate environment for the targeted groups of people with autism at all academic, job and social levels.
The paper pointed out that the State of Qatar provides special care for people with autism spectrum disorder, as hospitals and centers specialized in this framework were opened through Rumailah Hospital and the rehabilitation center at Hamad Hospital, noting that there are 28 centers for people with disabilities in the country, which provide a variety of medical and educational care, guidance and awareness services. This reflects the importance Qatar paid for these people, and its efforts to integrate, care for, and contain this important group of society.
The newspaper indicated that the country has achieved tangible successes, starting with the Cabinet’s issuance of Resolution No. 26 of 2019 establishing the National Committee for the Affairs of Woman, Children, the Elderly and People with Disabilities to monitor the conditions of the rights of people with disabilities, including those with autism, ensure the implementation of supportive policies for them, and emphasize the importance of integrating and empowering them, so that they become a positive addition to the comprehensive development process that the State of Qatar seeks.
In another context, English-language newspaper The Peninsula said that Qatar is witnessing its rise as a tourist destination, thanks to government’s efforts to make it a global sporting and events hub and a place to relax and unwind, as the country has established itself as a tourism destination with its safety record, seamless public transport, pristine beaches and cultural sites.
Under the headline “Tourism destination”, the paper said that tourists from around the world come to Qatar to experience its unique blend of modernity and tradition. Since the beginning of the year visitors arrived in the country to enjoy the line-up of festivities offered as part of Qatar Tourism’s Feel Winter in Qatar campaign, including performances by celebrated regional and international artistes, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and other family-friendly events.
Besides, Doha hosted many world-class sporting events in the first two months of the year, including the Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup 2023, Qatar TotalEnergies Open, and Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the paper added.
The paper underlined that programmes and initiatives taken by different bodies in the country to promote tourism and attract tourists have led to significant increase in the number of visitors from neighbouring countries.
It pointed out that the second half of February witnessed arrival of 86,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia and 20,000 arrivals from Kuwait, which together constituting 73 percent of all arrivals from the GCC and 27 percent of all international arrivals in February. Saudi Arabia stood as the biggest contributor, rep-resenting 22 percent of total visitors to Qatar in January and February 2023.
In conclusion, The Peninsula referred to Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism Berthold Trenkel’s comments on the record figures in which he said: “We are excited to see the progress we have made towards achieving our 2030 strategy, which aims to welcome 6-7 million visitors annually, increase employment in the sector and have tourism account for 12 percent of the countrys GDP. Our performance also highlights Qatars growing reputation as a world-class destination for travellers seeking unique experiences.”
Source: Qatar News Agency
