Who is Moza bint Nasser? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (m. 1977)

father: Nasser bin Abdullah Al Missned

children: Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Born Country: Qatar

Family Members Capricorn Women

Notable Alumni: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar University

City: Doha, Qatar

More Facts

education: Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

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Childhood & Early Years

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser was born on August 8, 1959, in the coastal city of Al Khor in northern Qatar, into the tribe of Al-Missned. Her father, Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned, was a prominent Qatari businessman and opposition leader during the reign of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani.

In early 1960s, Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Missned made public appeals for a more equitable distribution of wealth amongst the country’s population, which led to his arrest. On being released in 1964, he moved his entire family to Kuwait on a self-imposed exile.

Moza bint Nasser spent her early years in Kuwait and Egypt, but returned home by 1977. She entered Qatar University to study Sociology. However, she could not complete her education and earned her degree from the same university nine year later in 1986.

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Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser

While Moza bint Nasser was studying at Qatar University, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, then the Crown Prince of Qatar, saw her and proposed marriage. Some sources claim that they met while the Crown Prince was trying to broker the family’s return to Qatar.

Sometime in early 1977, she married the Crown Prince to become the second of his three wives; her co-wives being Mariam bint Muhammad Al Thani and Noora bint Khalid Al Thani. With time, she carved out a position for herself and had greater influence on her husband than her co-wives.

Initially, she led a traditional lifestyle, giving birth to seven children from 1978 to 1991. Meanwhile in 1986, she completed her graduation and earned her degree in sociology from the Qatar University. Later, she earned a Masters degree in Public Policy in Islam from Hamad bin Khalifa University.

In 1995, while her father-in-law, the then Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, was away vacationing in Europe, her husband took control of the country through a bloodless coup d'état. Soon after that the Sheikha began to have a greater role in public affairs.

Greater Role

From 1995 onwards, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser began representing her country in numerous international events, sometimes on her own. Also in 1995, she was appointed the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, founded in the same year by her husband, a position she continues to hold.

In 1997, Education City was launched by Qatar Foundation under her initiative. In the following year, she became the President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, a government institution founded in the same year with the intention of strengthening role of family.

When in November 2002 Supreme Education Council was established, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser was appointed its Vice President. Later in 2006, she became its Vice Chairman, holding the position till 2012.

In 2003, she was appointed as the Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education by the UNESCO. Also in the same year, she established the International Fund for Higher Education in Iraq with the aim of reconstructing the institutions of advanced learning in that country.

Along with working to bring education within easy reach of every Arab, she also began to work towards broadening their horizon through other means. It was at her initiative that Al Jazeera Children's Channel was opened in 2005.

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When on May 27, 2007, the Arab Democracy Foundation was established in Doha, she was chosen as the Chairperson of its Board of Trustee. She continues to hold the position since then.

In 2008, she established Qatar Luxury Group with the aim of producing jewelry and other luxury goods. Concurrently, she continued to serve her country; she was appointed the Vice Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Health in 2009, a position, she continued to hold the position till 2014.

In August 2011, Qatar Luxury Group took over majority share of Le Tanneur, the noted French leather producing company. In the following year, World Innovation Summit for Health was organized by Qatar Foundation under her initiative. It continues to operate under her patronage.

In 2016, she became the Chairperson of Sidra Medical and Research Center, launched at the initiative of Qatar Foundation, which also runs under her chairpersonship. For this medical facility, she provided an endowment of $7.9 billion.

In January 2018, Sidra Medicine launched its inpatient service. Later in September, she launched Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) in order to offer financial and business support to womenswear designers and became its honorary Chairperson, a post she continues to hold.

Major Works

Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser is best known for her work in the field of education and health. In 1995, she cofounded Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Under her chairmanship it continues to work towards establishing Qatar as a leader in the field of education, science, and cultural.

Awards & Achievements

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser has received many international awards including Chatham House Prize (England, 2007), Decoration of the Smile (Poland 2012), Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (Scotland, 2013) and George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service (USA, 2013).

She has also received number of international honors including Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (Malaysia).

She has received two Honorary Degrees in Doctor of Humane Letters; in 2006 from Carnegie Mellon University (USA) and in 2013 from Virginia Commonwealth University (USA).

Family & Personal Life

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser and her husband, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, have seven children; five sons and two daughters.

Her eldest son, Jasim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was initially appointed Crown Prince. In 2003, he was replaced by her second son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Her other sons are Sheikh Joaan, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Khalifa. Her daughters are Sheikha Al-Mayassa and Sheikha Hind.

In 2013, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani abdicated in favor of his second son, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. However, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser continues to serve her country in various capacities, remaining as important as before.

Moza bint Nasser Biography