With the mission of documenting history and knowledge for future generations
H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Al Faisal Publishing House, announced the official inauguration of Al Faisal Publishing House yesterday in the presence of a number of thinkers and intellectuals, expressing his hope that the new House will be one of the beacons of knowledge and a source for researchers and readers interested in the heritage and history of Qatar and its relations with the world.
H.E. said: “As part of the significant efforts led by our wise government and the Ministry of Culture to promote knowledge and preserve history and heritage, and stemming from a deep belief in the importance of historical and intellectual documentation for future generations, Al Faisal Publishing House is pleased to announce the official commencement of its operations. Our mission is to contribute to preserving Qatar’s historical memory and its relations with the world.”
H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim emphasized, “We aim to provide reliable content grounded in scientific principles, while ensuring the availability of translations to our publications, to broaden our reach to a wider audience.” He added, “Our initial publications will embody this vision, shedding light on topics that document heritage and history from unconventional perspectives.”
He stated: “We aspire to become a leading national publishing house, both regionally and globally, dedicated to sharing knowledge about Qatar and its connections with the Arab world and beyond. Our focus will be particularly strong in the field of heritage and historical documentation, delivering precise and in-depth content that reflects a spirit of research and inquiry.” He added, “The publishing house firmly believes that knowledge based on precise research and credible sources is a cornerstone for understanding the past and anticipating the future. We look forward to a rich journey of enlightenment and contribution with the launch of Al Faisal Publishing House.”
Regarding the House’s first publications, Mr. Ibrahim Badawy, General Manager of Al Faisal Publishing House, said, “Our first releases will reflect our vision by highlighting heritage issues through the lens of historical documentation, in collaboration with the Al Faisal Global Foundation for Culture and Knowledge, which provides us with scientific sources and trusted academic references.”
He elaborated that the initial publications will include three new releases, starting with a book on Al Meqnas, exploring the significance of falconry in Qatari and Gulf cultures and its evolution from a survival necessity to a heritage sport and elite hobby. The book features over 100 journeys documented with images, capturing the authentic heritage of Al Meqnas and falconry, along with real-life stories of unforgettable risks and anecdotes from the wilds of Qatar and beyond.
The second release, titled A Historian Without a Pen, is a unique work that delves into the importance of traditional carpets as historical documents in the pre-camera era, illustrating through threads, knots, and patterns the heritage stories and historical events we did not witness firsthand.
He also mentioned that the third release will be the French edition of Qatar Through my Eyes by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani. This special edition offers a glimpse into Qatar’s development through firsthand accounts and well-documented historical insights. It is set to be launched at the Paris International Book Fair (Festival du Livre de Paris 2025) next April, following the successful launch of the Malayalam edition at the New Delhi World Book Fair earlier this month.
Mr. Badawy further announced the upcoming launch of Al Faisal Publishing House’s official website, which will serve as an interactive platform for ordering publications and engaging with readers and researchers. He expressed the publishing house’s eagerness to embark on a productive journey of knowledge creation that enriches both Arab and global libraries.
