Cairo: HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt and Permanent Representative of the State to the Arab League, Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, has affirmed that the Israeli occupation significantly undermines the structure of the Arab family. He emphasized that Arab families living under occupation are stark examples of the disintegration of social structures due to systematic oppression.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Excellency highlighted the devastating impact of the Israeli occupation on family structure and stability, noting that it directly targets families through policies such as arrests, home demolitions, and forced separations. These actions have led to the disintegration of family ties and the distortion of roles within the family. His remarks were made during the launch of the First Arab Regional Policy Forum on the Doha Declaration in Cairo, organized by the Doha International Family Institute.
HE Ambassador Al Ansari stated that the targeting of families threatens identity and belonging, passing suffering and instability to future generations. He stressed that any strategic vision for empowering the Arab family must consider the occupation as a structural factor undermining family cohesion. He also noted that conflicts, economic pressures, migration, and the digital divide are challenges that impact family stability and roles.
He reiterated Qatar’s commitment to family stability, as reflected in the Qatar National Vision 2030, which sees a cohesive family as the foundation for a prosperous society. Qatar prioritizes family issues in its development vision, recognizing family cohesion as essential for social stability and human development. The forum is an extension of Qatar’s efforts to support family issues regionally and internationally, following the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference in Doha.
Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, Sharifa Al Emadi, noted that the forum aims to implement the directives of the Doha Declaration to support families and strengthen social policies. She highlighted technological change as a significant transformation impacting families, despite its positive aspects.
Associate Professor at Qatar University, Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, emphasized the impact of key family issues on individuals and communities. She acknowledged the dual nature of technology in communication, which can weaken family bonds while providing new communication avenues.
HE Minister of Social Solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Dr. Maya Morsi, expressed support for Qatar’s efforts in protective legislation for women’s rights and economic empowerment. She highlighted the urgent need for action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the challenges facing Palestinian families.
HE Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazala, stated that the Doha Declaration serves as a reference framework for responding to transformations impacting families. The forum promotes regional cooperation and dialogue between researchers and policymakers, contributing to the development of effective family policies.
The forum includes sessions addressing contemporary shifts affecting Arab families, methods of support, and threats to family values. It also explores the role of technology in the Arab world and presents experiences from different countries in addressing these transformations.