The National Archives of Qatar is all set to play a pivotal role in preserving and documenting Qatari heritage through diverse projects with the Qatar National Archives’ Strategy (2025-2030) launched yesterday.
The strategy features a comprehensive multi-dimensional plan to ensure the international, institutional, community level and oral documentation of Qatar’s past, transformation and the race to future.
While presenting the master plan, engineer Yousef al-Shreim, the director of the National Archives of Qatar’s Technical Office, said the strategy features more than 24 programmes revolving around four prime strategic projects that aim to enhance the capabilities in preserving and documenting the nation’s history in its various forms and sources.
Aiming to collect and preserve all the documents related to Qatar, the region, and the Arab and Islamic worlds, the international documentation project acts as the first of the projects.
This will be implemented by obtaining copies of documents in international institutions to ensure the integrity of the national documentary record and to provide accurate reference sources for researchers and institutions.
The second project, the institutional documentation project, aims to preserve and document the official records of national institutions while covering the official documents, organisational structures and ministerial and government decisions.
“This is to ensure the existence of a clear record that reflects the development of institutions over time and enhances the ability of various entities to manage their documents effectively,” al-Shreim said.
The community documentation project constitutes a major axis in involving the community in preserving the documentary heritage.
“It focuses on preserving documents, manuscripts and personal possessions that form part of the Qatari identity,” he said, noting that the role of individuals and owners of private libraries in preserving documents assumes much significance.
“The role of the community is equally important of the role of institutions,” al-Shreim said. “This is what the National Archives of Qatar looks to enhance through awareness programmes and partnerships with relevant authorities.”
The fourth is the oral documentation project, an unprecedented step in documenting the national memory.
“It aims to record the testimonies and narratives of prominent figures who played a pivotal role in Qatar’s historic journey,” he said.
The project will be implemented using the latest technologies to ensure the preservation of these testimonies and making them available to future generations, while reflecting the entity’s commitment to keeping pace with global developments in document management.
“We do not only preserve documents, but we are working to develop mechanisms that enable them to be used in the best ways,” al-Shreim said. “Our strategy is based on transforming documents into a knowledge source that supports decision-makers and serves future generations in understanding Qatar’s history and development over time.”
National Archives of Qatar’s public relations and communication director Noura al-Qubaisi said that the new strategy places the community at the heart of its vision as it seeks to enhance individual participation in preserving documentary heritage.
“The National Archives of Qatar believes that the responsibility of preserving documents is not only limited to institutions but is a shared societal responsibility,” she added.
Eng. Yousef al-Shreim, Director of the Technical Office at the National Archives of Qatar
