QNADoha
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday inaugurated Safar, a temporary exhibition organized 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. The exhibition is on view at MIA Park until Jan. 24, 2024.
Chairperson of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani attended the official unveiling of Safar along with several senior government officials.
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 civilizations since the Bronze Age.
The Deputy Prime Minister 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 during the ceremony, the FM 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 concerned authorities in the country to facilitate the safe evacuation of more than 80,000 Afghan citizens and foreign nationals.
The FM 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.
He 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. His Excellency underscored the cooperation between local and international partners in making the evacuation a success.
The FM 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.
