The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, the capital of Qatar, has opened in a new format after a renovation.
The Museum of Islamic Art is one of the world’s leading institutions of Islamic art and the first world-class museum in the region.
Numerous tourists are flocking to the capital of Qatar these days in order to attend the World Cup matches, which begin on 20 November. The Museum has prepared for such an influx of visitors.
There are thousands of works of art on display in the Museum’s 18 halls, two-thirds of which have been added following the work carried out in recent months. The diverse collection includes woodwork, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, coins and glass. These works of art also have religious value and reflect the culture of those regions from which they came.
The Museum is home to Qatar’s international collection of Islamic art. The collection comprises exhibits from three continents, from India to Spain and the Middle East, dating from the VII to XX centuries AD.
During development, the gallery design was reimagined and the Museum now offers visitors a comprehensive itinerary with expanded content and the provision of a variety of new, child-friendly resources. The galleries are organized in accordance with historical and cultural themes, time periods and geographical scales, revealing the greatness of Islamic craftsmanship and traditions.
The Museum of Islamic Art also introduces a new section on Islam in Southeast Asia, which focuses on the relationship between different cultures through exhibitions dedicated to the trade of goods and exchange of ideas in the Islamic world and beyond.
Media Square was opened next to the Museum of Islamic Art’s park and serves as a new meeting place and venue for festivals, celebrations and other museum events.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Museums Authority, said in a press statement, ‘The Media Square is a comprehensive symbol of the diversity of the Ummah that we welcome to Qatar and the deep connection that arises from the interaction between different cultures. I encourage the people of Qatar and all those who visit this country to take advantage of this new space to celebrate our universal values’.
She continued, ‘This is a source of pride and pleasure to reopen the Museum of Islamic Art, which invites everyone to explore the Museum in its new format, including visitors who will be coming for the World Cup matches’.
The Museum of Islamic Art is an exceptional architectural masterpiece designed by renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Bay, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Opened in 2008 by the Qatar Museums Authority, the Museum is located in a prominent position on the artificial Corniche Island.
The Museum is a beacon of Islamic art, a venue for international dialogue and bridge-building between the past and the present, between the East and the West.
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Photo: Qatar Museums