(MENAFN- the peninsula) joelyn baluyut |
the peninsula
doha, qatar: the“mosques in qatar: then and now” exhibition was opened thursday at the museum of islamic art (mia), offering visitors a captivating photographic journey through qatar's mosque heritage for the last 100 years.
from the earliest mosque at murwab to the modern architectural marvels of today, the exhibition showcases the enduring significance of mosques within the community, despite evolving architectural styles.
located at the mia shaikh saoud gallery on level 1, the exhibition will run until august 12. it is a collaborative effort between qatar museums, the ministry of endowments and islamic affairs, and the seashore group.
the temporary exhibition was officially opened by minister of municipality, h e dr. abdullah bin abdulaziz bin turki al subaie, along with minister of state and president of qatar national library h e hamad bin abdulaziz al kuwari; minister of justice, h e masoud bin mohammed al amri; minister of environment and climate change, h e sheikh dr. faleh bin nasser bin ahmed bin ali al thani as well as other esteemed members of the board of trustees of qatar museums and vips.
the aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the historical and cultural significance of mosques in qatar over the past century. it takes viewers on a journey, starting from the earliest mosques in qatar and leading up to the modern architectural marvels that grace the nation today. alongside showcasing the evolution of mosque architecture, the exhibition also highlights the important role that mosques have played in the community.
the exhibition will also celebrate and feature some of the famous qatari imams who have guided the community, and muezzins who have called the community to prayer.
mia director, dr. julia gonnella said:“the museum of islamic art is delighted to showcase its latest temporary exhibition: mosques in qatar: then and now, an exhibition celebrating the cultural and visual legacy that mosques have carved in qatar, over the last 100 years.”
“we invite residents and visitors to qatar during summer to visit the exhibition to experience the variety of mosques, learn a bit of their design and how that relates to the environment, and finally to compare and contrast with the mosques of the 21st century.”
mohammed bin hamad al kuwari from da'wah affairs and mosques commented on the significance of the exhibition, saying:“we are pleased to invite the public to visit the joint exhibition between the ministry of awqaf and islamic affairs and qatar museums, which showcases more about the nation's mosques - their history and architecture throughout the years.”
meanwhile, salem al mohannadi, ceo of the seashore group said:“we are pleased to be sponsors of this exhibition, which sheds light on the history of mosques in qatar, because of their religious and urban importance that reflects the local culture of the people of qatar.”
edinas paper which designed the exhibit explained the“mosques in qatar: then and now” was meticulously crafted to guide visitors through a chronological exploration of history.
the carefully designed pathway, meandering between arches, creates an immersive experience. within the semi-circular arrangement of panels, the interconnecting space is adorned with intricately crafted papercuts inspired by mosque ornaments. this arrangement plays with the interplay of light and shadows, enhancing the visitor's perception as they transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
the suspended layers of papercuts, carefully arranged one after another, evoke a profound aesthetic impact. as light gently filters through the delicate layers, shadows dance gracefully, accentuating the exquisite beauty of the artwork, edinas paper explained.