jordan pulse -

Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, revealed that she once wished to become the foreign minister of Qatar. She shared personal details about her childhood, education, family, and cultural role for the first time.

During an interview on the "The Other Side" program aired by Al Jazeera 360, hosted by Ola Al-Fares, Sheikha Al-Mayassa explained her passion for diplomacy and politics, which led her to dream of becoming foreign minister before she was entrusted with overseeing Qatar’s museums and cultural initiatives.

She spoke fondly of her relationship with her brother, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, describing him as both a brother and a friend. She noted that they share similar traits and interests, including a love for tennis. Many people even think they are twins because of their close bond.

She also reflected on the support from her father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who always guided her through major decisions without ever making her feel wrong. Additionally, she credited her mother, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, for teaching her patience, perseverance, and self-respect.

Discussing her education, Sheikha Al-Mayassa highlighted her experience studying at Duke University in the United States, where she was the first member of her family to pursue higher education in the U.S. Her siblings had previously studied in Europe. She also shared a story from her school days, where despite being an excellent student, a principal tried to convince her to accept the role of deputy prefect instead of prefect, which she firmly refused.

On her professional journey, she explained how she began working in her father's office after graduating in 2005, and later oversaw the opening of the Museum of Islamic Art in 2006, just before the Asian Games. She emphasized the importance her father placed on human development and ensuring Qataris manage major cultural projects. This vision led to a 25-year plan aligned with Qatar’s Vision 2030.

Sheikha Al-Mayassa elaborated on her initiatives in the cultural sector, including the launch of the cultural years program, which aimed to introduce Qatar to the world and vice versa, especially following the country’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup. She emphasized the importance of preserving Qatari, Arab, and Islamic identity through Qatar’s museums and cultural projects.

In her personal life, Sheikha Al-Mayassa revealed that she is married to Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, and recalled that the first gift he gave her was a painting. Despite her busy schedule, she underscored the importance of balancing work and family life, particularly spending time with her children and encouraging them to live a balanced, real-life experience rather than a virtual one. She also shared her love for sports, reading, and photography.

Reflecting on her 40th birthday, Sheikha Al-Mayassa spoke about her book, The Magic of Culture, which she dedicated to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2022 World Cup, expressing her gratitude to her father and brother.