Students Showcase Rich Qatari Culture in Canada

30 Aug Students Showcase Rich Qatari Culture in Canada

The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) in cooperation with Qatar University (QU) organised a one-month student trip to Canada.

The team, which included 58 female students and two administrative supervisors, was led by Prof Hamed al Marwani, a member of the DICID board of directors and professor at the QU Faculty of Shariah.

The tour, supported by Barwa Company, was aimed at creating interfaith awareness and preparation of a future Qatar generation that is tolerant towards others, follows Islamic tradition, believes in positive interaction with different cultures and religions, recognises cultural and religious diversity, and learns from others’ experience.

The focus of the trip was to present the real and positive image of the Arab and Islamic world, particularly Qatari culture and its tradition.
During the trip, students had an opportunity to learn about religious and cultural coexistence, strengthen their English conversation skills and interact with female students from Canada.

The trip included a number of talk sessions and debates about the mechanisms and methodology of cultural interaction, besides scientific and educational visits.

The students also took part in many educational, cultural and recreational programmes, besides intensive English coursework.

It consisted of activities such as visit to Ottawa mosque, several churches and cathedrals, the Upper Canada Village, the Niagara Falls, University of Ottawa, the Canadian Parliament, the Thousand Island in Ontario, Canadian Museum of Nature, University of Ottawa Library.

All these activities included intercultural dialogue meetings with Canadian women of various religious backgrounds.

The students also paid a visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the oldest and largest church in Ottawa and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Canada.

The students organised a presentation entitled ‘Qatari Night’ which highlighted the salient features of the Qatari heritage, culture and development.

The show began with a number of cultural and art activities, reflecting the history of Qatar, its modernisation and cultural renaissance, as well as its social and political developments.

The students also showcased a pavilion of an ancient and modern Qatar, which included traditional henna, photo gallery and traditional Qatari food.

The pavilion attracted a lot of visitors who were inquisitive to know more about Qatar and its heritage.

Reflecting on the trip, a student said, “During our visit, we strived for constructive dialogue among followers of different faiths for better understanding of religious principles and teachings.

It was really an unforgettable trip.”