DOHA: Forty-five cadets from Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College visited Qatar Red Crescent (QRC), as part of the charity’s educative programme.
The Cadets took a tour of QRC departments to know about their local and international humanitarian activities and also attended a lecture on different humanitarian issues.
The delegation was received by Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi, Secretary-General, Rashid bin Saad Al Mohannadi, Director of Social Development Department at Al Khor Branch, Nayef bin Faisal Al Mohannadi, Director of Administrative Affairs and Human Resources, and Dr Fawzi Oussedik, Director of International Relations and the International Humanitarian Law.
Al Mohannadi introduced the students to QRC’s history and role in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and deliberated on its work and mandates as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar, through coordination with other relevant bodies. Then, he told them about his personal experience with volunteerism, which began in 2000, and the lessons and experience that he learnt, which are indispensable to any military man.
“If we are blessed with what we have, it is our duty to look at our brothers in vulnerable and unprivileged societies and lend a hand to them. Our best role models are the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Our positive spirit is derived from our leaders, who are always leading benefactors,” Al Mohannadi said.
He also commended the young men, and showed his confidence that they are up to their responsibilities and will gain the experience and knowledge that would enable them to be society leaders in the future, inspired by the legacy of the ancestors, who survived the difficult early decades of the 20th century by virtue of their solidarity and the particularly prominent role played by women.
According to him, the biggest portion of QRC’s efforts is done locally, as a society can be strong outward only when it is strong inward. He stressed QRC’s cooperation with different State institutions in the best interest of the Qatari society at large.
Dr Oussedik explained the seven international humanitarian principles, clarifying that their source is the Islamic Shariah. “If the main goal of the international humanitarian law is to protect civilians and the vulnerable at times of war, this is not so much a Western ideology as a culture and belief among Muslims.”
After that, there was a question-and-answer session, in which QRC’s officials openly replied to all enquiries of the guests, who were then took to watch the Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC), the latest humanitarian technology procured by QRC.
The Peninsula
