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Doha, Qatar, 29 June 2019 – Msheireb Properties, the national real estate developer and subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, announced earlier the launch of two books developed in partnership with international researchers, architects, and urban planners, who  partook in the restoration and building process of Msheireb Downtown Doha and Msheireb Museums.

The book launch took place in two special ceremonies, last week, in London, and were attended by HE the Ambassador of Qatar to UK, Mr Yousef Al Khater, VIPs, industry key players, international stakeholders, and international media.

The first book, ‘Msheireb Museums: Transforming Doha’s Heritage Houses’, showcases Msheireb Museums, which form a historical restoration of four traditional heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world’s first sustainable regeneration project located in Qatar’s capital, Doha. They are outstanding examples of enduring continuity and the meaning of history in a city which is, otherwise, a place of rapid change.

The second book, ‘Building on Tradition – The New Architectural Language of Qatar’, presents the ‘Seven Principles’ of architecture developed over three years by the best minds in the architectural world. A panel of architects involved in the design of the Msheireb Downtown Doha shared their insights on how they had established these design principles, which eventually translated into a unique modern Qatari architectural language, blending the best of aesthetics and functionality, as well as heritage and modernism.

From his side, HE Mr Youssef Al Khater, Ambassador of Qatar to the UK, said: “I am so proud of this amazing representation of Qatar on international levels. The process and achievements, documented eloquently by Msheireb Properties through these world-class books, demonstrate effectively Qatar’s commitment to sustainable development and to enriching the conversation on the issue, by sharing knowledge and setting an example for other urban development companies around the world.”

Commenting on this milestone, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties, Ali Al Kuwari said, “We are proud to share this Qatari know-how and experience with the world. The Seven Principles can indeed be adopted anywhere for anyone who aims to create a community that is rooted in its past and geared for the future at the same time. It is the result of three years of research and collaboration, enabling us to accomplish the first ever sustainable downtown regeneration project in the world, as well as the smartest and most sustainable fully built city district.”

“Msheireb Properties aims to enrich people’s lives and enhance the way they live and thrive, and we do believe that in order to succeed in doing this, we have to share knowledge, exchange expertise, and promote the conversation about best practices.”

Dr Hafiz Ali, Msheireb Museums Director, said: “As part of Msheireb Properties, we are very happy and proud of these books. This is the wisdom we have accumulated along the years, compiled in a capsule, for those who would like to understand our journey towards restoring a crucial part of Qatar’s history, namely; its first and oldest city centre district.”

“The Museums’ book elaborates on the sophisticated work underlying the challenge of bringing back to life four houses, each of which has a story that is intertwined with that of the development of our country. The book coincides with our recent nomination for the Agha Khan Award for Architecture 2019, the most prestigious accolade in the industry, which could not be more perfect timing,” he added.

The Msheireb Properties books will be launched in Arabic soon in Qatar and the Arab World.

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25 May 2019, Doha, Qatar- Msheireb Museums, the four revived historic Qatari heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, commemorated the International Museums Day 2019, and celebrated its nomination for the Agha Khan Award in Architecture during a Ghabgha (early Suhoor) organised by Msheireb Properties, the owner and developer of the museums, for its employees and stakeholders.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is the most prestigious prize in the field, established by Aga Khan IV in 1977 to reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies. Msheireb Museums has been nominated earlier in May, and the winning organisations will be announced in August 2019.

Commenting on the nomination for the Agha Khan Architecture Award, Mr Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: “The news was a great surprise for us. The Agha Khan Award in Architecture is one of the most prestigious accolades in the field, and we are honoured to have been shortlisted and considered by its governing body to represent Qatar. This is the first time since the 1970s that any building in the country has been nominated for this prize, which is an acknowledgement of the work that underlined the revival of the four traditional houses and the purpose they serve.”

The International Museums Day 2019 celebrates museums as cultural hubs and the role they play in engaging communities. In today’s world, museums are continuously working to transform their practices to remain closer to their communities. They look for innovative ways to tackle contemporary social issues and advocate local and global topics. Their mission transcends putting history on display to using it to establish dialogue between cultures, build bridges, and define a sustainable future.

Dr Hafiz Ali, Msheireb Museums Director, said: “The theme of the International Museums Day 2019 captures accurately the role we have been playing in Qatar along the years. As a social history museum, we work in collaboration with various partners to observe and promote societal development, cultural dialogue, and knowledge exchange, reviving Msheireb’s status as the cultural centre of Doha. It’s through this effort that we attempt to create a platform that leverages history to understand the present and make the future better for all.”

“Msheireb Museums aims to highlight the changes happening in society today. To do this, we continuously create programs that engage our audience by being interactive, relevant, and fun! We are proud of the many moments when the community joined, actively participated in, and engaged with our diverse programs, events, and exhibitions,” he added.

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Doha, Qatar, 5 December 2018

Msheireb Museums, the leading cultural and tourist destination in Msheireb Downtown Doha, hosted Rwaiha, the perfumes, incense, flowers and coffee exhibition, organised by Tarteeb, a renowned Qatari lifestyle and events company. The event, which concluded on Monday, celebrated Qatar’s cultural and entrepreneurial spirit.

Rwaiha -Qatari word for Scent- was held in the open-air courtyard of two historical houses; the Company House and Mohammed Bin Jassim House, part of Msheireb Museums in the heart of the Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Highlighting the relevance of the event, Hafiz Ali, Msheireb Museums Director, said: “I am very happy with this collaboration with Tarteeb, as we always welcome the opportunity to work with local artists and curators to host events such as Rwaiha. Fairs, exhibitions, and community initiatives are vital to support the entrepreneurial spirit of young people, but most importantly, they help us attract Qatari youth to historical cultural hubs in the heart of Doha such as the four houses of Msheireb Museums.”

“We are keen on raising awareness around our heritage and using it as an inspiration for the development of our Qatari identity that combines the authenticity and traditions of the past with the modernity and flexibility of the future,” he added.

Rwaihawitnessed the participation of more than 50 local and regional entrepreneurs who showcased variant unique blends of fragrances, aromas, incense, coffee and roses. Characterized by their modern ingenuity, the exhibition pavilions created a lovely contrast against the traditional background of the old Qatari houses.

Sharifa Al Sai, Executive Director of Tarteeb, said: “Incense, perfumes and coffee are an essential part of our Qatari heritage and history. Msheireb Museums was the perfect location to host the  exhibition, complementing our idea and reinforcing a sense of identity and tradition. It was a very rewarding endeavor and we look forward to working with Msheireb Museums again to bring more cultural events to Doha in the future.”

Being the official sponsor of Rwaiha, Mr Jaber Al Hajri, owner of La Princesse Coffee, said: “It was indeed an excellent commercial and marketing opportunity for our brand. I was impressed by the concept, the theme and the choice of location. We thank Msheireb Museums for hosting us in this wonderful heritage site and Tarteeb for their impeccable execution.”

As implied by its very name, Rwaihashowcased perfumes, coffee blends, and flowers. The exhibition created an enchanting historical ambience with traditional music, poetry recitals, cultural shows, competitions, and prizes. The event also provided training workshops for those interested in perfumeries, coffee and flower formations.

Msheireb Museums is the new cultural destination featuring four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history, one that reveals the  unique aspects of Qatar’s cultural and social development along the years.  Msheireb Museums is a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project.

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Doha, Qatar, 19 November 2018:

Msheireb Museums, the leading cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha, has signed an agreement with Qatar Shell, a global leading energy company, to make Qatar Shell the sponsor of the Company House, one of the four heritage houses that form Msheireb Museums.

The agreement was signed by Rashid Majed Al-Sulaiti, Deputy General Manager of Qatar Shell, and Ali Al-Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties, in the attendance of Hafiz Ali, the Director of Msheireb Museums.

Qatar Shell’s sponsorship of the Company House adds great value to the museums. Qatar Shell was one of the first international companies that started exploitation of oil in Qatar and has strong effort in documenting this history.

The Company House is one of the four heritage houses that were renovated at Msheireb Downtown Doha and form part of Msheireb Museums. It was once used as the headquarters for Qatar’s first oil company, and tells the story of the pioneering Qatari petroleum industry workers and their families who helped transform Qatar into a modern society. In this house, visitors witness first-hand accounts of the men who labored in this industry, not just to provide for their families, but also to lay the foundations for their emerging nation.

Qatar Shell’s sponsorship of the Company House is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, that supports various segments and sectors including Education, Sports, Health, Culture and the Environment. It aims to enhance the national capabilities and effectively contribute to the four pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Ali Al-Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties said: “The agreement with Qatar Shell reflects Msheireb Properties’ vision in preserving the national heritage, which is one of the missions of the company. In addition to our mandate as a developer of the sustainable Msheireb Downtown Doha,

Media Coverage Report November 2018

Msheireb Properties is committed to social responsibility as a fixture to the values of human civilisation in Qatar”.

“We thank Qatar Shell for its valuable collaboration and looking forward to building more partnerships with such prestigious national and international organisations”, he added.

According to the agreement, Qatar Shell supports the Company House and the archive documentation of Qatar’s oil and gas history. It will also contribute in organizing events and programs that raise awareness on the importance of this sector and its impact on the current generations.

Hafez Ali, Msheireb Museums Director said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with Qatar Shell, one of the leading energy companies in the world. We have selected Qatar Shell because of its successful record in documenting history and preserving the national heritage in the communities it has worked. We highly appreciate this mission and that’s what motivated us to sign this partnership. This agreement will enhance the archive documentation effort of the Company House and activate our programs of events, to make this museum a major hub that preserves the important history of our country to the next generations”.

In his turn, Rashid Majed Al-Sulaiti, Deputy General Manager of Qatar Shell said: “This sponsorship is part of our social responsibility to support the development strategy of the Qatar National Vision 2030 .. We hope this sponsorship will be a catalyst to accomplish this vision by preserving Qatar’s cultural heritage and to and accomplish sustainability and self-sufficiency of Qatar tourism sector on the long term, making Qatar a main tourist destination in the region”.

The Company House encompasses a collection of equipment and items that were used in the oil company at old times. It also tells the story of workers who build a better future for kin and country, and together with young Qataris today, find inspiration in their tenacity and dedication to the building of modern Qatar

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Doha, Qatar. November 2018:

Msheireb Museums, the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha, hosted an introductory seminar conducted by Qatar Genome Programme and Qatar Biobank. The seminar intended to raise awareness on the importance and role of bio banks and genome science, and encourage the people of Qatar to register in the program.

Held at the education centre at Bin Jelmood House at Msheireb Museums, the seminar was attended by representatives from the three partners and guests. It is an extension to the existing ‘A Journey to the Heart of Life’ exhibition launched last year at the museum.

The seminar is one of a series promised within a memorandum of understanding signed recently by Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Biobank and Msheireb Museums, to strengthen mutual collaboration through the delivery of events, seminars, scientific tours and lectures on bio banks and genome science.

Each of the planned seminars will provide essential information to introduce people to the role of bio banks and genome sciences, and experts from both entities will participate in the scientific tours and workshops organised in Msheireb Museums for school students in Grade 6 and above.

Commenting on the MOU signing, Dr. Asmaa Al Thani, Chair of National Genome Committee, and Deputy Chairperson of Qatar Bio Bank said: “We are pleased to sign this partnership with Msheireb Museums, as it will allow us to educate the community on Genome science, and how we can leverage medical sciences to maintain the health of Qatar’s people and residents, today and in the future.”

“This agreement will enable us to raise awareness on the vital role of Qatar Bio Bank and Qatar Genome Program in developing personalised medicine for each patient”.

Hafiz Ali, Msheireb Museums’ Director said: “Msheireb Museums is proud to partner with two leading organisations which seek to enhance people’s knowledge on such an important topic. We are pleased to host the first seminar which supports Msheireb Museums educational and scientific mission, and feel that the museums provide the perfect environment to promote such a vital topic. In collaboration with national organisations, we will continue to organise events and forums that benefit our community”.

Dr. SaidIsmail, theQatar Genome Programme(QGP) Managersaid: “This partnership with Msheireb Museums will enable our local community to get better information and knowledge on our program, and feel great pride in the progressive sciences sector in Qatar, which is one of the few countries in the world that has a fully-fledged genome program in place”.

“The workshops and scientific tours are a great method to introduce our role in improving healthcare to the people of Qatar”, he concluded.

During the seminar, Mohammad Al-Dosari, Head of Communications and Participants Recruitment at Qatar Bio Bank, presented an overview of the Qatar Bio Bank and its mission, calling on the people of Qatar to register for a program that aims to collect samples and personal data of the healthcare and lifestyle of the people of Qatar. He explained that the long-term healthcare initiative aims to provide the people of Qatar with better opportunities and methods to avoid diseases, and enhance the health of future generations by providing personalised medical treatment for each patient.

Dr. Mashael Al-Shafei, Researcher at Qatar Genome Program and Assistant Professor at the Department of Health Sciences at Qatar University, introduced the audience to Qatar Genome Program, which seeks to present the first Qatari gene chip for the implementation of precision medicine in Qatar. She indicated that Qatar is one of a handful of countries that has a national genome project, a project which is crucial in the journey to improving people’s health.

The educational tours will be carefully tailored to meet the needs of different age groups and will help students to develop a better understanding of the concept of genome research and introduce them to the different methods that support efforts in the field of genome research both in Qatar and globally. The tours will also educate the students on the latest scientific explorations that support their academic study, enabling them to consider future careers in this sector.

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Doha, Qatar, October 29, 2018:

Msheireb Museums, the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha, celebrates its 3^rd anniversary, cementing its position as a major cultural and touristic destination in Qatar with an exceptional list of accomplishments achieved since opening in 2015.

On this occasion, Msheireb Museums added a new collection of artifacts to its premises to enrich the museum’s existing collection, which is now on display for guests to visit.

Since its inception Msheireb Museums has made huge progress in terms of attracting visitors, winning awards and gaining recognition, thanks to its distinctive and rich programs of events and activations, and partnerships with prominent institutes and academic organizations. In addition to its touristic role, Msheireb Museums enhanced its position as a leading educational and scientific landmark, acting as a reference for students and professionals on the history of Qatar; exploring its journey to modernism and the present day.

The museums also won many local and international awards from prominent art and culture institutes, adding to the global recognition of the wider cultural and touristic offering of Qatar.

Hafiz Ali, Msheireb Museums’ Director said: “Since launching Msheireb Museums three years ago, we have accomplished great achievements and recorded success on many levels. Today, we mark a new step on the creative and development plan, which is part of the journey to transform the museums into the top leading culture and heritage destination in Qatar, and the region. I would like to thank Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, the Chair of Qatar Foundation, for her wise vision and support in founding Msheireb Museums, which is helping to preserve our heritage and history as a country. Her leadership has played a fundamental role in making this project a success”.

“On this occasion, we would also like to send our thanks and gratitude to our employees and volunteers at Msheireb Museums; without their dedication and hard work such accomplishments would not have been achievable. We also extend our thanks to Msheireb Properties management who renovated the heart of Doha, reviving it with innovation in mind while preserving its heritage houses. We are proud to announce today that a new collection has been added to our houses, and thank those who donated the pieces, to be enjoyed by the people of Qatar and international visitors. These contributions are vital”.

Msheireb Museums is a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Doha; Bin Jelmood House (raising awareness of formerly enslaved people), Company House (sharing a history of Qatar’s petroleum industry), Radwani House (providing insights into the Qatari family life over generations), and Mohammed Bin Jassim House (a journey through Msheireb district over time).

Located within the oldest district of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage with and learn about significant aspects of Qatar’s heritage, culture and traditions prior to the country’s rapid economic development.

Heritage houses with state-of-the-art technology

Since its opening, three years ago, Msheireb Museums has received around eighty thousand visitors from Qatar and the wider region, as well as tourists and students of schools and universities.

Msheireb Museums encompasses four heritage houses that have been renovated and equipped with interactive modern technology, taking visitors on a journey to the past in which they can experience history in an interactive and engaging way. Visitors are given the opportunity to provide feedback and give their opinions through commenting on interactive screens, surveys and social media channels, and the museums management always responds to feedback and takes it into consideration to improve the overall experience.

Along with the galleries, Msheireb Museums includes special departments for scientific and educational courses and training, creating an entity with comprehensive services that assists tourism, entertainment, and education under one roof. In line with its mandate to support youth and culture, Msheireb Museums provides full support to entrepreneurs and volunteers who are willing to organize exhibitions or offer new artistic ideas.

Additionally, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections with academic institutions, regularly collaborating with universities, colleges, and research programmes to ensure better engagement with the museums’ offerings and content. Visitors of the museums also have access to the valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library.

Strong connections with the local community

Msheireb Museums has strong connections with the community; the people of Qatar are major contributors, donating collections to the museums and helping in the process of documenting the country’s history. Since announcing the establishment of Msheireb Museums, the Qatari people have donated their personal belongings and collections inherited from their ancestors, to the museums, to ensure they are well preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from. Many of the older generation visited the museums to document their memories as part of drive to obtain verbal historical source material, ensuring that these precious, unique and personal experiences will not be lost.

Training programs

Msheireb Museums launched a program last year, geared towards activating the tourism sector. The ‘Msheireb Museums Friends’ programme is a mutually-beneficial volunteering scheme which aims to train teachers and educational leaders the skills required to become tour guides in the museums, enhancing their ability to lead student tours. The programme also enables students to enhance their leadership skills while introducing the community to the country’s rich culture.

This programme received great attention, with many authorities and organisations taking part, including Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Youth Center, in addition to school teachers from national and international schools.

Awards

Msheireb Museums has received many awards, acknowledging its role and position since opening in 2015. Bin Jelmood Houserecently wonan award in the category of ‘Green Cultural Building’ atthe 2018 Qatar Sustainability Awards, which was held as part of Qatar Sustainability week 2018.

Internationally, Msheireb Museums was recognized by the International Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA), winning the ‘Best Educational Practice Program’ award during the 2018 CECA Conference and Awards event.Its winning project, the Bin Jelmood Educational Programme, introduces the story of Bin Jelmood House, using innovative methods to reach a young target audience in an effective and engaging way.

In 2018, the site was also included on the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) list of the world’s best new buildings.

Exhibitions and conference

Msheireb Museums has hosted many exhibitions and conferences that add great value to the cultural scene in Qatar. Last year, Msheireb Museums hosted the ‘Back to Msheireb’ Exhibition in Mohammed Bin Jassim House, which documented Msheireb’s transformation into a centre of commercial activity and an intercultural crossroads for people of diverse origins between the years 1980 and 2009.

Earlier this year,‘We are the daughters of Qatar’ Exhibition aimed to raise awareness on the role of women during the pre-oil era of discovery and reflected on the various social and economic changes made throughout history to enable women’s empowerment.

These exhibitions, organized by UCL Qatar, give students the opportunity to get involved in the educational experience of the museums. They also have the chance to organize their own fully-fledged conferences and exhibitions in the museums.

Msheireb Museums also added a permanent exhibition titled ‘A Journey to the Heart of Life’, located at Bin Jelmood House at Msheireb Museums. The exhibition is a collaboration between Msheireb Museums and biomedical research institutions including Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Biobank, Sidra Medical Research Center and Weill Cornell Medical College. The exhibition focuses on DNA and includes six sections that give visitors an opportunity to explore genetic inheritance and prehistoric human migrations. It aims to further guests’ understanding of the advances in modern medicine and genomics, and its capacity to help with early detection of disease, as well as creation of personalised medicine.

International Museum Day was celebrated by hosting workshops, presentations and a panel discussion in collaboration with CECA.

These programs act as a vital platform to support various educational initiatives of the museums. They aim to keep the research process on Qatar culture and its history alive and play a major role in motivating the younger generation to improve their understanding of Qatar.

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Doha, Qatar 23 September 2018:

Msheireb Museums (MM), the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), won the ‘Best Educational Practice Program’ award by the International Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) during the CECA conference and awards, held in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) is one of the oldest International Committees of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and with over 1,000 members from 85 countries, CECA is also one of its largest. Members are professionals working in different sectors of the museum field or institutions related to museums; as educators, curators, professors, communication agents or interpreters, interested in education and cultural action applied to a particular sort of heritage.

The ‘Best Educational Practice Program’ award explores a range of creative practices in museums that support CECA’s main message of enriching educational and cultural applied actions. It is an award granted to 5 participants with 5 different practical projects that explore their own individual heritage.

Msheireb Museums’ winning project, Bin Jelmood educational programme, introduces the story of Bin Jelmood house in an effective and engaging way, using innovative methods to reach a young target audience. The Bin Jamood House, which tells the story of slavery and how it has evolved into modern forms of human exploitation, is one of four historic heritage houses that make up Msheireb Museums.

Hafiz Ali, Museum Director said: “We are proud that our museums education initiatives are being recognized globally, and look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality, engaging and immersive learning experiences for the public.”

Commenting on Msheireb’s participation, Milene Chiovatto- President of CECA said: “Congratulations to Msheireb Museums for being a star in our award ceremonies for best practices in CECA. We are honoured to have them represented this year.”

Commenting on the Award, Sheikha Moza Al-Thani, Education Officer at Msheireb Museums said: “This year, I am honoured to have been one of the awarded participants for the Bin Jelmood House educational programme and activity collateral. The booklet that was recognized by ICOM jury members, introduces students aged 8-12 to the history of slavery in Qatar. It took a lot of hard work to produce, and I am very proud that it has been recognized by such an esteemed organization.”

In addition to the winning educational programme, Msheireb Museums, in collaboration with the University College of London – Qatar (UCL-Q), presented at the conference, a research paper titled “When a University and Museum Work Together”, which outlined the successful series of UCL-Q Masters in Museum Studies students’ exhibitions hosted in Msheireb Museums.

“We always look forward to working with UCL-Q and various educational institutions to develop community led exhibitions that offer an exciting and insightful perspective on Qatar’s heritage and social history”, added Fahad Al-Turky, Exhibitions Manager at Msheireb Museums.

Since Msheireb Museums opened in 2015, it has a record of hosting exhibitions and conferences that raise awareness on various cultural topics that support the cultural scene in Qatar.  The aim of the UCL-Q exhibitions is to ensure the academic engagement of students through a museum’s learning experience, in which students are given the opportunity to experience creating a full museum exhibition.

Last year, Msheireb Museums hosted the ‘Back to Msheireb’ Exhibition in Mohammed bin Jassim house, which documented Msheireb’ s transformation into a centre of commercial activity and an intercultural crossroads for people of diverse origins between the years 1980 and 2009.

Earlier this year, the Museums hosted the ‘We are the daughters of Qatar’ Exhibition, which aimed to raise awareness on the role of women during the pre-oil era of discovery and what kind of social and economic changes were made through history to enable womens’ empowerment.

Aisha Al Kuwari, Education Manager at Msheireb Museums said, “The ‘We are the daughters of Qatar’ Exhibition is aligned with stories of Qatari pioneers in the main office of the oil company house located in the inner neighborhood of Msheireb in the 1930s.”

Additionally, this year Msheireb Museums celebrated International Museum Day by hosting workshops, presentations and a panel discussion in collaboration with CECA.

Msheireb Museums education initiatives are intended to deliver high-quality learning experiences to the local community, endeavor to create a variety of opportunities to encourage the understanding of Msheireb Museums’ narrative, and to encourage immersive learning experiences that are intellectually stimulating and enjoyable for the target audience.

These programs act as a platform to support the teaching of Qatari history and related subjects. Msheireb Museums education initiatives aim to be influential in engaging young people in Qatar to better understand and appreciate their history and to inspire future generations. This leads to a continuation of research in the future and ongoing learning about Qatari culture, history and heritage.

In line with its mandate, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections and collaborations with academic institutions – including universities, colleges, and research programmes – to ensure better engagement with the museum’s offering and content. In addition, visitors of the museums have access to the valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library.

Msheireb Museums represent a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Qatar’s old town. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in some of the most significant aspects of Qatar’s past and memories of a life before the country’s rapid economic development.

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Doha, Qatar, September 23^rd, 2018:

Spotlights were focused on the professions of the cinema world recently as the Italian Embassy to the State of Qatar recently organised the conference “Movie set-design speaks Italian – A talk with Italian movie set-designers Alida Cappellini and Giovanni Licheri”. The event was organized in partnership with Msheireb Museums (MM) and held at the Museum’s prestigious Bin Jelmood House.

The event promoted the ingenuity and creativity of Italian movie set-designers and held to the spirit motivating the first edition in Qatar of “Fare Cinema (“Making Films”) – The Italian Movie Industry”. The programme, launched by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the framework of the first Week of the Italian Cinema in the World, is aimed at promoting “Made in Italy” quality film production abroad. 100 testimonials of the Italian cinema were sent to 100 capital cities around the world – one among them being Doha – to celebrate Italy’s excellent cinematography.

“Italy has a great tradition of quality cinema” said the Italian Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Pasquale Salzano, “and its contemporary film production is supported by the Italian Institutions as an integral part of the promotion of ‘Brand Italy’ throughout the world”.

“Fare Cinema” in Qatar – continued the Ambassador – has the purpose to let our Qatari friends know more about the Italian film-making industry, enhance the interests of the public and engage qualified industry operators”.

His Excellency concluded, “On the occasion of the first edition of Fare Cinemawe have decided to focus especially on the important role played by movie set-designers in our cinematography. How the choice of beautiful locations and magnificent architectures, the attention to furniture and style, are essential elements that contribute to make the Italian film production unique in the world ”.

To open “Fare Cinema” in Qatar, the Italian Embassy has invited Alida Cappellini and Giovanni Licheri, two Italian movie set and stage designers who have dedicated their professional life to interior design and furniture, applying their expertise to the fields of cinema, theatre, television programmes and art exhibitions. Alida and Giovanni already worked in Qatar in 2011 for “Sea’s secrets”, a television and theater production about the history of Qatar throughout music, dancing and showings.

In the presence of representatives of Qatari cultural institutions, diplomats, distinguished guests and members of the Italian community in Doha, Alida and Giovanni explained, though they showing of their works, how movie set-design is crucial for successful films and how this contributes significantly to distinguish the Italian film-making industry abroad.

Mr. Hafez Ali, Msheireb Museums Director said: “Italy is one of the famous countries recognized for its creative art, design and films. We are pleased today to host this event to promote the Italian film industry and to build bridges between cultures and communities. This cultural destination will always serve as a forum to raise awareness of high-quality experiences from across the world, and to enhance the image of Qatar as the land of civilisations that is open to all cultures and backgrounds”.

After the intervention of the two Italian movie set-designers, Dr. Cherif Amor, Chair and Professor of design at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCU) in Qatar, explained the importance of training young future movie set-designers on the impact of behavioral sciences and lighting on creating set design and told what VCU does in terms of programs, courses and activities for students in Qatar.  Professor Amor also introduced the activities planned in the framework of “Fare Cinema” at VCU. Alida Cappellini and Giovanni Licheri held on September 24th a lecture on the vibrant relation between light and movie set-design to make quality films.

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Doha, Qatar, 18 September 2018:

Msheireb Museums, the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha, has celebrated the graduation of a new group of tour museum guides and volunteers from a one-week workshop as part of its Msheireb Museums Friends programme.

The graduates, all from Qatar Youth Hostel Center and aged between 20 and 26 years old, had both theoretical and practical training during the week. They completed lessons on how to guide visitors and tourists throughout the museums and other tourist sites and how to professionally inform and describe Qatar’s rich heritage and history.

Mr. Hafez Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums said: “Our ceremony today reiterates the role that Msheireb Museums play in supporting tourism in Qatar through training tour guides and equipping them with the skills and tools they need to be professional tour guides. This programme reflects our commitment in accomplishing the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 that focuses on human development and economy diversification. It is also a part of our mandate to contribute in the social and economic development of Qatar.”

Expressing his pleasure in collaborating with Msheireb Museums, Mr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Hajri, The Directorof Department of Youth Affairssaid that Msheireb Museums Friends Programme contributes in raising and developing the skills of the participants in the field of arts and cultural heritage, which will in turn enhance the image of Qatari society and national identity. He also reiterated the readiness of the Ministry of Culture and Sports to continue its collaboration with Msheireb Museums to serve the youth of Qatar, support cultural tourism and promote Qatar identity.

The management of the Qatar Youth Hostel Center thanked Msheireb Museums and said: “We’d like to thank Msheireb Museums for this opportunity to train our youth on the basics skills needed to be a successful tour guide. Our main objective is to empower and encourage youth to learn about the culture and civilization of other countries and to enhance their tourism capabilities. During the session, we were amazed by the participants’ enthusiasm and their great desire to learn and listen to new historical and cultural information. Their performance in this new experience was excellent, and we are happy that they gained the expertise in this training.”

Launched last year, ‘Msheireb Museums Friends’ is a mutually-beneficial volunteer programme that empowers teachers and educational leaders to become tour guides in the museums and enhance their skills to lead student tours. The programme will also enable students to enhance their leadership skills while introducing the community to the country’s rich culture.

Established to create cultural ambassadors, Msheireb Museums Friends train a number of teachers and leaders from a wide range of educational organizations, youth associations, and with students, helping to develop their leadership skills and so they can get the most out of the Msheireb Museum’s four historic cultural houses.

Msheireb Museums are a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Qatar’s old town; Bin Jelmood House (raising awareness of formerly enslaved people), Company House (history of Qatar’s petroleum industry), Radwani House (providing insights into Qatari family life over generations), and Mohammed Bin Jassim House (a journey through Msheireb district over time).

Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in the significant aspects of Qatar’s heritage and traditions before the country’s rapid economic development.

In line with its mandate, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections and collaborations with academic institutions, including universities, colleges, research programmes and exhibitions to engage with the museums’ content and offerings. Visitors of the museums have access to the library’s valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library.

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Doha, Qatar, August 8, 2018:

Msheireb Museums (MM), the new cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), in collaboration with the Qatar Photography Society, organised special workshops aimed at raising awareness about the photography culture, as well as increase the public’s interest in this art. The workshops started from 19 July until the end of August at Msheireb Museums.
This unique partnership between the Msheireb Museums and Qatar Photographic Society aims to encourage youth in participating in photography competitions and festivals that highlight the beauty of vital landmarks in Qatar. The collaboration will also contribute to the completion of Msheireb Museums’ endeavors to develop skills in the Qatari community, as well as attract various talents to be an active component of the society.
Mr. Abdulla Al Naama, Public Program Manager Msheireb Museums, said: “We are delighted to have this valuable strategic partnership with the Qatar Photographic Society, which offers special workshops that supports photography artists, professionals and amateurs to become our future ambassadors. A group of young people and professionals will present these workshops to educate the audience on proper use of cameras and lenses, along with an overview of international photography competitions.”
Mr. Abdulrahman Obaidan, Vice President of the QPS, said: “Our organization is currently seeking to diversify the themes of workshops and photography courses as well as the exhibitions of its male and female members. The management of the association extends their great thanks and appreciation Msheireb Properties and Msheireb Museums managements for their collaboration to host this activity. The QPS hopes to continue this fruitful and constructive cooperation that serves the development and advancement of the Qatari youth. During this period, the association, in collaboration with Msheireb Properties, will preset several specialised photography workshops curated by experts in this field.”
The workshops will also highlight the development of Qatari architecture by highlighting the aesthetics of modern and historical Qatari architecture reflected in Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). The photography workshops will also support the positioning of Msheireb Museums as a cultural platform that promotes awareness and educates the community in various cultural and artistic fields.
The partnership with the Qatar Photographic Society is one of many initiatives and partnerships held by Msheireb Museums with national and international institutions and associations aiming to highlight Qatar’s cultural role, as well as enhancing MDD’s position as a leading cultural destination.
The Qatar Photographic Society, which currently has more than 1000 members, organized numerous activities since its inception, and has achieved many accomplishments through sponsoring photographers, preserving the rights of its members, and marketing their works to government agencies and public and private institutions. Qatar Photographic Society is a member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and a member of the American Society of Photographers.
Within the framework of achieving the principle of community partnership, the Qatar Photographic Society also partners with various schools, universities, hospitals, charities and public institutions to support Qatar and to highlight their role in this society.
Msheireb Museums are a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Qatar’s old town. Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in the significant aspects of Qatar’s heritage and traditions before the country’s rapid economic development.
In line with its mandate, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections and collaborations with academic institutions, including universities, colleges, research programmes and exhibitions to engage with the museums offering and content. In addition, visitors of the museums have access to the library’s valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library. To promote tourism to Qatar, Msheireb Museums also collaborated with Qatar Tourism Authority to provide tour guides with best practices and training to share with international visitors.