The “Qatar, India and the Gulf: History, Culture and Society” exhibition opened at Qatar National Library with a ceremony attended by community leaders, senior officials and other special guests.
The exhibition, which runs until February 2020, examines thousands of years of connections between India, Qatar, and the Gulf region, and forms part of the ongoing Qatar India 2019 Year of Culture.
The ceremony included talks by Dr. Sohair Wastawy, Executive Director of the Library; His Excellency Shri. P. Kumaran, Ambassador of India to Qatar; Ms. Aisha Al Attiya, Head of Years of Culture at Qatar Museums; Mr. Kees Wieringa, Director of the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum; and Dr. James Onley, Director of Historical Research and Partnerships at the Library.
Guests were delighted by a musical performance by members of Qatar’s Mappila community from the Indian state of Kerala.
Sulaiman Rashed, a Library visitor who attended the opening ceremony, said: “The content of the exhibition is very interesting because it highlights ties and cultural similarities between the people of Qatar and India. Everyone in Qatar, especially youth interested in the country’s history, should find this exhibition very informative.”
Rajan Ismael, another visitor to the exhibition, said: “It is fascinating to open this exhibition at the Library, a place that welcomes people from all nationalities, backgrounds and interests. It is the best setting to learn about the historical relations between India and Qatar, and the cultural wealth of both nations.”
