Msheireb Museums, the cultural destination at Msheireb Downtown Doha, has celebrated the graduation of a new group of tour museum guides and volunteers from a one-week workshop as part of its Msheireb Museums Friends programme.
The graduates, all from Qatar Youth Hostel Center and aged between 20 and 26 years old, had both theoretical and practical training during the week. They completed lessons on how to guide visitors and tourists throughout the museums and other tourist sites and how to professionally inform and describe Qatar’s rich heritage and history.
Mr. Hafez Ali, Director of Msheireb Museums said: “Our ceremony today reiterates the role that Msheireb Museums play in supporting tourism in Qatar through training tour guides and equipping them with the skills and tools they need to be professional tour guides. This programme reflects our commitment in accomplishing the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 that focuses on human development and economy diversification. It is also a part of our mandate to contribute in the social and economic development of Qatar.”
Expressing his pleasure in collaborating with Msheireb Museums, Mr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Hajri, The Director of Department of Youth Affairs said that Msheireb Museums Friends Programme contributes in raising and developing the skills of the participants in the field of arts and cultural heritage, which will in turn enhance the image of Qatari society and national identity. He also reiterated the readiness of the Ministry of Culture and Sports to continue its collaboration with Msheireb Museums to serve the youth of Qatar, support cultural tourism and promote Qatar identity.
The management of the Qatar Youth Hostel Center thanked Msheireb Museums and said: “We’d like to thank Msheireb Museums for this opportunity to train our youth on the basics skills needed to be a successful tour guide. Our main objective is to empower and encourage youth to learn about the culture and civilization of other countries and to enhance their tourism capabilities. During the session, we were amazed by the participants’ enthusiasm and their great desire to learn and listen to new historical and cultural information. Their performance in this new experience was excellent, and we are happy that they gained the expertise in this training.”
Launched last year, ‘Msheireb Museums Friends’ is a mutually-beneficial volunteer programme that empowers teachers and educational leaders to become tour guides in the museums and enhance their skills to lead student tours. The programme will also enable students to enhance their leadership skills while introducing the community to the country’s rich culture.
Established to create cultural ambassadors, Msheireb Museums Friends train a number of teachers and leaders from a wide range of educational organizations, youth associations, and with students, helping to develop their leadership skills and so they can get the most out of the Msheireb Museum’s four historic cultural houses.
Msheireb Museums are a significant milestone for Msheireb Properties in realising the vision of Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar’s first sustainable and smart city regeneration project. The museums celebrate the history of four historic heritage houses in the heart of Qatar’s old town; Bin Jelmood House (raising awareness of formerly enslaved people), Company House (history of Qatar’s petroleum industry), Radwani House (providing insights into Qatari family life over generations), and Mohammed Bin Jassim House (a journey through Msheireb district over time).
Located within the oldest part of the capital, they form an important part of Qatar’s national history. These reconstructed buildings and gallery spaces allow the community to engage in the significant aspects of Qatar’s heritage and traditions before the country’s rapid economic development.
In line with its mandate, Msheireb Museums has built strong connections and collaborations with academic institutions, including universities, colleges, research programmes and exhibitions to engage with the museums’ content and offerings. Visitors of the museums have access to the library’s valuable digital resources of Qatar National Library.
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