Doha: Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said that the relationship between Qatar and France is strong and historically significant and that there is an indissoluble cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, culture, sport, security, foreign and military policy. In a special interview granted to the French magazine ‘Le Pointe’, Amir clarified his views on several issues.
Amir said that, as a World Cup host for the first time in the Middle East and the Arab world, Qatar welcomes everyone regardless of religion, nationality, color and culture and hopes they will use this grand event to touch and experience different cultures and learn more about Qatar’s unique culture.
In the interview, Amir expressed his views on various topics such as global political developments, Qatar’s foreign policy, women’s empowerment, issues faced by women, education, freedom of expression, industry news energy, GCC-Iran relations, cooperation between the GCC countries. Below are the relevant parts of the interview published on 14 September.
Although Qatar is a small country, Qatar is moving forward mediating major world problems and diplomatic crises and establishing supremacy in the energy and investment sectors. Now FIFA World Cup football is also around the corner
-Gegraphically, Qatar is one of the smallest countries. But any country, large or small, can have a significant impact on what happens in the world. Qatar’s own foreign policy has focused on bringing together different perspectives. Foreign policy includes providing assistance to all who need it as much as possible and facilitating proactive problem solving on various issues, both inside and outside the region. Peace talks and negotiations are what the world is looking for to resolve diplomatic crises and problems. The latest example is what happened to us in Afghanistan. Qatar was able to resolve the Afghanistan issue in a very amicable way and to become a platform for mediation talks. Qatar has become one of the most trusted global service providers in the energy sector. We are very proud of it.
Qatar is highly developed today. Qatar has had its ups and downs in history. Lessons from it?
– First, education is key. Especially for a country rich in natural resources. His lessons have been learned from history. Until 1930 we were famous for the pearl and pearl trade. However, after the Second World War, it began to be exploited and exported. Natural gas was discovered in the 1970s. Its market value was very low. Because everyone needed it. Qatar was ready to take risks and invested huge sums of money for it. He was pushed into debt. We have learned the lesson that this is due to the fact that the resources needed are scarce and not permanent. Especially in human resources. We must invest in ourselves, in human capital.
Education is very important. No society can grow without education. That is why Qatar is focusing on the development of schools and the creation of new universities. As part of this, foreign universities and colleges have been invited here. Along with this, Qatar has launched nine sectors with the aim of economic diversification. It includes technology, health, science, tourism, etc. We have faith in our financial system.
Qatar was blocked by the neighboring country from 2017 to 2021. There have been two coup attempts in Qatar since 1995. It has not survived all.
– Notice one thing. I don’t want to talk about past events. Our focus is on the future. We have entered a new phase. This association of cooperative countries is preparing for the future. GCC is moving forward with a big goal. This is a time when unity and cooperation are essential.
Is Qatar’s chosen path why Qatar upsets its neighbors? Is it because of the relationship with Iran?
-I don’t think it makes sense to dwell on past events. I don’t want to talk about this. As for Iran, Iran is a very important partner country for Qatar. Their relationship is as old as history. Qatar also shares its main natural gas field with Iran. We want and encourage all GCC countries to speak directly with Iran and vice versa. There may be differences, this is natural. Everyone has their reasons. However, they should meet and discuss directly with each other without allowing any outside interference.
On the criticism of the relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood?
-No relationship. Neither their active members nor related organizations operate in Qatar. Qatar is an open book. Many people with different opinions and ideas come and go. One thing to remember, Qatar is not a party but a country. Qatar deals with countries and their elected governments. Not with political organizations.
Why should the West mediate between Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan?
– This is part of our policy. It has been said earlier that it is part of foreign policy to bring together those with divergent opinions. The Taliban issue has been debated for years. During his presidency, Qatar had asked for talks. What happened last year was unexpected. However, he worked closely with the United States and European countries. This would include France. No party has officially helped us on the issue of Iran. Because Iran is our neighbor. It is our responsibility to bring all parties together and resolve differences through negotiation and conciliation. At the same time, it is not our policy to negotiate with opposing parties, and Qatar certainly does not want to negotiate with terrorists and extremist organizations.
Do you believe that natural gas will continue to play an important role in the global energy mix?
-Of course. Natural gas is very important in the transition and in the long term. This is due to the fact that LNG is at the forefront of clean energy sources. You see, Qatar has invested heavily in technologies to reduce and capture carbon emissions. Meanwhile, billions of people still suffer without electricity.
How do you see the future of Islam as a religion?
– This is a very broad question. We are a diverse society with different cultures, races and ideas. Faith is also taken very seriously in education. At the same time, Islam is open in its approach and perspective towards other cultures, religions and individuals. Islam is a religion of peace. and embraces all kinds of diversity. It will ensure that everyone lives in peace. There are often problems between religions, but talking about them or trying to add fuel to the fire is useless. The Islamophobia that some individuals and the media create and disseminate is not terrible. There is no concern for Islam in European countries or Christianity in Islamic countries. A large percentage of Christians and Jews live in the Muslim world. All of them were part of the same Islamic culture.
About permission to open a Christian church in Doha?
-Christians have lived here for decades. They also have the right to worship. We also welcome them as those who helped build this country. The ecclesiastical complex, which includes several churches, is under construction in Doha since the father’s decision to provide facilities for their worship carried out in private spaces. Christians from various countries including Asia, Africa and the West adore you according to their faith.
Perspective on the role of women in society?
-Understanding that men and women are equal in the eyes of God. The role of women is fundamental in our society. Women outnumber men in Qatari universities. They are 63 percent of the students. 50-50 in equal ratio in the employment sector. There are three women ministers in the government. Their service is great. There are female pilots in the Air Force. There is no gender discrimination here. It is true that this is the case in the world, but we are against such an approach.
Who are the heads of state that inspire you?
-I can’t say about the current heads of state. Most of them are my friends. The most personal influence was the father. He is a great person. The great lessons I saw from my father were open-mindedness, steadfastness, and first of all admitting and correcting mistakes. His advice has always been invaluable to me. I learned a lot from former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. I managed to get close to him.
What do World Cup fans want to know from Qatar?
-Qatar is the first Arab country to host the World Cup. This is important for everyone, including the young people of the Arab world. We welcome everyone to Qatar, regardless of culture, nationality or language. They are invited to study the culture of Qatar and the Arab world.
And the ties of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates with Israel?
– Each country has the right to establish relations with the countries it wishes. But what does normalization mean in relations with Israel? Are the serious things Israel is doing normal? Not once. Much of the Arab territory is still under occupation. Muslim and Christian refugees who have been unable to return to their homes for over 70 years are living under siege in Gaza. The Palestinian people must find a peaceful solution, give them hope and give them back their land. We constantly talk about it with Israel. We provide aid to the people in Gaza and the West Bank. We believe in a two-state solution. Palestinians and Israelis must live together in peace. Unfortunately, we’re still a long way from that one goal.
What should we teach our children? You say your parents taught you humility.
-I am grateful to my parents for teaching me to always be humble. When I was young, at the age of 13, my father sent me to Germany to look for and pay for sports equipment. I was sent for a simple task that would happen to anyone else.
But I understand it was a way of teaching me to travel alone and to be independent. Before that, he was sent to Belgium to study French during the summers at the age of 8-10. Later, at the age of 17, he was sent to military school in Great Britain. I learned a lot in my studies at the military academy. He was part of the Qatari special forces for many years before being named crown prince.
