Past Debates: Series 5
Series 5 highlights
Watch a selection of highlights from all Series 5 Doha Debates and Doha Debates Specials.
Monday, May 25 2009
This House believes that Muslim women should be free to marry anyone they choose
Asra Nomani, American Muslim Writer & Activist FOR
Yasir Qadhi, American Muslim cleric AGAINST
Muhammad Habash, Syrian parliamentarian and cleric FOR
Thuraya Al Arrayed, Saudi writer and columnist AGAINST
MOTION PASSED
by 62% to 38%
Yasir Qadhi, American Muslim cleric AGAINST
Muhammad Habash, Syrian parliamentarian and cleric FOR
Thuraya Al Arrayed, Saudi writer and columnist AGAINST
Broadcast: 6-7 June 2009
Monday, April 27 2009
This House believes that Arab states should hand over the Sudanese president to the International Criminal Court
Ahmed Hussain Adam, Justice and Equality Movement Spokesman FOR
Roland Marchal, Senior Research Fellow, CNRS France AGAINST
Hani Shukrallah, Head, Heikal Foundation for Arab Journalism FOR
Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, Adviser to Sudan's president AGAINST
MOTION PASSED
by 55% to 45%
Roland Marchal, Senior Research Fellow, CNRS France AGAINST
Hani Shukrallah, Head, Heikal Foundation for Arab Journalism FOR
Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, Adviser to Sudan's president AGAINST
Broadcast: 2 - 3 May, 2009
Wednesday, March 25 2009
This House believes it's time for the US to get tough on Israel
This event was held at Gaston Hall at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
The statements and views expressed in the debate are solely those of the Doha Debates and the film participants. They are neither endorsed by nor represent the views of Georgetown University.
Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden Unit FOR
Dore Gold, President, Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs AGAINST
Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Israeli Knesset FOR
Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor AGAINST
Dore Gold, President, Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs AGAINST
Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Israeli Knesset FOR
Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor AGAINST
Ten students from universities and high schools across Qatar – all with a demonstrated commitment to debating – travelled to Washington to attend the Debate. During their week-long trip, they saw the White House, Washington Monument, Georgetown University, the Pentagon, Camp David, the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. They also managed to find time to debate Georgetown students and meet New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman.
- See a photo gallery
Broadcast: April 4th and 5th
Venue: Georgetown University, Washington DC
Sunday, February 15 2009
This House believes that after Gaza, Arab unity is dead and buried
Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Former Qatari ambassador FOR
Daoud Kuttab, Palestinian journalist AGAINST
Mouin Rabbani, Palestinian analyst FOR
Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman, Gulf Research Centre AGAINST
MOTION PASSED
by 77% to 23%
Daoud Kuttab, Palestinian journalist AGAINST
Mouin Rabbani, Palestinian analyst FOR
Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman, Gulf Research Centre AGAINST
Broadcast: February 21st and 22nd
Sunday, January 18 2009
This House believes that political Islam is a threat to the West
Maajid Nawaz, Director, Quilliam Foundation FOR
Shadi Hamid, Project on Middle East Democracy AGAINST
Yahya Pallavicini, Italian Imam and government adviser FOR
Sarah Joseph, Editor of Emel magazine AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED
by 49% to 51%
Shadi Hamid, Project on Middle East Democracy AGAINST
Yahya Pallavicini, Italian Imam and government adviser FOR
Sarah Joseph, Editor of Emel magazine AGAINST
Broadcast: January 24th and 25th
Monday, November 17 2008
This House believes that Gulf Arabs value profit over people
Najeeb Al-Nauimi, Former Qatari Justice Minister FOR
Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed Jassim Althani , Former Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce AGAINST
Mansoor Al-Jamri, Editor, Alwasat newspaper FOR
Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government AGAINST
MOTION PASSED
by 75% to 25%
Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed Jassim Althani , Former Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce AGAINST
Mansoor Al-Jamri, Editor, Alwasat newspaper FOR
Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government AGAINST
Broadcast: November 22nd and 23rd
Tuesday, October 28 2008
This House believes the Middle East would be better off with John McCain in the White House
Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute FOR
Michael Signer, Democratic strategist AGAINST
Saad Al-Ajmi, Former Kuwaiti Information Minister FOR
Hafez Al-Mirazi, Vice President, Al Hayat TV AGAINST
MOTION REJECTED
by 13% to 87%
Michael Signer, Democratic strategist AGAINST
Saad Al-Ajmi, Former Kuwaiti Information Minister FOR
Hafez Al-Mirazi, Vice President, Al Hayat TV AGAINST
Broadcast: November 1st and 2nd, 2008
Tuesday, September 16 2008
This House believes that progress towards democracy has halted in the Arab world
Amr Hamzawy, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace FOR
Salah Al-Shaikhly, Former Iraqi ambassador to the UK AGAINST
Mustafa Hamarneh, Former Director, Jordanian Centre for Strategic Studies FOR
May Chidiac, Lebanese television presenter and journalist AGAINST
MOTION PASSED
by 64% to 36%
Salah Al-Shaikhly, Former Iraqi ambassador to the UK AGAINST
Mustafa Hamarneh, Former Director, Jordanian Centre for Strategic Studies FOR
May Chidiac, Lebanese television presenter and journalist AGAINST
Broadcast: October 4th and 5th, 2008
