The award acknowledges the Qatari royal as a role model for women in the region and for her contributions to elevating Arab art and culture on the global stage.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), has been honoured with the ‘Arab Woman Leader of the Year 2023’ award by the Arab Development Council for Women and Business (ADCWB).
The Qatari Embassy in Beirut announced this recognition via X. The award was accepted on her behalf by the Qatari ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.
Upon receiving the award, Sheikh Saud emphasised Qatar’s dedication to empowering Arab women and equipping them to actively contribute to a brighter future.
On Instagram, the Qatari royal identifies herself as a “Public Servant 24/7/365”.
She began leading QM in 2006, driving initiatives that introduced global audiences to Arab art and design, and reshaped creative spaces through public art campaigns.
QM oversees a vast portfolio including the National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Msheireb’s M7, Liwan Design Studios, and more.
During MIA’s 2022 relaunch, Sheikha Al Mayassa hailed its original opening as pivotal for Qatar’s transformation.
Under her leadership, the museum opened in 2008 and now serves as a cultural hub bridging global cultures through its extensive collection of artifacts spanning centuries. These include ceramics, textiles, glasswork, jewellery, manuscripts, and metalwork, all tracing Islam’s global history.
QM has expanded beyond traditional museum settings, transforming Qatar into an open creative space. Recently, QM and Liwan launched public art initiatives inviting regional artists to submit proposals.
QM’s public art programme showcases local and international talent across Qatar. Examples include Tom Claassen’s ‘Falcon’ at Hamad International Airport and Ghada Al Khater’s ‘A Blessing in Disguise’ at the Fire Station.
Other achievements by Sheikha Al Mayassa include founding the Doha Film Institute to promote Arab cinema and establishing Fashion Trust Arabia with Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Tania Fares.
