A Collective Effort

DOHA TODAY PAGE | 03 SPONSORS PAGE | 08 Islam, COVID-19 A new test for and the global scientist: His moral panic brain illness THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2020 Email: [email protected] Ultra-modern operating theaters State-of-the-art ambulance ﬂeet Highly-advanced patient information systems A collective effort Different organisations of expatriate communities in the country are making Cutting-edge treatments for cancer efforts to defeat the threat of COVID-19 and to support the measures being taken by the government of Qatar and authorities concerned. The community At Hamad Medical Corporation we are utilizing advanced technology and organisations and leaders are not only creating awareness among people innovative systems to deliver the highest on how to stay safe from the infection and rumour-mongering, but also quality care to Qatar’s population. encouraging them to become part of volunteering campaign recently www.hamad.qa launched by the Ministry of Public Health. 4-5 THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2020 03 DOHA TODAY Islam, COVID-19 and the global moral panic rom media reports to private conversations, didn’t happen. COVID-19 is all anyone is talking about at home Similarly, if we continue to strip and abroad. The spread of the virus has created supermarket shelves bare others are panic around the world, prompting the cancel- deprived of essential products, which Flation of flights and events, closures of gyms, restau- in turn creates a problematic sense of rants, theatres, and mosques, as well as the post- individualism. Behaving in such a ponement of weddings and parties. way shows us that it is time to ask the More strict measures include the lock-down of entire question where do we stand in terms cities and the isolation of vulnerable members of society. of raising youths that care about We need to remember that these limitations serve a morality at a global level? Allah purpose “And it may be that you dislike a thing which is (SWT) blessed humans with the gift of good for you” (Quran 2:216). Moreover, it’s not only free choice. We are equipped with Al global affairs and related systems that are being tested ‘Aql (intellect or reason) and human by the pandemic but also our moral values. Whether it is Evren Tok Bayan Khaled dignity (Karamah) to make our food hoarding, sanitiser stocking or corona racism, we choices. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are witnessing various forms of moral anxiety that jeop- indicated that “Nothing worships ardise our conception of fair, just and inclusive societies. Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is not a word to be used lightly (adores) Allah as does Al ‘Aql”. The global moral panic we are living through is or carelessly. Ghebreyesus also warns that, if misused, Accordingly, it is time to take a step back and actively making us forget that “modesty is part of faith” (Sahih Al ‘pandemic’ can also cause unreasonable fear or unjus- think about how we can avoid such conflicts and Bukhari, 8:73:139). Fighting over the last stack of toilet tified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to reduce the moral panic gripping our communities. paper and hoarding hand sanitisers and masks means unnecessary suffering and death. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio that supplies dwindle and prices rise for other people. While COVID-19 has limited and fixed symptoms, Guterres, indicated that the declaration of COVID-19 as a Rumours concerning the spread of COVID-19 from its the moral panic it has caused has many manifesta- pandemic was a call for responsibility and solidarity. In place of origin in Wuhan to the wider world have sparked tions. Health ramifications aside, we are grappling this respect, our youth has a prominent role to play. That incidents of racism against Chinese communities. with a wide array of irrationalities, disproportionate is why the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin With this in mind, the global mayhem and moral reactions, and episodes of anxiety. What we’re seeing Khalifa University (HBKU) is challenging Qatar’s youths to panic caused by COVID-19 provides the ideal oppor- in the media – not to mention the behaviour of the take advantage of the time they are spending at home to tunity to rethink global values and human development general public — should make us all question how we think about how to tackle the issues that arise with the in general. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, tackle this moral panic in order to put everyone at increase of moral panic. This challenge is entitled with symptoms ranging from mild illnesses like the ease and become a fairer, just, and inclusive society in “COVID-19 and the Global Moral Panic: Youth Challenge” common cold to more serious conditions such as pneu- the process. This is particularly reminiscent of events and it invites youths to join in by shedding light on the monia. The virus was recently reclassified by the World three years ago when the blockade of Qatar prompted global moral panic. — The Peninsula Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic, which, inhabitants to rush to supermarkets to get as much This article was contributed by Evren Tok and Bayan according to Director-General Tedros food as they can before resources run out. This simply Khaled. 04 THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2020 DOHA TODAY A collective effort IRFAN BUKHARI & SANAULLAH ATAULLAH THE PENINSULA community as thousands of people representing different We are running aggressive expatriate communities have campaigns through social he whole world including Qatar is facing a also got themselves registered media and also reaching out to serious challenge in the form of COVID-19 pan- for the noble cause. demic. To beat the challenge, the role of each and In a press conference held workers to educate them every individual of the society is pivotal and on March 24, spokesperson of regarding preventive decisive.T the Supreme Committee for Different organisations of expatriate communities in Crisis Management, H E measures needed to contain the country are making efforts to defeat the threat to Lolwah bint Rashid bin the spread of virus. We are also support the measures being taken by the government of Mohammed Al Khater revealed Qatar and authorities concerned. The community organ- that the number of volunteers in close contact with the isations and leaders are not only creating awareness with the MoPH, Qatar Charity authorities concerned and also among people on how to stay safe from the infection and and Qatar Red Crescent Riyaz Bakali, office rumour-mongering but also encouraging them to reached approximately getting community members bearer of Pakistan become part of volunteering campaign recently launched 35,000, pointing out that registered for volunteering.” Welfare Forum by the Ministry of Public Health. MoPH is now working with the The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has called vol- relevant authorities to dis- unteers to join the National Volunteering Campaign ‘For tribute volunteers according to authorities concerned and also getting community Qatar’ and help fight the coronavirus. Volunteers’ the need and expertise. members registered for volunteering.” responsibilities will include medical practice (clinical), Riyaz Bakali from Pakistan Welfare Forum told The Praising government’s role in provision of all nec- allied health practice, public health awareness, logistics Peninsula that their association was creating awareness essary things including food to workers in the Industrial and others. Selected volunteers will be needed for at least among Pakistani community members particularly Area, Bakali said that PWF was ready to provide 14 days of eight-hour shifts over a 12-week period from among workers about COVID-19 through different assistance to such people but the government itself was the end of March to the end of June, according to the means. “We are running aggressive campaigns through providing all essentials and was just taking input from us. MoPH. social media and also reaching out to workers to educate “We only point out if there is any issue and the author- The call of the MoPH for volunteering has received an them regarding preventive measures needed to contain ities concerned address it swiftly.” overwhelming response from the the spread of virus. We are also in close contact with the He said that the forum was creating awareness videos COVER STORY THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2020 05 DOHA TODAY Ramesh Bhata, a leader of Nepalese expatriate community, distributing awareness leaﬂets in Nepali language among A representative of QRCS during an awareness session on COVID-19 with leaders of expatriate communities. workers in coordination with Qatar Charity. to break the communication citizens and residents. The number of volunteers jumped barrier as many workers were Many members affiliated to 7,460, out of 8,000 volunteers targeted by Qatar not educated enough to read to different organisations Charity, QC announced on March 22. the messages. of Nepalese expatriate To fully utilise the services of volunteers, the Min- Prof Mohammed Ramzan istry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has also Ali Miya, a prominent leader of community are volun- announced launching a nationwide campaign in all Nepalese expatriate com- teering with local charity municipalities with the participation of a number of vol- munity, said that he attended unteers to clean and disinfect the various vital areas of three workshops organised by organisations like Qatar the country. Qatar Red Crescent Society Charity In a meeting held recently at the Ministry, the volun- (QRCS) for leaders of expa- teers were introduced to the volunteering initiative triate communities to provide Prof Mohammed Ramzan Ali Miya, launched by the MME as part of the State’s efforts to curb accurate information on coro- Nepalese community leader. the spread of coronavirus.

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