Msheireb Museums

Msheireb Museums
EstablishedOctober 20, 2015 (2015-10-20)
LocationDoha, Qatar
TypeHistory museum
Websitemsheirebmuseums.com/en/

Msheireb Museums is a complex of history museums housed in four historic heritage houses in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Each house explores a different aspect of the country's history through the trades and careers of its former residents: slavery,[1] the oil industry, and folk arts and traditions.[2]

General Manager of the Museum is Abdulla Al Naama, and Manager of Exhibitions and programs is Fahad Al Turky.[3][4]

Location

Msheireb Museums are located on Mohammed Bin Jassim Street, Doha, Qatar adjacent to both the Aimiri Diwan and the Qatari National Archive.[5]

History

Msheireb development construction in 2013

The Msheireb Museums are part of the first phase of the inner city's regeneration of the old commercial centre, Msheireb Downtown Doha, by Msheireb Properties’ QR20 billion (US$5.5 billion), 310,000 sq m development.[6]

The four heritage houses—Bin Jelmood House, Company House, Mohammed Bin Jassim House and Radwani House—date back to the 20th century, and the project architect for the renovations and additions was John McAslan.[7] Work began in 2011 and was completed in 2015, the year the museums opened.[2] In 2018, the museum was also included in the 2018 world's best new buildings list of the Royal Institute of British Architects.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10][11]

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.[12] The museum is host to talks and lectures like the 'Earth Talk Series'[13] or a TEDx Talk in 2023.[14]

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”.[15][16]

Houses

Bin Jelmood House

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.[17][6][18]

Pearl divers in the Persian Gulf in the late 19th century. The activity was largely carried out by enslaved workers.[19][20]

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. This includes photographs and oral interviews with Qataris of enslaved ancestry, such as musician and actress Fatma Shaddad.[21] Additionally, the house sheds light on the historic importation of slaves from Zanzibar to dive for pearls on behalf of their Qatari owners.[22] In December 2021, an exhibition was put on display for the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.[23]

The Bin Jelmood House gallery hosted the "Frida Kahlo - The Immersive Biography" exhibition in 2022.[24][25]

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.[4]

Company House

This house recounts the history of the pioneering petroleum industry workers and their families whose work helped to transform Qatar.[26][6] The house also hosts exhibitions like "Strange Wonders" in 2016, featuring artworks from ten alumni of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar),[27] or "We are the Daughters of Qatar" in 2018.[28]

Mohammed Bin Jassim House

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.[29][30]

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.[31]

Radwani House

The Radwani House was first built in the 1920s. This house is located between Al Jasrah and Msheireb, two of Doha's oldest quarters.[32][33] The house belonged to the Akbar Radwani family and shows how a traditional Qatari family lived.[34][35]

The museums are located close to Heritage Quarter station of Msheireb Tram as well as Msheireb station of Doha Metro.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Barthe, Benjamin (2017-08-09). "A Doha, le musée de l'esclavage s'affranchit des tabous". Le Monde (in French). ISSN 1950-6244. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  2. 1 2 Walker, Lesley (2015-10-21). "100-year-old houses restored by Msheireb tell Qatar's story". Doha News. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  3. ↑ "Msheireb Museums announces exciting summer program for 2024". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  4. 1 2 "Msheireb Museums highlights tragedy of slave trade oppression". Qatar Tribune. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  5. ↑ "Msheireb Museums John McAslan + Partners". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Walker, Lesley (2015-10-21). "100-year-old houses restored by Msheireb tell Qatar's story". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  7. ↑ "John McAslan + Partners - Msheireb Museums | The Plan". www.theplan.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  8. ↑ "Msheireb Museums in RIBA's list of best new buildings". Gulf Times. 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  9. ↑ "National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, Msheireb Museums sign MoU". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  10. ↑ "Msheireb Downtown Doha to host special events in support of Qatari national football team today". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  11. ↑ Aguilar, Joey (2022-10-31). "World Cup activations at MDD offer immersive experiences". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  12. ↑ "Msheireb Museums to organise special events to mark International Museums Day". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  13. ↑ "Msheireb Museums hosts lecture on 'Islam and the Environment as part of 'Earth Talk' series". Gulf Times. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  14. ↑ "Msheireb Museums hosts inspiring TEDx talks, 'Thinking Outside the Box'". Gulf Times. 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  15. ↑ "Georgetown Conference at Msheireb Museums to Highlight Creative Perspectives on Energy and Global Cultures | Al Bawaba". www.albawaba.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  16. ↑ "Georgetown conference at Msheireb Museums to highlight creative perspectives on energy and global cultures". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  17. ↑ Bivins, Alyssa (2021-08-04). "Remembering Slavery at the Bin Jelmood House in Qatar". MERIP. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  18. ↑ "Qatar slavery museum aims to address modern exploitation". Reuters. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  19. ↑ Hobbs, Mark (2017-10-11). "Twilight of Pearl Trade Sees 'Slave' Divers Seek Freedoms". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  20. ↑ Marshall Armstrong, Jasmine (2017-01-18). "Globalization, Slavery and Pearls in the Age of Imperialism". Center for the Humanities at UC Merced. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  21. ↑ Mahajan, Nidhi (August 2021). "Remembering Slavery at the Bin Jelmood House in Qatar". Middle East Report. No. 299. Middle East Research and Information Project. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  22. ↑ Declan Walsh (22 January 2018). "Tiny, Wealthy Qatar Goes Its Own Way, and Pays for It". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  23. ↑ "Msheireb Museums hosts art exhibition on combating human trafficking". Gulf Times. 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  24. ↑ "Frida Kahlo - The Immersive Biography - Msheireb Downtown Doha - Msheireb Museums". Msheireb Downtown Doha. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  25. ↑ "With the world's largest sporting drawing closer, Msheireb Downtown Doha, will host World Cup festivities". www.doha.directory. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  26. ↑ Aguilar, Joey (2018-11-19). "Qatar Shell inks pact to sponsor Company House". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  27. ↑ "'Strange Wonders' exhibition opens at Msheireb Museum". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2016-09-29. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  28. ↑ "We are the Daughters of Qatar expo opens at Msheireb Museums". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 2018-04-15. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  29. ↑ "Marhaba Feature: History in the City". Marhaba Qatar. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  30. ↑ "Msheireb Museums celebratng the past". Qatar Tribune. 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  31. ↑ "Exhibition titled "Medhal" is being held at Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim House". www.doha.directory. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  32. ↑ "How to find the best Qatari art and architecture". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  33. ↑ "New museums in Doha". Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  34. ↑ "Your guide to visiting Msheireb Museums | Time Out Doha". 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  35. ↑ Walker, Lesley (2016-10-28). "What you need to know about Msheireb Museums in Qatar". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
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