2
Friday, November 27, 2020
QATA R
Offi cial
Shura Council
committee
discusses draft
state budget
The Shura Council’s Financial
Aff airs Committee held yesterday
a meeting to examine the draft
state budget for the 2021 fiscal
year and the draft law to adopt
it. The committee discussed
the draft budget under the
chairmanship of its rapporteur
HE Ali bin Abdullatif al-Misnad
al-Mohannadi in the attendance
of Assistant Undersecretary for
Treasury Aff airs at the Ministry
of Finance Abdulrahman
Fouad al-Modahka, Assistant
Undersecretary for Financial
Policy Aff airs at the Ministry of
Finance Abdulrahman Mohamed
Jolo, Director of the budget
department at the Ministry
of Finance Salman Mohamed
al-Mahmoud, Director of the
department regulating public
projects at the Ministry of
Finance Youssef Mubarak al-
Kuwari, Director of the shared
services aff airs at Ashghal Mishal
Sultan al-Hitmi, and director
of financial and administrative
aff airs at Ashghal Nouf Saleh al-
Fuhaid. The committee decided
to present its report on the 2021
fiscal year budget and its draft
law to the Shura Council. — QNASpecial forces to carry out parachute exercises
The General Command of the Qatari Armed Forces announced that the Joint Special Forces will carry out
paragliding and paramotor exercises in Sealine that last to Dec. 17 from 6am to midnight, at 12,500ft and a
radius of 2 miles, according to the co-ordinates (N245328 and E0512975). The General Command called upon
the visitors of that area to take the necessary precautions for their safety. — QNAQatar participated yesterday in the 36th meeting of Arab Justice Ministers, which took place
via video conferencing. Qatar was represented in the meeting by HE the Minister of Justice and
Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi. The meeting dealt with
enhancing Arab and international co-operation in the field of counter-terrorism. It also discussed
the Arab agreement for combating cybercrime, and a draft Arab law on preventing hate crime. The
meeting also reviewed a number of articles and documents related to joint Arab work.Qatar in meeting of Arab Justice Ministers
Qatar slams
coercive
measures
of blockading
countries
QNA
New York
Q
atar has called for con-
demning the unlawful
unilateral coercive meas-
ures imposed by the blockading
countries and pointed out that
targeting of the State continues
despite the relevant rulings is-
sued by the competent interna-
tional bodies such as the Inter-
national Court of Justice (ICJ).
This came in a statement by
HE Permanent Representative of
the State of Qatar to the United
Nations Ambassador Sheikha
Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani in
the UN Security Council’s virtual
Arria-Formula meeting titled —
End Unilateral Coercive Meas-
ures Now — which was called for
by Russia, China, South Africa,
Niger and Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines.
Ambassador Alya stated that
Qatar has been facing illegal
measures and a blockade im-
posed on it unilaterally without
justifi cation or legal basis for
more than three years. She said
that the attempt to undermine
sovereignty and political inde-
pendence is unacceptable and il-
legal, stressing that this attempt
contradicts international law and
obligations under the UN Char-
ter, as well as undermines col-
lective security frameworks and,
thus, threatens regional and in-
ternational peace and security in
a region that receives special at-
tention by the Security Council.
These coercive measures
violate UN General Assembly
resolutions, Ambassador Alya
pointed out, referring to UN
Resolution 74/154 entitled Hu-
man Rights and Unilateral Co-
ercive Measures, which urges all
States to stop taking or imple-
menting any unilateral meas-
ures that are inconsistent with
international law and the UN
Charter.
She pointed out that these
unilateral measures against Qatar
resulted, and continues to result
in, social and humanitarian con-
sequences aff ecting the citizens
and residents of the State, as well
as many human rights violations.
In this context, Ambassador Alya
referred to UN reports, the latest
of which is the preliminary fi nd-
ings of UN Special Rapporteur on
unilateral coercive measures and
human rights Alena Douhan and
her recent visit to Qatar.Ambassador Alya reviewed
the most prominent violations
in the Special Rapporteur’s re-
port, including numerous vio-
lations of fundamental rights
and freedoms, such as the right
to family life, education, work,
treatment, private property, the
practice of religion and access to
justice.
She indicated that the Special
Rapporteur expressed concern
about the blockading countries’
application of various forms
of unilateral trade embargoes
against Qatar, which restricts
trade in goods, services, and
trade-related intellectual prop-
erty rights, and hinders the full
achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
It also noted the Special Rap-
porteur’s concern about the de-
mand to close Qatari media out-
lets, which undermines freedom
of expression.
Concluding her statement,
Ambassador Alya pointed out
that the application of unilat-
eral coercive measures targeting
Qatar continues despite the evi-
dence that they are unlawful and
the relevant rulings issued by the
competent international bodies
such as the International Court
of Justice.
She added that this necessi-
tates the condemnation of un-
lawful unilateral measures and
the rejection of this method that
hinders the achievement of full
social and economic develop-
ment and prosperity and the ap-
plication of basic human rights.HE Ambassador Sheikha Alya
Ahmed bin Saif al-ThaniVodafone announces
‘mega sale’ on devices
V
odafone Qatar has an-
nounced that a selection
of devices, including a
range that are 5G-enabled, will
be on sale during the ‘mega
sale’ this weekend.
“Customers can get more value
for money on a fantastic choice
of smartphones, MiFis and rout-
ers and pair them with Vodafone
Qatar’s reliable, world-class Gi-
gaNet network,” the company
said in a statement.
For customers wanting to
make a 5G move, Vodafone 5G
is available in prime locations
such as Hamad International
Airport, Mall of Qatar, several
hotels including Park Hyatt
Doha and Mandarin Oriental,
Doha; popular destinations
such as Msheireb Downtown
Doha, Katara – The Cultural
Village and Souq Waqif; and
dozens of residential loca-
tions, including Al Waab, Umm
Slal, Al Rayyan, Gharafa, Abu
Hamour, Mamoura, Al Sadd,
Bin Mahmoud, Muntazah, Bin
Omran, Madinat Khalifa and Al
Aziziyah. In addition to cover-ing 75% of Doha with 5G, Voda-
fone Qatar has extended its 5G
coverage to other areas outside
Doha, such as Al Khor, Al Wak-
rah and a number of camping
areas in Sealine, the statement
adds.
The devices featured in the
promotion include: iPhone 11
64GB – QR2,299, down from
QR2,899; iPhone 11 Pro 64GB –
QR3,199, down from QR4,099;
iPhone SE 64GB – QR1,399,
down from QR1,699; XiaomiMi Mix3 5G 128GB – QR899,
down from QR1,399; Oppo
Reno 10X 5G 256GB – QR1,299,
down from QR1,799; Huawei 5G
Mobile Wi-Fi – QR999, down
from QR1,499; Inseego 5G MiFi
M1100 – QR1,399, down from
QR1,999; and HTC 5G Hub –
QR2,499, down from QR2,999.
The promotion runs until to-
morrow, Nov 28, and is valid for
purchases made via Vodafone’s
e-Shop and at Vodafone’s retail
stores.Russia, Albania
welcome
decision on Shura
Council polls
Russia’s State Duma (the
Parliament) Committee on
International Aff airs welcomed
yesterday the announcement
made by His Highness the
Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad
al-Thani on holding Shura
elections in October of next year.
The committee said that the
elections will be an important step
towards enhancing the legislative
framework in the country and
enhancing citizens’ partnership in
the legislative process.
They described Qatar’s
recent achievements
politically, economically, and
environmentally as well as in
other fields as impressive. The
committee noted that Qatar plays
an important role in regional
aff airs, adding that it would be
impossible to advance stability
and security in the Middle East
and Far East without Doha.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament
of Albania Gramoz Ruci praised
yesterday the announcement
made by His Highness the Amir
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani
on holding Shura elections in
October of next year. The speaker
of the Albanian Parliament said
that it was an important progress
to ensure the enhancement of
democracy, development, and
prosperity in Qatar.MoPH reports 135,
total Covid-19 recoveries
QNA
Doha
T
he Ministry of Pub-
lic Health (MoPH) an-
nounced yesterday 215
new confirmed cases of coro-
navirus (Covid-19), of which
171 are from community cases
and 44 from travellers return-
ing from abroad who are sub-
ject to quarantine.
The MoPH also recorded
248 recoveries from the virus
yesterday, bringing the total
number of cases that recovered
in Qatar to 135,198.
All new cases have been in-
troduced to isolation and are
receiving necessary healthcare
according to their health sta-
tus.
Measures to tackle Covid-
in Qatar have succeeded in
flattening the curve and limit-
ing the spread of the virus and
the number of new daily cases
and hospital admissions is con-
tinuing to decline each week.
Qatar’s proactive and exten-
sive testing of suspected cases
has enabled the authorities to
identify a high number of posi-
tive cases in the community.
Qatar has one of the low-
est Covid-19 death rates in the
world. This is a result of:
1- Very high quality of care
provided through the public
healthcare sector for Covid-
patients.
2- Qatar’s young population.
3- Proactive testing to iden-
tify cases early.
4- Expanding hospital capac-
ity, especially intensive care, to
ensure all patients receive the
medical care they need.
5- Protecting the elderly and
those with chronic diseases.
97 people referred to prosecution
for not wearing masks
The designated authorities referred 97 people to the Public Prosecution
for not wearing masks in places where they are mandatory.
The measure is in line with the cabinet decision, decree law No. 17 of
1990 on infectious diseases, and the precautionary measures in force
in the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The designated authorities called on the public to adhere to the
precautionary measures in place to ensure their safety and the safety
of others.Ajyal Film Fest continues to build
a legacy of inclusion and exchange
T
he fi rst-ever hybrid edi-
tion of the 8th Ajyal Film
Festival, presented by the
Doha Film Institute (DFI) under
the theme ‘The Show Goes On’,
delivered a compelling cinemat-
ic and cultural programme for
audiences in Qatar and beyond
from November 18 to 23.
From open-air cinema to art
exhibits and inspiring virtual
talks, Ajyal 2020 off ered an in-
novative mix of virtual and in-
person fi lm screenings balanced
with the highest health and
safety standards to all keep all
participants safe.
The festival kicked off with
a glamorous red carpet event
at Katara – the Cultural Village
followed by a screening of Sun
Children (Iran/2020) by Iranian
director Majid Majidi, which
made its debut at the 77th Ven-
ice International Film Festival
earlier this year.
Ajyal 2020 showcased 22 fea-
tures and 58 shorts, including 31
from the Arab world and 30 by
women directors. Bringing to-
gether award-winning fi lmmak-
ers from across the globe, Ajyal
continues to amplify powerful
voices and rouse all generations
through cinema.
The captivating Made in Qatar
programme, presented by Oore-
doo, returned to celebrate the
exciting growth of fi lmmaking
in the country with an inspir-
ing slate of 16 fi lms by Qatari
directors and Qatar-based fi lm-
makers. The Made in Qatar jurycomprised fi lmmaker Kamal Al-
jafari, composer Dana Alfardan,
and producer Marie Balducchi.
Delivering the magic of cin-
ema to audiences for the fi fth
time, the Made in Qatar: An In-
clusive Experience presented in
partnership with the Transla-
tion and Interpreting Institute
(TII) of the College of Humani-
ties and Social Sciences at Ha-
mad bin Khalifa University made
fi lm accessible to enthusiasts of
all abilities.
The Ajyal Talks showcase
brought leadership, creativ-
ity and sustainability into focus.
Audiences had the opportunity
to engage in virtual discussions
with international human rights
hero and Nobel Peace Prizenominee Dr Alaa Murabit, youth
climate activist Sophia Kianni,
and Qatar’s foremost female
contemporary composer, Dana
Alfardan.
Ajyal also launched its fi rst-
ever Drive-In Cinema experi-
ence in partnership with Qa-
tar National Tourism Council
(QNTC) at Lusail. Delighting
audiences with a transforma-
tive one-stop cultural extrava-
ganza, the Ajyal Creativity Hub
returned with Qatar’s largest
pop-culture event Geekdom,
presented in partnership with
QNTC. Ajyal Tunes invited au-
diences to explore the power of
melody at Ajyal’s Drive-In Cin-
ema in Lusail with three exhila-
rating night-time concerts.Meanwhile, a highly antici-
pated in-person element of Ajyal
2020, ‘Outbreak’ art exhibition
at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb fea-
tured inspiring original works
from 24 local artistic talents that
creatively represent and honour
global action and solidarity.
An exploration of the artists’
personal trails of isolation and
separation, ‘Outbreak’ chal-
lenges audiences to consider the
various facets of how the cur-
rent pandemic can aff ect — and
sometimes inspire — our world-
view.
The exhibition will remain
open to the public until Decem-
ber 10, Saturday to Thursday
from 10am to 10pm and Friday
from 2pm to 10pm.Drive in Cinema at Lusail.