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The diplomatic crisis in the Middle East, which has resulted in the partial blockade of Qatar, has raised fears that cultural institutions and partnerships in the region could be destabilised. 

In June, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt cut off trade and diplomatic links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism, which officials in the oil-rich state deny.

The Gulf allies behind the blockade have criticised Qatar for supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group they claim is a terrorist organisation. Libya, Yemen and the Maldives have joined the diplomatic boycott. The allies have demanded that Qatar comply with 13 demands, including closing the broadcaster Al Jazeera.

The diplomatic freeze could hit Qatar’s museum infrastructure hardest. Qatar Museums has in the past 15 years strived to build a network of institutions and establish Doha as a leading cultural centre. Qatari museums—including the Museum of Islamic Art and Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art—have historically good cultural relations with institutions in neighbouring Middle Eastern countries.

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