Visitors given a briefing about the heritage collection.
Qatar National Library hosted a Open Day, at the site of its Heritage Collection, for members of the community to explore and enjoy the remarkable contents of the collection. The Heritage Collection – the heart of the new Qatar National Library – includes a rare trove of manuscripts, books, and artefacts that document a wealth of Arab-Islamic civilisation and human thought.
Qatar National Library and Qatar Foundation representatives were joined by officials from the embassies of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Embassy officials included Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of the United Kingdom, Cecillie El Beleidi, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of France, Brigitte Curmi, and Mathias Kruse, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor at the Embassy of Germany. Foreign dignitaries had the opportunity to take a special tour of the Heritage Collection and to learn about items of historical significance to Qatar, the region, and to their respective nations.
Notably, guests at Open Day had a chance to see the original 1647 edition of LÁlcoran de Mahomet (PBUH). This is the first French translation of the Holy Quran, undertaken by the famous French orientalist André Du Ryer (1580-1660), Consul of France in Egypt and Turkey. It is this translation that had a strong influence on knowledge of the Holy Quran in Western Europe and inspired translations into English, German, Dutch and Russian.
Reflecting upon the event, Dr Claudia Lux, Qatar National Library’s Project Director said: “Qatar National Library’s Heritage Collection is a place where families, students, researchers and tourists can discover Qatar and the world’s knowledge. This event, which celebrates the heritage of education and marks International Day for Monuments and Sites, was a resounding success. Qatar National Library, which has begun ambitious efforts to digitise and preserve many of these works for future generations, provides resources for lifelong learning not only on April 18, but each day of the year. We are grateful for the support we saw today from the community and from foreign dignitaries.”
Officials were also joined at the event by Qatar Foundation’s Senior Heritage Specialist Mohammed Hammam Fikri who gave guests a personal and in-depth tour of the collection.
The Open Day was held by Qatar National Library to celebrate The International Day for Monuments and Sites held on April 18 each year to honour the diversity of heritage throughout the world.
The Peninsula
