| Sheikha Ahmed al-Mahmoud | |
| Office: | Minister of Education |
| Prime Minister: | Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani |
| Successor: | Saad bin Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud |
| Term Start: | May 2003 |
| Term End: | 2009 |
| Nationality: | Qatari |
Sheikha Ahmed al-Mahmoud (died 29 January 2020) was appointed the first woman member of the Qatari cabinet in 2003. She became the Minister of Education, a post she held till 2009. She died on 29 January 2020.[1]
Al-Mahmoud was the daughter of Ahmed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud.[2] She held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic literature.[3]
Her career began in 1970 when she became a school teacher. Apart from teaching, Al-Mahmoud has served as a secondary school's principal, member of Committee for revising elementary education methods.[4] [5] In 1996, she became the first woman Deputy Assistant Minister of education in Qatar.[6] She was also appointed an Under secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Cultivation and Education.[7] She retained the post till May 2003, when the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made her the Minister of Education;[5] the first Qatari women to hold a cabinet post and the second in Gulf region to do so.[3]
Al-Mahmoud was made the Secretary General of Qatar's Supreme Education Council in May 2006.[8] In 2009, Saad bin Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud succeeded her as the Minister of Education.[2]
Al-Mahmoud had two daughters and two sons.[5]