{
  "id": 4130335,
  "title": "Back-to-school celebration links learning with nation-building",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/back-to-school-celebration-links-learning-with-nation-building",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T21:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf Times",
    "slug": "gulf-times",
    "url": "https://www.gulf-times.com/article/732118/qatar/back-to-school-celebration-links-learning-with-nation-building"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A four-day back-to-school festival kicked off on Wednesday at West Walk, uniting families via education, culture, and entertainment while inspiring youngsters to commence the academic year with assurance. Hosted by the Hour and Hour program, in partnership with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the celebration will continue until August 29 from 5pm to 10pm, under the theme \"With Knowledge and Work, We Build the Nation\". Tamani al-Yafai, chief executive of the Hour and Hour program, stated the objective was to make the return to school feel significant rather than mundane. \"Our goal is to celebrate the return of our children to school, instill in them the importance of knowledge, learning and work, and set them off for the new academic year with enthusiasm, ambition and optimism,\" she declared. The Hour and Hour program is a Qatari community and cultural venture that orchestrates public events, workshops, and educational pursuits to promote heritage, tourism, and social unity. The festival merges educational, cultural, sporting and entertainment components through workshops, competitions, performances and community engagements. Al-Yafai said the initiative aimed to provide families \"a fun and enriching atmosphere\" while stimulating involvement and assisting children in discovering their aptitudes. The inauguration showcased national, heritage, and artistic segments executed with children's involvement, imbuing the evening with festivity while emphasizing Qatar's identity and values at the core of the program. \"Today's launch was special, with the presence of our guests and partners and the participation of our sons and daughters,\" al-Yafai remarked. \"We all rejoiced the commencement of a fresh academic year.\" Besides the activities, the event carries a broader message about the role of education in molding individual ambitions and national development. Its slogan ties classroom learning to effort, responsibility and contribution to society. Throughout the remaining days, organizers anticipate welcoming students and families for an experience that balances enjoyment with learning and community involvement. \"We anticipate offering an interactive experience that blends fun and learning, uncovers talents and nurtures a sense of community participation,\" al-Yafai added, expressing gratitude to the partners and participants who contributed to the event's success. Her message to students was clear: \"Begin your academic year with passion and ambition, for with knowledge we construct the individual, and with work we construct the nation.\"",
  "summary": "A four-day back-to-school event opened at West Walk on Wednesday, bringing families together through education, culture and entertainment while encouraging children to begin the academic year with con...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}