Doha:Qatar National Library's "Himaya" project has intensified its efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and safeguard documentary heritage from theft and smuggling. This initiative includes specialist training, international partnerships, and the documentation of historical collections.
According to Qatar News Agency, launched in 2020, the "Himaya" project has been instrumental in identifying rare manuscripts put up for sale at international auctions. It has led to interventions with auction houses, resulting in the withdrawal of certain items from the market.
Maxim Nasra, Head of the Library's Preservation and Conservation Center, emphasized the significance of collaboration between cultural institutions and law enforcement agencies to protect documentary heritage. The initiative offers training for personnel in libraries, archives, museums, as well as customs officials and border authorities, focusing on identifying, documenting, and managing historical manuscripts and understanding relevant international conventions and legislation.
A notable success of the project was the identification of a rare 15th-century Holy Quran fragment that appeared at an auction in 2021. This manuscript had been previously documented in the Afghan National Archives in 2016. Following the library's documentation submission, the item was removed from the auction, and eight other manuscripts believed to be from the same collection were identified.
Nasra also highlighted the Doha Workshops on Combating Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property, which began in 2022 and evolved into an international conference. Its fourth edition in September 2025 saw participation from over 100 individuals from more than 20 countries.
The library signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar's General Authority of Customs in 2024 and has conducted training programs for customs and law enforcement officials in Qatar and Morocco, in collaboration with ICESCO. An upcoming online international seminar will bring together experts from Qatar, Oman, Europe, and Australia to discuss cultural artefacts' provenance, auction houses' responsibilities, and recovery mechanisms for stolen heritage.
Nasra also noted the role of the IFLA Regional Center for Preservation and Conservation, hosted by Qatar National Library since August 2015. This center has provided training to over 1,000 specialists from the region and supported cultural institutions affected by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, as well as initiatives in Sanaa and Gaza.
The project aims to continue and expand the Doha conference series, extend customs training to other countries, and enhance disaster preparedness for documentary heritage institutions. Future plans include developing guidelines for Islamic manuscripts, activating collaborations with the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts, engaging universities and private collectors, expanding jointly funded projects, and leveraging digital technologies for better documentation and monitoring.
Source Qatar News Agency
