The Peninsula celebrates 28th Anniversary

Doha, Qatar: Diplomats in Qatar have lauded The Peninsula as it celebrates its 28th year of outstanding journalism this year. They highlighted the publication’s significant contribution to shaping public discourse and its comprehensive coverage of notable events, such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They also stressed The Peninsula’s wide coverage in spotlighting flourishing relations between countries.

The Ambassadors also commended this newspaper’s commitment to reporting, stressing its reliability as a source of news, particularly during critical events and political and sporting major happenings.

Moreover, they lauded the leadership of Editor-in-chief, Dr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi, as The Peninsula has consistently provided invaluable reporting on local and global affairs, creating informed discourse and promoting understanding under him. The diplomats praised Dr. Al-Shafi’s commitment to journalistic integrity and his dedication to upholding the highest standards of reporting making The Peninsula a trusted source of news and analysis in Qatar and beyond.

Ambassador of the United States of America H E Timmy Davis

Congratulating The Peninsula on its 28th anniversary, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Qatar, H E Timmy Davis said: “Accountability of public servants and freedom of the press are paramount US values. As the United States Ambassador to Qatar, it is my duty and honour to engage regularly with journalists and the media, offering the public transparency about the work of the US government here in Doha.”

He added: “From my very first interactions with The Peninsula when I arrived in Qatar in September 2022, I have been impressed by their dedicated journalists. The newspaper consistently covers the US Embassy’s activities and visits of US officials to Qatar; this accurate reporting creates opportunities to build understanding and nurture people-to-people relations between our two countries, a core part of our bilateral relationship. For example, The Peninsula’s print and video reporting on US engagement at the Doha Forum in December 2023 was outstanding, and I selected The Peninsula as the platform to publish an essay reflecting on my first year in Qatar — a testament to my deep respect for the newspaper’s role in the Qatari public opinion landscape.”

“The Peninsula has facilitated their vital journalistic work by building strong professional relationships with our US Embassy team. This starts at the top, with Editor-in-Chief Dr. Khalid bin Mubarak Al-Shafi, who graciously hosted me in his newsroom last year. I’m also proud to report my public affairs section successfully nominated The Peninsula journalist Fathima Fazeena Saleem for the prestigious Foreign Press Center reporting tour in the United States – she is currently on a ten-day trip to Nevada and Ohio to learn more about US democracy and will bring this insight to The Peninsula’s coverage of the 2024 US elections.

“I look forward to seeing our cooperation with The Peninsula expand in the years to come, and its coverage continues to grow and meet new challenges in the media landscape, including in the digital space.”

Ambassador of Turkiye H E Dr. Mustafa Göksu

Ambassador of Turkiye to Qatar, H E Dr. Mustafa Göksu in his message said: “I believe that the most significant achievement of The Peninsula for the past 28 years is its ability to adapt the pace of Qatar’s transformation in the last couple of decades, which made it prominent address for those who are interested in news, entertainment, business, sports, and all aspects of life in Qatar.”

“I am confident to state that The Peninsula has always been supportive of friendly relations between Türkiye and Qatar. Especially, the disseminating of reliable and comprehensive information and coverage from both in Türkiye and Qatar is key to nurturing the diplomatic relations between two countries.” The Ambassador lauded the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi in transforming the newspaper into a modern-day news publication.

Ambassador of Italy H E Paolo Toschi

Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, H E Paolo Toschi, said: “The Peninsula is one of the most established and recognised media in Qatar, reporting on local as well global trends and news. This anniversary is an achievement of which all the team working at The Peninsula should be proud.”

“Since my arrival in Doha, I noticed The Peninsula’s central role in informing the public on how relations between Italy and Qatar strengthened over the years. Thank you for your coverage! Qatar has a wide network of media, spanning from newspapers to TV, internet, and social media. In such a context, it’s not easy to be recognised. Good job for creating a recognisable and authoritative brand for The Peninsula.”

Ambassador of Portugal H E Paulo Neves Pocinho

Ambassador of Portugal to Qatar, H E Paulo Neves Pocinho also congratulated The Peninsula for the 28th year of its creation.

“I’m a very enthusiastic reader of the newspaper and I would like to say that I always find very accurate information and very professional reporting, updating the reader on the most important domestic and international issues of the moment. To all The Peninsula staff, Editor-in-Chief and collaborators, I express my support and believe that you will keep up the fantastic work you have been doing. Never has the journalistic work been more important than in our contemporary world, crucial to inform the public in general and to feed the decision makers with the right information at the right time.”

Ambassador of India H E Vipul

Praising the dynamic performance of The Peninsula, Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul, said: “I congratulate The Peninsula newspaper on its 28th anniversary. Over these years the newspaper has grown in both content and presentation and has become indispensable for diplomatic missions in Doha. It has covered all the major developments in Qatar and internationally over these years.”

“It has been a pleasure for me to visit and interact with the leadership and journalists of The Peninsula during my tenure. Its news reports covering a wide spectrum of issues and in-depth analysis are unique and well appreciated. The electronic version of the newspaper and its social media presence are also benefitting its readers. I am sure that these will continue to grow in the years to come. As the Indian Ambassador in Doha, I thank the newspaper for its coverage of events and activities of the large Indian community in Qatar. We look forward to our continued cooperation in the future.”

Ambassador of Australia H E Shane Flanagan

Ambassador of Australia to Qatar, H E Shane Flanagan, said: “I’d like to congratulate the proprietor and staff of The Peninsula on this anniversary. Times have changed significantly since its first edition in 1996. Qatar and the broader Middle East region have faced many challenges, while Qatar has also achieved extraordinary successes, including through its superb hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Peninsula has remained a reliable source of reporting through all of these events, and like the State of Qatar, it has continued to evolve and thrive. I wish it every success for coming years as well.”

Ambassador of Ukraine H E Andrii Kuzmenko

Ambassador of Ukraine to Qatar, H E Andrii Kuzmenko, said: “The Peninsula has been instrumental in disseminating accurate and timely information about Ukraine to its readership. By providing comprehensive coverage of diplomatic events and bilateral meetings, the newspaper has helped to raise awareness and understanding of Ukraine’s perspectives in Qatar.”

“Certainly, The Peninsula newspaper has played a crucial role in spreading the truth about Russia’s war on Ukraine by publishing op-eds from ambassadors and providing comprehensive coverage of events in Ukraine. By publishing op-eds, The Peninsula has allowed us to communicate directly with the people of Qatar, highlighting the realities of the war, its humanitarian impact, and the need for solidarity and support.”

Ambassador of Nepal H E Dr. Naresh Bikram Dhakal

Ambassador of Nepal to Qatar H E Dr. Naresh Bikram Dhakal, said: “It gives me immense pleasure to learn that The Peninsula, one of the leading and popular English Dailies in Qatar, recently celebrated its 28th Anniversary. Its first issue was launched in 1996. The Peninsula has been serving the nation and people ever since.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the entire team of The Peninsula for tremendous success in becoming the authentic voice of Qatar. Without painstaking effort and dedication, such outstanding level of accomplishment would not have been achieved. It has become a window through which Qatar can be seen and understood crystal clear.”

Ambassador of Ecuador H E Pascual del Cioppo

Ambassador of Ecuador to Qatar, H E Pascual del Cioppo, said: “From the first week I arrived as Ambassador to Qatar, one of the first acts was to take out a subscription to The Peninsula newspaper. The Peninsula is a newspaper that I read every morning, and I see in it excellent coverage with easy handling of the issues, therefore, over the years the newspaper has been winning the hearts of Qataris and especially of foreigners residing in Doha.

He added: “In my case, The Peninsula is part of all my mornings. Congratulations to Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi, because he was also the first Editor of a media outlet that I visited upon my arrival in Doha, I was very well received by his kindness and charm. I am sure that The Peninsula will long be one of the main media outlets in Qatar.”

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar H E Md. Nazrul Islam

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar H E Md. Nazrul Islam, said: "I must appreciate the fact that introducing and maintaining an English newspaper in a mostly non-English environment is itself a huge achievement. The Peninsula has been quenching the thirst of the readers every morning and this prolonged success has created a very strong confidence. And doing it without fail for the 28 years is an accomplishment to emulate for anyone."

"For any foreign diplomat in Qatar with non-Arabic background, any local English newspaper becomes his eyes and ears. The Peninsula served the same purpose. Diplomats first need to know the current developments so that they can understand and analyse these and report to their headquarters accordingly. This is the pre-requisite for facilitating diplomatic understanding and exchanges which in turn helps to strengthen the bilateral relations between Qatar and any other foreign country. So, it can be fittingly said that The Peninsula enabled the diplomats to understand Qatar and its policies and compulsions for better development of diplomatic relations between Qatar and other countries."

Ambassador of France H E Jean-Baptiste Faivre

In his message, Ambassador of France to Qatar H E Jean-Baptiste Faivre said: "Congratulations to the chairman and the Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula as well as to all the journalists for the newspaper's achievements and great work. Always happy to collaborate with The Peninsula in the context of an excellent bilateral relation between France and Qatar."

Ambassador of Spain H E Javier Carbajosa Sanchez

Ambassador of Spain to Qatar H E Javier Carbajosa Sanchez said: "I read The Peninsula every day in the morning knowing that its precise info and its insightful views and opinions will make me understand much better what is going on in Qatar and the world."

Charge d'Affaires of Serbia Embassy H E Slobodan Radeka

Charge d'Affaires of Serbia Embassy in Qatar H E Slobodan Radeka said: "I congratulate The Peninsula Newspaper and its Editor-in-Chief Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi on the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the newspaper. During my four and half years of posting in Doha of which one and half years as the Acting Head of the Embassy, The Peninsula has been the source of objective information and I wish The Peninsula a lot of success in the future work as well."

"I am especially grateful for publishing the news and articles of the importance for the Republic of Serbia and our region, thus keeping it present in the Qatari media and public," he added.

Ambassador of Finland H E Pekka Voutilainen

Ambassador of Finland to Qatar H E Pekka Voutilainen said: "On the occasion of its 28th anniversary, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to The Peninsula

"As a vital source of news and information in Qatar and the region, in my opinion, The Peninsula has consistently delivered in-depth and balanced coverage of local, regional, and international affairs, allowing the readers to form their own opinions on current events. As the media landscape evolves, I trust The Peninsula will adapt and thrive, continuing to be a trusted source of news for generations to come."

Ambassador of Moldova H E lulian Grigorita

Ambassador of Moldova to Qatar H E lulian Grigoriță said: "The Peninsula newspaper is a reliable and very important daily source of information for our diplomats and for our citizens who live in Qatar. It sets high professional and journalistic standards with its wide spectrum of news, both national and international."

"The Embassy is a loyal long-time subscriber of The Peninsula's printed version, which delights us every morning with its colourful crisp pages, smelling of fresh good news. We wish The Peninsula further success and future growth amid changing times! Ramadan Kareem!"

Ambassador of Pakistan H E Muhemmed Aejaz

Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar H E Muhemmed Aejaz said: "I believe the most significant achievement of The Peninsula newspaper over the past 28 years is its long-held commitment to foster an informed public discourse. Through its insightful reporting, in-depth analysis, and broad range of perspectives, The Peninsula has played a vital role in shaping public opinion and facilitating dialogue on key issues. Its dedication to journalistic integrity and excellence has enriched the media landscape and empowered readers with knowledge, thereby contributing to a more informed and engaged citizenry."

"The Peninsula’s unique daily coverage of the most notable events with a balanced approach and a much broader array of international issues and topics covered by these reporting distinguishes them from their competitors. We believe that such media houses can play a lead role in connecting the younger generation in various countries through dedication and innovation. This distinction has undoubtedly been instrumental in The Peninsula's success over the years, garnering a loyal readership base and solidifying its position as a leading voice in the industry."

Ambassador of Peru H E Jose Benzaquen Perea

Ambassador of Peru to Qatar H E Jose Benzaquen Perea said: "The Peninsula has managed to position itself as one of the most widely accepted newspapers in Qatar; therefore, the trustworthiness and objectivity of the information it discloses has reached recognised prestige. It has been a space where, through articles and timely news on international events and countries affairs, it has contributed to strengthening bilateral relations with the State of Qatar, a relevant actor in international relations."

"Its objectivity and impartiality of local and international news, taking into account the journalistic quality of its professionals. I believe The Peninsula will continue to be a serious, adaptable, and engaging news source, keeping pace with the evolving media landscape and global challenges. The Peninsula has established itself as a reliable source of information on local and international affairs. Consequently, the newspaper is a relevant reference for understanding facts and valid analytical opinions. I perceive that the newspaper will continue to be a prestigious and recognised media outlet, so I extend recognition for its 28th anniversary."

Ambassador of Argentina H E Guillermo Nicolas

Congratulating The Peninsula, Ambassador of Argentina to Qatar H E Guillermo Nicolas said: "Achievements, milestones, shared celebrations and many more events are part of the rich history of the relation between Argentina and Qatar. As the bond keeps getting stronger, is always comforting to know that we can count on The Peninsula as a partner to share them with the world."

"Ever since its foundation on March 9, 1996, The Peninsula has provided an exceptional platform for local journalists and has positioned itself as a reliable media outlet, with high professional standards and outstanding performance.

"The Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the State of Qatar joins the newspaper in this joyful celebration and congratulates The Peninsula Qatar for its 28th anniversary."

Ambassador of Thailand H E Sira Swangsilpa

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Qatar H E Sira Swangsilpa said: "The Peninsula has grown into an indispensable and major news source for Qataris, providing pertinent news stories and a diverse range of perspectives on regional and global affairs. Its steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality journalism has cemented its status as a reliable and credible fountain of information. Despite The Peninsula's 28-year history, it is noteworthy that Thailand-Qatar diplomatic relations have spanned more than four decades, dating back to 1980. Throughout this extensive diplomatic journey, The Peninsula has played a crucial role in strengthening the ties between our two nations, contributing significantly to fostering a deeper understanding of common goals and mutual interests."

"By enhancing the public’s understanding of international relations and diplomacy, The Peninsula has laid a strong foundation for people-to-people connection, fostering deeper international cooperation and understanding."

Ambassador of Vietnam H E Tran Duc Hung

Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Qatar H E Tran Duc Hung said: "As its daily reader, I personally think that The Peninsula has covered the mainstream of life in Qatar in different aspects from politics, economy, culture during the almost three decades. Also, the newspaper has been successfully providing readers extensive news coverage from around the world. This fact shows the most significant achievement of The Peninsula newspaper."

"The Peninsula has been a reliable and important partner of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Qatar right after its launch in 1996. The newspaper has an important role in reflecting the remarkable development of Vietnam-Qatar relations."

"I often read The Peninsula on its website and newspaper. I find it useful, timely and accurate. I think the most striking feature of the newspaper is its selective information from official sources. This is the key factor contributing to its success and making a difference to others. I highly appreciate the vision of The Peninsula focusing on the provision of sharpest news coverage, incisive analyses and trenchant commentary from around the world."

Ambassador of Indonesia H E Ridwan Hassan

Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar, H E Ridwan Hassan, in his message said: “As a leading English-language newspaper in Qatar, The Peninsula has played a crucial role in providing global news to Qatar, particularly for the international communities living here. Moreover, the newspaper’s successful embrace of digital platforms has widened its audience reach, ensuring that its content remains accessible and relevant in this modern era. This adaptability to the digital age surely marks a significant achievement for The Peninsula.”

“Our relationship with The Peninsula has always been mutually beneficial and cooperative. They consistently provide fast and excellent coverage of embassy events. Their support was particularly evident during the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture last year, where The Peninsula extended significant assistance to us. I believe, this reflects the newspaper's commitment to fostering diplomatic relations between Qatar and other countries.”