AILYN AGONIA

DOHA CHIEF Executive Officer of Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) Mansoor al Khater has reiterated the institution’s commitment to developing the country’s cultural scene while preserving the local heritage in an era of numerous global changes.

He spoke on Monday at a conference to mark the International Museum Day at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). The event was also in celebration of Qatar’s new membership of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the only international organisation representing museums and museum professionals.

Khater laid emphasis on the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Museums in a Changing World: New Challenges, New Inspiration’.

The conference tackled the role of museums in shaping the future through displaying and interpreting new issues such as climate change, new media or social responsibility.

Chairman of ICOM Qatar National Committee Abdulla al Najjar said the QMA would aim at developing more museums, adhering to professional and industry ethical standards, especially with its membership of the ICOM.

Nasser al Hammadi, vicechairman of ICOM Qatar National Committee, urged other GCC countries to join Qatar and Oman in becoming members of the organisation.

“QMA and ICOM share commitment to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world’s historical and cultural heritage, including Qatari art and heritage,” he said.

ICOM established the International Museum Day in 1977 to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of the society. International Museum Day activities focus on the importance of museums as a platform to spread and underscore knowledge, science and human heritage.

It’s also a platform for cultural exchange and a means to preserve world heritage that will enhance cooperation between people and spread peace in the world.

ICOM President Dr Hans Martin Hinz, one of the speakers at the conference, highlighted the role of ICOM as the voice of museums with its 30,000 members in about 100 countries. He also underlined the need for museums to respond to societal change and foster multi-perspective view of culture and history Other speakers were Damodar Frlan, president of ICOM Europe, Ossama Abdel Meguid, director of Nubian Museum in Aswan, and Chedlia Annabi, curator at the Museum of Carthage in Tunisia. Dr Okasha el Daly, general-secretary of ICOM Qatar National Committee, hosted the event.