Doha: The National Archives of Qatar (NAQ) marked Arab Document Day with a special event attended by experts and specialists in documentation and archiving, alongside representatives from national and Arab institutions, academics, researchers, and those interested in documentary heritage.
According to Qatar News Agency, this celebration aligns with the Archives’ ongoing efforts to safeguard national memory and promote Arab cooperation in documentation fields, as part of its strategic vision (2025-2030) under the theme “Memory of the Future.”
The Archives reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the national documentation and archiving system. Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar National Archives, emphasized that Arab Document Day serves as a regional occasion to renew the commitment to preserving memory and safeguarding the documentary heritage of the Arab nation.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Buainain highlighted the significance of hosting the Arab Document Day event in cooperation with the League of Arab States. He also praised the League’s efforts in preserving Arab documentary heritage.
Dr. Hala Gad, Director of Information and Documentation at the League of Arab States, affirmed the importance of documents and manuscripts in preserving history and identity. She highlighted the League’s initiatives, including a unified Arab strategy to recover looted archives.
Dr. Nidal Ibrahim Al Ahmad from Jordan emphasized the collective responsibility in preserving Arab documentary heritage. He praised Qatar’s efforts in safeguarding Arab documentary heritage through the Qatar National Archives’ 2025-2030 strategy.
The event featured a lecture by Yahya Abdullah Al Kandari from Kuwait on equine heritage, along with a seminar on Arab memory in global archives. Discussions focused on strengthening Arab cooperation in digital preservation.
Dr. Suhail Saban and Dr. Mohamed Amin provided insights into significant archival collections, including the Ottoman and French archives, respectively. Historian Mohamed Hammam Fikri and Raju Sinha from the Indian Archives highlighted the value of documents in recording history.
The event concluded with the honoring of individuals and entities for their contributions to preserving documentary heritage. Arab Document Day, launched by ALECSO in 2001, highlights the importance of documents in safeguarding Arab identity for future generations.