HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani officially inaugurated the Qatar National Library (QNL) on April 16th 2018. at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Education City at a grand ceremony and placed the one-millionth book on the shelves, a rare 843-year-old manuscript copy of Sahih al-Bukhari.
The event, held in the imposing QNL building, was attended by HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, QF chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. The ceremony was attended by a number of other dignitaries, sheikhs, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions in Qatar and guests. Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina H.E. Tarik Sadović also attended this event.
Speaking on the occasion, Her Highness Sheikha Moza said: “The inauguration of Qatar National Library invokes a great sense of historical pride and belonging to the Arab world, which pioneered writing, transcription, and libraries in Mesopotamia 5,000 years ago. The idea of the National Library was inspired by this glorious history, in hopes of restoring an Arab renaissance that we do not want to lose. The library was established to be a treasury of written history and a medium for the transfer of knowledge between different cultures.”
“Essentially, it will be an institution of reference for Arabic and Islamic heritage and a platform for spreading contemporary intellectual and literary thought. Designed in form and content to be three-dimensional: a national library, a public library, and a research library in one. As an advanced digital library, it will allow users immediate access to accurate information. It will provide new generations with the necessary, intellectual tools to read and interpret history correctly,” added Sheikha Moza.
Dr Sohair Wastawy, executive director, QNL, said: “Qatar National Library seeks to be a centre of learning not only in Qatar but also internationally. This grand opening, which welcomed more than 700 visitors from Qatar and around the world, demonstrates the continued global importance of libraries in everyday life.”