Q Life Magazine Q Magazine (US) December 2015 | Page 7
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Foreword
A few words from
the Ambassador
During my second year serving as Ambassador of the State it is through cultural diplomacy that we are able to share
of Qatar to the United States, relations between our two our heritage and traditions in a rapidly changing landscape.
countries have grown closer and stronger. This is particularly
notable in the areas of education, arts and culture, sports,
and humanitarian aid. Through our work in these four areas
the Embassy serves as a portal through which Americans
can experience Qatar’s culture, hospitality, and generosity.
You can learn about these endeavors in this new magazine, Q.
The relationship between Qatar and the United States has
evolved as well, broadening and deepening over the years.
Some of those changes are outlined here. Qatar’s Education
City is home to branch campuses of six American universities.
Our country also hosts a U.S. military base, and we have
very strong cooperation with Americans in various economic
It is especially exciting for us to share the stories of the activities: oil and gas, of course, but also in science and
partnerships we have built in the community. Over the last year, technology and other areas of mutual interest.
the Embassy has engaged in projects that build bridges between
our two nations. We have achieved this by supporting arts and
education programs, opening the Embassy’s doors and providing
aid to communities in need.
Qatar is passionate about educating and empowering
young people around the world to become global citizens.
This year, the Embassy organized a study visit to Doha for
students from McDaniel College, most of whom had never
been to the Middle East.
Trips like this provide a much needed communication channel
between Americans and Qataris and allow young students
to develop their own perspective of our country. When we
hear students say that the Middle East is different than what
is portrayed in the news, that they have been “able to come
back and talk about what is really going on in the Arab world”
– that is diplomacy in action.
Cultural diplomacy particularly remains a cornerstone of
Qatar’s mission in the United States. At its best, it can build
a foundation of trust between nations through discovery
of common interests and opportunities for collaboration.
You will also read a lot about humanitarian aid. This is
part of our culture, a moral responsibility, guided by a sense
of duty and solidarity.
This August, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Qatar
Katrina Fund, which distributed $100 million to projects in
New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
Yet it is not just in moments of tragedy that we support our
friends. We work side by side with organizations promoting
art, education, wellbeing and community engagement all
across the United States.
Most recently, the Embassy has installed a piece of public art
representing Qatar’s flag, by artist Laurence Jenkell, with the
goal of providing a focal point for reflection on the relationship
between cultures and peoples. It is a message that we are a part
of a global community and share the same space.
This first issue of Q is a testament to the close relationship
between Qatar and the United States. I hope you enjoy reading
through it and find that the stories inside affirm those shared
values that define us as nations.
It is a continuous exchange of art and culture through people-
to-people connections. In the information age, with new ways Mohammed Jaham Al-Kuwari,
of communication and evolving technological advances, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States
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