Doha
The Center organized a seminar titled “The Arabian Gulf and the Ottoman Archives,” delivered by Professor Idris Bostan, focusing on the significance of Ottoman archival records as a primary source for studying the history of the Arabian Gulf and Qatar.
The seminar highlighted the value of various Ottoman archival classifications—such as imperial registers, naval records, and decrees—in documenting the region’s history from the early Ottoman expansion in the 16th century until the end of their presence after World War I.
It also examined key historical developments, including Midhat Pasha’s campaign in 1871 and the Ottoman-British rivalry in the Gulf, while emphasizing Qatar’s strategic importance within the Ottoman framework.
The seminar concluded with a presentation of historical correspondences between Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani and Sultan Abdul Hamid II, reflecting Qatar’s political and historical significance during that period.
