Preserving The Past, Shaping The Future: Msheireb Museums' Abdulla Al Naama

As Qatar expands its cultural footprint by investing in platforms that preserve heritage while embracing modern storytelling, Msheireb Museums stands out as one of the country’s most ambitious hubs for historical dialogue. Led by General Manager Abdulla Al Naama, the institution brings together four restored heritage houses in Doha’s Msheireb district, each transformed into a museum with a distinct narrative mission. 

Speaking to Inc. Arabia at the 27th International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference staged in Dubai in November this year, Al Naama broke down the four museums that make up the Msheireb Museums cluster. Bin Jelmood House, for instance, is the world’s first museum dedicated to the story of slavery in the Indian Ocean region. Company House, on the other hand, spotlights the early pioneers of Qatar’s oil and gas industry, while Mohammed Bin Jassim House traces the layered history of Msheireb and the architectural language behind the district’s redevelopment. Finally, Radwani House is a restored prototype of the traditional Qatari home that charts how domestic life in the nation has evolved over the years.

As he spoke about the objectives with which he leads these heritage spaces, Al Naama shared that at Msheireb Museums, the goal was never simply to display history, but to create spaces that spark conversations around identity, memory, and the country’s evolving social fabric. "One thing that I've learnt through my career studying history is that history keeps repeating itself, in different forms," he said. "So, you need to understand history, you need to interact with history, and learn from it, to envision your next steps."

Check out the full video for more insights from Al Naama.