(MENAFN- Gulf Times) HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari underlined that National Day is an occasion to recognise the glorious achievements of the grandfathers and their efforts in establishing the state, and also an occasion to renew loyalty to the symbol of the homeland and the title of glory to His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
On the occasion of Qatar's National Day, HE the Minister praised the slogan of this year's celebrations, ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory', which promises a bright prosperous future for Qatar despite the siege. HE the Minister underlined that Qatar broke the siege thanks the strong determination of the wise leadership and the support of all citizens and residents of Qatar. He noted that the achievements made in an exceptional circumstance (the time of siege) heralds that Qatar has established a solid ground for more excellence for future generations. Qatar deserves the best from its citizens.
He noted that Qatar managed to overcome the consequences of the sudden and unjust siege and undermined the plans of the siege countries, thanks to Allah, the solidarity between the leadership and the people and the wisdom of the leadership in dealing with the challenges. HE the Minister noted the expulsion of the Qatari pilgrims who were performing Umrah in Ramadan, and the restricted measures imposed on them by several methods that did not respect the time, place, the tolerance of Islam, or the ties that bind the Gulf family and the brotherhood of Arabism.
That was beginning of the series of politicisation of religion by the authorities responsible for the Haj in Saudi Arabia, HE the Minister said, indicating that the competent authority in the ministry sought to communicate with the entity with which it has signed an agreement on the measures of Haj 1438 before the siege, but there was no response. Those who are involved in organising Haj in Saudi Arabia did not give any answer.
Depriving Qatar from Haj this year set a dangerous precedent, which raised strong condemnation not only in Qatar, but was also denounced by many Islamic countries, and even in the West where it was considered a violation to human rights, HE the Minister added. Meanwhile, HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs praised Qatar's wisdom in dealing with the siege, which avoided the religious circles from sweeping away by the drift of the clerics of the siege countries, stressing that mosque imams and all those responsible for religious affairs in Qatar have followed the directives of His Highness the Emir to stand by ethics of the well-established Islamic values that we have inherited from our fathers.
The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has continued to fulfil its mission in harmony with the state system in the public and private sectors in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030. The siege has only increased its resolve and determination to increase the pace of its work to make new achievements. In this context, the culture of Waqf and social solidarity in Qatar has expanded, and the Ministry made a significant progress in the Waqf project which is worth QR70mn.
Meanwhile, Zakat revenues in Qatar have not been affected by the siege, but have continued to rise significantly this year. During the siege period between June and October, they amounted to more than QR81mn. In the field of Daawa and religious guidance, the Ministry's programmes continued as usual. Lectures were not interrupted in all areas of the country. Qur'an educational centres continued their programmes for the people of Qatar of all ages, both male and female. The Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Bin Thani Qur'an Competition also continued its mission.
On the Internet, the number of visitors to the site of the Islamic network multi-language 'Islamweb have increased round the clock in all services provided to the public. The number of people that listened to the audio reached about 3bn, while the number of pages opened reached more than 478mn.
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