By: YaHind.Com News Desk
Education City, Doha: Amidst a historic moment for Qatar’s cultural and artistic landscape, Syeda Deeba Fatima, a fourth-year Interior Design student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar)—a Qatar Foundation partner university—distinguished herself at the inauguration of Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum. Deeba hails from Hyderabad and is the niece of Senior Indian Political leader Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman. The newly opened museum is set to become a vital cultural landmark celebrating the life, vision, and legacy of legendary artist Maqbool Fida Husain.
Qatar Foundation (QF) officially opened the museum to the public this week, marking a significant milestone in its mission to foster creativity, knowledge, and cross-cultural engagement. Located in the heart of Education City, the museum stands as a dynamic space where art, research, and learning meet—welcoming families, students, artists, scholars, and visitors from around the world.
For Syeda Deeba Fatima, the moment was deeply inspiring. Representing the next generation of designers emerging from VCUarts Qatar, she reflected on the museum’s significance not only as a cultural landmark but also as a beacon for young creatives.
“The opening of Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum feels incredibly inspiring,” Deeba said. “For young designers and artists, it offers a unique space to study the relationship between art, culture, and spatial experience. It enriches Qatar’s artistic landscape while opening new doors for interdisciplinary learning.”
The museum—designed by architect Martand Khosla based on a sketch by Husain himself—houses one of the most extensive collections of the artist’s later works. These include paintings, tapestries, films, photography, and his monumental final masterpiece, Seeroo fi al ardh, all woven into a narrative exploring Arab civilization, Islamic culture, and Husain’s global artistic journey.
Beyond its curated exhibits, the museum is envisioned as a living, evolving space—hosting workshops, dialogues, and artistic programs that foster exchange across disciplines. This reflects Education City’s ethos of openness, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Deeba emphasized how the museum will strengthen cross-campus and community engagement:
“Education City thrives on collaboration—across design, engineering, science, medicine, and the arts,” she noted. “A museum dedicated to a global artistic icon becomes a shared cultural anchor for all. It encourages conversations on identity, innovation, history, and storytelling, and will inspire countless joint projects and initiatives.”
As a standout student of VCUarts Qatar, Deeba has benefitted from the university’s world-class creative ecosystem—complemented by Qatar Foundation’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent. She credits both institutions for opening doors to real-world experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative empowerment.
“QF and VCUarts Qatar have been fundamental in shaping young creatives like me,” she added. “From mentorship and industry exposure to leadership opportunities and access to cultural institutions, they ensure that our creativity is nurtured and valued. This environment allows us to grow into responsible, confident designers.”
Deeba’s presence at the inauguration resonated with the museum’s purpose: celebrating artistic vision while empowering the next generation of creators who will shape the future of design, culture, and innovation in Qatar and beyond.
As the Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum opens its doors to the world, the spotlight on young talents like Syeda Deeba Fatima highlights the vibrant, evolving artistic spirit of Education City—where creativity continues to inspire and unite communities.
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