50th Anniversary of US-Qatar Relations

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the United States. The occasion was celebrated on March 19 with many dignitaries, leaders, and officials coming together to mark the two countries' bi-lateral relationship.  It was a historic day for both countries as they highlighted their partnership over the past half-century, noting that the celebration of this comradery coincides with significant growth in relations, cooperation, alliance, and effective communication between the two countries. 

 
 

 "Living Line, Living Legacy" Exhibition Opening

Opening Monday, April 11, QAIC and the Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA) are thrilled to announce the "Living Line, Living Legacy" calligraphy exhibition featuring the works of the renowned Mohamed Zakariya and other prominent calligraphers in the United States and Europe. To visit QAIC and tour the exhibition, click here.

On Saturday, May 7, QAIC and RSSA will host the "Living Line, Living Legacy" symposium, featuring presentations from notable calligraphers and curators including Mohamed Zakariya, Dr. Maryam Ekhtiar, and more. Secure your ticket today! 

 

QAIC Takes Delegation of Artists to Explore Qatar's Art Scene

With the success of the first delegation, QAIC hosted a second delegation comprising US artists and creatives to Qatar to facilitate cultural exchange between the US and Qatar, the traditions and heritage of Qatar, and promote key arts and cultural relationship-building.

From March 20-25, the delegates had the opportunity to visit various artistic, historical, and culturally significant sites across Doha. They also had the opportunity to meet with cultural leaders, explore the art scene, and experience first-hand the rich heritage and traditions of the region, all in an effort to encourage future cross-cultural exchanges between the United States and Qatar.

 
 
 

QAIC Community Iftar Celebration

In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, the Qatar America Institute for Culture and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA) is delighted to invite you to this year’s Community Iftar Celebration on April 30, Saturday 7:00 pm-9:00 pm.  

Join QAIC and MALA this year in observing Ramadan by breaking fast with our community and enjoying a Middle Eastern feast. The event will be held at QAIC’s headquarters located in Washington, DC. 

The dress code is within the spirit of the month. Please confirm your attendance no later than Friday, April 20th using the link below. We hope that you can join us for this festive occasion!

Women Of the Pandemic Exhibition Ends its Journey in Doha

On Wednesday, March 23, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) celebrated the "Women of the Pandemic" exhibition at the Katara Cultural Village in Doha. Many of the participating artists were in attendance, including Sarah Ahmad, Anna U. Davis, Alexandra N. Sherman, and Jordann Wine, who were visiting Qatar as part of QAIC’s 2022 Artist Delegation.

During the lively and upbeat reception, visitors had the opportunity to speak with the American and Qatari artists about their works, and the artists had the chance to finally speak with each other in person after previously only interacting via video calls. Remarks were given by Dr. Khalid Al-Sulaiti, the General Manager of Katara, and Fatima Al-Dosari, Executive Director of QAIC.

For more information about this exhibition, the participating artists, and virtual viewing, visit Women of the Pandemic.

 

QAIC hosts Open House to Celebrate Al Naflah

Al Naflah is a Ramadan tradition celebrated mostly in Gulf countries and is commemorated on the 14th of Shaaban as a reminder of blessings and rewards brought on by the holy month.

On March 17, to share the joy of this beloved local custom, QAIC dropped by friends at the Embassy of Qatar in the US and from ConnocoPhilips with some sweet zalabiya/jalebi. In addition, QAIC hosted an open house to celebrate the tradition of Al Naflah with community members and friends at its headquarters. Visitors had the chance to learn more about Al Naflah, view our current exhibitions and museums, and enjoy zalabiya and tea! 

Missed it? Click below to get a glimpse of this wholesome Qatari tradition!

 

QAIC Executive Director talks at Georgetown University Qatar in Celebration of Women's History Month

To commemorate Women's History Month, QAIC Executive Director, Fatima Al-Dosari was a featured guest speaker at the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) Lunch Talk titled "Reflections Beyond the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture." At the event, she shared her personal perspectives and experiences gained as the head of the Institute’s efforts to further strengthen cultural understanding, dialogue, and appreciation between her home country, Qatar, and the United States.

 

Western Kentucky University and National Children's Museum tour QAIC Headquarters 

On March 7th we were joined by our partners from Western Kentucky University, and the National Children’s Museum to view our current exhibitions and tour QAIC’s headquarters. With some of our Arabic Program fellows being students from WKU, and the opening of our upcoming exhibition "Alif Ba", it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Arabic language and how QAIC will accommodate this immersive experience for all to try. 

"Alif Ba" is an interactive experience that introduces young audiences to the Arabic alphabet and language. In Partnership with the National Children's Museum, it was presented by the Qatar Foundation in celebration of the Qatar-United States 2021 Year of Culture. 

Featuring 28 large letter representations, "Alif Ba Exhibition" will provide visitors an opportunity to touch the letters that make up the Huruf al-Abjadia (or, letters of the alphabet), listen to the sound of each harf (or, letter), to discover Arabic words that begin with those letters, and to practice writing or tracing the Huruf al-Abjadia. The exhibit promotes cultural partnership and helps expand visitors’ understanding and appreciation of language and communication. 

 

Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture Opening

This year marks the 10th Year of Culture, and with the creation of several collaborations over the past decade, Qatar Museums’ annual initiative, “Years of Culture,” will celebrate the cultures spanning the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). From Qatar-Japan in 2012 until now, this marks the first time that any Year of Culture will celebrate an entire region, MENASA. Programming for Qatar-MENASA 2022 will cover several countries and communities, including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. 

The program was officially inaugurated by Her Excellency, Lolwah Rashid Al-Khater, Assistant Foreign Minister of Qatar, at an opening ceremony on the evening of March 3rd. Hosted at the Doha Fire Station, the event welcomed leaders and dignitaries from Qatar and the representing countries from across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia to an evening of music, film, and cuisine.

Doha Forum Celebrates 20 Years

Since its establishment in 2000, the Doha Forum has been a global platform for dialogue. The Doha Forum brings together leaders in policymaking to discuss critical challenges facing our world, and to build innovative and action-driven networks. Held under the banner of “Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity,” this year’s event promoted exchanging ideas and discourse towards policymaking and developing action-oriented recommendations. 

As part of the Doha Forum, QAIC had the pleasure to meet with Senior Official Katrina Fotovat and SA Delphin Cleaveland from the U.S. State Department, and Silatech Leadership, Mr. Hassan Al Mulla, Noora Al Thani, and Suhaib Al-Khawaldah.

The Doha Forum also welcomed the “Afghan Dreamers,” who also met with QAIC Executive Director, Fatima Al-Dosari (you can learn more about their journey in the world of robotics in our April issue of the A2Q Magazine). With this being QAIC’s first time attending the Doha Forum, guests had the opportunity to grab a copy of our A2Q Magazine to learn more about QAIC and its efforts toward ushering a new era through culture and the arts.

Virgil Abloh: "Figures of Speech"

Fashion designer and creative genius, Virgil Abloh, arrived in Qatar last year for the opening of his exhibition, “Figures of Speech” as part of the Qatar-USA Years of 2021, his first-ever Middle Eastern exhibition. With his passing only days after his visit, “Figures of Speech” leaves behind Abloh’s legacy and his vision for the future even after death.

 
 

The History of Qatari Architecture from 1800 to 1950 by Ibrahim Jaidah and Malika Bourennane

In honor of our theme for the month of “Architecture", we highlight The History of Qatari Architecture 1800-1950 by Ibrahim Jaidah and Malika Bourennane.

Historically, in the old architecture of Qatar, the urban development of cities and villages was based on the creation of agglomerations of housing units. These agglomerations were the essence of traditional Qatari architecture which can be defined as the architecture of social values, derived from a combination of different factors such as religion, privacy, and the extended family. The purpose of this book is to tell the history of Qatari architecture through the description of old cities and villages, public buildings, and domestic spaces declared as cultural heritage. The drawings depict the best examples of Qatari architecture. The text, easy and relatively concise, is comprehensive and complete enough even for students of architecture.

The book is available for purchase here.

 
 
 
 
 

Become a Sponsor

As a sponsor, QAIC can continue to develop meaningful expressions and experiences, functioning as a bridge spanning the cultures of the United States, Qatar, and the larger Arab and Islamic worlds. It is through the continued support from sponsors that QAIC is able to create inclusive experiences that highlight humanity’s similarities while delighting in the diversity of our differences, thus improving cross-cultural understanding.

It is with your contribution that together we can create impact by giving QAIC the resources to become a trusted partner and art and culture catalyst by increasing awareness, creating harmony, and fostering human creativity in society in multiple ways.

 

Join Our Community

The Qatar America Institute for Culture offers numerous opportunities for students, post-graduates, and those passionate about the arts and cultural heritage to engage with the work of the Institute. Whether you are looking to conduct in-depth research projects, learn various professional skill sets, or simply wish to get involved with QAIC’s event programming, we want to hear from you!

These offerings include priority access to exclusive engagements with featured guests, intimate receptions with visiting artists, and other annual benefits to better serve you as a platform for cultural and creative enrichment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates, curates, and executes programs and research that amplify the prominence of all forms of art and culture from the United States, Qatar, and the larger Arab and Islamic worlds.

 

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