The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in cooperation with the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), is currently presenting a five-part hybrid lecture series, “Towards Strong and Cohesive Families”, taking place every Wednesday throughout March. 

“The latest joint initiative with HBKU falls in line with Qatar Foundation (QF)’s strategy to empower its affiliate entities to join efforts, and aims at raising awareness and exchanging knowledge, expertise, and findings of research on family issues,” Dr. Sharifa Al-Emadi, DIFI’s Executive Director, said.

The series began on March 2 with a talk by Dr. Al-Emadi titled the “Influence of Intellectual and Behavioral Deviations on Family and Society” followed by “Family Needs: Caregivers of Elderly People in Qatar” by Dr. Azza O. Abdelmoneium, Director of Research, DIFI, on March 9. 

Dr. Al-Emadi said her organization was pleased to participate in the lecture series. “Over the course of five lectures, we discuss issues ranging from the impact of intellectual and behavioral deviations on the family and society and best practices in care management for the elderly, to youth protection and marital relations in the Arab world during the early years of marriage, in addition to tackling work-life balance policies in Qatar and the Gulf,” she said.

She also commended the participation of university students in the lecture series, describing them as “tomorrow’s leaders”. 

“We are happy to share with youth and students, especially those who are about to get married, information derived from scientific evidence, as well as the findings of many studies, which could contribute to strengthening family cohesion - an objective that falls at the core of our mission to support various groups across Qatar,” she said.

Continuing in-person at the Minaratein building on March 16, Mr. Khalid Al Naama, Family Policy Director, DIFI, will present a lecture on the “Protection of Children and Youth in Qatar”. On March 23, Dr. Al Emadi will speak on “Marital Relationships in the Arab World During the First Five Years of Marriage”. The series concludes on March 30 with Mr. Ahmed Aref, Director of Planning and Content, DIFI, speaking on “Strategies for Work-Family Balance in Qatar and the Gulf Region”.

Dr. Mohamed El-Gammal, Associate Professor at CIS, HBKU, added: “Families tend to reflect the effects of social upheaval such as we have been experiencing during the pandemic. Through this cooperation with DIFI, CIS hopes to raise awareness about the challenges facing Arab families and make a positive contribution to solving those issues.”