Museum of Islamic Art

What is this place

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha is Qatar’s premier museum, located on an artificial island along the Corniche. Designed by architect I. M. Pei, it stands as a landmark of modern Doha and the first institution in the region dedicated to 14 centuries of Islamic art.

Key features

• Opened on 22 November 2008, covering 45,000 m².
• Architect – I. M. Pei, designer of the Louvre Pyramid.
• The collection spans the 7th–20th centuries, with works from Spain, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, India, and Central Asia.
• In 2022, the museum underwent renovation and became the first carbon-neutral museum in the Middle East.
• The complex includes MIA Park, IDAM restaurant by Alain Ducasse, and 7, a steel sculpture by Richard Serra.

What to see

• Main galleries – over 1,100 artifacts of Islamic art arranged by region and period.
• MIA Park – a waterfront park with cafés, playgrounds, and a regular open-air bazaar.
• Permanent and temporary exhibitions – manuscripts, ceramics, jewelry, arms, and textiles.
• IDAM restaurant – French-Mediterranean cuisine overlooking Doha Bay.
• Library and education centers – public programs and art workshops.

History

Commissioned by the Emir of Qatar, the museum opened to the public in December 2008. Before designing it, I. M. Pei spent six months studying Islamic architecture from Cairo to Samarkand, seeking to reinterpret its spirit in modern form.

Built of creamy limestone and illuminated by natural light, the museum faces the Gulf with panoramic glass façades. Interiors were designed by Wilmotte & Associates.

In 2021–2022, the museum underwent renovation ahead of the FIFA World Cup, adding new galleries, digital features, and accessibility upgrades. Today, the MIA serves as a key cultural landmark and venue for major international exhibitions.

Practical information

Location: eastern Corniche, on an island overlooking Doha Bay.

Getting there: by car or taxi, or a 10-minute walk from National Museum metro station.

Access: open daily; park free, museum ticketed.

Visiting hours: 9 am–7 pm (Fridays 1:30 pm–7 pm).

Visit duration: 1.5–3 hours.

Best time: October–April, especially evenings for waterfront walks.

Notes: fully accessible; online 3-D virtual tour available.