Held under the theme ‘Wagten Geda’ – times gone by – the event also provided Qatar’s community with the opportunity to glimpse rare historical collections related to Arab-Islamic civilisation, and witness the unveiling of the newly-acquired Arabic Cinema Collection.
In keeping with its commitment to support QF’s mission to foster a progressive society, while preserving and protecting the nation’s heritage for future generations, QNL shares valuable information and cultivates creativity within the community. Acquired by QF in 2006, the Collection is now an integral part of QNL. The Collection attracts intellects and diplomats from across the world and has welcomed many high profile visitors, among them HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who visited the Collection in February 2014.
Having received extraordinary support from VIPs, diplomats, dignitaries and the public, the annual event engaged the community through regular guided tours of the Heritage Library, which houses some of the rarest and most valuable texts and manuscripts, including traveller’s instruments, globes and maps.
“Qatar Heritage Library is a unique destination for the people of Qatar, and the surrounding region, as it allows them to glimpse rare pieces of Arab-Islamic history as part of our mission to support Qatar’s journey towards a knowledge-based economy,” said Eng. Saadi A. Al Said, QNL's Associate Director for Administration and Planning, “Since the Heritage Library is an integral part of the Qatar National Library, the ‘Open Day 2015’ is equally as important for us, and we are simply delighted by the public’s enthusiasm towards the historical treasures housed within it.”
Founded in the early 1980s as part of H.E. Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Thani’s vision to create, and make accessible, a landmark repository of Qatar and regional history in the heart of Doha, the Heritage Library is a unique contribution to Qatar’s cultural landscape. Specifically, the Collection’s Early Arabic printing section contains some of the first Arabic books printed on presses in Shweir (Lebanon), Aleppo (Syria), Mosul (Iraq), Bulaq (Egypt) and in the Hijaz (Saudi Arabia).
His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage said: "I am happy with the idea of the Heritage Library Open Day and the way it has been organised. QNL hosting this event demonstrates the leading role that will be played by the library in the future, not only for Qatar, but also in Arab countries and around the world. On this occasion I would like to invite the community to visit the Heritage Library Building to enjoy what it shows and to feel proud of Qatar’s achievements as they see how Qatar has changed over the years,”
The Collection is home to more than 2,400 manuscripts, including Qur’ānic manuscripts and other texts dealing with religious topics, manuscripts on the Arabic language, medicine, pharmacology, and astronomy. The Collection also holds a large number of books written in foreign languages including writings by European travellers and explorers who visited the Arabia Gulf Region and its surrounding.
“It has been a great pleasure to visit the Heritage Library celebrating World Heritage Day. It is a wonderful collection of manuscripts and various materials from way back in history detailing how Islamic culture, religious thought and philosophy has moved through the centuries, which is very relevant to today. This has been a very inspiring exhibition which shows in a positive way Qatar’s role in the region and the prospects for Qatar’s development in the future,” said H.E. Nicholas Hopton Her Majesty’s UK Ambassador to Qatar.
“The Heritage Library here in Doha is very important and I’m proud that the British Library in London is working in partnership with QNL to help augment and create a world class unique collection of manuscripts and other material for those researching Islamic culture and thought, and those who want to know more about the region and its history,” he added.
Qatar National Library offers free access to vital learning E-resources through its state-of-the-art website and other accompanying online portals. To learn more about the Library, please visit www.qnl.qa or to visit the Qatar Digital Library, log onto www.qdl.qa.
