The third issue of Qawl Fassel magazine circulated among its readers with twelve articles covering various topics, including women, children, accidents, traffic, and others. The articles are presented in an engaging narrative style, ensuring coverage of each subject from different angles. This was done parallel with the magazine’s current regional and international news coverage. The magazine’s digital presence on social media platforms was a sensitive indicator of the audience’s response and interaction with this issue.
First Week
In the first week of its third issue, the magazine published three articles in the sections on traffic, Islamic affairs, and United Nations international observances.
In her article Driving Schools: A Journey Towards Professionalism and Road Safety, journalist Huda Mohamed discussed the development of driving schools in Qatar, their use of modern technologies such as simulation devices, and their importance in improving road safety. The article also includes an interview with Qatari youth Salem, who reminisces about his experience in 2001. At a young age, he excelled in his high school exams, which qualified him to enter university before turning eighteen. After review by the responsible officer and a test, he made an official request, which allowed him to obtain a driving license to facilitate his commute to university.”
The article The Power of the Word in Islam by Ahmad Okbelbab, featured in the Islamic Affairs section, discusses the significance of words in Islamic religion and their impact on various aspects of human life. This includes everything from entering Islam to business transactions and marriage, supplication, which can alter destiny as mentioned in the prophet’s hadith, and the interpretation of dreams, often aligned with the first interpretation. The article emphasizes the role of kind words in calling to the truth, warns against negative words that affect future developments, and cautions against lying that leads to ruin. It underscores the importance of honesty and avoiding false testimony and false oaths.
On the other hand, writer Rand Saad discussed in her article World Refugee Day – June 20 featured in the section on international observances, the differences between refugees who are forced to leave their homeland seeking protection, asylum seekers whose applications are still pending, internally displaced persons who remain within their own country but flee from difficult conditions, and stateless individuals who are not recognized by any country. The article noted 117.3 million displaced persons worldwide, focusing on five central countries that are significant sources of asylum seekers.
The writer Rand Saad pointed out the meagre United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) budget, which amounts to $10.714 billion in 2022. If this budget were distributed in cash among the 117.3 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide,” the average share per person would be around $80 per year, not to mention the salaries of employees and operating and infrastructure costs that would consume a significant portion of this already minimal amount.”
Second Week
Two articles were featured in the sections on women and history in the second week of the magazine’s third issue.
In the section on women, journalist Huda Mohamed’s article Nushuz: Swelling of the Ego and Atrophy of Morals emphasized the necessity for both spouses to exert effort in maintaining the household. She pointed out that marital disputes have become alarmingly common worldwide, not to mention their harmful effects on children. The article includes a personal account of a friend who experienced domestic violence. It also defines nushuz (rebellion) in Islamic law, noting that it is not limited to women alone but includes the concept of a rebellious man. The article reviews the opinions of scholars on how to address this issue.
In the history section, Dr. Jassim AlJezza’ss article Weaving and Tailoring Laws to Fit the Ages of Humanity explored the origin of the Arabic word Qanun (Law), which comes from the Greek word (kanon). He discussed the evolution of law through the ages, from the era of individual power to the era of codification, and how contemporary laws vary in direction between Anglo-Saxon, Latin, and Islamic systems. The article raises questions about the lack of rewards for adhering to the law compared to the emphasis on penalties and the inconsistency of applying uniform fines for the same offence to individuals with different financial capacities.
The writer, Dr Jassim Al Jezza, explained the direct relationship between man’s development over the ages and the development of laws, stating that”The emergence of laws accompanied the development of humanity and evolved with social, economic, religious, and political advancements. Current legal systems refine previous systems, and contemporary systems cannot be understood without referring to their historical origins.”
Third Week
Two articles were featured in the local affairs and accidents sections in the third week of the magazine’s third issue.
The article titled After the First Shura Council Elections: Major Milestones and Future Challenges in 2025 by Yousif Al Hamadi, featured in the local affairs section, discussed the opening of candidacy and election for the Shura Council in 2021 and the broad societal discussions surrounding this issue. This is considered a positive step towards greater democracy, with ongoing discussions about how electoral districts are distributed and their impact on representing all segments of society as part of an extended democratic experiment. This follows previous steps, as elections are not a new concept for Qataris; they have experienced this before, starting with the Central Municipal Council established in the 1950s.”
The other article featured in this week’s issue, in the accidents section, is by Ahmad Okbelbab and titled Seven Bullets in a German Courtroom Spark Public Sympathy for the Killer. It discusses the case of Mariana Bachmeier, a German woman born in 1950 into difficult family circumstances. At a young age, in 1972, she gave birth to her daughter Anna, who became the hope of her life. However, after her daughter was raped and strangled by their neighbour Klaus Grabowski, Mariana shot and killed him in the courtroom in 1981. This incident sparked widespread debate, and despite the circumstances, she was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison. After serving her sentence, Mariana lived an unstable life until she died of pancreatic cancer on October 17, 1996, at the age of 46.
The writer Ahmad Okbelbab explains the reason for reducing the sentence from premeditated murder to manslaughter, stating that the judge” was convinced that the killing was impulsive and resulted from the shock of facing the accused, who had confessed to killing her daughter during the trial sessions.”
Fourth Week
In the fourth week of the magazine’s third issue, articles were featured in the sections on courts and justice, children, and local affairs.
In the courts and justice section, writer Yousif Al Hamadi discussed in his article The Role of Administrative Judiciary in Enhancing the Rule of Law the concept of administrative law, which is a branch of public law that regulates the executive authority’s administrative functions and its relationship with agencies and departments. The administrative judiciary is considered a guarantee for the principle of the rule of law and the protection of human rights. In 2007, Qatar enacted Law No. 7 of 2007 on the Settlement of Administrative Disputes, which regulates the handling of certain disputes related to salaries, allowances, and appointments, with exceptions for matters such as royal decrees and national sovereignty issues”
In the children’s section, journalist Huda Mohamed discussed in her article Juvenile Crimes: Definitions and Legal Implications the legal classification of juveniles by age and the variations in their legal responsibilities. The article distinguishes between the delinquent juvenile who has committed a crime and the at-risk juvenile facing social issues such as extreme poverty or family breakdown. Juveniles under 14 are punished with non-traditional measures such as reprimands and placement in social institutions. At the same time, those between 14 and 16 are subject to lighter penalties and are not subject to the death penalty.”
In the local affairs section, writer Hassan Ibrahim’s article titled Towards a Sustainable Environment in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities discussed how the Gulf region has become a primary global energy source since the 1960s, mainly through its oil and natural gas exports. In light of environmental challenges from urban expansion and industrial activity, Gulf countries strive to balance exploiting natural resources with ecological conservation. Qatar, for instance, has shown significant interest in human health and the environment, including protecting endangered species such as the hawksbill sea turtle. Additionally, Gulf countries are investing in alternative energy projects such as solar, wind, and green hydrogen to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”
The writer Hassan Ibrahim emphasizes that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries issued the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and their Natural Habitats to protect the environment, highlighting”the importance of their shared destiny and common goals that unite their peoples, striving for continuous cooperation and integration in all fields.”
Fifth Week
In the fifth week of the magazine’s third issue, articles were featured in the sections on expatriates and law.
In the expatriate’s section, the article Stability vs Security in Foreign Real Estate by Ahmad Okbelbab highlighted the shift in expatriates” motivations. Initially, working abroad was seen as a means to achieve security; now, it has become a goal due to economic crises and political conflicts in many countries. This has made fleeing one’s homeland a dream for many. Under these circumstances, expatriates” priorities have shifted from fulfilling postponed dreams to seeking stability in new countries. Expatriates are increasingly looking to purchase real estate to secure themselves and their families, with property ownership becoming a form of alternative homeland.
In the Law section, writer Omar Nabil discussed the definition of terrorism locally, internationally, and legally in his article Terrorism: Clarity of Definition and Ambiguity of Characterization. The events of September 11 led to a biased and inaccurate classification of terrorism in the West, often associating it with Islam. However, Qatar has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to combating terrorism, enacting a series of laws to fight terrorism and its financing. All these legislations reflect Qatar’s significant dedication to combating terrorism globally despite being the top-ranked country in the Middle East on the Global Peace Index issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace in Australia.
Despite the writer Omar Nabil’s acknowledgement of the United Nations’s efforts to define terrorism in various documents, he criticized the veto power of the five permanent members of the Security Council, stating that “Many of the United Nations charters and resolutions, under this institutionalized dictatorship, have become mere words on paper that neither rescue the distressed nor mend the broken.”
In conclusion, the extensive coverage provided by the articles and news in Qawl Fasl magazine is reflected in in-depth, objective, concise, yet comprehensive studies. The magazine presents its content in a smooth style that is accessible to both specialists and non-specialists. This is achieved through illustrative graphics and video clips, where words and images come together harmoniously and engagingly.
