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The Specials aim to broaden the students' horizons by providing them with first-hand opportunities to question leading figures about their lives, their policies and their views. The events are also intended to further Qatar Foundation's vision to provide a forum for free and open speech. The student audience is chosen from more than 30 schools and universities in Doha who come from a wide range of different countries in the Arab world and beyond. Our Doha Debate Special guests welcome the opportunity to speak directly to young people in the region. Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on the eve of his participation in the Doha Debates Special event said: "With the perception of a growing division between the West and the Muslim world being fueled by misunderstanding and sharp rhetoric from both sides, I welcome the chance to participate in a forum that provides an important channel for open dialogue in the region. I commend this initiative of the Qatar Foundation and look forward to contributing to a better understanding of some of the divisive issues that plague our world." The Doha Debates Specials were first organized during the academic year 2005/2006 to mark the 10th anniversary of Qatar Foundation. However, they have been so successful that the Specials are continuing.
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DR. MAHMOUD AL ZAHAR May 27th, 2008 Dr. Mahmoud Al Zahar, a senior leader of Hamas, came under critical fire at a Doha Debates Special event for failing to end the feud with rival Palestinian group Fatah, which has cost hundreds of lives. Dr. Al Zahar was also questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience at Qatar Foundation on whether Hamas would ever recognize Israel and the likelihood of negotiating a truce. The Special event was the last Doha Debate of the 4th series.
AYAD ALLAWI October 31st, 2007 Iraq's former Prime Minister, Dr Ayad Allawi condemned the international community's 'gross failures of policy' at a Doha Debates Special event. Allawi was questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience at Qatar Foundation, which included many Iraqis, on the hottest issues in Iraq at the moment. He commented on US military policy, saying, 'Militarily the surge has slightly reduced the violence but politically it hasn't achieved any results' and warned against any possible US strike on Iran.
SHIMON PERES January 30th, 2007 In the first high-ranking Israeli visit to Qatar in more than a decade, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres spoke to students at a Doha Debates Special event. Peres was questioned on a wide range of issues, including the peace process, Lebanon and relations with Iran. He told the audience that Israel had no intention of intervening in Iran's internal affairs.
AMRE MOUSSA October 29th, 2006 In a Doha Debates Special event on October 29th, 2006, students from across Doha questioned the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, on the hottest issues facing the Arab world today. Answering a question about Darfur, Sudan, Moussa said the situation was "bad' but should not be classified as genocide. He also spoke about the situation in Iraq, Somalia and Lebanon.
DR. MOHAMED ELBARADEI March 30th, 2006 During the third Doha Debates Special in March 2006, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, told the world to 'calm down' in the face of mounting international pressure on Iran. In response to questions from Doha's students, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assured the public there is no imminent threat from Tehran. However, he did say that Iran had a 'confidence deficit' and needed to be more transparent and cooperative with the IAEA.
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TACKLING EXTREMISM February 28th, 2006 The issue of how to combat extremism and improve relations between the West and Muslim world was the topic of the second Doha Debates Special in February 2006. The Special was part of the Doha meeting of the United Nations' Alliance of Civilizations. Four guest speakers, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Professor John Esposito and Diana Buttu, answered questions from the student audience.
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PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON November 16th, 2005 Former US President Bill Clinton was the guest for the first Doha Debate Special, which was held in November 2005. The theme of the event was 'the demands of leadership' where President Clinton spoke with the students about his time in the White House.
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