Al Mahmoud: Educational institutions are not targets of conflict
The Qatari Ambassador to the country, Ali Al Mahmoud, affirmed that protecting students, teachers, schools, and universities from attacks is a shared responsibility that requires preventive action, readiness, effective response, and enhanced accountability, so that wars and conflicts do not become a cause for depriving an entire generation of its right to learn and build its future.
In a statement marking the International Day for Protecting Education from Attack, observed annually on September 9, Ambassador Al Mahmoud said that protecting education “does not mean merely safeguarding educational buildings and facilities, but rather protecting the future of generations, strengthening community resilience, and creating the necessary conditions for peace and development.” He clarified that depriving a child of schooling due to war does not only affect their present, but also extends to their future and that of society as a whole.
He added that education is a fundamental right that must not lose its protection during times of war and crisis, and that schools and universities must remain safe places for learning and building the future, rather than targets of conflict.
He noted that the Embassy of Qatar joins the international community in commemorating this occasion and participating in the global campaign “#Together_for_Protecting_Education,” led by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
The statement noted that Sheikh Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, emphasized during the 2024 commemoration of the International Day for Protecting Education from Attack that education is the vessel that carries children toward a bright future, warning that attacks on education destroy the lives of students and teachers and eliminate their future prospects, calling for an urgent global action to protect education from attacks.
The Embassy called on the international community, governments, educational institutions, international and humanitarian organizations, and local communities to renew their commitment to protecting education from attacks, support students and teachers affected by conflicts, ensure the continuity of education in emergencies, and strengthen monitoring, documentation, and accountability, thereby guaranteeing respect for the fundamental right to education and ensuring that no child is left behind due to war or conflict.
