HE Al Maadheed touched on the various definitions of identity, emphasizing its role as a distinguishing trait of an individual or group. He elaborated on the foundations and various layers of identity, as well as the interconnections between its visible and underlying components. Visible components include dress, architecture, and language as opposed to the underlying components of shared history and societal, religious and humanitarian values, HE explained.
He pointed out that the Israeli war on Gaza and the unequivocal Western support for the occupying state have revealed a profound identity crisis within the Arab and Islamic world, evident in the fragmented and diverse reactions on various levels. This crisis stems from multiple factors, including the influence of social media, deficiencies in social upbringing, and fascination with Western modernity.
HE further noted, “The State of Qatar places significant emphasis on the issue of national identity, as demonstrated by the extensive and dedicated efforts
of the Ministries of Culture, Education, and Endowments. The family plays a crucial role, and intellectuals must actively tackle community issues. Building a collective memory and prioritizing the Arabic language in the workplace and across schools is essential. Media must play an active role in instilling moderate national identity values that honor heritage and promote engagement based on rationality and wisdom.” Dr. Abdelmoula, on the other hand, emphasized that the issue of identity is as old as history itself, tracing back to the philosopher Aristotle, who sought to formulate the principles of logic and sound thinking. The first principle he identified was the principle of identity, which asserts that a thing is identical to itself, he explained.
“National identity is a central link in a chain of multiple identities, starting with one’s individual identity, family and community identity, state identity, regional identity (such as Gulf identity), national identity (Arab and Islamic identity), and finally
human identity. This human identity motivates university students in Europe and America to support Gaza in facing the brutal Zionist aggression,” he noted.
Dr. Abdelmoula also highlighted the pivotal role of education in defining one’s identity. “In Qatar, as in other countries, the educational institution is one of the most important societal pillars where the features of national identity take shape. It is in the context of such institutions that youth learn their history, gain knowledge of their heritage, and strengthen their connection to unifying values. The national language serves as a carrier of these values which are then passed from generation to generation in a changing internal and external environment.” The event marked the fifth instalment in the Cultural Salon series, which has featured – since the launch of the assault on Gaza – several events to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and its deep-rooted Arab identity.
The Cultural Salon was launched with the aim of creating an open pub
lic space that promotes dialogue, enriches culture and raises public awareness.
Source: Qatar News Agency