Doha, Qatar – 17 February 2026: Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and Qatar Charity (QC), one of the largest humanitarian and development organisations in the world, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, 17 February. This partnership formalises a long-standing relationship, appointing Msheireb Properties as a “Charity Partner” engaged in supporting charitable efforts on both local and international scales.

The agreement, effective from August 2025 to August 2027, establishes a structured framework for joint initiatives, community engagement, and charitable activities across Msheireb Downtown Doha. It builds on years of cooperation between the two organisations, which have hosted a series of humanitarian exhibitions and seasonal initiatives within the district.

Among the most notable initiatives are the 2024 Qatar Charity and White Event campaign “Echo of Lost Innocence,” which featured 15,000 teddy bear sculptures, each representing the voices of children lost in Gaza, and the “241” exhibition held in December last year, which commemorated 241 martyred children from Gaza, sponsored by the generous people of Qatar through Qatar Charity’s “Rofaqa” initiative, inspiring reflection among all who visited.

Dr Hafiz Ali Abdulla, Senior Director of Corporate Communication at Msheireb Properties, commented: “Our partnership with Qatar Charity is anchored in a mutual belief that sustainable urban development should be aligned with human compassion. By formalising our capacity as a Charity Partner, we are ensuring that Msheireb Downtown Doha extends past being a smart city, it is an environment that inspires empathy and constructive action. We are delighted to leverage our facilities to support the critical initiatives that Qatar Charity delivers for vulnerable communities worldwide.”

Ahmad Yousef Fakhroo, Executive Director of Communications and Community Impact at Qatar Charity, said: “This agreement with Msheireb Properties highlights a valued alliance between a national development icon and a leading humanitarian institution. Msheireb’s innovative urban environment provides a unique setting to engage the community, inspire generosity, and advance our mission. Msheireb Downtown Doha serves as a gathering point where people come together to support causes that truly matter, and we look forward to building on our past achievements and pursuing new, creative avenues to serve humanity together. We also invite companies and institutions to join our Charity Partner (CP) Programme and take an active role in supporting humanitarian and development initiatives, thereby strengthening the impact of charitable work and contributing to the sustainable development of underserved communities.”

Under the two-year agreement, Qatar Charity will provide volunteer support for Msheireb events and host educational workshops on humanitarian work. In turn, Msheireb Properties will integrate charitable giving into the fabric of Msheireb Downtown Doha by installing donation touch-screens across its retail and residential portfolio and allocating advertising space on district screens for seasonal campaigns. It will also coordinate the donation of unclaimed lost and found items to charitable causes, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Capital Security Department.

In addition, Msheireb Properties will enable retail and hospitality outlets to allocate a portion of their revenues to seasonal campaigns in coordination with Qatar Charity, where participating businesses choose to do so. The company will provide event spaces and digital advertising across its screens for selected campaigns and will support engagement with tenants and business owners.

Looking ahead, the partnership will bring several high-profile installations to the district, including the artistic and charitable displays planned for this Holy Month of Ramadan. These installations in Msheireb’s mosques and Eid prayer ground are designed to evoke the spirit of giving, encouraging visitors to consider compassion, community, and the difference that charitable action can make. Through art and interactive experiences, they aim to showcase charitable causes and encourage engagement between residents, visitors, and those in need.

Doha, Qatar – 11 February 2026: Msheireb Properties has unveiled its comprehensive seasonal programme for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2026, themed “Layali Msheireb.” Running through the holy month, the smart and sustainable district, Msheireb Downtown Doha, will become a glowing hub of community, celebration, and spiritual contemplation through a series of intricate installations and cultural activations.

A Season of Spiritual and Cultural Reflection
The Barahat Msheireb will serve as the centrepiece for evening gatherings, hosting exclusive Iftar and Suhoor experiences in collaboration with the Mandarin Oriental Doha. These “Baraha Ramadan Nights” offer families and friends a refined setting to break their fast amidst the district’s striking architecture.

A defining feature of this year’s programme is a citywide initiative in partnership with Qatar Charity, engaging visitors an interactive opportunity to contribute through donations while promoting a culture of giving and social responsibility.

Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdulla, Senior Director of Corporate Communication at Msheireb Properties, said: “Our Ramadan programming captures the season’s beauty and depth. The programme brings together spiritual, cultural, and communal elements for our community. Visitors can engage with a variety of activities that celebrate tradition and togetherness. We invite everyone to experience the warmth and spirit of the holy month in an environment that honours both our past and our future.”

Moreover, another feature of this year’s programming is painting zones at Sahat Wadi Msheireb for adults and children that encourage creativity and participation under the night sky, framed by wave-like safety barriers that complement the overall aesthetic.

Meanwhile, post-Taraweeh lectures at the Eid Prayer Ground at Msheireb Mosques will be delivered by esteemed Sheikhs, and will provide opportunities for reflection and connection, with live streaming extending their reach.

Kahraba Street: A Luminous Journey Through Time
The historic Kahraba Street will be presented in a traditional setting that honours its legacy as Doha’s first electrically lit street. The area will reflect the character of old Doha through a heritage-led approach, enhanced by creative installations and atmospheric lighting that bring the street’s history to life in an authentic and engaging way.

As part of the activation, Fereej Msheireb will offer a creative transformation inspired by traditional neighbourhood life. This area reintroduces Msheireb as it once was, blending heritage-inspired retail concepts and food offerings that reflect the businesses and experiences historically found in the district. Together, these elements create a cohesive journey connecting past and present, celebrating the cultural identity of Kahraba Street through light, design, and community.

Family Festivities and Eid Activities
The mid-Ramadan celebration of Garangao will be marked with a blend of tradition and joy, with a special focus on children’s activations in Fereej Msheireb. Families are invited to have their children dressed for the occasion and enjoy a variety of interactive experiences designed to celebrate the spirit of Garangao in a festive and welcoming environment. The area will come alive with music and lighting, creating an atmosphere of surprise and celebration.

As the month concludes, Msheireb Downtown Doha will welcome Eid Al Fitr with a colourful carnival atmosphere, while maintaining the district’s natural flow. Barahat Msheireb will feature interactive games and live performances, providing an engaging and joyful experience for all visitors.

Doha, Qatar – 3 February 2026: Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, has announced a key collaboration with Ooredoo Qatar and Honeywell to help automate and manage Msheireb Downtown Doha, one of the world’s most advanced and intelligent smart cities globally.

Unveiled at the Web Summit Qatar event, this landmark agreement introduces a pioneering Artificial Intelligence Powered platform designed to help optimise urban operations and enhance the quality of life for all residents and visitors. Ooredoo has been appointed as the prime partner managing Operations, while Honeywell will customise its City Suite platform to serve as the technology backbone, integrating thousands of sensors from across the city into a single point of control.

The AI-enabled analytics platforms will be designed to integrate operational performance data from the city’s services, while a digital twin of the city infrastructure will enable engineers to model planned updates and reduce system downtime. These elements will be unified into the new AI-powered command center, enabling live monitoring, predictive maintenance, automated incident management and enhanced operational planning through sophisticated data analytics.

The agreement also includes five years of managed services, helping ensure that the Msheireb Downtown Doha Smart City platform continues to evolve. This long-term collaboration, aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, supports the country’s emergence as a global hub for digital transformation and sustainable urban innovation

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Faisal Al Malki, Msheireb Properties Chief Operating Officer, said: “This agreement advances our Smart City ecosystem and enhances how we manage and operate Msheireb Downtown Doha. The platform introduces new digital capabilities that improve efficiency, strengthen service quality, and support sustainable urban living. Moreover, this partnership contributes to our district’s evolution in intelligent urban living, enabling technologies that offer tangible benefits to those who live, work, and visit here.”

Hassan Ismail Al-Emadi, Ooredoo Chief Business Officer, added: “This partnership represents a significant milestone in Qatar’s digital transformation journey. By combining our strengths, we are creating a blueprint for the smart cities of tomorrow.”

Nabil Cheqroun, Honeywell Building Automation in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) Vice President and General Manager, said: “Honeywell is proud to help lead this flagship smart city project. Our expertise in large-scale smart infrastructure will help deliver a more secure, energy efficient and digitally enhanced environment for those who live, work and visit Msheireb Downtown Doha.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha is recognised as a unique smart and sustainable city that harmonises heritage values with cutting-edge technology. This collaboration will integrate more than 650,000 IoT sensors, 10,000 automated basement parking spaces—a Guinness World Record for the largest underground parking lot—10,000 CCTV cameras and existing facility management systems covering building automation, utilities, security and emergency services.

The new city management platform will deliver:

• Smart Operations: Predictive analytics will manage traffic, helping enable better event planning and resource allocation
• Predictive Maintenance: System alarms will be analyzed to suggest corrective actions before incidents occur, helping increase efficiency for critical services including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water.
• Sustainability: By monitoring energy consumption and waste diversion, Msheireb Downtown Doha’s sustainability index will be benchmarked against global standards to help maintain leadership in environmental performance.

Customer Satisfaction: Virtual assistants and automated alerts will help keep residents informed of incidents or restoration updates, helping enhance the tenant experience

Doha, Qatar – 22 January 2026: Msheireb Museums and Sidra Medicine hosted the first Science Café session of 2026, marking the third year of their collaboration to bring scientific knowledge closer to the public. The session, titled Stem Cells in Precision Medicine: From Research to Reality, took place at Bin Jelmood House, Msheireb Museums, on Wednesday. Attracting a full house of over 100 attendees, it provided an engaging public forum that demystified the science of stem cells and their contribution to modern medicine.

The session offered a thorough overview, guiding the audience from foundational concepts to the forefront of clinical applications. Experts led attendees through the journey of how stem cell research translates from laboratory discoveries into tangible, regulated therapies, offering potential treatments for chronic and genetic diseases.

Abdulla Al Naama, General Manager of Msheireb Museums, said: “This is the third year of our Science Café collaboration with Sidra Medicine, and it is encouraging to see the partnership continue to bear fruit, offering the public unique access to cutting-edge science. Events such as this make knowledge approachable and inspire curiosity across all age groups. At Msheireb Museums, we connect world-class research with the community, providing the public with direct access to scientific dialogue and updates on developments shaping our future.”

Dr. Sahar Da’as, Research Manager at Sidra Medicine and lead of the Science Café initiative, added: “Stem cells hold immense promise in medicine, from understanding disease mechanisms to developing regenerative therapies. Our goal was to move beyond complex terminology and share a clear, hopeful narrative about how our work at Sidra Medicine is contributing to the global field of precision medicine.”

The two-hour session featured interactive discussions, encouraging engagement between the panel and the audience. Key topics included the fundamental biology of stem cells, current applications in clinical practice such as transplantation, and the pathway from laboratory research to regulated patient care. Ethical considerations, patient safety, and realistic expectations for stem cell therapies were also addressed, providing a comprehensive view of the field.

Speakers and panel experts from Sidra Medicine shared their expertise and answered audience questions throughout the session. Among them included: Dr. Sara Abdulla, Senior Research Programme Manager – Biomedical and Health at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, who moderated the discussion; Dr. Chiara Cugno, Acting Chief Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and BMT and Director of the Advanced Cell Therapy Core at Sidra Medicine; Dr. Essam M. Abdelalim, Principal Investigator – Associate Level at the Laboratory of Pluripotent Stem Cell Disease Modeling at Sidra Medicine; Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, Professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics and Head of the Research Center for Islamic Legislation & Ethics (CILE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University; and Dr. Mohammed Shaker, Scientist at the Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University.

The Science Café initiative has become a cornerstone of Msheireb Museums’ programming, supporting an ongoing effort to connect science and society. By creating spaces where research is presented in accessible language, the programme aims to spark curiosity, increase understanding, and inform the public about developments shaping the future of healthcare.

 

Doha, Qatar – 21 January 2026: Doha Design District (DDD) and Qatar Foundation partner university Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) have officially partnered in plans to open a dedicated multifunctional design hub in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. This strategic partnership brings the university’s creative research and academic excellence into the city’s vibrant design center, providing a dedicated space for community and industry focused creative innovation.

Located within DDD headquarters, the VCUarts Qatar multifunctional space will extend the university’s academic, creative, and research activities beyond Education City and into the heart of the city.  The initiative enhances engagement with Qatar’s wider cultural ecosystem and contributes to the ongoing development of Doha Design District as a leading regional hub for creativity and design.

Amir Berbić, Dean of VCUarts Qatar, said: “The establishment of a VCUarts Qatar creative hub within Doha Design District reflects VCUarts Qatar’s deep commitment to supporting Qatar’s vision for a thriving, interconnected creative economy.  It will serve as a visible platform for academic activity, creative research, and community education. VCUarts Qatar has long been a catalyst for artistic excellence, experimentation, and global dialogue. By expanding into Msheireb Downtown Doha, we are creating new pathways for collaboration, community engagement, and opportunities for our faculty, students and alumni to shape the future of design in the region.”

Msheireb Properties CEO, Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, said: “The establishment of the VCUarts Qatar annex within Doha Design District represents a significant milestone in our commitment to nurturing Qatar’s creative ecosystem. By bringing academic excellence into the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, we are bridging the essential connection between learning and practice, theory and application.”

“Situated within the world’s first smart and sustainable city regeneration, this collaboration reinforces our vision of DDD as a knowledge hub where creative talent can develop, experiment, and engage with industry. Education is central to building a sustainable design economy, and this partnership creates meaningful pathways for students, alumni, and practitioners to shape the future of design in Qatar and the region,” he added.

Dr. Hend Zainal, Executive Director of Strategy, Management and Partnerships at Qatar Foundation’s Higher Education Division, said: “At Qatar Foundation, we believe that education reaches its full potential when woven into the fabric of the community. The partnership between VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District stands as a testament to our commitment to a multidisciplinary ecosystem that transcends traditional learning. By bringing creative innovation into the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District are working collaboratively to provide the community with a platform to create, experiment and learn together.”

Education forms a cornerstone of Doha Design District’s strategic positioning as Qatar’s leading hub for design excellence. Through partnerships such as this collaboration with VCUarts Qatar, DDD connects academic research with real-world industry application, activating spaces with purpose-driven programming that supports talent development and long-term ecosystem building. This focus on education distinguishes DDD as a knowledge platform where learning, experimentation, and applied design converge, supporting the growth of local and regional creative talent in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030’s objectives for innovation-led development and cultural advancement.

The activation at Doha Design District builds on VCUarts Qatar’s longstanding collaboration with DDD and Msheireb Properties. Together, the partners are expanding opportunities for cultural exchange and increasing community access to the arts and design experiences. Moreover, it aligns with VCUarts Qatar’s objectives to broaden education and creative research, increase visibility, and develop community connections.

VCUarts Qatar and Doha Design District have partnered on numerous initiatives, ranging from sustainable bird sanctuaries to student-led window displays in association with Liberty London. During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, VCUarts Qatar joined Msheireb Downtown Doha to showcase student installations in the city center, exploring the intersection of local heritage and global sport. This partnership was highlighted by David Beckham’s participation, who met with the student designers to champion Qatar’s creativity on the world stage.  Previous faculty-led exhibitions with Msheireb Museums include Strange Wonders & Mapping Migration Memories

Doha, Qatar – 18 January 2026: Msheireb Properties announces the relocation of Qatar Tourism headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha. This move enhances Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as Qatar’s premier destination for leading government institutions and major organisations.

The relocation provides Qatar Tourism—including its marketing arm Visit Qatar—with state-of-the-art facilities within Msheireb Downtown Doha’s sustainable urban environment. The city offers a strategic hub through smart city infrastructure and proximity to key cultural, business, and transport centres. Msheireb Downtown Doha’s Gold and Platinum LEED-certified buildings feature energy-efficient systems and smart infrastructure designed to optimise operations whilst supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 objectives.

H.E. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, said: “Our strategic decision to relocate Qatar Tourism’s headquarters to Msheireb Downtown Doha reflects our steadfast and unwavering commitment to the highest standards of operational excellence and strategic positioning. Msheireb, with its world-class sustainable infrastructure and deep-rooted cultural authenticity, provides us with the optimal environment that aligns with Qatar Tourism’s lofty vision aimed at establishing Qatar’s position as a world-class tourism destination par excellence.”

Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, added: “It is with pride and honour that we welcome Qatar Tourism to Msheireb Downtown Doha. Their decision to relocate to Msheireb embodies our vision to provide a distinguished environment that attracts the most prestigious government institutions, which deepens Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as Qatar’s leading and preferred destination for institutional and strategic excellence. Undoubtedly, Qatar Tourism’s presence will enrich the integrated and dynamic ecosystem we have established in our sustainable urban development.”

The city’s comprehensive offerings—from heritage institutions such as Msheireb Museums to world-class hospitality experiences—provide Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar with an ideal operational environment whilst showcasing Qatar’s capabilities to visitors, residents, and locals from within the sustainable city.

Msheireb Downtown Doha continues to attract world-class organisations as Qatar’s leading destination for strategic business operations. This announcement follows Qatar Airways’ decision to relocate their global headquarters to the city in 2026, cementing Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as the preferred choice for major institutions seeking cutting-edge facilities and strategic locations.

 

Doha, Qatar – 14 January 2026: Msheireb Museums, in partnership with Qatar Television and the Australian Embassy in Doha, successfully hosted a screening of the documentary film “Al Nayla: A Journey to the Depths of Sea and the Secrets of Extracting Oysters and Pearls from the Coast of Australia.” The event took place on Tuesday at Stories in Msheireb Museums, gathering diplomats, officials, and members of the public to present the historical and cultural connections between Qatar and Australia through the pearling industry.

The film traced the development of Western Australia’s pearling industry, exploring the history of pearl diving along the region’s coasts, the stages of pearl cultivation, the secrets of selection, and the contributions of the venerable families who had established the industry since the last century. It showed how methods of harvesting oysters and cultivating pearls evolved over time. Through historical footage and interviews with key figures in the sector, Al Nayla exhibited how the introduction of cultured pearls reshaped the global market and influenced the industry’s cultural and economic significance.

The evening represented a cultural and diplomatic occasion of considerable significance, attended by The Honourable Dick Milton, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives; His Excellency Shane Flanagan, Australian Ambassador to the State of Qatar; Qatar Television leadership; in addition to several diplomats. The distinguished gathering underscored the depth of cultural and diplomatic ties between Australia and Qatar.

Msheireb Museums General Manager, Abdulla Al Naama, said: “Msheireb Museums works to safeguard and promote stories that link our history with our contemporary world. ‘Al Nayla’ serves as a connection between two countries whose cultures were influenced by the sea. Msheireb Museums has long presented the story of pearling and the pearl trade in Qatar. Screening ‘Al Nayla’ in this setting created a natural dialogue between local and international histories, offering audiences a broader understanding of how this industry developed across different regions.”

HE Shane Flanagan, Australian Ambassador to the State of Qatar, said: “In this year in which we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Australian Embassy in Qatar, tonight’s screening of Al-Nayla is a reminder of the human stories that bind our two nations. By sharing these stories, we bridge the 10,000 kilometres between Australia and Qatar. Al-Nayla celebrates a common thread in the history of Australia and Qatar. It is a reminder that, whilst we are separated by oceans, our histories are intertwined. We congratulate Qatar Television on the production of the documentary, which inspires greater curiosity about the threads that connect our two nations.”

Ali Saleh Al-Sada, Director of Qatar Television, said: “Several months ago, Qatar TV launched episodes highlighting the pearling trade and the cultural heritage associated with it. This screening extended that focus by introducing audiences to Australia’s pearling history and practices. By presenting the film in Msheireb Museums, where Qatar’s pearling heritage is already documented, the event created a clear connection between local and international narratives. The film ‘Al Nayla’ combined historical and contemporary perspectives, helping viewers understand how the pearling industry continues to influence societies today.”

Through the screening of ‘Al Nayla’, Msheireb Museums, Qatar TV, and the Australian Embassy offered audiences to engage with both local and international pearling histories. The event emphasised cross-cultural dialogue, showing how an industry shaped societies, economies, and traditions across continents. The documentary examined both the technical and human aspects of pearling, showcasing the experiences of divers and industry leaders. It also illustrated how economic, environmental, and technological changes influenced the industry, delivering an informative and educational experience for attendees.