DOHA: Katara Cultural Village yesterday launched a forum for Qatari women scholars, writers and academics aimed at pooling their expertise and bridging the gap between young and old generations.
Named Qatari Women Pen Forum (Multaqa Qalam al Mar’athil Qatariyya), the body was launched at a meeting attended by Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Cultural Village, Khalid Al Sayed, Head of the Forum and a host of writers and intellectuals.
A Board of Trustees for the Forum comprising Dr Aisha Yousuf Al Mannai, Dr Mariam Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi, Dr Hala Sultan Al Eisa, Dr Kultham Ali Al Ghanim and Dr Asma Abdulla Al Attiyah was also set up. Al Sulaiti said that the Forum aims to benefit from the experience and expertise of leading Qatari women writers, scholars and academics and preserve their legacy in diverse areas- intellectual, cultural and social- for the younger generation.
He pointed out that Qatari women throughout history has made remarkable achievements in various fields of knowledge.
The Forum aims to bridge the gap between old and young generations by preserving the contributions of the veteran scholars and writers and getting the new generation acquainted with them, he added.
Al Sulaiti said that over the past years, Katara has made efforts to promote and encourage Qatari writers and intellectuals by honouring them through literary prizes and accolades.
Al Sayed said that the Forum plans a series of events and activities in the months to come by involving the women writers and academics who are members of the Forum. “The basic idea behind the Forum is to provide a platform for veteran Qatari women writers and scholars to meet and share their knowledge and experience for the younger generation. Their legacy should not be lost and we want to bring them back to the mainstream,” said Al Sayed.
Qatari women scholars and writers who have carved a niche in various fields of knowledge have been brought together in the Forum, he added.
