Qatar National Library (QNL) said that since its inception, it has been dedicated to preserving and documenting the history and culture of Qatar and the region.
This commitment is deeply rooted in the library's mission to safeguard the region's heritage.
In a statement yesterday on the occasion of the International Archives Day, QNL said it is operating a Preservation and Conservation Centre where experts work tirelessly to protect archival and heritage materials from deterioration.
QNL's efforts extend beyond the physical preservation of heritage materials. The library also works to preserve these items for future generations through its digitisation centre, which has successfully digitised nearly 15.5mn pages. These pages include books, maps, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers and video files, all of which are made accessible to the global public through QNL's digital repository in its beta version.
To mark the International Archives Day, experts at the library have highlighted three of their most distinguished archival treasures: a rare Qur'anic manuscript, a historical letter, and rare photographs taken by a French traveller to the region in the mid-19th century. All these items are available digitally for public viewing on the library's website.
The oldest of these holdings is a leaf from the Blue Mus'haf, a rare Qur'anic manuscript written in gold Kufic script on blue parchment, epitomising timeless elegance. This manuscript dates back to Kairouan, Tunisia, around the 3rd or 4th century AH (9th century CE). The leaves of this unique Blue Mus'haf have been scattered across various museums and libraries worldwide.
QNL's archives also include rare and old photographs of the Middle East, documenting pivotal moments and providing researchers and enthusiasts with a deeper understanding of the region's history. In 1852, the French writer and photographer Maxime Du Camp published a documentary album of photographs taken in Egypt, Nubia, Palestine, and Syria during his journey with the French orientalist Gustave Flaubert, offering a unique and rare insight into the architecture, geography, and people of that time.
QNL's archival holdings not only document the history of Qatar and the region from centuries long-gone, but also include numerous archival items from the modern era. A letter dated March 17, 1902 documents the appointment of Muhamed Amin as an assistant administrative officer in Qatar. The letter, which narrates his journey through Baghdad and Basra before reaching Qatar, provides a window into the Ottoman presence in the Gulf region and enhances the historical narrative of the political reality in the Arab world.
Qatar Digital Library is another of QNL's initiatives to preserve the region's archival and documentary heritage through digitisation. It is one of the largest online repositories dedicated to the history and culture of the Middle East, providing free online access to a wealth of primary historical materials about politics, people, places, trade, culture, and customs in the Gulf region and the Arab world.
The online library holds nearly 2.5mn digital copies of archives, maps, manuscripts, audio recordings, photographs, and drawings preserved in the British Library's collections, with commentary and explanations in both English and Arabic.
Commenting on the library's role in documenting the region's archival heritage, head of Manuscripts and Archives at QNL's Distinctive Collections Rawad Bou Malhab said: "Qatar National Library remains committed to documenting the rich culture and history of Qatar and the Gulf states as part of its responsibility to preserve the heritage of Qatar and the region. Our archives reflect the identity of our community, our Arab and Islamic civilisation, and the values we hold dear. They connect the younger generations with their ancestors, instilling pride in their past and a sense of belonging to their country, language and culture."
He added: "By establishing high-speed cloud storage infrastructure alongside leading preservation and conservation techniques, QNL aims to address the significant gap in digital preservation practices in the region. Failing to protect knowledge today could impede future generations' access to information and their understanding of their country's past and history."
