Doha: HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim met with a group of attendees in the fourth National Defense Course at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies. The attendees included senior officials from ministries, state institutions, and various security agencies. They visited the Shura Council and attended its weekly session held today. During the meeting, His Excellency the Speaker discussed the history of the council and highlighted key developments in its journey from the appointment phase to the first elections of the Shura Council. His Excellency also emphasized the important role of the Shura Council in legislation and oversight, affirming the council's commitment to the national interest and meeting the aspirations of citizens. HE Speaker of the Shura Council also praised the role of the academy in preparing leaders and providing them with essential knowledge in critical and vital areas. For their part, the attendees commended the council's role in achieving popular participation and the importance of the topics discussed during its deliberations, reflecting the concerns of Qatari society. During the visit, the attendees listened to a presentation that covered the establishment and evolution of the Shura Council, its different bodies, and its main constitutional mandates, including legislation, oversight, and approval of the general budget. Additionally, the academy's staff toured an exhibition at the Shura Council, which showcased a collection of lectures, speeches, and memorabilia illustrating the history of the Shura Council since its establishment in 1972. Source: Qatar News Agency