3rd Best News Website in the Middle East BUSINESS | 11 SPORT | 19 Brexit will have SL eye win long-term as India play economic damage without Jadeja Saturday 12 August 2017 | 20 Dhul-Qa’Da 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7251 | 2 Riyals Qatar condemns New tourist visa attacks in Paris and Mogadishu QNA policies buoy THE STATE of Qatar has strongly condemned the car ramming attack in the north hotel industry of Paris and resulted in the injury of a number of sol- diers. The Ministry of Foreign Raynald C Rivera licence with Qatar Tourism Affairs reiterated its solidarity The Peninsula Authority (QTA) are able to fully with the French Republic in all complete their guests’ tourist actions taken to maintain its ecent steps taken by visa applications online via a security and stability. The Qatar to facilitate newly activated feature on statement expressed Qatar’s tourist visas includ- www.qatarvisaservice.com. wishes for speedy recovery ing the granting of “The introduction of e-visa for injured victims. visa-free entry to services will enable us to The State of Qatar also RQatar to some 80 nationalities become open to new markets. strongly condemned the sui- is seen as a boon to the coun- These new markets are sup- cide bombing on a mosque in try’s booming hotel industry. ported through the vast central Mogadishu, which Advancements in tourist network of Qatar Airways, Dis- killed one soldier. The For- visa policies coupled with cover Qatar and Visit Qatar, as eign Ministry reiterated hotels’ venture into fresh pre- well as the extensive network Currently there are 242 nationalities who are Qatar’s firm stance on reject- viously unexplored markets are of Global Sales Offices of hotel TOURIST ing violence and terrorism, expected to give the hospital- brands such as Minor Hotels eligible to apply for tourist visa online. Hospitality regardless of motives or rea- ity sector its much needed shot Group,” Thomas Fehlbier, Gen- VISA ONLINE sons. The statement stressed in the arm. eral Manager at Banana Island establishments and tourism offices holding a valid Qatar’s total rejection to target Hotels across the country Resort Doha by Anantara, told licence with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) are places of worship and intimi- welcomed last Wednesday’s The Peninsula. 242 date civilians and expressed announcement with delight as Saeid Heidari, General able to fully complete their guests’ tourist visa sincere condolences to the it came just a month after the Manager at Sheraton Grand Nationalities Somali government and the move to expand e-visa services Doha Resort & Convention applications online via a newly activated feature family of the victim. which enables registered hotels Hotel, said QTA’s policy to are eligible and tourism establishments to expand e-visa services is an on www.qatarvisaservice.com. make applications fully online effective way to maximise tour- International for passengers of all airlines. ism by attracting more visitors Currently there are 242 to the country. visit Qatar. “This will give a huge opportunities, and contributed increase in demand which they Youth Day today nationalities who are eligible to He said the new policies like push to our business and to the to the wider national economy,” expect to continue to grow in the QATAR marks today the apply for tourist visa online. visa on arrival for around 72 Qatari economy in general. This said Heidari, adding since the coming months. International Youth Day, Hospitality establishments and nationalities and visa-free entry is a clear example of how QTA decision to expand e-visa serv- which is celebrated on August tourism offices holding a valid will encourage more people to has enhanced Qatar’s tourism ices, there had been a noticeable → Continued on page 2 12 every year, and is held this year under the theme “Youth Building Peace” to recognise youths’ contribution to pre- venting conflicts as well as integration, social justice and European rights body questions curbs on Qatari Haj pilgrims sustainable peace. →See also page 2 Mohammed Osman pilgrims intend to perform Haj in Saudi Moreover, Euro-Med Monitor for but prevented companies from making The Peninsula Arabia. Human Rights appealed IARF “to make the necessary arrangements for Qatari Uhuru Kenyatta Euro-Med Monitor in its letter said sure that Saudi Arabia is not using Islam pilgrims by not allowing companies to wins second term nternational human rights organisa- that it would like to draw IARF attention to achieve political gains, at the expense secure accommodation and transporta- tions are expressing their concerns to the recent measures taken by Saudi of the religious freedom of the people of tion within Saudi Arabia. NAIROBI: President Uhuru Iover the restrictions imposed on Arabia against Qatari pilgrims wishing to Qatar”. Other restrictions related to the air, Kenyatta was declared the Qatar’s nationals and expatriates willing perform Haj, Islam’s fifth pillar. The Haj days are nearing which is land and sea blockade have prevented winner yesterday of Kenya’s to perform the annual Haj pilgrimage. The organisation notes that due to going to take place by the end of this local companies from taking care of the hard-fought presidential elec- Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights current “political crisis in the Gulf and the month while many Qatari nationals and necessary needs of Qatari Pilgrims in the tion, but opposition candidate Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) yesterday blockade imposed on Qatar by its three expatriates will not be able perform the holy lands during the Haj period making Raila Odinga alleged the vot- urged the International Association for Gulf neighbours and Egypt, Qatari pilgrims rituals. it a major logistic obstacle to perform the ing was rigged. Religious Freedom (IARF) to raise the issue are facing restrictions which might affect The Saudi authority has not officially rites. of restrictions being faced by Qatari their ability to perform this religious duty”. banned Qataris from performing the Haj → Continued on page 2 →See also page 3 Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim in final Trump sending two envoys for Middle East peace talks Washington “While the regional talks will personal commitment to Reuters play an important role, the pres- reaching a deal that has eluded ident reaffirms that peace his Republican and Democratic resident Donald Trump is between Israelis and Palestini- predecessors. sending his son-in-law ans can only be negotiated The timing of the trip was PJared Kushner and nego- directly between the two par- pegged to the recent “resto- tiator Jason Greenblatt to the ties and that the United States ration of calm and the Middle East soon to meet will continue working closely stabilised situation in Jerusa- regional leaders and discuss a with the parties to make lem” after a spate of violence “path to substantive Israeli- progress towards that goal,” the last month sparked by Isra- Palestinian peace talks,” a official said. el’s installation of metal White House official said Kushner, who serves as a detectors at entry points to yesterday. senior adviser to his father-in- the Al Aqsa Mosque. Deputy national security law, was charged with helping Trump directed that the adviser Dina Powell will also be to broker a deal between Israe- talks focus on a pathway to Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar successfully clears a height of 2.31 metres during the on the trip, which will include lis and Palestinians after Trump peace talks, fighting “extrem- qualifying round of the men’s high jump competition at the IAAF World Championships meetings with leaders from took office. ism,” easing the humanitarian at the London Stadium in London yesterday. The gravity-defying Qatari star breezed Saudi Arabia, the United Arab The president went to crisis in Gaza, and identifying through yesterday’s qualification with greatest of ease. The men’s high jump final will Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel during economic steps that can be be held tomorrow. → See also page 16 Israel and the Palestinian his first post-inauguration trip taken to ensure security and sta- Authority, the official said. abroad and has expressed a bility, the official said. 02 HOME SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2017 Ministry holds Unique Filipino culture on display inspection at Industrial Area Raynald C Rivera Ambassador Alan L Timbayan, The Peninsula following the opening ceremony of the show. “This exhibition is The Peninsula he Philippine Embassy aimed at valuing our national marked ‘National Lan- language through activities that he Ministry of Munici- Tguage Month’ by launching showcase deep appreciation of pality and Urban an art exhibition yesterday Filipino culture and identity.” TPlanning yesterday showcasing 29 artworks by Fil- Speaking to local media, Vice conducted an inspection at ipino artists and students. Consul Kristine F Bautista, Head the streets 42, 47 and 53 in The pieces, which are on dis- of Cultural, Community and Pub- Industrial Area with an inten- play at the embassy until the end lic Information Section, stressed tion to catch street vendors if of this month, depict national the embassy’s desire to help pro- found violating norms. symbols and famous objects, mote Filipino artists in Qatar A number of security people, places and events rem- through the cultural cooperation forces including Rescue iniscent of unique Filipino agreement between the two Police (Al Fazaa) and Internal culture. countries. “Through this agree- Security Force (Lekhwiya) The exhibition is a visual ment, we hope that we will have also took part in the campaign feast with an assortment of art- the chance to showcase the tal- in coordination with the com- works from colourful ents of Filipino artists in the petent authority at the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio future in cooperation with the ministry.