The 2009 MBI Al Jaber Public Lecture and Reception at the British Museum

The MBI Al Jaber Foundation is an important supporter of the Seminar for Arabian Studies and the Seminar hosts the MBI Al Jaber Public Lecture at its annual meeting.

The topic of this year’s lecture, held after the first day of the Seminar of Arabian Studies, was ‘Ancient Arabia and the Written Word’ by M.C.A. Macdonald (University of Oxford, UK) held on the 23rd July at 18:30 in Stevenson Lecture Theatre, British Museum.

The lecture was immediately followed by a reception in the West Clore Foyer of the British Museum.  During the reception, guests were invited to enjoy canapés and refreshments provided by the MBI Al Jaber Foundation as they mingled and discussed both the enthralling and informative lecture and the in-depth sessions of the ongoing 3-day seminar.  MBI Foundation scholars, staff and invited guests had the opportunity to speak with Seminar participants and interested members of the public.

Gauging by the overflowing auditorium and the buzzing reception, the event was an overwhelming success.  Thanks to both the catering staff at the British Museum and the staff of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, it was a most thoroughly enjoyable and educational evening.  

The annual MBI Al Jaber Public Lecture is organised by the Seminar of Arabian Studies as part of the British Museum’s public programme and admission is free.