Mosques of Qatar: Beyond Places of Worship Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Cultural Center (Fanar) The Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center is also known as “Fanar” or Qatar Islamic Culture Center. This landmark is a cultural organization in Doha, located close to the Corniche and easily seen by its spiral minaret. Moreover, … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH: MOSQUES OF QATAR-PART TWO
#QATARILITMONTH: Mosques of Qatar-Part One
Mosques of Qatar: Beyond Places of Worship A mosque, or masjid, is the building where Muslims perform their five daily prayers. However, many people do not know that mosques are much more than just places for prayers—mosques are at the heart of Muslim societies. Though the Islamic culture urges modesty of architecture and interior furnishing … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH: Mosques of Qatar-Part One
#QATARILITMONTH: Skyscrapers and Artificial Islands in Qatar
"Beauty At First Sight" Skyline of Doha The year 2005, when I set foot in Qatar, was a turning point in my life. That was the moment I saw the beautiful architecture that saturated my soul and nourished my ideas at the College of Architecture. I have not forgotten when I went with my husband … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH: Skyscrapers and Artificial Islands in Qatar
#QATARILITMONTH: Children’s Literature
The Children's Library At Qatar National Library: Promoting Qatari Children's Literature Qatar National Library is a cultural and educational institution that offers the community diverse programming in all fields as a way to serve Qatari society. The role of the Children's Library is important, as it provides young learners with an inspiring atmosphere that enables … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH: Children’s Literature
#QATARILITMONTH: The Heritage Library at Qatar National Library
Treasures of the Arabic and Islamic Worlds at Qatar National Library The Heritage Library’s location at the heart of Qatar National Library reflects its important role as the guardian of the nation’s history and heritage. The extensive collection of heritage and historical materials traces scientific, artistic, social and economic development throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds. It also highlights the … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH: The Heritage Library at Qatar National Library
#QATARILITMONTH:Souk Waqif
Souk Waqif: Once Upon a Time Maher Atter- Photographer Mohamed Ali Abdullah- Text and Drawings Souk Waqif: Where past and present reside side-by-side A walk through the labyrinth-like passageways of Souk Waqif in Doha, Qatar tantalizes all of your senses. Careening through the passageways at each turn there is a new smell. The pungent smell of the fresh spices, the … Continue reading #QATARILITMONTH:Souk Waqif
Welcome to #QatariLitMonth
The Essence of Qatar Al Zubara Fort I am thrilled to start with you this month’s journey where you will take a glimpse of the nation of Qatar. I have been invited to be the guest editor for July to share with you stories from my beloved country. For those who don’t know much about … Continue reading Welcome to #QatariLitMonth
The Booktrekker: Kuwait
READ My book selection for Kuwait was Motorbikes and Camels, by Nejoud Al-Yagout. This is the author’s debut novel, and I thought the format was particularly interesting. The book consists of stories about thirteen different people, all of whose lives are intertwined with the lives of one or more other people in the book. While the plot … Continue reading The Booktrekker: Kuwait
The Booktrekker: Iran
READ There were so many books by Iranian authors I could have read for this blog post that I had a hard time choosing just one. I finally decided to do something completely different and read a graphic novel, written in comic book form. The Complete Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi, is a largely autobiographical tale of … Continue reading The Booktrekker: Iran
Speculative Fiction in Translation: The Queue
The Queue by Basma Abdel Aziz translated from the Arabic by Elisabeth Jaquette Melville House May 24, 2016 224 pages There aren’t any spaceships or spirits in The Queue; no mutant alien viruses or Martian colonies, either. And yet, it is speculative fiction, because Basma Abdel Aziz has taken the reality of Egypt’s oppressive security … Continue reading Speculative Fiction in Translation: The Queue
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 