Northwestern Qatar’s Media Majlis Museum launches exhibition exploring complexities and influence of Arabic language

Doha, Qatar: Northwestern University in Qatar s Media Majlis Museum (mm:museum) will examine the Arabic language and its imprints from the past, multi...

Doha, Qatar: Northwestern University in Qatar’s Media Majlis Museum (mm:museum) will examine the Arabic language and its imprints from the past, multifaceted present, and precarious future, in its latest exhibition, “The Limits of my language are the limits of my world,” scheduled from August 27 to December 5, 2024.

Curated by cultural producer and Northwestern Qatar alumna Amal Zeyad Ali, the exhibition explores the Arabic language's significance, influence, and impact as it battles misrepresentation across various media platforms in a digital and globalized age where English is increasingly dominant.

“The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern Qatar is a distinctive space within Education City to house critical dialogue, explore current themes, and connect academic research with public discourse on the arts, sciences and crafts of media. Through alumna Zeyad Ali’s curation, our goal is to bring the culture, beauty and nuance of the Arabic language to the fore to our expanding audiences,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar.

Limits of my language will feature a series of interactive digital content, including holographic animation, spoken word performances, and a filmed debate moderated by stand-up comedian and presenter Hamad Al-Amari. These include digital content from BBC Arabic, Al Araby TV and Al Jazeera, comedy skits from the American Maz Jobrani and Mo Amer, animations from Qatar Foundation, documentaries, and talks from TED and TEDx.

"We are thrilled to present this exhibition, which provides visitors with a transformative, interactive experience and serves as a platform for discussions on cultural changes, societal transformation, and the evolution and preservation of the Arabic language,” said Alfredo Cramerotti, director of mm:museum. He added, “Our goal is to ignite discussions on its preservation and future, engage a broad, younger audience, and encourage reflection on our society."