Hanan Mohammad Al Emadi

TV Presenter

In this interview, we talk to Hanan Mohammad Al Emadi, a media figure we are used to seeing on Qatar Television. Hanan Al Emadi is a Qatari journalist who began her professional career as a TV presenter in 2012. However, Hanan’s love for media started blooming early in her life as she was an active student who presented during the school morning assembly and published articles when she was in high school. So, who is Hanan Mohammad Al Emadi?

I am a Qatari journalist and I started working as a television presenter in 2012, having worked previously as a producer at Voice of the Gulf radio. I am also a wife and mother of four children.

How did your journey in media begin?

I think I was always fond of the media even as a child. I was a bold child who participated in various contests and took part in presenting during the morning assembly at school. I also wrote articles on literature and poetry during my high school years. These were my first experiences in journalism and media, and they showed me my interest in this field.

I got married right after graduating from high school but also joined the university. However, I dropped out of university for a while due to my marriage and pregnancy. I returned to study after the birth of my first child and majored in Arabic because, at that time, Qatar University (QU) did not offer journalism programs related to media. So, I chose to major in Arabic since I loved reading from a young age. It turned out to be a good choice since I enjoyed studying it.

After graduating, I didn’t work for two years, but I knew I wanted to work in media, and thankfully, in 2006, I joined Voice of the Gulf, a radio station that broadcasted music. I didn’t work as a presenter but as a program producer and one of these programs was an evening program. I worked in radio for five years before moving to Qatar Radio for one year with Saad Al Hudaifi, but this time I presented some programs without mentioning my name. Afterward, the program development committee requested me to work in television, marking a significant shift in my career.

What are some of the programs you’ve presented that have made an impact on you?

I am truly proud of all the work I have done because I love my job and I accept its challenges. However, the program that left a mark on me is a program called “Nuzhat Al Oqool”. Through the program I interviewed prominent figures in society, including Attorney General Ali bin Fetais, as well as a special interview with the Islamic sc holar Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, may Allah have mercy on his soul. Interviewing him was a unique moment in my career as I was the last to interview him before his passing. The program offered the viewers a chance to see a different side of those prominent figures, who are known only for their work. So, the public might have one perception of them, but we attempted to show them the other sides too. Another program I enjoyed presenting was “Mudawena” (Blog). In the program, I visited various places in Qatar, discovering new tourist spots with the viewers, and we tried to support many local businesses too by highlighting them in the program at no charge.

Have you noticed any changes in the media field over the years of your work?

I started working at a time when only a few Qatari women were working as presenters. That is why I enjoy seeing Qatari women working as presenters on TV today. They paint a great picture of the modern modest woman, and I am filled with pride when I see them. I feel that we are presenting women in the best light, which was one of my goals at the start of my career in this field. Another change I see is that we are getting to interview a lot of inspiring women as guests in our programs, and they always amaze me with the kind of work they are doing.

Have you faced any challenges during your journey?

I love my job regardless of its difficulties and I can’t see myself working in another field. Alhamdulillah, I have achieved many different goals in my career, and working in this field has introduced me to amazing people and earned me a lot of love from the public, which made me love and care for myself. However, like any other job, I sometimes face challenges, for example, receiving unconstructive criticism of my work or having to present programs with which I don’t agree. However, I present them anyway because doing unwanted tasks is also a part of any job. Occasionally, we go through tough times in our work when there is an increased number of events happening in the country. For example, working during the World Cup in Qatar 2022 was exhausting. We had to present continuously for five hours from one place interviewing guests without any breaks. I could not attend the matches themselves, but hopefully, I will make it up in the future sports events that will be hosted in Qatar.