Doha, Qatar – November 2024
The Qatar Digital Library (QDL) has been awarded the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI) Award for the Best Arab Initiative, recognizing its pivotal role in preserving the documentary heritage of the Gulf region and the Arab world. The award was presented during the 35th AFLI Conference held in Muscat, Oman, from November 12 to 14, 2024, under the theme “Libraries and Arab Archive Institutions and Their Role in Enhancing Identity and Digital Citizenship.”
His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library (QNL), received the award from His Highness Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, President of Sultan Qaboos University, at an event attended by leading academics and library experts across the Arab world.
A Decade of Achievement
Launched in October 2014, the Qatar Digital Library was created through a partnership between Qatar National Library, Qatar Foundation, and the British Library. It is the world’s largest digital repository dedicated to heritage documents, manuscripts, and scientific discoveries in Arab and Islamic civilization, with a focus on the Gulf region and the Arab world.
Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Al Kawari remarked:
“This achievement underscores Qatar National Library’s dedication to its mission as a premier knowledge hub. Over the past decade, QDL has become the foremost reference on the history of the Gulf, the Arab world, and the broader Middle East, preserving invaluable cultural heritage and making it accessible to researchers worldwide.”
Celebrating QDL’s Legacy
Earlier this year, on September 30, Qatar National Library marked the 10th anniversary of QDL with a conference titled “Unlocking Histories: 10 Years of Qatar Digital Library.” The event brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners to discuss the rich resources available on the platform and its role in facilitating historical research.
With nearly 2.5 million digitized pages, QDL houses historical materials on topics such as trade, World Wars, the petroleum industry, treaties, marine navigation, Arab nationalism, and rare Arabic manuscripts covering fields like medicine, astronomy, and mathematics. The platform attracts an average of 200,000 users and over 2 million page views annually, solidifying its status as a critical resource for researchers.
Recognizing Excellence
Dr. Al Kawari added:
“This award celebrates the dedication of our team in safeguarding cultural heritage and reinforces QNL’s position as a bastion of knowledge. We remain committed to supporting researchers and academics across the region through innovative platforms like QDL.”
For more information, visit www.qdl.qa.
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