Under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, and with the generous support of Seashore Group, in cooperation with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Museum of Islamic Art is pleased to announce today the opening of its temporary exhibition – Mosques in Qatar: then and now, on view at MIA’s Shaikh Saoud Gallery until 12 August 2023.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attended the opening of this exhibition that celebrates the significance and the legacy of Mosques in Qatar over the last 100 years, taking the viewers on a journey from the oldest mosques in Qatar to the newest.
Mosques in Qatar: then and now takes us on a photographic tour of Qatar from one of the earliest mosques at Murwab, through the boom of the 20th century, to the modern architecture and design of today where despite architectural changes, the mosque remains as an important part of the community as it ever has been. The exhibition will also celebrate and feature some of the famous Qatari Imams who have guided the community, and Muezzins who have called the community to prayer.
MIA Director Dr. Julia Gonnella said, “The Museum of Islamic Art is delighted to showcase its latest temporary exhibition: Mosques in Qatar: then and now, an exhibition celebrating the cultural and visual legacy that Mosques have carved in Qatar, over the last 100 years. We invite residents and visitors to Qatar during summer to visit the exhibition to experience the variety of mosques, learn a bit of their design and how that relates to the environment, and finally to compare and contrast with the mosques of the 21st century.”
Following Qatar Museums’ commitment to preserve, restore and expound upon the country’s ancient architectural identity, the Architectural Conservation team at Qatar Museums had helped realise a critical aspect of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by being actively involved in the restoration and conservation of the following mosques - Al Ruwais Mosque (Ruwais) – 1915; Bin Obaid Mosque (Doha) – 1935; Zekreet Mosque (Zekreet) – 1940; Al Amri Mosque (Jumaliya) – 1940; Bahar Mosque (Abu DhulaufZuloof) – 1940; Ain Sinan – 1940; Al Naman (Naman) – 1946; Fuwairat Mosque (Fuwairat) – 1950 and Al Busaiyyir (Al Busaiyyir) – 1960.
Mr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Kuwari, Da'wah Affairs and Mosques said: "We are pleased to invite the public to visit the joint exhibition between the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Qatar Museums; an exhibition that showcases more about the nation's mosques - its history and architecture through the years.”
Mr. Salem Al-Mohannadi, CEO of the Seashore Group, expressed his happiness at sponsoring the exhibition Mosques in Qatar: then and now, and said: “We are pleased to be sponsors of this exhibition, which sheds light on the history of mosques in Qatar, because of their religious and urban importance that reflects the local culture of the people of Qatar."
The exhibition unveilings follow the recent reopening of MIA after the museum underwent a facilities enhancement project that included the reimagination and reinstallation of its permanent collection galleries. One of the world’s premier institutions of Islamic art and the first world class museum in the region, the reimagined MIA provides a more accessible, engaging, and educational experience for guests. More than 1,000 objects – many newly conserved or acquired – are displayed in the Museum’s permanent galleries for the first time, alongside the masterpieces for which MIA has long been recognised.