TAXILA: Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Thani, Director of National Museum of Qatar, said Doha was keen to strengthen cultural relations with Pakistan as both the countries had huge potential in the field, especially in art and architecture.

He was talking to newsmen during a visit to Taxila Museum on Thursday. He was leading a four-member cultural delegation, comprising Mohammed Jumah Al Kuwari, Director CEO Office Qatar Museums, Mohammed Ali Khaledi, Logistics Coordinator, General Management Qatar Museum, Aebhric Coleman, Senior Exhibition Project Manager Art Mill Museum and Duncan Capp, Executive Director Fine Arts.

Mr Thani said there were decades-old relations between the two Muslim countries in the fields of trade, defence, investment and energy and Doha was looking to further strengthen collaboration with Pakistan in the areas of museums, heritage sites, festivals and cultural exchange.

He said the purpose of the delegation’s visit was to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for cooperation in various fields. He emphasised the importance of advancing negotiations on the proposed Pakistan and Qatar cultural exchanges.

He said that Qatar Museum was the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture and provided authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations and programmes.

Aebhric Coleman while talking to newsmen termed the initiative a big development in the cultural relations between two countries. He said that Qatar had planned to exhibit artifacts of Pakistan in its museums.

He said artifacts from various museums of Pakistan including Taxila and Lahore would be selected and showcased from October 30 to January 31 2025 which would help not only strengthen the cultural relations between the two countries but would also fetch tourists from Qatar.

Upon arrival at the Taxila Museum, the delegation was received by Anjum Dara, Deputy Director Directorate General of Archaeology, and Curator of the museum Humera Naz.

Mr Dara briefed the Qatari delegation about the chronology, significance and history of Taxila valley civilisation and Buddhism.

He said there were 4,000 objects, including stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron and semiprecious stones, in the museum.

He said Gandhara was the second holy land of Buddhism from where the religion flourished across the globe.

He also briefed the delegation about the history of Gandhara civilisation, various stupas, statues and other artifacts in the museum. They were taken around the main hall which exhibits more than 70 stories of the life of Buddha i.e. from the time of his birth till death. They also visited the Bodhisattva and Buddha galleries.

The delegation was informed by curator Naz that hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh, both in Taxila.

“Mainly, the display consists of objects from 600 BC to 500 AD,” she said.

The delegation members expressed admiration for the impressive collection in the museum. The head of the delegation in his remarks in the visitors’ book has termed it an unforgettable experience.

He wrote, “A beautiful museum highlighting the significant collection of Buddhist artifacts.

This is truly a world wonder and we are proud to have the chance to visit it.”

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024