Endowments and Environment Ministries Enrich Doha Book Fair

Endowments and Environment Ministries Showcase Knowledge and Conservation Efforts at Doha International Book Fair

Doha, May 13 (NQA) – As part of the 34th edition of the Doha International Book Fair, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched significant publications reflecting Qatar’s commitment to knowledge, cultural engagement, and environmental sustainability.

At the Cultural Salon of the fair, the Department of Islamic Research and Studies at the Ministry of Endowments introduced “The Rules of Objectives and Their Applications in Voluntary Work” by Dr. Mustafa Bu Habbouh. The launch is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to promote intellectual discourse and religious scholarship. Its pavilion highlights a wide array of activities and specialized publications, including the notable “Book of the Nation” series and the “Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani International Waqf Award.” Various departments such as the General Administration of Endowments, the Religious Call and Guidance Department, and the Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center are also represented.

The Ministry’s participation underscores its dedication to fostering community engagement through knowledge, religious values, and institutional initiatives aligned with the state’s vision of spreading balanced and moderate Islamic teachings based on the Quran and the Sunnah.

In parallel, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change unveiled the book “Whale Sharks in Qatar,” a landmark publication documenting one of the region’s most iconic marine species. The book offers a detailed scientific account of whale sharks, their habitat, biological classification, and conservation status—underscoring their importance to marine biodiversity in Qatar and the wider Arabian Gulf.

Dr. Ibrahim Abdul Latif Al-Muslimani, Assistant Undersecretary for Protection and Nature Reserves, highlighted that the book marks the first comprehensive study of whale sharks in the region, documenting over 330 individual sharks in Qatari waters between 2022 and 2023. Advanced monitoring methods, including drone-based aerial photography and underwater imaging, were used to collect data on shark size, weight, skin patterns, and injuries.

Al-Muslimani revealed that visible injuries to whale sharks increased significantly—from 15% in 2022 to over 50% in 2023—calling for urgent conservation measures. He emphasized that the book not only enhances scientific understanding but also supports Qatar’s strategic vision of sustainable marine ecosystem management through research and evidence-based policy.

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The publication aims to raise environmental awareness, contribute to global conservation initiatives, and strengthen Qatar’s role in safeguarding marine life, particularly as whale sharks are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

Qatari waters, home to one of the world’s largest whale shark gatherings, host these gentle giants annually from mid-April through early fall. The sharks typically migrate to deeper, cooler waters by mid-October, favoring temperatures around 22°C.

Together, the two ministries’ contributions to the Doha International Book Fair highlight Qatar’s dedication to fostering intellectual growth, religious insight, and environmental stewardship.