News

Qatar Charity-Supported Lukavac Islamic Center Officially Opens in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Lukavac Islamic Center and Mosque has officially opened in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina during a high-level ceremony attended by religious, political, and diplomatic leaders, marking the completion of a major religious, cultural, and community landmark supported by Qatar Charity. The opening represents the culmination of years of construction work, with Qatar Charity playing a pivotal role in financing and supporting the completion of the newly built center. The facility is expected to serve as a prominent place of worship, education, and community engagement for residents of Lukavac and the wider Tuzla Canton region. In recognition of Qatar’s contribution, the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, Irfan Halilagić, announced that one of the city’s main streets would be named “Qatari Street.” The initiative is intended to honor the State of Qatar and Qatar Charity’s development, educational, and religious projects in the region, while serving as a lasting symbol of friendship between the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Meshaal bin Ali Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina; His Eminence Husein-ef. Kavazović, Reisul-Ulema of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Hassan bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, General Supervisor of Qatar Charity’s Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Mohammed Ouchene, Country Manager of Qatar Charity in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Samer Gheith, Project Coordinator at Qatar Charity’s Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Irfan Halilagić, Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton; Bakir Izetbegović, former member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Edin Delić, Mayor of Lukavac, alongside local government representatives, imams, and members of the community. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Al Attiyah underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the two peoples and reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting humanitarian and social development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In his remarks, Hassan bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi conveyed Qatar Charity’s greetings and congratulations to the Bosnian people, saying that the center represents a distinctive architectural and cultural addition to the city. “Qatar Charity began its work in Bosnia and Herzegovina more than thirty-two years ago and has remained committed to providing comprehensive humanitarian and development support,” Al Nuaimi said. “Throughout these decades, Qatar Charity’s Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina has sought to serve as a bridge of love, friendship, and cooperation between the two brotherly peoples.” He expressed hope that the new center would serve as a beacon of knowledge and faith, and as a hub for promoting tolerance, education, and social solidarity. During the ceremony, representatives of the Islamic Community and local authorities expressed their appreciation to the State of Qatar and Qatar Charity for their support. In recognition of the project’s significance, the Islamic Community presented Al Nuaimi with a handcrafted commemorative artwork depicting the architectural features of the new Islamic center. The Lukavac Islamic Center and Mosque has been designed as an integrated religious, cultural, and social facility. In addition to serving as a place of worship, it includes multipurpose halls for conferences, seminars, and cultural activities, as well as equipped classrooms for religious and educational programs and Quran memorization classes for children and youth.

20/08/2026

Qatar Charity Empowers Needy Families Economically in Somaliland
With the support of philanthropists, Qatar Charity, in cooperation with Somaliland’s Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family, has delivered economic empowerment projects benefiting 113 persons from the most vulnerable groups in Hargeisa. The initiative is part of Qatar Charity’s development efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods, reduce unemployment, and support self-reliance among low-income families. The distributed projects included clothing shops, grocery stores selling food supplies and vegetables, fish and seafood marketing ventures, taxis, motorcycles, three-wheeled vehicles, and barber shops. The projects were selected following an assessment of beneficiaries’ needs and local market requirements to enhance their prospects for success and sustainability. Sustainable Impact Somaliland’s Minister of Employment, Social Affairs and Family, Ms. Milgo Mohamed Elmi, praised the project and its role in supporting needy families and strengthening economic and social stability. She affirmed that economic empowerment initiatives are among the most effective solutions for addressing the livelihood challenges faced by many unemployed or low-income families. She said that empowering 113 male and female beneficiaries at this stage reflects the importance of partnership between government institutions and humanitarian and development organizations. She also commended Qatar Charity’s efforts to implement projects with sustainable impact, contributing to building beneficiaries’ capacities and enabling them to become self-reliant in securing their livelihoods. For his part, Mr. Abdulfattah Adam Moalim, Director of Qatar Charity’s office in Somalia, affirmed that the project embodies Qatar Charity’s commitment to promoting self-sufficiency and supporting the most vulnerable groups through development projects that provide stable sources of income and open new prospects for beneficiaries to build a better future. He explained that women, particularly female breadwinners and mothers of orphans, accounted for a large proportion of the project’s beneficiaries. He noted that the projects were selected based on the beneficiaries’ experience and local market needs to ensure the greatest possible development and social impact. Several beneficiaries expressed their happiness with the projects they received, stressing that these projects represent an important turning point in their lives and the lives of their families. Kaysi Barkhad Abdi, beneficiary of a men’s barber shop project, said: “I had been unemployed for a long time and was looking for an opportunity that would enable me to provide for my family’s needs. Today, I feel that I have begun a new chapter in my life after receiving this project. I extend my thanks to Qatar Charity and the generous donors for this opportunity, which has given me hope and confidence in the future.”
19/08/2026 More details  
Qatar Charity Celebrates Graduation of Seventh Cohort at Sarajevo Student Residence
Qatar Charity held a graduation ceremony in Sarajevo for the seventh cohort of female students at the Doha Al-Khair Student Residence for the 2025/2026 academic year. The event was attended by Qatar Charity officials, guests, staff members, and sponsored students. The graduates completed their university studies in various disciplines, highlighting the impact of Qatar Charity’s continued educational support in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its commitment to empowering students through education. Launched in 2019, the female student residence project provides safe and suitable accommodation for university students from across the country, helping them pursue higher education in a stable and supportive environment. Since its launch, the project has benefited hundreds of students. Mr. Mohammed Washan, Director of Qatar Charity’s office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, congratulated the graduates and emphasized Qatar Charity’s commitment to educational projects that build human capacity and create wider opportunities for young people. Mr. Hassan bin Mohammed Al-Nuaimi praised the graduates’ dedication and perseverance, noting that their success reflects the positive impact of investing in education and development initiatives. The ceremony concluded with a speech delivered by one of the graduates, who thanked the State of Qatar and Qatar Charity for their support and said graduation marked the beginning of a new stage of giving back to the community.
17/08/2026 More details  
Qatar Charity Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Science Laboratory Building at Kalutara Muslim Central College – Sri Lanka
Qatar Charity has inaugurated a newly constructed three-storey Science Laboratory Building at Kalutara Muslim Central College in Sri Lanka, marking a major investment in education and scientific learning. The project, valued at approximately QR 1,065,000, aims to enhance science education and provide modern learning opportunities for more than 1,500 students studying in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The facility was officially opened by Hon. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province, and Mr. Khalil Al Mahmoud, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Sri Lanka. The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Mr. Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, Country Director of Qatar Charity in Sri Lanka; Member of Parliament Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara; former Minister Mr. Ali Sabry; school principal Mr. Nafras Nilar; teachers; students; and community leaders. The newly built science complex includes four fully equipped laboratories dedicated to Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and General Science. These laboratories are furnished with modern equipment, learning resources, and safety facilities to support practical science education. In addition, the building contains four spacious classrooms and advanced digital display systems to facilitate interactive teaching and learning. A landscaped front garden further enhances the educational environment and adds to the overall appeal of the school campus. Advancing Quality Education Qatar Charity reaffirmed its commitment to education as a cornerstone of sustainable development and community empowerment. Speaking at the inauguration, Country Director Mahmoud Abu Khalifa emphasized that education remains a top priority both globally and in Sri Lanka. He noted that investment in educational infrastructure delivers lasting social and economic benefits by equipping future generations with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to contribute to national development and long-term progress. Mr. Abu Khalifa also highlighted that the project forms part of a broader education development initiative undertaken by Qatar Charity across Sri Lanka. The organization has previously supported the construction of educational facilities in districts such as Trincomalee and Ampara, demonstrating its commitment to expanding access to quality education in different regions of the country. He expressed confidence that the new science laboratories would encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, medicine, and research. A Transformational Impact on Students The new science laboratory complex is expected to significantly enhance learning opportunities for students by providing access to modern facilities for practical experiments, investigations, and hands-on scientific learning. These experiences will deepen students’ understanding of scientific concepts while improving academic performance and fostering critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Digital classroom technology will further enrich teaching through multimedia and interactive learning methods. The facility is also expected to increase students’ interest and confidence in science subjects, improve examination readiness, and promote collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds, thereby strengthening social cohesion within the school community. Commitment to Sustainability and Long-Term Development Speaking at the event, Mr. Khalil Al Mahmoud described education as the foundation of national progress and characterized the project as an investment in future generations. He encouraged students to make full use of the new facilities, praised Qatar Charity’s contributions, and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Qatar and Sri Lanka in education, human development, and prosperity. Appreciation from Provincial and National Leaders Governor Hanif Yusoof expressed appreciation to Qatar Charity and the people of Qatar for their continued support of educational development in Sri Lanka. He emphasized that investing in education is an investment in the future of the nation. Meanwhile, MP Nandana Pathmakumara stressed the importance of unity and collective development, noting that initiatives of this nature strengthen both educational institutions and friendship between nations.
16/08/2026 More details  

Subscribe Now

Subscribe to receive Qatar Charity Newsletter