Special Debates
Special event with Bill Clinton
The Doha Debates have become the Middle East’s forum of choice for a number of prominent statesmen. Our Special events – which feature Q & A sessions with a single guest - have given audiences an unprecedented opportunity to quiz high-level international and regional politicians first-hand.
Participants have included Bill Clinton, Shimon Peres, Amre Moussa and Ayad Allawi.
Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was also invited to a Special in 2006 and spoke beforehand of his reasons for accepting.
“With the perception of a growing division between the West and the Muslim world being fuelled 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.”
Carrie Quinlan, AGAINST
Maysoon Zayid, FOR
Robin Ince, AGAINST
In a unique public encounter senior members of Hamas and Fatah were brought together to discuss their political differences and views on reconciliation. Members of the audience were given the opportunity to question both sides and vote on the question "Do you have confidence in the current Palestinian leaders?"
Mohammad Nazzal, Spokesperson, Hamas political bureau
Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of political committee, Palestinian Legislative Council
Osama Hamdan, Hamas representative in Lebanon
Dr. Al Zahar was questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience, including Palestinian students, on the feud with rival Palestinian group Fatah and the prospects for peace.
Broadcast: June 7th and 8th, 2008
Dr Allawi was questioned by both Tim Sebastian and members of the audience at Qatar Foundation, many of whom were themselves Iraqi, on the current situation in Iraq and his potential return to power.
Broadcast: November 3rd and 4th, 2007
In the first high-ranking Israeli visit to Qatar in more than a decade, Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres was questioned by students at a Doha Debates Special event.
Broadcast: February 3rd and 4th, 2007
Doha Students questioned the head of the Arab League, Amre Moussa, on the hottest issues affectiong the Arab world today.
Broadcast: November 4th and 5th, 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.
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.
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.
