Message from Qatari Ambassador to Japan H.E. Mr. Reyad Al-Ansari [2003]

I seize this opportunity first to cordially extend my greetings to all the friendly people in Japan. I also would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Bill Hersey and all the dedicated staff of the Tokyo Weekender for giving us the opportunity to introduce a special event.

I am very much delighted to say that the relationship between the State of Qatar and Japan has been continuously and steadily developing. In addition to our excellent relations in the field of business, my country has been making great efforts to introduce its culture and traditions to the friendly people of Japan, and beautiful Japanese culture to our people in Qatar through organizing various cultural events in both countries, because we believe that the role of culture in deepening understanding and enhancing relations between nations is quite important.

This year, it is our great pleasure to organize the art exhibition of prominent Qatari artist, Mr. All Hassan, for the first time Japan. He is one of the pioneers in using Arabic calligraphy in abstract paintings. His works are highly valved, not only in the Gulf, but also in the whole Arab world and overseas as well, and it is demonstrated by the various awards he has won, including the First Prize in the International Youth Graphic Art Festival in Egypt in 1990, the Golden Palm Award at the GCC Art Exhibition in Qatar in 1992 and 1999, and the Al-Dana Award in the Feb. 2 Exhibition in Kuwait in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

It is my strong hope that a lot of people make use of this opportunity to get acquainted with beautiful Arabic art. We will be looking forward to welcoming you at the exhibition site.

Art Exhibition of Ali Hassan of the State of Qatar

Sponsored by the Embassy of the State of Qatar, co-sponsored by the Japan-Qatar Friendship Association and with the cooperation of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage (Qatar), Qatar Liquefield Gas Company, Ltd., Qatar Airways and the Japan Arab Association. Supported by the Japan Foundation.

Venue: The Japan Foundation Forum, Akasaka Twin Tower
Info: Embassy of the State of Qatar
Date: Sept. 12 – Sept, 18
Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: Free

Ali Hassan Al-Jabir Exhibition Congratulatory Message

On behalf of the Japan-Qatar Friendship Association, I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to Mr. Ali Hassan and the persons involved in this event.

Japan-Qatar Friendship Association (JQFA) was established on the occasion of the visit to Japan by the H.E. Sh. Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Finance and Petroleum 27 years ago on May 10, 1976. The purposes of the establishment were to deepen the friendship between Japan and Qatar and to promote the economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

In order to achieve such goals, this event is a very important milestone to promote further cultural relations between the two nations. We are very proud that we could support this memorial event and we would like to continue our efforts to achieve the mutual understanding between the two nations.

Finally, I sincerely hope that the State of Qatar will continue its prosperity and development under the superior leadership of His Highness the Emir.

Tohru Tsuji
Chairman

Japan-Qatar Friendship Association