Expo highlights crucial period in Qatar’s history

The pivotal role played by the late Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani, the ruler of Qatar from 1913 to 1949, in transitioning the country into a new phase of history, is highlighted at an ongoing exhibition.

“Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani – A Leader’s Legacy (1913 – 1949),” runs until January 30, 2014, at the Qatar Museums Authority Gallery in Building 10 in Katara.

Organised and curated by the National Museum of Qatar, the exhibition has ExxonMobil as the principal sponsor.

The reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim is considered an era in which education in general was encouraged a lot. It has to be noted that the “Kuttab” system was prevalent throughout the 19th and early 20th century in Qatar.

The realisation that the education levels in Qatar did not match the scientific developments elsewhere prompted Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim to establish Al Athariyya School to impart the best education in the Arabian Gulf at that time.

Consequently, Qatar became a cultural and educational hub attracting students even from Najd, Sharjah, Kuwait and Persia.

The interest in girls’ education flourished in the Qatari community during Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim’s reign and young girls joined the girls only “Katateeb.” The most famous was the “Kuttab,” that opened in 1938 and went on to become the nucleus for the first girls’ school in the country in 1954.

Al Zubarah Fort, which today serves as the visitor centre for Al Zubarah World Heritage Site, was built in 1938 on the orders of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim to guard and protect Qatar’s north-west coast. Together with a series of forts along Qatar’s coastline, it formed a part of a complex defence system controlling the sea and the fresh water resources of the region.

The discovery of oil in Qatar in 1938 accelerated the development and modernisation process. In 1953 and 1954, three new primary schools were opened. There were 457 students. They studied geography, mathematics, history, science, Arabic and religious studies.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim was also instrumental in developing the healthcare system. In 1919, he invited doctors from the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain to treat patients in Qatar. In 1940, he ordered the construction of hospital in Al Jasrah, which opened in 1947 with 70 beds and imported equipment.

The late leader was also greatly interested in architecture. He built in 1901 the Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Palace, now known as the Old Palace. The restored Palace later housed the National Museum, which was opened in 1975.

The restoration and conservation works of the Old Palace won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980. The Old palace, currently undergoing restoration, will be a part of Qatar’s new National Museum, which is under construction.

(1) Firearms from the time of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani are also part of the exhibition.