During a video conference with local officials, Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, announced a $100,000 contribution from the State of Qatar to Charleston to support the local response to the Corona Virus pandemic.
The City of Charleston and Doha, signed a Sister City International agreement last October 2019 to deepen cooperation between the two cities in trade, investment, and culture. This donation will be split evenly between the County of Charleston and the City of Charleston through Charleston Sister Cities International, the local non-profit member of Sister Cities International that developed the partnership.
During the conference, the Ambassador said, “When I was in Charleston last October for the signing ceremony with Mayor Tecklenburg, we spoke about hosting a delegation to visit Qatar early this year, and we looked forward to learning from Charleston, “America’s friendliest city and a leading travel destination as Doha establishes itself as a global tourist city.
While the pandemic has upended these plans temporarily, it has put other things into perspective, including the importance of joining together in common purpose. Qatar deeply values our partnership with Charleston and offers this gift to help Charleston face the challenges posed by COVID-19.”
Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said, “We are thankful for our Sister City relationship with Doha, Qatar and for this generous donation to assist us in our efforts to respond to the novel coronavirus. We look forward to a time when we can further cultivate exchanges to strengthen the connection between our two cities.”
Charleston Councilman Elliott Summey remarked, “I would like to thank the City of Doha, the citizens of Qatar and His Excellency Ambassador Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani for this generous donation. We are in a global pandemic and this shows how global communities can work together for the greater good.”
Neita A. Wiese, President of Charleston Sister Cities International, thanked Ambassador al-Thani for the timely and compassionate gift by the people of Doha and State of Qatar and invited the Ambassador to Charleston, Corona Virus permitting, to a reception honoring the State of Qatar for their generous gesture of goodwill inspired by the Doha-Charleston Sister Cities Partnership.
Ambassador Al Thani noted the inspiring and selfless service of private and public sector workers and their willingness to dedicate their experience and expertise to serve their fellow citizens. “This week is “Public Service Recognition Week” in the United States, so I especially want to recognize the public servants of the City and County of Charleston for their dedication to their mission and their noble service to the people of Charleston