DOHA: The government’s Qatarisation policy has begun to show positive results for the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as citizens now make 33 percent of the ministry’s workforce.
The number of Qataris in the ministry increased to 1,366 in the workforce of 4,173 in 2014, according to the Annual Achievement Report published by the Secretary-General of the Cabinet.
Earlier, these positions were held by non-Qataris but the number of citizens has increased after the government initiated the Qatarisation programme.
It aims to increase the number of Qataris in government and private organisations, especially at senior levels.
The number of Qatari Imams in the ministry has reached 163.
The ministry witnessed four percent rise in the number of it employees last year, compared to previous year.
During 2010-2013, donors for the Department of Mosques reached 170 and the amount was used in implementing projects.
The total number of mosques under daily supervision were 99 and supervisors 54, said the report. The number of workers at mosques reached 3,640, including 988 khatibs, 1,247 Imams and 1,014 moazins.
The report said the employees of Arab nationalities in the ministry represented 27.8 percent of the total workforce.
Non-Arab employees represented 39.2 percent.
The citizens of GCC countries make 0.3 percent of the total employees. The number of university degree holders reached 1,102 or 26.4 percent of all employees.
Many parts of Qatar will see new mosques coming up in coming years. Abu Huraira Mosque will be built in the Industrial Area, with a capacity to accommodate 6,000 people.
It will have two floors with Da’wa and parking facility.
A mosque will be built in Central Market, with a capacity of 6,000 people and will have two floors. Another will be built in Tower Area in Dafna.
Among the projects implemented by Al Da’wa Institute, 1,886 employees involved took part in 20 courses and 180 acquired diploma from the institute while 120 were sent abroad on scholarship.
The Human Resource Department said 3,268 employees underwent assessment process and 1,829 of them are with the Department of Mosque, representing 65 percent of total employees.
About 8,000 students have benefitted from the continuous education centre and 400 from the distance education programme. Another 800 benefitted from summer courses, 173 underwent courses for Imams and khatibs, while 1,080 Qatari Imams and khatibs attended Shariah courses.
The Peninsula
