Sheikh Faisal launches 'Qatar Through My Eyes' at New Delhi World Book Fair

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, founder and chairman of Al Faisal Global Foundation for Culture and Knowledge, has launched his book ‘As Seen, Read, and Lived. Qatar Through My Eyes: History, People, and Sovereigns’ in English and Malayalam at the 2025 New Delhi World Book Fair.

The event was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to India, Mohammed bin Hassan Jabir al-Jabir, along with a number of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions from the Gulf and Arab countries, and a large number of cultural and intellectual figures and exhibition pioneers in India.

Sheikh Faisal said, “We share deep-rooted historical ties with India, and our goal is to highlight the journey of Qatar’s people and its wise leadership. I am delighted to launch the book ‘Qatar Through My Eyes’ in both English and Malayalam in India, a nation with which Qatar enjoys flourishing co-operation across various sectors under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“It is equally rewarding to hold the launch at one of the world’s most prestigious book fairs, the New Delhi World Book Fair, which has been attracting wide participation and interest since its inception in 1972.”

Sheikh Faisal noted that the book documents, in part, the history of Qatari-Indian relations, emphasising that numerous archaeological discoveries in Qatar reveal the presence of ancient civilisations, such as Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Indian civilisations.

He highlighted the longstanding maritime trade routes between the two nations, which facilitated the exchange of diverse goods through fleets of traditional wooden dhows. This trade flourished during the era of pearl diving, with the city of Al Zubarah, west of Doha, emerging as a major regional hub for the pearl trade, exporting to destinations across the world, particularly India and Europe.

“Today, our partnership is indispensable and the book also sheds light on the valuable contributions of the Indian expatriate community to Qatar’s development. We foresee significant growth in the relations between our two countries in the coming years, given their promising markets and remarkable advancements in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and digitalisation,” Sheikh Faisal added.

He said the idea for the book stemmed from his desire to document Qatar’s journey from its inception to the present day, using rare documents and photographs based on reliable sources, as well as live events in the gatherings of the people of Qatar and its rulers.

Sheikh Faisal said: “I have witnessed the leadership of six out of Qatar’s eight rulers. Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed al-Thani, the founder of Qatar, is my great-great-grandfather. Having lived through various eras for over seven decades, I also accompanied my father during his tenure as the Governor of Dukhan, west of Doha, where Qatar’s first oil wells were discovered in the late 1940s.”

Sheikh Faisal emphasised that the book highlights the remarkable role played by the people and leaders of Qatar in achieving what can be described as a modern-day miracle.

“It chronicles numerous challenges and hardships that are beyond imagination before Qatar rose to become one of the world’s wealthiest nations with the highest per capita income. Today, Qatar features the world’s best airport, and the leading airline, and stands as the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the early 21st century. These challenges and achievements form an inspiring legacy for the people of Qatar and their wise leadership, spanning generations to this day.

“I aspire for this book to serve as a beacon for future generations and as a guide for every visitor or newcomer to Qatar. It offers insights into our nation’s history from its early beginnings to the present day, unveiling the deep-rooted bonds of love and trust between its people and rulers, their dedication to education, health, sports, and culture, as well as the secret behind Qatar’s strong international relations as a mediator for peace, a partner in development, and a model for human relief,” Sheikh Faisal added.

On this occasion, the director of the New Delhi World Book Fair, Yuvraj Malik, said: “The launch of ‘Qatar Through My Eyes’ at the New Delhi World Book Fair is a testament to the enduring cultural ties between India and Qatar.

“Books have the power to deepen human connections, and this work beautifully highlights Qatar’s history while shedding light on the rich and long-standing relationship between our two nations.”

He added: “This book release marks a great beginning of literary and cultural exchanges between our countries, and I am confident it will lay the foundation for enhanced participation between India and Qatar. Al Faisal Global Foundation for Culture and Knowledge can play a significant role in this process, further strengthening our collaboration.

“We take pride in providing a platform that fosters meaningful cultural exchange, and we look forward to future partnerships that continue to build bridges of understanding between our nations.”