Eiman Al-Kaabi

Eiman Saqr Al-Kaabi is a Qatari broadcaster and media professional who became the first Qatari woman to receive an official appointment as a news editor at Qatar Radio. Her work has spanned news editing, programme preparation, live presentation and social media leadership, alongside a sustained commitment to humanitarian volunteering.

Just as discouragement began to take hold, Qatar Foundation Radio offered her an opportunity, and in 2015 she presented her first live morning programme, “Good Morning”.

She was born into a conservative Qatari family committed to its customs and traditions. Her father, an imam, took great care to instil sound principles and good character in his six daughters and two sons. The balanced home he created gave them a calm and simple childhood, while both parents encouraged creativity and academic excellence. She was a brave, energetic girl, fascinated by radio and drawn to acting. She embraced every opportunity to create and excel, from school broadcasting at different stages of her education to other activities. In primary school, she took part in a play staged at the Education Theatre, then located opposite Qatar National Library.

Loss entered her life during primary school when her father died. Her mother—may God protect her—then assumed responsibility for raising six daughters and two sons. Through her sacrifice, the children succeeded and distinguished themselves. All six daughters received university educations and went on to hold significant positions across different fields.

Her family circumstances, her surroundings and the activities of childhood shaped a confident and ambitious character that did not hesitate before a challenge. After secondary school, she hoped to study media, but her family rejected the choice and directed her instead towards Arabic language studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Being required to follow a discipline she had not chosen frustrated her and placed her dream out of reach.

After graduation, her mother worked to secure her a position as an Arabic teacher. She taught for five years but never felt that she was in the right place. She respected teaching as a demanding but noble profession with an important mission, yet it did not awaken her passion. Journalism remained the dream she could not set aside. She repeatedly tried to persuade her family to let her change careers, without success.

After marrying and having her first son, she told her husband that she wanted to pursue her ambition and change fields. He welcomed the idea, particularly because teaching brought inflexible hours and additional work at home marking examinations. She applied to Qatar Radio, was accepted and joined the News Department as an editor in 2009. For the first time, she felt she belonged professionally and had begun the path towards the life she wanted.

An understanding husband helped her meet the most difficult challenges and pursue her ambitions. From the moment she entered the field, he remained beside her and gave her confidence. She, in turn, kept her goals clearly in view, built plans around them and refused to abandon what she hoped to achieve.

Between 2009 and 2018, her talent became increasingly apparent and her abilities grew with her passion for the work. Those years released her ideas, sharpened her skills and gave her substantial experience. She succeeded in the News Department and moved beyond reading bulletins to preparing economic and political programmes, news bulletins and reports. The range of assignments deepened both her judgement and her knowledge of news.

Her career reached a major turning point in 2018 when she was appointed Head of News at Qatar Radio, becoming the first Qatari woman officially appointed to the role. The decision reflected the confidence of the chief executive of Qatar Media Corporation. From her appointment until 2020, she and the news controller, who placed considerable trust in her, led a significant development of the department. Teamwork allowed it to produce strong results within a short period.

Two years later, in 2020, the radio director recognised her sustained effort and appointed her Head of Social Media at Qatar Radio. Accepting the post was difficult because she identified strongly with news and had spent almost a decade building expertise there. The director, however, believed the station needed to rotate capable staff into roles suited to their level. Although the assignment was new, she and a cohesive team developed an integrated vision and plans that responded to the rapid technological growth of social platforms. The department achieved notable success. Even after all she had accomplished in her successive positions, she still felt that the full extent of her ambition remained ahead of her.

In 2016, she was experiencing difficult family circumstances after her sister was injured in a traffic accident. The resulting psychological strain diminished her usual enthusiasm and energy. During that period, Qatar Charity approached her to serve as a social-media ambassador, even though she had not previously been active in volunteer or humanitarian work. She felt the nomination had arrived to draw her out of the state she was in and accepted without hesitation.

Her dream of presenting on air also demanded persistence. Several voice tests were unsuccessful, and Qatar Radio rejected more than one application. She continued training to improve her vocal performance and presentation skills. Just as discouragement began to take hold, Qatar Foundation Radio offered her an opportunity, and in 2015 she presented her first live morning programme, “Good Morning”. She continued to train and seek openings until Qatar Radio entrusted her with short live segments. She proved her ability on air and earned the confidence of its officials. In 2020, the long-held dream was fulfilled when she was assigned to present “My Beloved Country, Good Morning”, a programme she regards as central to Qatar’s visual and audio media landscape. Conscious of the responsibility, she succeeded in carrying it.

Joining Qatar Charity began as chance rather than a planned choice, but it changed the course of her life and the way she understood the world. The experience started in March 2016 with a visit to Bangladesh, where the charity had established an orphanage for boys and girls and a group of schools through donations from the people of Qatar. Every orphan she met carried a moving story and a message; despite loss and deprivation, they had not surrendered hope. Volunteering became part of her life from that point. She later visited Syrian refugees near the Turkish border and camps in Arsal, Lebanon, listening to accounts of displacement and grief. Every story taught her to recognise the blessings in her own life. Comparing her circumstances with those of people living under war, poverty and hunger—many forced from their homes and separated from children, relatives or even parts of their bodies—gave her a more serious and profound perspective.

Those experiences taught her that life is too brief for conflict, hostility, hatred, envy and intrigue, and that it should instead be lived in peace.