Rabat – Princess Lalla Hasnaa, alongside Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, inaugurated on Friday the “Dar Al Maghreb” pavilion, a space dedicated to Moroccan culture and history. Part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Cultural Year, the initiative celebrates the deep ties between the two countries.
Located next to Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, the 1,300-square-meter pavilion draws inspiration from the Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its traditional earthen architecture in Morocco’s Ouarzazate province.
“Dar Al Maghreb,” meaning The House of Morocco in Arabic, features the countries’ rich heritage and highlights its historical role as a crossroad of civilizations.
The pavilion is divided into four main sections. The exhibit “Morocco: Land of Confluence” highlights the country’s role as a cultural hub, with themes of historical human settlements and the countries’ commitment to sustainable development.
The “Land of Light” section celebrates Moroccan artisanship with Moroccan zellige tilework and intricately carved wooden ceilings. This area also showcases Morocco’s nine UNESCO-designated tangible treasures and fourteen sites of intangible heritage through multimedia installations.
Meanwhile, “Morocco: Land of Gathering” highlights the country’s role in hosting global events, including the upcoming World Cup in 2030, and its dedication to fostering international dialogue on sustainability and sports.
Lastly, the “Land of Passion” space honors the country’s devotion to football as it traces the country’s athletic achievements and builds excitement for the 2030 World Cup.
The pavilion also has a souvenir shop where visitors can take home a piece of Moroccan culture.
After arriving at the pavilion, Princess Lalla Hasnaa was greeted by Lolwah Al-Khater, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, and other guests, including Morocco’s Ambassador to Qatar Mohamed Setri, and key figures from Moroccan cultural and governmental institutions.
