What Is It?:
The Museum of Islamic Arts is a 35,500 square meter (382,000 square foot) museum which holds a multi-million dollar collection of Islamic art, as well as a library, atrium, education hall, auditorium, and several restaurants.
Where Is It?:
The Museum of Islamic Arts is in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. It was built on an artifical island facing the corniche of this modern city. Qatar is located on a peninsula in the Arabian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia.
The Architect:
The renowned creator of the Louvre Pyramid, architect I.M. Pei, came out of retirement to work on the Museum of Islamic Arts. The design is based on Islamic architectural traditions, with geometric patterns and domes. The building structure was inspired by Ibn Tulun's mosque in Egypt and the Alhambra in Spain.
The Opening:
The basic structure of the building was finished in 2006, and visited by Qatar visitors such as Prince Charles. Work continued on the building's interior, and the Museum of Islamic Arts had its grand opening on 22 November 2008. The museum opened to visitors on December 1st of that year.
The Collection:
The royal family of Qatar reportedly spent over $300 million in its search for high-quality Islamic artifacts. The collection is not huge but is expansive in range, spanning thirteen centuries and three continents. Treasured objects include a silk wall-hanging from the Alhambra Palace, a jade pendant belonging to Shah Jahan, along with over a thousand pieces of jewelry, glass, ceramics, and woodwork from the Muslim world.
Visiting the Museum of Islamic Arts:
Doha, Qatar is served by an international airport (DOH) with direct flights from over 60 major cities around the world. The Museum of Islamic Arts is located on the corniche of the capital city, and many five-star hotels are to be found in the vicinity. The Museum phone number is (+974) 4859888.
Read More:
Visit the Museum of Islamic Arts official website for updates, as well as more information about the museum, its collections, and visiting hours.
You can also learn more about the Museum of Islamic Arts by visiting the following websites:
- Smart Art Mart, The Economist
- Art Qatar, W Magazine
- Qatar's Imposing Islamic Arts Museum, QatarVisitor.com
- Emir to Open Museum, Gulf Times, with pictures and description of building
