Indian expat in Doha builds rare coin collection from 140 countries
Doha
Mukthar Mohammed, an Indian expatriate from Kerala living in Qatar for the past 28 years, has created an extraordinary collection of 1,341 coins from 140 countries, earning him admiration among global numismatic enthusiasts.
A resident of Doha and an official at Qatar Airways, Mukthar's passion for coin collecting dates back to his childhood in Venkidengu, Thrissur District, where his father ran a small grocery shop. 'I used to sort coins into different bowls on a table—it was a simple hobby that became my passion,' he recalls. Though his early collection was lost during the renovation of his ancestral home, Mukthar resumed his coin-collecting journey a decade ago with renewed dedication. Since then, he has meticulously built and preserved a vast and diverse assortment of coins that vary in shape, size, color, and metal composition—from copper and bronze to silver, aluminum, and steel.
His collection is not just a visual delight but also a historical archive, with several coins commemorating political transitions, royal dynasties, and momentous global events. The oldest coin in his possession dates back 224 years, corresponding to Hijri year 1223, from the Ottoman Empire period—an artifact that stands testament to the passage of time and empires.
'Coins are more than currency—they are silent storytellers of a nation's history and culture,' says Mukthar. He dreams of organizing his collection scientifically, with labels denoting historical eras and geographical origins. However, some coins remain unidentified, prompting him to turn to AI tools for classification and tracing.
Among the notable pieces in his collection are limited-edition coins and historic Qatari 5 and 10 dirham coins, which he treasures as part of his local heritage.
The entire collection weighs over 10.5 kilograms, and Mukthar aspires to eventually gather coins from every country in the world. 'It's a personal journey that connects me to the history and people of different nations,' he says.
Mukthar's home reflects the couple's artistic and cultural sensibilities. His wife, Shiny Mukthar, an employee at Qatar Energy, is a talented acrylic painter known for her stunning canvas artworks and Islamic calligraphy. Their living room displays her vibrant creations, making the home a unique blend of history and art.
The couple is proud of their three children—Fawaz, Fidha, and Fayiza—and hopes to pass on their shared love for culture and creativity to the next generation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Visit Qatar, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre partner to celebrate shared culture & heritage
Tribune News Network Doha Visit Qatar has announced a year-long partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai — a first-of-its-kind, multi-disciplinary space dedicated to celebrating arts and heritage — marking the beginning of a new era of global cultural confluence. This collaboration reinforces Visit Qatar's commitment to establish the country as a premier destination for Indian visitors. Commenting on this partnership, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: 'India is among the most important strategic tourism markets and currently represents the second-largest source of visitors to Qatar. Our partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre reflects our commitment to positioning Qatar as a preferred destination for Indian travellers seeking premium and holistic travel experiences. Through such high-level collaborations, we aim to strengthen our presence in key markets and attract more visitors by highlighting Qatar's distinctive blend of cultural richness, contemporary appeal, and world-class hospitality.' Devendra Bharma, CEO of Jio World Centre, shared, 'We are delighted to partner with Visit Qatar, and proudly extend our Founder & Chairperson, Nita Ambani's vision of showcasing the best of India to the world and bringing the best of the world to India. Together, we aspire to transform the travel and tourism landscape by curating a truly holistic and enriching journey.' As part of this exceptional collaboration, a distinctive art installation will be unveiled at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, accompanied by a high-profile celebratory event that embodies this partnership and highlights its shared cultural and tourism dimensions. The event will showcase a blend of Qatari and Indian cultures through craft experiences and cultural performances. With its world-class services, advanced infrastructure, and vibrant annual calendar of events and experiences catering to a wide range of interests, Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a preferred choice for travellers from India, a key strategic market for Visit Qatar.
Qatar Tribune
3 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Phase II of Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace launched
QNA Cairo Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announced on Monday the launch of the second phase of the Qatari initiative to shorten air routes in Egyptian airspace, following the successful completion of the first phase. The announcement was made during a press conference addressed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, In Charge of Managing QCAA, Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, and Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt HE Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari, in Cairo, Egypt. The first phase of the initiative included training 35 Egyptian air traffic controllers by the Air Navigation Department of the Authority on the parallel take-off and landing system. The second phase will involve a partial redesign of Egyptian airspace and modifications to certain air routes within the Cairo Flight Information Region, with the goal of reducing the duration of overflight routes. This phase is based on a proposal prepared by a team from QCAA and Qatar's national carrier. The second phase will also continue the training of Egyptian air traffic controllers on the Free Route Airspace (FRA) system, which helps reduce flight duration and increase airspace capacity. In his address at the conference, Al Hajri stated that this initiative is one of several landmark efforts that reflect Qatar's strong and ongoing commitment to advancing the civil aviation sector and fostering regional and international cooperation in this vital field. He added that the initiative to shorten air routes over Egyptian airspace is the result of fruitful and constructive collaboration between the QCAA and the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority with the aim to enhance air traffic efficiency, reduce congestion, and shorten flight times, delivering clear economic and environmental benefits. This initiative also embodies Qatar's vision of being an active partner in the global development of air navigation systems and reaffirms the country's dedication to achieving sustainability in the aviation industry and reducing carbon emissions, in line with the priorities and objectives of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Al Hajri also highlighted the initiative's positive impact on both travellers and airlines by cutting flight durations, improving travel efficiency, reducing delays and wait times, and ultimately enhancing the overall quality of service and passenger satisfaction. He expressed appreciation to the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority for their constructive cooperation, swift responsiveness, and shared commitment to the success of this pioneering initiative - a reflection of the strong ties between the two nations and a clear demonstration of a shared determination to achieve greater integration in the civil aviation sector. He emphasised that QCAA will continue pursuing similar initiatives with a number of regional and international partners, with the goal of ensuring safe and efficient air navigation across key global transit zones and reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading international hub for civil aviation. Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Dr. Sameh El-Hefny affirmed the strength of relations and cooperation between Egypt and Qatar in the field of civil aviation, noting that they represent a model of regional integration based on mutual respect and mutual understanding. He explained that this cooperation between the two countries is based on the bilateral air transport agreement, supported by several memoranda of understanding related to increasing passenger and air cargo flights and facilitating access to Egyptian airports, in line with the growth of air traffic. Ambassador of Qatar to Egypt and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the League of Arab States HE Tariq Ali Faraj Al-Ansari expressed Qatar's keenness on strengthening cooperation with Egypt, particularly in the civil aviation sector, praising the continuous development of Egypt's infrastructure. He also affirmed Qatar's readiness to enhance joint coordination in technical and regulatory fields, noting that Egypt represents the heart of the Arab world and enjoys a pivotal position at the regional and international levels.
ILoveQatar.net
7 hours ago
- ILoveQatar.net
Visit Qatar & Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre partner to invite Indian tourists to Qatar
Visit Qatar announces a year-long partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai — a first-of-its-kind, multi-disciplinary space dedicated to celebrating arts and heritage — marking the beginning of a new era of global cultural confluence. This collaboration reinforces Visit Qatar's commitment to establish the country as a premier destination for Indian visitors. Through this partnership, Visit Qatar looks forward to welcoming the Indian visitors and invite them to come and explore the exceptional experiences that blend luxury, heritage, and world-class infrastructure. Commenting on this partnership, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: "India is among the most important strategic tourism markets and currently represents the second-largest source of visitors to Qatar. Our partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre reflects our commitment to positioning Qatar as a preferred destination for Indian travellers seeking premium and holistic travel experiences. Through such high-level collaborations, we aim to strengthen our presence in key markets and attract more visitors by highlighting Qatar's distinctive blend of cultural richness, contemporary appeal, and world-class hospitality." Devendra Bharma, CEO of Jio World Centre, shared, 'We are delighted to partner with Visit Qatar, and proudly extend our Founder & Chairperson, Mrs. Nita Ambani's vision of showcasing the best of India to the world and bringing the best of the world to India. Together, we aspire to transform the travel and tourism landscape by curating a truly holistic and enriching journey.' As part of this exceptional collaboration, a distinctive art installation will be unveiled at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, accompanied by a high-profile celebratory event that embodies this partnership and highlights its shared cultural and tourism dimensions. The event will showcase a blend of Qatari and Indian cultures through craft experiences and cultural performances. Qatar is a leading global tourist destination, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, modernity, and natural beauty. With its world-class services, advanced infrastructure, and vibrant annual calendar of events and experiences catering to a wide range of interests, Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a preferred choice for travelers from India, a key strategic market for Visit Qatar. Source & cover image credit: Press Release
