A journey through the astrolabe

Welcome to AL-MONITOR Doha.

Summer has settled over Doha, and the city has moved indoors without missing a beat. At the Museum of Islamic Art Library, a Qatari designer has spent two years creating a visual display exploring the history of the astrolabe. Tamer Ashour is coming to Al Mayassa Theater for one night only, while Amine Radi is bringing his stand-up show the following evening. The Qatar Outlet Exhibition is also giving visitors a reason to spend a Friday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. 

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Thanks for reading,

Reve

P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: ‘The Astrolabe: Taker of the Stars’ 

Illustrations from “The Astrolabe: Taker of the Stars,” on view at the Museum of Islamic Art Library, Doha, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of Islamic Art)

Before GPS, before satellites, before any of the technology that now tells us exactly where we are and what time it is, there was the astrolabe. An instrument so precise and elegant that it served astronomers, navigators and scholars across centuries and continents, it remains one of the most quietly remarkable objects in the history of science.

At the Museum of Islamic Art Library, Qatari graphic designer Khawla Al-Essa has spent the better part of two years exploring what it means to bring that history into conversation with contemporary design.

“The Astrolabe: Taker of the Stars” is the outcome of that investigation. A 2026 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts Qatar, Essa began the project in 2024 through research at the MIA Library. The display traces the full arc of that process, from early observational sketches and archival studies to hand-bound publications, laser-cut models, printmaking and interactive book design. It is less a finished presentation than a record of how an idea evolves, which makes it more compelling to spend time with than a conventional exhibition.

The display runs until Aug. 31 and is free to visit during opening hours. If you have been meaning to visit the Museum of Islamic Art and have not yet found the occasion, this is a good one.

Date: until Aug. 31

Location: Museum of Islamic Art Library

More details here.

2. Word on the street: Family Entertainment Center

Kids take part in a Play-Doh activity at the Msheireb Galleria Entertainment Center, Doha. (Photo courtesy of Msheireb)

Msheireb Downtown Doha has a new indoor destination worth noting, especially now that summer has arrived and outdoor plans are limited. The Family Entertainment Center at Msheireb Galleria brings together three distinct concepts under one roof, each catering to a different type of energy and age group.

Ground Control is the social gaming hub, built around 10 bowling lanes, arcade games, racing simulators and classic table games such as billiards, shuffleboard and foosball. It works equally well for a family afternoon or a group of friends spending a few hours together.

Play-Doh Fun Factory is the world’s first immersive Play-Doh-themed experience, designed for children aged four and above, featuring hands-on modeling, sensory play and interactive learning areas that are unlike anything else currently available in the city.

For older children and teenagers, NERF Action Xperience offers a high-energy arena with obstacle courses, team-based gameplay and a digital scoring system that brings out  a competitive edge in participants. 

The center is open daily, with weekend hours running until midnight. Walk-ins are welcome and advance booking is available for those who prefer to plan ahead.

Date: until Dec. 31

Location: Msheireb Galleria, Wadi Msheireb Street

More details here.

3. Doha diary

Tamer Ashour performs during Delta Capital’s Luxury Beach concert, Egypt, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Delta Capital)

• Tamer Ashour Concert in Doha

Tamer Ashour is coming to Doha, and if his name is familiar to you, no further convincing is needed. The Egyptian singer and composer has been one of the most consistent voices in Arabic romantic music. Songs like “Zikrayat Kaddaba” and “Thania Wahda” have become tracks that people still know by heart two decades later. His stage presence often turns concerts into a collective experience, and Al Mayassa Theater is intimate enough to make the experience feel personal rather than distant.

Date: June 12

Location: Al Mayassa Theater, Qatar National Convention Center

More information here.

• Amine Radi Live in Qatar

Amine Radi brings his stand-up to Al Mayassa Theater on June 13, and the show delivers exactly what his reputation suggests: bold, high-energy comedy built on real-life stories and humor that does not hold back. If you missed Mina Nader last week, this is a reasonable consolation. Back-to-back comedy in Doha is not something to take for granted.

Date: June 13

Location: Al Mayassa Theater, Qatar National Convention Center

More information here.

• Qatar Outlet Exhibition

The Qatar Outlet Exhibition is back at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, bringing together regional and international brands in fashion, lifestyle, electronics, beauty and travel gear, all at outlet prices. It runs for five days with late closing times across the weekend.

Date: June 5-9

Location: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center

More information here.