Qatar University (QU), represented by its QU Press, organized a launch ceremony for the Arabic translation of “Under the Sign of Leo: A History of Islamic Italy", held at the university's campus in the presence of H.E. Mr. Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the State of Qatar, and Prof. Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, alongside a group of academics, students, and staff from the Italian Embassy.
In her opening speech, Ms. Shaikha Al-Thani, Director of QU Press, expressed her pride in this important cultural milestone, highlighting the long-standing collaboration between QU Press and the Italian Embassy in Doha, which has spanned many years. She stated, “First, I would like to thank Prof. Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, for his continuous support, and I extend my gratitude to H.E. Mr. Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, for this initiative, which is a continuation of a fruitful cultural cooperation. At QU Press, we take immense pride in this project, which is the result of collective efforts that led to a publication we are proud of."
She emphasized the importance of the project in the context of strengthening cultural exchange, adding, “What matters to us in this collaboration is the exchange of cultures and the enhancement of Qatar's image within other societies by selecting peer-reviewed academic books that address meaningful societal issues. We had previously published a book on the history of Islam in Italy, and today we continue this journey by translating Italian works into Arabic—a language whose presence we are committed to advancing."
For his part, H.E. Mr. Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, expressed his happiness at seeing this cultural cooperation renewed, stressing the importance of the historical ties between Italy and the Islamic world. He stated, “I am pleased to see the cooperation with QU bearing fruit once again through the translation of a history book—this time focusing on the long-standing relationship between Italy and the Islamic world. This friendship has significantly contributed to the fields of science, architecture, and language. When we talk about dialogue between Islam and Italy, we speak of a living connection that remains relevant today and reminds us of our commonalities."
In turn, Prof. Aiman Erbad, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at QU, stated, “We celebrate the launch of the Arabic translation of Under the Sign of Leo: A History of Islamic Italy. This is an exceptional work that reflects the depth of civilizational interaction between the Arab and Italian worlds, and it recalls bright chapters of a shared history that connects our peoples. The Muslim presence in Sicily and southern Italy formed a significant chapter in the region's history—not merely a political or military presence, but an extension of a civilization that enriched culture, science, the arts, and architecture."
He added, “This joint endeavor between QU Press and the Embassy of the Republic of Italy to the State of Qatar is a living embodiment of that role and a blessed step toward expanding the scope of academic and intellectual collaboration between the two countries. In this regard, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Italian Ambassador for his continuous support and to all the writers, researchers, and translators who contribute to the transmission of knowledge and the documentation of our shared history. We look forward to further future partnerships that open new horizons for scientific and intellectual research."
In his remarks, Dr. Amedeo Feniello, author of Under the Sign of Leo: A History of Islamic Italy, expressed his gratitude for the translation of his academic work, describing the initiative as a bridge between researchers and cultures. He commented, “I am truly pleased to see this translation, which I consider a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between Italian historians and QU. I hope this work marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship between Italian culture and the academic community in Qatar. In today's world, it has become essential for cultural actors around the globe to collaborate."
He extended special thanks to the translator, Dr. Ahmed Somai, who played a pivotal role in faithfully and professionally translating the text from Italian into Arabic, highlighting the importance of translation to bring people closer and foster mutual understanding.
This project is part of a series of publications through which QU Press seeks to build bridges of academic and cultural dialogue with prominent international institutions, in alignment with its strategy to support scientific research and cultural openness on a global level.