Qatar National Library highlights the role of local communities in heritage preservation

Qatar National Library, in collaboration with the Qatari Literature Initiative, celebrated World Heritage Day with a webinar on the role of local communities in heritage preservation. Inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State, Qatar and President of Qatar National Library, the webinar shed light on the contributions of institutions, including libraries and museums, and individuals’ passion for personal curation toward the preservation of documentary heritage.

The webinar’s speakers included Maryam Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Head of Collection Access at the Heritage Library, Haya Al-Dossary, Founder of the Qatar Literature Initiative, Abdulaziz Abu Hashem Abu Al-Sayed, a private heritage collection owner, and Abdullah Al-Ghanim, a private Qatar heritage collection museum owner. The event was moderated by Ikhlas Ahmed, Tours and Exhibitions Officer at the Library.

His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State, Qatar and President of Qatar National Library, said, “While our heritage is our identity that holds valuable information about the past, instills pride in the present and inspires the future, culture is the bridge that connects all of us, irrespective of race, ethnicity or ideology. Our cultural heritage is in the hands of our people, who are at the heart of our preservation mission. This webinar helped highlight the Library’s efforts in increasing heritage consciousness among the local communities and encouraging them to join us in safeguarding our heritage for future generations.”

“Collaborating with the Qatari Literature Initiative reflects our commitment toward increasing knowledge and awareness around the importance of heritage preservation. Local communities play a critical role in supporting cultural institutions such as ours in preserving cultural heritage. Having private heritage collection owners participate in the webinar helped spread awareness about the role local communities can play in safeguarding our history. We look forward to hosting similar discussions to continue raising heritage consciousness among local communities,” added Maryam Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Head of Collection Access at the Heritage Library.

Haya Al-Dossary, Founder of the Qatar Literature Initiative, said, "This event is a celebration of World Heritage Day to highlight institutional and individual efforts to preserve heritage. These reviews will shed light on how one can preserve heritage in its various forms and historical dimensions, and highlight any relevant community efforts as well.”

The Qatar Literature Initiative was established in 2018 within a cultural framework aimed at supporting literary and cultural entities in Qatar. The initiative also seeks to promote cultural and literary activities by offering discussion spaces related to cultural causes.

Founded by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982, World Heritage Day is officially known as International Monuments and Sites Day. It aims to build awareness around the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation for future generations. The Heritage Library at Qatar National Library houses some of the region’s most rare and valuable books, manuscripts, maps and texts, including a permanent exhibition open for visitors to explore. To access the Heritage Library collection remotely, please visit https://www.qnl.qa/en/explore/heritage-library.