Doha: The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), will host an exhibition highlighting the experiences of Afghan refugees following their evacuation in 2021.
The exhibition, titled "Safar", is open to the public and will be held at the MIA Park from October 6 to December 31, 2022.
Safar highlights the experiences and stories of Afghan refugees through a collection of videos, photographs, and illustrated stories, beginning with a look at Afghanistan's history, the importance of its geographical position at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, its wealth and natural resources, as well as being part of the most important and largest empires, and the basis of civilisation since the Bronze Age.
Chairperson of Qatar Museums H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, said, "The story of the Afghan people is one of resilience in the face of the extreme challenges they experienced during the evacuation. It is an honour to partner with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shine a spotlight on these moving and inspirational stories, while celebrating Afghanistan's rich culture and abundant history.
The exhibition highlights the importance of Afghanistan as a center of intellectual debate and artistic excellence for thousands of years and addresses the support of Qatar and its bilateral relations with Afghanistan over the past thirty years, as well as its role during the evacuation process in 2021.
For her part, HE Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Al Khater said, "This powerful exhibition illustrates vividly through first-hand stories what refugees are capable of if given the chance and tools. Qatar is proud of its role in facilitating the evacuation of over 80,000 Afghan and other nationals from Afghanistan."
During their time in Qatar, Afghan refugees received the support of the Ministry of Public Health, NGOs, members of civil society, and the private sector, including the Qatar Foundation, Generation Amazing, the Olympic Committee, and other sports federations, to ensure their mental health, well-being, and educational needs were met. Children of all ages and adults were also introduced to various art and cultural experiences, during which they could learn various new skills.
