Doha:People across Qatar are participating in Qom’a, a hands-on workshop at Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, from November 10 to 19, 2026. The initiative aims to secure a Guinness World Records title by creating a large-scale papier-mâché sculpture, which will be installed at Mathaf in December 2026, enhancing Qatar’s public art collection.
According to Marhaba, Mathaf is assembling 20,000 people across Qatar to set a Guinness World Record for the ‘most people making papier-mâché simultaneously.’ Qom’a is poised to become the world’s largest bio-based community-built papier-mâché sculpture.
The initiative involves a diverse group of participants, including employees from the Ministry of Municipality (Baladiya) and Snoonu, students from schools such as Aspire Academy, American Academy School, Qatar Academy, and various social and art community groups in the nation. Participants use reclaimed palm materials and pages from Mathaf’s previous exhibition catalogues to prepare the papier-mâché mixture, emphasizing sustainability and creative reuse.
Supported by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) and Baladiya, the initiative fosters community engagement by incorporating participants into the artwork itself. Rhina Ofori-Atta, a Qom’a volunteer, explained that the project is not just about achieving a high number of participants but also about connecting Arab cultural elements, such as the date palm tree, with recycled materials for sustainability.
Participants like American Academy School student Angelina Arnous have found the experience to be a meaningful way to repurpose materials and contribute to Qatar’s cultural landscape. Snoonu delivery riders also joined the initiative during Qatar Sustainability Week 2026.
The name Qom’a is derived from the Arabic word for the small cap connecting a date to its stalk, transforming a familiar aspect of Qatar’s landscape into a communal space for reflection and engagement. The concept was developed by school students mentored by Mathaf’s Learning and Outreach Department in workshops focused on collaborative design experiences.
Qom’a continues to welcome registrations from individuals and families of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, inviting everyone to support collective sustainability and creativity while aiming for a Guinness World Records title. The workshop takes place daily from 9 am to 4 pm, except Fridays, at Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art until November 19, 2026. Participation is free.
For more information, visit mathaf.org.qa. To register, visit mathaf.org.qa/en/calendar/qoma.