Qatar National Library recently hosted a first-of-its-kind forum in Qatar aimed at discussing ways to advance the teaching of Qatari history. The two-day forum, titled “The First Forum for Teaching and Learning Qatari History,” took place on January 31 and brought together a select group of academics, specialists, and experts in history curriculum, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The forum deliberated on the importance of teaching national history as a fundamental component of Qatari identity.
The discussions at the forum centered around efforts to enhance collaboration between Qatar National Library and various cultural institutions in Qatar to promote and develop the teaching of history from a scholarly perspective. Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, the Qatari Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, emphasized the significance of studying history not only as a pillar of Qatari identity but also as a compass that guides individuals from the past to the present and toward the future.
The forum provided a platform for sharing experiences in educating the public, especially school students, about Qatari history and heritage, and the role of educational curricula in fostering national identity. Furthermore, the event highlighted the efforts to maintain Qatar’s heritage and continuously improve the educational system, in line with Qatar National Library’s mission and tireless efforts to safeguard the country’s heritage.
The first day of the forum featured three workshops focusing on the best educational strategies for teaching Qatari history and heritage in schools. The second day saw speakers and experts from Qatar National Library, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Shura Council, and Qatar Foundation discussing the importance of educational curricula and collaborative efforts to enhance and promote the teaching of Qatari history.
The forum concluded with an award ceremony to honor the winners of a student poster competition related to documenting Qatari history and heritage. By hosting this forum, Qatar National Library has underscored its commitment to establishing an exceptional learning and discovery framework that positively impacts the community and reinforces the national identity.
Through forums like this, Qatar National Library aims to conserve Qatar’s heritage and continue developing the educational system. The meaningful insights and discussions at the forum shed light on the collective memory and the importance of recording history based on primary sources, including collective memory, manuscripts, and documents, all of which significantly influence the formation of identity and self-awareness within the community. This initiative serves to strengthen the national identity, particularly amidst the current global historical turning point.
