Under the title “Protecting Education from Attacks… Qatar’s Message to the World”, Al-Arab newspaper said in its editorial that September 9 of each year marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. This is a Qatari initiative called for by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. The initiative received unanimous support from representatives of member states and was co-sponsored by 62 countries to raise awareness about the suffering of 75 million children aged 3 to 18 in 35 conflict-affected and crisis-stricken countries.
The newspaper considered Qatar’s hosting of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which this year is held under the theme “Education in Peril: The Human Cost of War”, as a reflection of Her Highness’s pioneering role. Her Highness is seen as the driving force behind many projects and initiatives that support education, provide economic opportunities, and promote susta
inable development across the world, with a particular focus on the humanitarian dimensions of crises, conflicts and wars. This underscores her advocacy for the most vulnerable groups in need.
Al-Arab concluded by highlighting Her Highness’s emphasis that attacking education is a barbaric assault on the lives of students and their teachers, that leaves nothing but destruction, emptiness and darkness looming over shattered hopes and dreams. She pointed out that those who target education are undoubtedly aware of what they are committing and intend it with premeditation.
For its part, under the title “Gaza’s Students: Victims of Aggression”, Al-Raya newspaper said in its editorial that the State of Qatar has adopted education as a strategic choice both locally and internationally, believing that it is the primary driver of development and the advancement of nations and societies. Qatar has also recognized the right of everyone to education, especially children and women, as they are among the most vulnerable
and affected by political and security conditions. Qatar has alerted the world to the necessity of adopting binding and deterrent measures to protect educational institutions and prevent them from being targeted by attacks.
In this context, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser reaffirmed that attacking education is a barbaric assault on the lives of students and their teachers, that leaves nothing but destruction, emptiness and darkness. She pointed out that those who target education are undoubtedly aware of what they are committing and intend it with premeditation. This statement was made during the Education Above All Foundation’s commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, an initiative led by Qatar. The commemoration coincides with the ongoing brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Palestinian territories, which has primarily impacted education, depriving hu
ndreds of thousands of school and university students in the region of education for the second consecutive year, the newspaper added.
Al-Raya concluded by stressing that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s words alerted the entire world to the serious plight of Gaza’s children and youth, who are being deprived of education as the occupation deliberately targets schools, universities, shelters, and educational staff as part of Israel’s total war on Palestinians. The newspaper added that if any country in Asia or Africa were to commit such a massacre, the international community would, without hesitation, rush to impose sanctions and punish it. Sadly, Gaza’s children stand alone, caught in the crosshairs of the criminal aggression of the occupation.
For its part, The Peninsula newspaper praised in its editorial Tuesday the efforts of the Education Above All Foundation in promoting education in war-torn countries, marginalized communities in different parts of the world.
The fifth International Day to Pr
otect Education from Attack (IDPEA) was observed yesterday in Doha, with a global call to safeguard schools and ensure every child has access to a safe learning environment, it added.
The newspaper said in its editorial titled “Protecting Education,” that Education Above All for many years has been raising serious voice for protection of education from attacks particularly during conflicts. The UNs 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have provided EAA with the platform and baseline to do just that, converging capital, infrastructure, information, and environment for a better world with a brighter future.
The newspaper concluded its editorial by saying that the global leaders at the 5th International Day to Protect Education from Attack ((IDPEA) yesterday in Doha emphasized the urgent need to protect education from conflict. They insisted that education is the most powerful tool for ensuring a safe and inclusive future with equal opportunities for all children. (QNA)
Source: Qatar News Agency