Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Editor-in-Chief
Nation building on the basis of solid scientific strategies, planning and long-term visions; and with specific objectives is being carried out step by step to advance the wheel of development in the State of Qatar. These principles have positioned our beloved country in the right place among the developed nations, whose people enjoy prosperity.
This has also enabled the State of Qatar to make significant and rapid comprehensive development including infrastructure development, promoting economic diversification with a role of private sector, raising the standard of living of the citizens, achieving human development, creating a comprehensive and integrated health care system, applying educational quality systems, and taking a measured pace to achieve food and water security.
The wise leadership that leads this national renaissance is well-aware that development is indivisible, but each of its components complements the other and requires mobilization of all national energies, wise management of available natural resources and the protection of environment to enhance the building of the modern nation and developing its executive and legislative institutions.
Here comes the generous initiative of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the opening of the forty-sixth session of the Shura Council, when H H the Amir declared that “the government is working to prepare for the Shura Council’s elections, including the preparation of necessary draft legislative to ensure smooth conduct of the elections”.
In line with this vision, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued an Amiri decision to establish a Higher Committee to prepare for the Shura Council election under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and membership of a number of ministers and specialists.
The Amiri decision for making membership of the Shura Council through election has come to strengthen the national march of the Council and enhance its historical role in the process of nation-building. It is a step worthy of emulation and very important in the history of building the legislative institutions of the modern State of Qatar.
The expected role of the elected council will enhance citizens’ participation in the legislative authority; strengthen the principles of democracy and the rule of law in all practices. As well, it will consolidate national unity, cohesion of leadership and people to protect the achievements on which future advancement will be based to meet the interests and aspirations of coming generations.
The democratic process started with the issuance of a number of laws and legislations by Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani since 1995. These steps led to the establishment of the Municipal Council in 1997, and followed by a decision to lift restrictions on the media by abolishing the Ministry of Information and developing of publishing law to comply with the new phase the country is looking forward to it.
The efforts of modernization and state-building reached its peak with the formation of national committee to prepare the country’s permanent Constitution.
All praise and thanks to Allah, today we are blessed with a leadership who is eager to make citizens participate in all walks of the State. Success here is credited to our wise leadership, which did not rush in its decisions, but built solid foundations to ensure the participation of citizens in national decision-making.
The current crisis and subsequent developments are the greatest proof of the success of the well-studied plans of our leadership, which were welcomed and supported by all the people. More successes will inevitably come. Qatar has leadership that loves its people and tries to take it towards the completion of the building of a democratic nation. Congratulations to Qatar for having this leadership that strives to provide people of this precious homeland with all means of comfort and development.
