Visiting the Museum of Islamic Art Doha, Qatar

Whenever you ask someone what do to in Qatar, you will most likely hear that visiting the Museum of Islamic Art Doha (MIA) is a must. As tempted as some people may be to skip it, I’d say it’s a huge mistake! After travelling to many Arab and Muslim countries, I did have some idea of art and traditional architecture in the Islamic world. That only made me more eager to learn what the museum was all about, and hoping to learn more.

As I was walking along Doha Corniche, I saw the building in the distance and found it quite impressive: it’s a mix of modern and traditional Islamic architecture, with straight lines, some geometrical shapes and few windows. The architect who designed it – I.M. Pei, the same guy behind the Louvre glass pyramid – travelled for over six months all over the Middle East and Central Asia, researching Islamic architecture, before putting his design to paper.

The main foyer itself, with very high ceilings, is a great place to hang out, with a nice cafe, museum shop and free wi-fi.

As you enter the main exhibition area, you will find that the way the exhibits are laid out and the dramatic lighting, make the whole MIA very atmospheric.

The objects in exhibition were brought from places as far apart as Morocco and Central Asia, including a vast collection of Persian art. Many of the objects had been acquired since the 1980’s by the Al Thani family, the rulers of Qatar.

The exhibits range from ceramics to textiles and paintings,  like “The portrait of Hasan Ali Mirza Shuja al-Saltana and Sheikh Ali Mirza (Tehran, 1810)”. There is also a jewellery collection.

But there’s not only artworks at the Museum of Islamic Art. Among the vast collection, of which only 10% is on public display, there’s an astrolabe, made in Iraq in the 9th century. It is the oldest surviving Islamic astrolabe, since the oldest one was looted in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. Curiously, though, the one at the Museum of Islamic Art was found on the coast of Malaysia, probably during an expedition between Iraq and China.

If you’re headed to Qatar, even if only on a few hours’ stopover, I would say visiting the Museum of Islamic Art Doha is a total must. If you have a few more days, check out the top things to do in Qatar, a place that’s so underrated but definitely worth a visit.

OPENING HOURS

Last admission ½ hour before closing