Meet Mohamad Ali Abal
Mohamad Ali Abal is a Qatari visual artist, architectural heritage expert, and historian. Having studied Fine Arts in the United States, he has served as a senior heritage and restoration expert at the Private Engineering Office (Amiri Diwan) since 2002. His multidisciplinary practice bridges fine art, architectural restoration, literature, and historical archiving. Over a career spanning four decades, he has directed major historical restoration projects across Qatar and compiled an extensive database of over 11,000 historical items documenting Gulf culture and heritage.
Restoring architectural heritage is not merely preserving old stones, it is keeping the soul, memories, and living stories of our ancestors alive for future generations
Key Projects
- Souq Waqif Restoration & Rehabilitation, Doha - Master architectural supervision and restoration of Qatar’s iconic central heritage market, breathing new life into traditional Qatari architecture, crafts, and vibrant urban culture.
- Lusail Fort Main Gate (2008) - Custom architectural design and execution of the monumental entry gate for historic Lusail Fort, incorporating authentic Qatari heritage motifs.
- Gulf Architectural & Heritage Publications (1985–2024) - Author of foundational architectural and cultural references, including Gypsum Ornamentation in the Gulf (1985), the five-volume Visual Art Index (1986), and Banyan Mal Awwal (Ministry of Culture, Qatar, 2024).
- Qatari Historical Archive & Cultural Research - A monumental research archive established in 2007 comprising over 11,000 historical records, alongside literary works such as his novel Faraj, which captures the social history, pearl diving heritage, and human experience in the Gulf.
