DOHA: GCC ministers of culture honored on Thursday several Gulf artists and cultural figures including two Kuwaitis: Nabil Shuail and Thuraya Al-Baqsami. The recognition took place on the sidelines of the 28th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Culture, attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi. During the honoring ceremony, Khaled Al-Sunaidi, the Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC, stated that Doha has always been a hub of creativity and a beacon of culture.

Omani writer Yahya Al-Mondhari, speaking on behalf of the honorees, said that the honoring is an appreciation of the contribution of these prominent cultural figures and it would motivate them to give even more. Mondhari commended Qatar for its successful organization of this cultural event and acknowledged the efforts of the GCC General Secretariat in supporting culture and art in the member states.

Kuwait's Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi

The honorees included Ali Al-Fayadh and Mohammed Al-Marzouqi from Qatar, Sheikha Al-Nakhi and Marai Al-Halyan from the UAE, Dalal Al-Shrouqi and Abdullah Al-Khan from Bahrain, Nabila Al-Bassam and Marzouq bin Snaitan from Saudi Arabia, and Yahya bin Al-Mondhari from Oman.

Earlier at the inauguration ceremony of the 28th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Culture, Qatari Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad stressed that cooperation in the cultural field between the GCC countries is crucial for facing cultural challenges in the era of digital revolutions. He emphasized that the 2020-2030 GCC cultural strategy is a testament to the unwavering commitment to the Arab-Islamic identity. Bin Hamad said that the GCC seeks to also preserve Gulf identity while attaching to the principles of mutual respect with other cultures.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jasem Al-Budaiwi underlined the need to preserve the roots of Arabian Gulf culture by establishing a civilization that is not shaken by challenges. He pointed out that GCC culture ministers achieved many accomplishments and contributed to strengthening the regional and global status of the GCC countries, drawing upon the GCC rich cultural heritage and openness to all civilizations. — KUNA