The Organizing Committee of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021 was keen to participate in the Doha International Book Fair, through a special pavilion whereby the exhibition’s audience could learn about the most important efforts, events and publications presented by the Committee over the past year, in cooperation with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the strategic partners, namely, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Qatar Museums, the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, as well as many other participating entities in the State of Qatar, and with the sponsorship of the Social and Sport Contribution Fund and Qatar Charity (gold sponsors).
The Committee’s pavilion at the Fair includes an illustrated exhibition presenting the most prominent events that were launched last March. The pavilion also includes a number of publications, the most important of which is the book Features of Qatar in Islamic Civilization by author Mohamed Salaan Al-Marri, head of the Technical and Cultural Committee for the Activities of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021, in addition to publications about the capital city.
The pavilion is decorated with a selection of artworks resulting from the “Discover 2” trip organized last October by the Museum of Islamic Art in cooperation with the Organizing Committee of Doha Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2021 and the Ministry of Culture, in which artists Ali Al-Kuwari, Mona Al-Badr, Naima Al-Hail, Mashael Al-Hijazi, Zainab Al-Shaibani, and Ahmed Al-Ali presented works inspired by the trip during which they visited the most important historical landmarks of Istanbul, and by some traditional Islamic artworks.
Al-Marri said: “As a result of the hosting of such events, which started on 8 March 2021 and ended on 20 January 2022, two hundred and thirty-eight events were held with partner entities and participating ones, as there were strategic partner entities, namely those concerned with culture, arts, and education, such as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Qatar Foundation, Katara Cultural Village, Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Qatar Museums, headed by the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. These events were organized by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with ISESCO.
Al-Marri added that some of the achievements during the hosted activities included the launch of a special stamp for the State of Qatar commemorating jubilation of the hosting occasion, as well as many activities and programs. He pointed out that one of the outcomes of this hosting activity is the book Features of Qatar in Islamic Civilization that highlights the efforts of the State of Qatar with regards to the Islamic world and world Islamic organizations, as it is one of the leading member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and ISESCO to support the programs of both organizations; and Qatar has made great efforts over the years in caring for Muslims and Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries.