Msheireb Museums

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Msheireb Museums is a project by Msheireb Properties which celebrates the histories of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, a planned city in the Qatari capital Doha.^[1]

Msheireb Museums are an integral part of the inner city's regeneration of the old commercial centre, with its traditional community-based lifestyle. The restoration of the four heritage houses—Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House—into world-class museums is a vital part of the Msheireb Downtown Doha development. The houses date back to the 20th century, and the project architect for the renovations and additions was John McAslan, with the themes of each house aiming to reflect the jobs and careers of the people that lived in them.^[2][3]

During the FIFA World Cup 2022, the primary celebration area for the Qatari National Team was located in the Heritage Zone of the museum. The museum also hosted events and exhibitions during the world cup.^[4][5]

In May 2023 the museum organized several events like a book signing or an exhibit of 3D printed building models around the International Museums Day.^[6] The museum is host to talks and lectures like the 'Earth Talk Series'^[7] or a TEDx Talk in 2023.^[8]

The Msheireb Museums are part of the first phase of the Heritage Quarter of Msheireb Properties’ QR20 billion (US$5.5 billion), 310,000 sq m development.^[9] The museum was also included in the 2018 world's best new buildings list of the Royal Institute of British Architects.^[10]

General Manager of the Museum is Abdulla Al Naama, and Manager of Exhibitions and programs is Fahad Al Turky.^[11][12]

Bin Jelmood House charts the history of the global slave trade, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, and the changes caused by its abolition.^[13][9][14]

Certain sections of the house are dedicated to the narration of the trade in enslaved people throughout the Indian Ocean, a vast region of which the countries of the Persian Gulf are a part of. Additionally, the house sheds light on the historic importation of slaves from Zanzibar to dive for pearls on behalf of their Qatari owners.^[15]

In August 2024, guided tours were held as part of the UNESCO-designated International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.^[11]

This house recounts the history of the pioneering petroleum industry workers and their families whose work helped to transform Qatar.^[16][9] The house also hosts exhibitions like "Strange Wonders" in 2016, featuring artworks from ten alumni of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar),^[17] or "We are the Daughters of Qatar" in 2018.^[18]

Originally built by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, the son of the Qatar's founder, the Mohammed bin Jassim House focuses on the past, present and sustainable elements of the vast Msheireb Downtown Doha. It also houses the Echo Memory Art Project using objects uncovered during demolition of the site.^[19][20]

An exhibition called "Medhal: The Roots of Authenticity Extends... To Leave Generations as Art" was opened at the house in March 2023, displaying artworks from minors and employees of the house.^[21]

The Radwani House was first built in the 1920s. This house is located between Al Jasrah and Msheireb, two of Doha's oldest quarters.^[22][23] The house belonged to the Akbar Radwani family and shows how a traditional Qatari family lived.^[24][25]

Msheireb Museums are located on Mohammed Bin Jassim Street, Doha, Qatar adjacent to both the Aimiri Diwan and the Qatari National Archive.^[2]