Safar, a temporary exhibition organised by the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa), highlighting the experiences of Afghan refugees following their evacuation in 2021, was unveiled yesterday by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at MIA Park.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, attended the official unveiling of Safar along with several senior government officials. HE Sheikh Mohamed welcomed attendees during the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which highlights the journey of tens of thousands of Afghans and foreign nationals from Afghanistan through Qatar. In addition, the exhibition conveys a message of thanks and appreciation to all local and international partners who contributed to the success of the evacuation.
In his opening address, HE Sheikh Mohamed noted the role of Qatar in making one of the largest air evacuation operations in history a success, pointing to the concerted efforts of all the authorities concerned in the country to facilitate the safe evacuation of more than 80,000 Afghan citizens and foreign nationals.
He referred to the role of Qatar in rehabilitating Kabul Airport, which contributed to facilitating the movement of people, basic goods and humanitarian and development aid. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that these extensive efforts, embodied in the Safar exhibition, affirm Qatar's commitment to bilateral and multilateral work, particularly global humanitarian efforts.
He noted that the exhibition also serves as a great model for collective action at an international level, providing a solid foundation for large-scale cooperation in the future and underscored the co-operation between local and international partners in making the evacuation a success.
HE Sheikh Mohamed reiterated Qatar's commitment to its humanitarian responsibilities towards Afghanistan and firm stance on supporting the Afghan people and their right to live with dignity and achieve reconciliation and peaceful coexistence without exclusion or discrimination and to build a bright future for present and future generations. He expressed Qatar's aspiration for the international community's continued support of the Afghan people at this critical stage to ensure their safety, stability and development.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, said: “The story of the Afghan people is one of resilience in the face of the extreme challenges they experienced during the evacuation. It is an honour for Qatar Museums to partner with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shine a spotlight on these moving stories, while celebrating Afghanistan’s rich culture and abundant history.”
The exhibition explores the experiences of Afghan refugees from a primary perspective to shed light on their unique stories and struggles following the evacuation. The exhibition also highlights the importance of Afghanistan as a centre of intellectual debate and artistic excellence for thousands of years and addresses the support of Qatar and its bilateral relations with Afghanistan over the past thirty years, as well as its role during the evacuation process in 2021.
After the Afghan government collapsed leading to a withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2021, the world rushed to evacuate thousands of displaced Afghan citizens and foreigners. Safar highlights the experiences and stories of Afghan refugees through a collection of videos, photographs, and illustrated stories beginning with a look at Afghanistan's history, the importance of its geographical position at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, its wealth and natural resources, as well as being part of the most important and largest empires, and the basis of civilisations since the Bronze Age.