Msheireb Museums

Museum in Doha, Qatar

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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]

In July 2021, the Msheireb Museum signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking to keep the ongoing exhibition covering modern-day slavery at the Bin Jelmood House up to date and to organize events raising awareness.[4]

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.[5][6]

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.[7] The museum is host to talks and lectures like the 'Earth Talk Series'[8] or a TEDx Talk in 2023.[9]

The museum held a conference together with the Georgetown University in Qatar in December 2023, which also featured an exhibition titled “I Can Only See Shadows”.[10][11]

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.[12] The museum was also included in the 2018 world's best new buildings list of the Royal Institute of British Architects.[13]

General Manager of the Museum is Abdulla Al Naama, and Manager of Exhibitions and programs is Fahad Al Turky.[14][15]

## Houses

[edit]

### Bin Jelmood House

[edit]

Bin Jelmood House charts the history of the global slave trade, particularly the Indian Ocean slave trade of the region, and the changes caused by its abolition.[16][12][17]

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.[18] In December 2021, an exhibition was put on display for the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.[19]

The Bin Jelmood House gallery hosted the "Frida Kahlo - The Immersive Biography" exhibition in 2022.[20][21]

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.[14]

### Company House

[edit]

This house recounts the history of the pioneering petroleum industry workers and their families whose work helped to transform Qatar.[22][12] The house also hosts exhibitions like "Strange Wonders" in 2016, featuring artworks from ten alumni of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar),[23] or "We are the Daughters of Qatar" in 2018.[24]

### Mohammed Bin Jassim House

[edit]

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.[25][26]

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.[27]

### Radwani House

[edit]

The Radwani House was first built in the 1920s. This house is located between Al Jasrah and Msheireb, two of Doha's oldest quarters.[28][29] The house belonged to the Akbar Radwani family and shows how a traditional Qatari family lived.[30][31]

## Location

[edit]

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

## See also

[edit]

* List of museums in Qatar

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Msheireb Museums". Archived from the original on 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
2. ^ a b "Msheireb Museums John McAslan + Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
3. ^ "Msheireb Museums". John McAslan + Partners. 2016-04-03. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
4. ^ "National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, Msheireb Museums sign MoU". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
5. ^ "Msheireb Downtown Doha to host special events in support of Qatari national football team today". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
6. ^ Aguilar, Joey (2022-10-31). "World Cup activations at MDD offer immersive experiences". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
7. ^ "Msheireb Museums to organise special events to mark International Museums Day". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
8. ^ "Msheireb Museums hosts lecture on 'Islam and the Environment as part of 'Earth Talk' series". Gulf Times. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
9. ^ "Msheireb Museums hosts inspiring TEDx talks, 'Thinking Outside the Box'". Gulf Times. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
10. ^ "Georgetown Conference at Msheireb Museums to Highlight Creative Perspectives on Energy and Global Cultures | Al Bawaba". www.albawaba.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
11. ^ "Georgetown conference at Msheireb Museums to highlight creative perspectives on energy and global cultures". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
12. ^ a b c Walker, Lesley (2015-10-21). "100-year-old houses restored by Msheireb tell Qatar's story". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
13. ^ "Msheireb Museums in RIBA's list of best new buildings". Gulf Times. 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
14. ^ a b "Msheireb Museums highlights tragedy of slave trade oppression". Qatar Tribune. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
15. ^ "Msheireb Museums announces exciting summer program for 2024". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
16. ^ Bivins, Alyssa (2021-08-04). "Remembering Slavery at the Bin Jelmood House in Qatar". MERIP. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
17. ^ "Qatar slavery museum aims to address modern exploitation". Reuters. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
18. ^ Declan Walsh (22 January 2018). "Tiny, Wealthy Qatar Goes Its Own Way, and Pays for It". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
19. ^ "Msheireb Museums hosts art exhibition on combating human trafficking". Gulf Times. 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
20. ^ "Frida Kahlo - The Immersive Biography - Msheireb Downtown Doha - Msheireb Museums". Msheireb Downtown Doha. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
21. ^ "With the world's largest sporting drawing closer, Msheireb Downtown Doha, will host World Cup festivities". www.doha.directory. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
22. ^ Aguilar, Joey (2018-11-19). "Qatar Shell inks pact to sponsor Company House". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
23. ^ "'Strange Wonders' exhibition opens at Msheireb Museum". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2016-09-29. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
24. ^ "We are the Daughters of Qatar expo opens at Msheireb Museums". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2018-04-15. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
25. ^ "Marhaba Feature: History in the City". Marhaba Qatar. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
26. ^ "Msheireb Museums celebratng the past". Qatar Tribune. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
27. ^ "Exhibition titled "Medhal" is being held at Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim House". www.doha.directory. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
28. ^ "How to find the best Qatari art and architecture". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
29. ^ "New museums in Doha". Retrieved 2023-06-05.
30. ^ "Your guide to visiting Msheireb Museums | Time Out Doha". 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
31. ^ Walker, Lesley (2016-10-28). "What you need to know about Msheireb Museums in Qatar". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2024-09-11.