Qatar is home to some famous personalities who have made their mark in various fields such as politics, sports, business and arts. In this blog post, we will introduce you to ten of them and tell you why they are worth knowing.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani:
He is the current Emir of Qatar and the youngest reigning monarch in the world. He ascended to power in 2013 after his father abdicated. He has been praised for his reforms and initiatives to diversify Qatar’s economy, promote education and culture, and enhance regional and international relations.
Moza bint Nasser:
She is the second wife of the former Emir and the mother of the current one. She is also a prominent figure in Qatar’s social and educational development. She founded Qatar Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports various projects in education, science, research and community development. She also chairs Education Above All Foundation, which aims to provide quality education to children affected by poverty and conflict. She was named one of Forbes’ 100 most powerful women in 2019.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi:
He is a former professional tennis player who became a successful sports businessman. He is the president of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (PSG), one of the most popular soccer clubs in Europe. He is also the chairman of beIN Media Group, a global sports and entertainment network that owns several TV channels and digital platforms. He played a key role in bringing major sporting events to Qatar such as FIFA World Cup 2022.
Zhu Chen:
She is a Chinese-born chess grandmaster who represents Qatar since 2006. She was the first Asian woman to win the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2001. She also won several medals at Asian Games and Chess Olympiads for China and Qatar respectively. She is married to another chess grandmaster from Qatar, Mohamed Al-Modiahki.
Wissam Al Mana:
He is a Qatari billionaire businessman who co-runs Al Mana Group with his brothers. The group operates over 300 outlets across various sectors such as fashion, automotive, real estate etc.
Mutaz Essa Barshim:
He is a Qatari high jumper who holds the Asian record and the second-highest jump in history. He won gold medals at World Championships, Asian Games and Olympic Games. He also shared the gold medal with his Italian rival Gianmarco Tamberi at Tokyo 2020 Olympics in a rare display of sportsmanship.
Dana Al Fardan:
She is a Qatari singer-songwriter who is known for her fusion of Arabic and Western music styles. She has composed songs for Qatar Airways, Qatar Museums and other national events. She also co-wrote the first original musical from Qatar, Broken Wings, based on a novel by Khalil Gibran.
Akram Afif:
He is a Qatari footballer who plays as a forward for Al Sadd and the national team. He was named as the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2019 after leading Qatar to win its first AFC Asian Cup title. He also scored Qatar’s first goal at Copa America 2019, where Qatar was invited as a guest team.
Fatma Al Remaihi:
She is a Qatari film producer and director who heads Doha Film Institute (DFI), a leading organization that supports film production and education in Qatar and beyond. She has produced several acclaimed films such as The Reluctant Fundamentalist, The Idol and The Eagle Huntress.
Ghanim Al Muftah:
Qatari YouTuber and philanthropist who was born with caudal regression syndrome, a disease that severely inhibits the development of the lower spine. His inspiring and motivating content has amassed him over 1.4 million subscribers to his YouTube channel.
He became Qatar’s youngest entrepreneur at the age of 15 in 2017. He headlined the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony alongside Morgan Freeman. He has amassed over 2.9 million followers on TikTok, where he posts educational and motivational content.
These are just some of the famous personalities of Qatar who have contributed to its development and reputation. There are many more who deserve recognition and appreciation for their achievements and talents. Who are your favorite Qatari personalities? Let us know in the comments below!
Content Sources:
- famousbirthdays.com
- linkedin.com
- countrylicious.com
- menafn.com
- newindianexpress.com
