Qatar National Library (QNL) has announced the appointment of HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Minister of State, as its president. He will lead the library's next endeavours to spread knowledge and culture and preserve heritage in accordance with Amiri Decree No. 15 of 2020 issued by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, QNL said in a statement on Sunday.
HE Dr al-Kuwari’s appointment as president of the library coincides with QNL’s celebrations of the second anniversary of its grand opening. "The library has since then grown to become a beacon of knowledge for the nation and a vast resource of learning for the world’s online community, offering the biggest online depository of rare documents and manuscripts on the history of Qatar, the Gulf and the Arab and Islamic worlds, for all interested users and researchers all over the world," the statement noted.
HE Dr al-Kuwari expressed great appreciation for His Highness the Amir for entrusting him with this responsibility.
He celebrated the library’s achievements from the moment the concept was born until it became a reality, saying: “I am honoured to be appointed as president of this great cultural edifice that embodies our leaders’ interest in books and promoting knowledge since the era of the founding Sheikh. I will seek to bolster the library's position, social role and ties with universities, cultural institutions, intellectuals and writers in our society.
"I will pursue efforts to propel our library into a leading position worldwide, bearing in mind the modernity of our institution, which is home to exclusive documents covering our country and the region.”
HE Dr al-Kuwari added, "On this occasion, I am pleased to celebrate the achievements of the library over the past two years and the high status it has achieved locally and internationally thanks to the efforts of all staff members under the supervision of managers and boards of trustees chaired. We will continue to co-operate and work hand-in-hand to achieve our goals."
HE Dr al-Kuwari has held the position of Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and served as ambassador to France, the US, Unesco and the United Nations. His Highness the Amir awarded HE Dr al-Kuwari the Hamad bin Khalifa Sash in recognition of his role in serving
the country and his honourable representation of Qatar in international cultural forums.