Louvre Abu Dhabi explains absence of Qatar from museum map

Officials say measures are in place to prevent mistake from happening again

The map was in the Children's Museum of the museum. Kamran Jebreili / AP

Louvre Abu Dhabi said a failure in the commissioning process was responsible for Qatar being omitted from a map displayed in the museum.

The map in the Children's Museum was replaced last week after it emerged that it failed to show Qatar.

Louvre Abu Dhabi said measures have been put in place to ensure the incident would not happen again, state news agency Wam reported.

The map on display was a simplified schematic that was meant to represent the journey of an ancient vase, the museum said.

On many other maps at the museum, the geography of the Arabian Gulf is accurately illustrated.

A picture of the original map had been circulating on social media in the days before it was corrected.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, earlier said the issue had been exaggerated.

“The observations of some are trying to [create issues] by fishing in muddy water. Culture remains more significant than those small issues," he said.

Louvre Abu Dhabi said it is a universal museum, celebrating cross-cultural exchanges and tolerance.

_______________

Read more: Louvre Abu Dhabi replaces map that omitted Qatar