(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Qatar's stress on promoting modernity and development while preserving its heritage has won acclaim by being awarded four Arab Towns Organisation Awards, recently. ATO is a non-governmental organisation specialised in the affairs of municipalities and cities in the Arab world.
During a three day meeting ATO's Arbitration Authority look over 115 nominations for the awards, including 29 nominations for the Architecture Awards, 34 nominations for awards of environmental health, 32 nominations for greening and beautification of cities awards and 20 nominations for awards of Information Technology.
Qatar won four awards pushing many Arab cities far behind. The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) won the first prize of the Architecture Awards for architect project, while the Dukhan old airport building and Dukhan old mosque won the third rank for architectural heritage. Al Rayyan won the first-rank awards for beautification of the town, while Doha won the first-rank awards for systems and software.
Qatar is working through MIA to reach its objective to be a global beacon for the arts and culture. MIA is a depiction of the Islamic world heritage, art and culture, scientifically and architecturally and comes in tune with its objectives to introduce the characteristics and elements of the definition of Islam and tolerance of Islam. MIA since its establishment had won a number of awards world wide.
The museum has become a national treasure and an edifying landmark with I M Pei's designs. The structure made from limestone occupies its place with the glass pyramid of Louvre. The perfect geometric precision of the museum and the abundant sunlight make a perfect chemistry in beautifying the whole structure. The award comes as applause to the Qatari authorities who spend years working to make the signature project come true.
MIA is followed by the National Falcon center of Dubai and Al Imam Ali Mosque of Lebanon.
The Dukhan old airport building and Dukhan old mosque are another embodiment of Qatar's perseverance of its traditional architectural styles. When oil was discovered in the 1940's the airport was a hub of activity with the oil well digging and explorations off the coast of Dukhan during the World War II period. Now QP has renovated the building and maintained the same architectural style as a tribute to its historical importance.
