The Qatar National Library (QNL) is hosting Letters of Faith: The Arabic Script in Indonesia, a free exhibition which presents a notable showcase of exquisite Qur’anic manuscripts and invites visitors to explore how the Arabic script has been used across various mediums. Part of the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023 programme, it will be open to the public until the 25th of April, 2024.
Indonesia is one of the most culturally diverse countries, boasting a vibrant mosaic of ethnicities, languages, and religions. With the world’s largest Muslim population, Islam found its way to Indonesia through maritime trade routes in the late 13th century. Here, Islam and the Arabic language gradually intertwined with local cultures. This fusion has created a rich Islamic heritage, with the Arabic script as a crucial symbol of faith. The Letters of Faith exhibition provides an immersive journey into this heritage, featuring different cultural treasures that connect Indonesia and the Arab world. On view are an array of artefacts (manuscripts, maps, batik textiles, etc.) from QNL’s collection and contributions from local cultural institutions. Some exhibits are on loan from two esteemed Indonesian institutions, making their debut appearance in Qatar.
The Qatar National Library, Doha, Qatar, 2023-2024.
About QNL
The Qatar National Library was founded in 2012. A massive structure (45,000 sqm), it was designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas and resembles two pieces of paper folded diagonally at the corners to create a shell-like structure. The building features a glass façade that floods the interior with natural light, offering an ideal environment for reading.
QNL encompasses Doha’s National Library, Public Library, University Library, and the Heritage Collection. The latter comprises rare and valuable texts and manuscripts related to the Arab-Islamic civilization: early printed materials, maps, globes, atlases, history photographs, and more, many of which date back to the 15th century. Generally, QNL offers more than one million books in 16 different languages, in addition to full-text online resources. The library also provides access to 500,000+ ebooks, periodicals, newspapers, and special collections. Additionally, it offers amenities such as 3D printing, a music studio, public computers, free Wi-Fi, and study spaces for its members.
The Qatar National Library, Doha, Qatar, 2023-2024.
To get more information about Letters of Faith: The Arabic Script in Indonesia, please visit the official web page of the show.
You might also be interested in attending the Reflections & Inspirations from Emirati Heritage exhibition. Besides, we would recommend you read our article about four remarkable public libraries in Dubai.
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