Khalifa Al Rumaihi

Khalifa Ahmed Al Rumaihi is a Qatari media professional who has worked at Qatar Television since 1982 and as a broadcaster and programme presenter since 2008. He has specialised in field reporting and live programmes that bring the public’s concerns directly to the screen.

He regarded mistakes as part of the route to success. Learning from them allowed him to adjust his course, acquire knowledge and judgement, and pass the results of that experience to others.

He was born in 1965 into a modest, traditional Qatari family of five children. As the eldest and only son, he grew up without material luxury but within a home filled with affection. Houses stood close together and hearts, like their doors, remained open. Neighbours visited without appointments, supported one another in joy and hardship, and treated the freej as one family. Children studied, played and cooperated together. Their mother—may God prolong her life—gave them a committed religious upbringing, teaching good character, respect for neighbours and consideration for older people. Those principles remained with him throughout his life.

His father lived for many years with an incurable illness, yet remained patient and never complained or showed resentment. He taught his children contentment and faith in God’s decree. After fighting the disease for twenty-seven years, he died in 1992, having delivered his message and entrusted its values to his children.

He chose a demanding field whose apparent simplicity concealed its difficulty. Although Qatar was opening many professions to its citizens, he entered an area that most of his generation avoided. He became one of the first broadcasters to conduct live interviews in the field and succeeded in bringing older Qatari men and women onto television despite conservative customs that made such appearances difficult. Where many journalists struggled, he won their confidence. Fieldwork became his specialisation and led to successful programmes in Qatar and abroad, including productions about the sea and desert, live competitions and Ramadan programming over many years.

The programme became a genuine media breakthrough and one of the projects of which he was most proud. Its original premise carried messages of gratitude from Qatari patients receiving treatment abroad to the state and its people, drawing a strong response at home and overseas.

A broadcaster-exchange programme with Oman was another notably successful experience. With journalist Hawraa Al Farsi, he presented the ninety-minute daily live programme “Morning Coffee”. He also provided coverage from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Britain and Thailand for many programmes, working with local and international outlets including Qatar Radio, Al Rayyan Television and Al Kass Sports Channel.

Throughout his career, he chose to remain close to citizens, listening to their concerns and carrying them to officials. Direct contact in the field gave him satisfaction and deepened his enjoyment of journalism, particularly when he learned how audiences had responded. One encounter stayed with him. Two weeks after a live broadcast from the fish market in Abu Hamour, a viewer approached and said: “You entered the hearts of all the people of Qatar before entering their homes, and without asking permission. No one can remove you from their hearts. Continue, and may God grant you success.” Such words and prayers from older men and women during live broadcasts strengthened his attachment to fieldwork and encouraged him to continue with determination.

Achieving what many contemporaries and predecessors in media had not made him a target for attack, criticism and attempts to impede his work through jealousy. The patience, diligence, persistence and good character instilled in him from childhood enabled him to overcome those obstacles.

Nearly thirteen years after he first appeared on television, the difficulties had begun to recede and the work had become much easier. He had gained substantial experience, built a wide network of relationships and won the affection and confidence of an audience he regarded as the true measure of success.