Terrorism Affects VCU’s Qatar Campus

Arthelia Gatling

On Saturday March 19, 2005 in Doha, Qatar, a suicide bomber exploded a car bomb at a popular theater during a performance of a Shakespearean play. 12 people have been reported as wounded from various nationalities, but all are expected to survive. One British national has been confirmed dead as a result of the attack. Students and faculty from the VCU School of Arts based in Qatar were present at the time of the bombing; however, none was harmed in the incident.

Despite this recent terrorist attack in Qatar, VCU faculty and students say they are resolved to continue the work that was started in Qatar by the School of Arts in 1997. However, officials have closed all schools near the bombing temporarily and have increased security in the area.

The Interior Ministry of Qatar has identified the bomber as Omar Ahmed Ali, the owner of the vehicle used in the bombing according to CNN Arabic. Both Richard Toscan, Dean of the School of the Arts and Vice Provost for International Affairs, as well as the Qatar faculty say they don’t want this unfortunate event to overshadow the wonderful people and culture of Qatar and the acceptance VCU has found there.

Learn more about VCU’s School of the Arts in Qatar

• http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/vcu_qatar

Learn more about the Qatar region and its people

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

• http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/qa.html

Learn about the government of Qatar

• http://www.e.gov.qa/eGovPortal/index.jsp