Shaika Al-Nassr and Dr. Mounia Chekhab Abudaya explore the upcoming 'Splendours of the Atlas' exhibition

Under the lavish coffered domes of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, a weighty one-volume history of Moroccan cultural and artistic triumphs is set to unravel in November. Titled ‘Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage,’ this exhibition promises to be immense in every sense—a formal study, a critical biography, and a collaborative tribute to the country’s studied diversity.

As the centerpiece of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, the show serves as a luminous reminder that art is the greatest unifier. It’s the veritable engine that propels our ability to see the whole picture and admire it for its aesthetic legitimacy and cross-cultural agency.

“‘Splendours of the Atlas’ focuses on Morocco’s multifaceted heritage, particularly its Islamic underpinnings, which have shaped the country’s artistic, architectural, musical, and artisanal traditions for centuries,” says Shaika Al-Nassr, Director of the Museum of Islamic Art. “For this reason, it was important for us that the exhibition be held at the Museum. As with all Years of Culture programs, the aim is to showcase the biggest achievements of world cultures in Qatar, so that our audiences can more fully understand the world they live in,” she adds.

The show is a splendid curatorial pursuit, promising a wealth of ideas that open many new vistas for traditional and Islamic art. It represents a giant leap forward in the knowledge of Morocco’s heritage, featuring around 200 artefacts—including manuscripts, ceramics, costumes, jewelry, and musical instruments—that collectively offer an encyclopedic view of the country’s cultural production, surpassing what any other medium could provide.

“The exhibition reflects a significant collaboration between Morocco and Qatar. We worked closely with our partners to curate this selection with the goal of transcending conventional approaches to storytelling, which tend to focus on single aspects of a culture,” states Dr Mounia Chekhab Abudaya, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Museum of Islamic Art. “The result is a captivating immersion into the history, arts, crafts, colors, and sounds of Morocco that brings the fullness of its heritage to life.”

An atlas of the senses

The show’s layout reflects a deep understanding and profound appreciation of Morocco’s rich cultural and artistic tapestry. On view will be five thematic sections that thoughtfully craft a multisensorial journey, or rihla, for the viewer.

“The design of the exhibition was conceived as a modern take on Morocco’s traditional architecture. As visitors move from one section to another, they’ll pass through arches that evoke the essence of Moroccan buildings while depicting contemporary interpretations of traditional designs,” Dr Mounia elaborates. “This will create an immersive experience as they discover the beautiful objects, some of which will be highlighted and contextualized through atmospheric projections on the walls. The section on music will comprise a selection of styles that visitors can appreciate via headphones.”

The showcase will open with ‘Faces of Morocco: Landscapes and Society,’ featuring works by contemporary Moroccan photographers Bruno Barbey, Lalla Essaydi, Mous Lamrabat, and Mounir Raji, who capture the diverse landscapes of Morocco and its inhabitants. “We’ll also show photographs of Moroccans by American portrait photographer Irving Penn, who visited the country in the early 1970s,” notes Dr Mounia.

‘Splendours of the Atlas’ will then transition into ‘The Soul of Morocco: Kings, Saints, and Scholars,’ which explores Moroccan dynastic history and scholarship. “This section will delve into the history of the University of Al Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, founded in 859 by female scholar Fatima al-Fihri and recognized as the world’s oldest continuously operating degree-granting university,” Dr Mounia states. “Fez played a pivotal role in the development and dissemination of Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and philosophy, which we’ll highlight through a selection of manuscripts, most of which are on loan from Morocco’s National Library of Rabat.”

The next and largest section of the exhibition will be ‘Threads of Tradition: Morocco’s Artisanal Mastery,’ which spotlights the leather, textile, carpet, ceramic, jewelry, and woodwork industries that have thrived in the country for generations. “One particular highlight is a pair of 18th-19th-century Alawite-period fibulae from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection. They feature gems set in enameled gold, including rubies and sapphires,” reveals Dr Mounia.

‘Traditional Sounds of Morocco’ will examine how the country’s musical traditions serve as a vibrant expression of the region’s diversity, blending Arabic, Amazigh, Andalusian, Mediterranean, and African influences with unique and captivating sounds. Dr Mounia shares, “Instruments from Dar Jamai Museum in Meknes, Morocco, including a drum from the Ahl Tuwat Brotherhood, will be featured in this section.”

The final part of the exhibition will be a nod to contemporary craftsmanship from Morocco through seven commissioned works by Moroccan artist Noureddine Amir. “The art piece by Noureddine will be featured with a special lighting installation and accompanied by a sound element that has been specially commissioned to go with the piece,” explains Dr Mounia.

“I hope our visitors will leave the exhibition with a greater understanding and appreciation of not only Moroccan cultural heritage across disciplines, but also of its role in shaping the Islamic traditions we share,” holds Shaika. “The Museum of Islamic Art is devoted to these histories, especially of the Middle East and North Africa region, and I can’t think of a better venue for a showcase of this extraordinary curatorial scope,” she adds.

Moroccan marvels

The exhibition mines a vast array of loans from Qatari and Moroccan institutions, showcasing intriguing objets d’art, most of which are previously unseen.

“We believe that fostering mutual understanding and respect requires dedicated engagement in all fields. This involves deep scholarship, which has been essential to the development of this exhibition, and bringing brilliant objects and ideas to the general public,” Shaika states. “Through such efforts, we come to understand what binds people together across regions and histories, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for what makes individual cultures unique.”

On display will be items from Qatar Museums, including the future Lusail Museum, as well as from the Oudayas Museum in Rabat and the Dar Si Said Museum in Marrakech—both part of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco, which has loaned 60 objects for the exhibition.

“They include plaques that once adorned Bab al-Jana’iz in Fez, which was created during the expansion of the Qarawiyyin Mosque in the 12th century. The Bab al-Jana’iz served as the entrance to an oratory where prayers for the deceased were conducted. Most of these plaques were melted down in the 1950s, but a precious few fragments remain, and we’re honored to host them,” shares Dr Mounia.

Among the pièces de résistance is the last juz’ (section) of a 30-volume Qur’an manuscript from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection, dedicated to Abu Muhammad Sayyid Abdallah al-Ghazwani (d. 1529 CE), one of the seven most pious figures of Marrakesh.

Another highlight is the Planispheric Astrolabe from the Almohad period, dated 603 AH (1206-1207 CE), which reflects the historical production of scientific instruments in medieval Morocco, particularly in Marrakech and Fez, where astronomy thrived. Its maker, Abu Bakr ibn Yusuf, was recognized as a leading producer of scientific instruments in medieval North Africa.

Also on view will be a ceiling (izar) from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection, possibly originating in Meknes or Essaouira and dating to the 19th-century Alawite period, which may have once adorned a palace or residence. Showcasing the rich tradition of ceramic production in Fez are two pieces from the Alawite period—a plate (makhfiyya), dated 1274 AH (1857-58 CE), on loan from Dar Batha Museum, and a storage jar (khabiyya) from the late 19th to early 20th century CE, sourced from the Lusail Museum.

Included in the exhibition will be a curtain (khamia)—exquisitely embroidered silk on cotton—from the Alawite period, 19th century CE, loaned from Rabat’s Oudayas Museum. This captivating piece exemplifies the furnishing textiles produced in Rabat and Salé, featuring single-colored silk threads in monochrome or bichrome bright tones, reminiscent of stained-glass windows—a true artistic tour de force.

“The fashion that’ll be featured in the exhibition is also quite spectacular,” notes Dr Mounia. “For instance, we’ll show several bridal kaftans with belts and balgha shoes from the 19th-century Alawite period, on loan from the Oudayas Museum in Rabat. We have jewelry reflecting Amazigh, Arab, and Andalusian techniques, including a large necklace (lebba) made of nine pendants strung on a silk cord.”

Another notable piece is a traditional fez adorned with an elaborate diadem, a type of headband, paired with ear ornaments known as khoras kbash. “In their own way, each of these objects speaks to the limitless innovations that Moroccan traditions make possible,” Dr Mounia says.

A living heritage

Perhaps one of the most remarkable feats of the ‘Splendours of the Atlas’ exhibition will be its illustration of the mediums that define Morocco’s visual language and the creatives shaping its present-day cultural discourse. “The traditions of Islamic Morocco aren’t static,” explains Dr Mounia. “They’ve developed over hundreds of years and continue to evolve while retaining a sense of the past. The contemporary art that’ll be featured in the exhibition proves this point.”

Dr Mounia adds, “It’ll give viewers a sense of how heritage grows and adapts without losing its essence. For instance, Lalla Essaydi’s photographs of contemporary Moroccans in traditional dress will illustrate how the past continues to live in the present.” The works by Mous Lamrabat and Mounir Raji will reflect the sense of nostalgia shared by Moroccans living abroad. “Morocco represents their home, regardless of where they are, and this sentiment will be evident in the various contemporary artworks to be showcased at the exhibition.”

The ‘Splendours of the Atlas: A Voyage Through Morocco’s Heritage’ exhibition runs from 2 November 2024 until 8 March 2025 at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. Visit Mia.org.qa and Yearsofculture.qa, and follow @Miaqatar and @Yearsofculture on Instagram.