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 The State of Qatar participated in the annual commemoration of “Arab Document Day”, organised yesterday by the General Secretariat of the Arab League at its headquarters in Cairo. The event was held in co-ordination with the Arab Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ARBICA) and with the participation of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO).  The State of Qatar was represented at the event by Mohammed Ali al-Dirham, member the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the Arab League. Held this year under the theme “The Palestinian National Archive: Memory Under Occupation: From Erasure to Preservation”, the event highlighted the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the Arab nation. It shed light on the systematic targeting of Palestinian memory, amid ongoing violations and practices by the Zionist entity with the aim of erasing Palestinian identity, obliterating its cultural landmarks, and stealing or falsifying historical facts. The event underscored the critical importance of prioritising the preservation of Palestinian documentary and cultural heritage.  The commemoration of Arab Document Day, observed annually on October 17, featured an exhibition titled “Palestine in Arab Documents”, which showcased reproductions of documents related to Palestine held by various Arab archival and documentation institutions affiliated with the Arab Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives.  The event also featured the honouring of Palestinian institutions and individuals who have made significant contributions to preserving Palestinian memory. Furthermore, the League of Arab States was recognised for its prominent role in supporting the Palestinian cause since its inception, as well as for its efforts in safeguarding the Arab documentary heritage.  The event also featured a panel discussion titled “Palestine in Arab Documentary Memory,” which explored the role of the League of Arab States in preserving Palestinian documentary memory. The discussion covered efforts to safeguard and provide access to Palestinian heritage within the framework of joint Arab action, as well as the work of archival institutions in documenting the involvement of Arab states in the Palestinian cause. Furthermore, it addressed the protection of Palestinian national memory against erasure, with Gaza serving as a primary example. The session also saw the launch of an expanded edition of the book “Palestine in Arab Documents”, which compiles a vast collection of records concerning Palestine held by various Arab archival and documentation institutions, produced in collaboration with the Egyptian National Archives.  The commemoration of Arab Document Day in 2026, marking a quarter-century since the initiative was established by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) in 2001, aims to highlight the vital importance of documents in preserving Arab history and identity, and in safeguarding the collective memory and rights of peoples against erasure. 

Qatar participated in the 2025 Arab Document Day celebration, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo under the theme 'The League of Arab States: Eighty Years of Joint Arab Action.' The event was organized in coordination with the Arab Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ARBICA).Qatar was represented by a delegation led by Secretary-General of the National Archive of Qatar and Chair of Unesco's Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Buainain. In his address, Dr al-Buainain emphasized that the Arab document, in all its forms, is not merely a static record but a testament to the Arab people's journey, intellect, creativity, and struggle for dignity, unity, and progress. He described the celebration as a tribute to identity, memory, and collective awareness across the Arab world.He highlighted Unesco's Memory of the Arab World program as a vital initiative to safeguard documentary heritage at risk of loss and neglect. He expressed pride in the region's dedicated committee working to register documents, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials of unique historical and cultural value.**media[381446]**However, he noted that Arab participation in the program remains low, just 4% of globally registered documents, despite the region's rich contributions to history and human knowledge. He called for stronger Arab co-operation and co-ordination among national heritage institutions to close this gap. Dr al-Buainain urged support for digital documentation, preventive preservation, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building in restoration and archiving.He advocated for joint Arab nominations that reflect shared historical and cultural ties, stressing that documents not only preserve the past but also guide the present and inspire the future.He said that they can unify their efforts in this field as they have in politics, culture, history, and education, they will help preserve the Arab nation's memory within the global human heritage, calling on Arab states, archives, and national libraries to work together to ensure the Arab document remains vibrant and enduring.Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit congratulated Dr al-Buainain on his appointment as Chair of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region. He underscored the committee's role in enriching the global memory register with distinctive Arab contributions and in preserving manuscripts, archives, images, and maps using modern technologies.Aboul Gheit noted that Arab Document Day stems from a key initiative launched by Alecso in the early 2000s to highlight the importance of Arab documents as pillars of national identity and historical testimony, and as essential components of Arab cultural heritage. The celebration featured a historical exhibition on the Arab League through the eyes of Arab archival institutions, showcasing notable documents related to the League, alongside honoring distinguished Arab figures for their contributions to preserving documentary heritage.

In celebration of the Arab Document Day, which falls on Oct 17 of each year, the National Archives of Qatar announced the organisation of a special event for this occasion. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct 16, at the Sheraton Grand Doha at 10am.The event will be attended by a select group of specialists, experts, representatives of Arab national institutions, academics, and those interested in the field of archives and documentation.The National Archives of Qatar has invited all interested parties, researchers, and the public to participate. This event falls within the framework of the National Archives of Qatar’s role in promoting Arab co-operation in the fields of archives and preservation of documentary heritage.It also stems from its chairmanship of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region, represented by Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain, and underscores Qatar’s efforts to preserve national memory and support documentary projects with an Arab and regional dimension.In this regard, Dr al-Buainain, Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar, stated: “This celebration affirms the importance of the document as a source of knowledge, a tool for protecting identity and documenting the development process, and an opportunity to exchange expertise and enhance co-operation between Arab documentary institutions.”The event will include a symposium titled ‘Manuscripts and Documents: Arab Memory in International Archives’, which highlights the reality of Arab manuscripts and documents in international archives and ways to enhance their presence and protection, within a vision that seeks to consolidate the position of the Arab document on the global scene. The Arab Document Day is an initiative launched by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) in 2001, with the aim of highlighting the importance of the document as a living memory of nations and a fundamental pillar in preserving Arab identity.The National Archives of Qatar is marking this occasion this year to affirm its commitment to its national role in preserving documentary heritage and enhancing its presence both regionally and internationally.