het is open!

Fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony of the Museum of Islamic Art yesterday PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
HH THE Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad yesterday inaugurated the Museum of Islamic Art, heralding a cultural renaissance in the region, in the presence of a number of leaders from friendly countries and a host of international celebrities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah.
Also present were HH the Emir’s Personal Representative HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH the Emir’s Special Adviser HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani.
Attending the ceremony also were HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, a number of their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers, Arab and international dignitaries as well as heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Qatar.
Hollywood star Robert De Nero was among the celebrities.
HH the Emir signed a formal book and declared the museum, which was decked out for the historic occasion, open. He also unveiled a plaque.
Spectacular golden and blue fireworks illuminated the Corniche sky, over the museum.
HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Qatar Museums Authority, welcomed the guests to Qatar, describing it as a country “which is a significant force in the development of a cultural renaissance in the region”.
She hoped the Museum of Islamic Art would become a beacon on the Gulf along with other bright lights scattered across continents in the capitals of knowledge.
Explaining the purpose behind creating the Museum of Islamic Art, she said it was the fruit of “our efforts in Qatar to define the character and contributions of Islamic civilisation, and its active role in bridging cultures and human values”.
“We aspire, through this museum, to highlight the peaceful and sublime civilisation of Islam, which continues to call for tolerance and coexistence among peoples,” HE Sheikha Mayassa said.
“This museum will also convey the beauty of Islamic culture to a world that has dealt with Islam and its civilisation subjectively.
“We also hope the Museum of Islamic Art will offer scholars and researchers from Qatar and around the Muslim world opportunities to study various aspects of Islamic art.
“This museum is an invitation to Muslims to look at Islamic civilisation and to see its originality presented through a variety of Islamic arts, which reflect Qatar’s pride as a nation that is rich in Islamic cultural heritage.”
She lavished praises on I M Pei, the architect who designed for Qatar “one of the most beautiful landmarks in our contemporary history”.
In recognition of Pei’s contribution to Qatar, she announced the inauguration of a new Chair of Islamic Architecture at the University of Oxford that will bear his name. The Chair is a partnership between the museum and Qatar Foundation for Science and Community Development.
“My beloved parents - your highnesses - no matter what I could ever say, it would never be enough to express my personal gratitude to you both. The Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar is the most precious gift from you to the people of this country,” Sheikha Mayassa said.