Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Unveils Exhibition Highlighting Experiences of Afghan Refugees
Doha / Information Office / 23 October 2022
His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani today unveiled Safar, a temporary exhibition organised 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 24 January 2024.
In 2021, after the Afghan government collapsed leading to a withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the world rushed to evacuate thousands of displaced Afghan citizens and foreigners. 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.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums attended the official unveiling of Safar along with several senior government officials.
His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani 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, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani 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. His Excellency 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.
His Excellency 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.
His Excellency 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.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa, said: “The story of the Afghan people is one of resilience in the face of the extreme challenges they experienced during the evacuation. It is an honour for Qatar Museums to partner with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to shine a spotlight on these moving stories, while celebrating Afghanistan’s rich culture and abundant history.”
The exhibition explores the experiences of Afghan refugees from a primary perspective to shed light on their unique stories and struggles following the evacuation. The exhibition also highlights the importance of Afghanistan as a centre of intellectual debate and artistic excellence for thousands of years and addresses the support of Qatar and its bilateral relations with Afghanistan over the past thirty years, as well as its role during the evacuation process in 2021.