Ashraf AboArafe
A symposium held in the capital Cairo under the title “The Role of Media in Security and Peace” shed light on the depth of relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar, with the participation of His Excellency Mr. Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt and Permanent Representative of the State to the League of Arab States, as a guest of honor, along with an elite group of diplomats, media professionals and artists.
This symposium was held by Al-Ahram Press Foundation, which also organized an exhibition under the title “Qatar in the Eyes of the Media”, to highlight the remarkable Qatari presence in the Egyptian press during the current and past centuries, through the display of a group of articles and press reports that shed light on the role of the State of Qatar in various fields, especially in terms of enhancing bilateral cooperation with Egypt, and promoting joint Arab action to defend Arab issues, most notably the Palestinian issue.
In his speech during the symposium, His Excellency Mr. Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt and Permanent Representative of the State to the League of Arab States, indicated that the convening of this symposium coincides with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the prestigious Al-Ahram Press Foundation, noting that the symposium focuses on an important issue related to the role of the media in achieving security and peace, which is largely embodied in Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to spread constructive media and a sound image. His Excellency added that there will be no development without security and peace, noting the State of Qatar’s commitment to international goals, strategies and charters that emphasize the preservation of the role of the media and its importance in correcting misconceptions in this regard, as well as the important role played by the State of Qatar as an active and responsible member of the relevant United Nations organizations, in addition to its commitment to relevant Arab charters, including the Arab Media Code of Honor, which addresses the importance of the media being responsible and purposeful, and helps in bringing peoples closer together by sending a message of peace between all different groups and ages, as well as between countries that are in one region such as the Arab countries. In this context, His Excellency Ambassador Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari said: The new and emerging challenges facing the Arab region have highlighted the urgent need for an effective Arab media role to shed light on the importance of the unity of the Arab position and the efforts made in this regard, which were clearly reflected in the important role played by the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, by harnessing the common factors between the two sister countries to engage in the negotiations that led to this agreement, and working diligently to implement it and consolidate the truce. His Excellency explained that the success of the joint efforts of the two brotherly countries is mainly due to Egypt’s political and military weight, and its geographical neighboring country to Palestine, as well as the State of Qatar’s agile diplomacy that plays a role in negotiating to resolve conflicts. He pointed out in this regard the keenness of the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the country, to always maintain relations with Egypt, as the two countries have deep relations that are not born of the moment, but rather extend for decades, which was embodied by the exhibition held within the framework of this event under the title “Qatar in the Eyes of the Media”, which included a group of historical journalistic topics that demonstrate the depth of the historical relations between the two brotherly countries. In the same context, Ambassador Mohamed El-Araby, Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted the involvement of Egypt and the State of Qatar during the past and current two years in a negotiation and mediation process to cease fire in the Gaza Strip, where those efforts were crowned with success, noting that the use of the term “agile diplomacy” to describe the diplomacy of the State of Qatar clearly expresses the quality of diplomacy it carries out, and the multiple roles it has played not only in the Arab world, but also at the international level.
Regarding the role of the media in achieving security and peace, El-Araby said that the role of the media in general emphasizes the consolidation of the pillars of security and peace, and that one of the most important roles played by the media recently was the transmission of scenes of the return of Palestinians from the southern Gaza Strip to their homes in the north, considering that this media image is extremely important for setting a political framework for what is to come, as it proved and demonstrated that the Palestinian people had their last word despite everything that is said about the displacement operations, as they decided to return to their afflicted homes despite the destruction that befell them.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Fayez Farahat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahram Press Foundation, said: The holding of this symposium comes at a moment of important testing for Arab relations, as important experiences of coordination at the Arab level in this regard emerge, represented in the relations between Egypt and the State of Qatar, noting that coordination between the two brotherly countries succeeded in facing one of the most dangerous moments in the region regarding the Palestinian issue.
He explained that Egypt and Qatar were able to deal with a very complex situation at the present time, and the names of the two countries are always mentioned with praise for their joint efforts that were made over many months to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, and to overcome the obstacles facing its implementation, which is a model to be emulated for dealing with other files in the region, stressing the importance of the role of the media in highlighting a message that enhances security and peace and consolidates values and morals in societies.
For his part, Egyptian Ambassador Khaled Shamaa pointed out that relations between Egypt and Qatar have extended for decades, noting that he sensed great interest in the State of Qatar in diversifying areas of cooperation with Egypt, through the ideas and initiatives proposed by His Excellency Mr. Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Egypt and Permanent Representative of the State to the League of Arab States. He also pointed out the importance of increasing media cooperation between the two countries, especially through the venerable Al-Ahram Foundation, which has influence in the Middle East.
In the same context, Qatari writer Jassim Fakhro stressed that relations between Egypt and the State of Qatar enjoy great privacy at the popular level as well as at the official level, noting that there is a great keenness on both sides to strengthen them at all levels.
He pointed to the positive interaction of the Egyptian and Qatari peoples towards strengthening these relations, which is reflected in the media message of the two countries, as well as through rich communication and interaction on social media, noting also a poem he wrote to express this affection that unites the two brotherly countries through strong ties, adding that he always considers that Egypt has a share in every Arab country and every Arab home.
For her part, Ms. Sawsan Ezz Al-Arab, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Bayt Wa-Nusf Al-Donia Magazine, indicated that the symposium witnessed a fruitful dialogue on relations between Egypt and the State of Qatar in light of the depth and history of these relations, and the great qualitative leap they have witnessed over the past years, expressing her aspiration to enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially with regard to economic files and increasing the volume of investments.
Regarding the role of the media in promoting security and peace in Arab societies, Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Media and Communication Sector at the League of Arab States, said: One of the most prominent roles played by the media is to establish peace and security in Arab societies, noting that the role of the media is essential in spreading the values of peace, combating extremism, and consolidating the foundations of the rule of law and good governance, adding that it is not possible to imagine societal security or peace without imagining these basic facts and challenges that are the foundations of the rule of law and human rights, and enabling citizens to participate politically.
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