Doha: A new immersive exhibition honoring the Great Mosque of Rome - Europe's largest mosque - opened this week at the Museum of Islamic Art, spotlighting architecture as a bridge across cultures and faiths.

The world-premiere production was conceived in Doha by architect David Borra of Noreal Interactive. It was launched at an event hosted by the Italian Embassy in Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar Museums, the Museum of Islamic Art, Sapienza University of Rome, and the Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy. The display runs through November 21.

Speaking at the opening, Italian Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Paolo Toschi described the mosque - officially inaugurated on June 21, 1995 - as more than a place of worship, calling it a space for dialogue and community building. Designed by celebrated Italian architect Paolo Portoghesi, the complex draws on Rome's Baroque masters, including Bernini and Borromini, as well as classical Roman architecture, blending tradition with modern vision.

Toschi noted the symbolism of an Italian, Roman Catholic architect designing Europe's largest mosque in the heart of Rome, framing it as a powerful expression of postmodern dialogue. He also connected the project's themes to present-day challenges, including the ethical governance of artificial intelligence, drawing on the philosophy of Italian scholar Umberto Eco to emphasize that cross-cultural connection must be grounded in shared values.

The ambassador thanked Qatar Museums Chairperson H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani and Museum of Islamic Art Director Sheikha Al Nasser for their support, along with contributors from Sapienza University and the Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy.

Dr. Abdellah Redouane, Secretary General of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy, traced the mosque's origins to 1966, when six Muslims founded an association seeking a shared place to pray. The project gained legal recognition in 1974, with land allocated by Rome's City Council in 1975. Following an international design competition, Paolo Portoghesi, Vittorio Gigliotti, and Sami Mousawi were selected as architects. Construction began in 1984 and the mosque was finally inaugurated in 1995.

Redouane described the mosque as a lasting European landmark - not just for its scale, but as proof that a Muslim community can thrive with visibility, stability, and active civic participation while preserving its religious identity. He praised Qatar's example as both a model and a source of inspiration for fostering understanding across communities.

The Doha exhibition uses immersive technology to bring the mosque's heritage to audiences who may never have visited the site in person, with organizers hoping the display will inspire future visits to the original landmark in Rome.

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