Museum of Islamic Art

Museum of Islamic Art: a landmark collection in Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Islamic art, with pieces from every continent reflecting the diversity of Islamic heritage. The museum was founded in 2008 as one of the first projects driven by Qatar Museums, and its building, designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, has become a distinctive feature of the Doha landscape, with panoramic views over the city's waterfront.

A collection spanning three continents and fourteen centuries

The permanent galleries cover works of Islamic art from the 7th to the 20th century, organised according to broad historical and cultural themes, periods and geography, with attention to the great traditions of Islamic craftsmanship. The collection brings together manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles, coins, precious stones and glass, both religious and secular. The pieces come from three continents, with countries from the Middle East and examples reaching as far as Spain and China, and come from diverse sources, from princely treasures to private homes.

Temporary exhibitions and cultural programming

Since opening, the museum has maintained a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions devoted to the heritage of Islamic cultures. Among the announced shows is Uzbekistan: Heritage in Motion, running until 28 November 2026, and the library display Discover the World Behind Kalila wa Dimna, until 30 December 2026. The programme also includes events such as the children and youth advanced Diwani calligraphy workshop, on Saturdays in September from 11am to 1pm, the short documentary filmmaking workshop Capture MIA on 26 September 2026 from 3pm to 6pm, and the Al-Raqim competition, with a submission deadline of 22 November 2026.

Educational and community activities

MIA runs an extensive educational programme aimed at schoolchildren, families and audiences of all ages. It offers guided tours for school groups in grades 3 to 12 through the permanent collection, special exhibitions and the library; art and calligraphy workshops for schools; academic programmes based on challenges, presentations, interactive plays, tours and exploration; and library activities for students of all ages. The museum's library holds more than 21,000 books on Islamic art, one of the largest collections in the region.

Architecture, spaces and services

I. M. Pei's building is one of the museum's attractions. On the top floor is the restaurant IDAM by Alain Ducasse, and the site also has a café and a gift shop with art-inspired products, available in-store and online. MIA Park offers year-round activities, such as film screenings, sporting events, outdoor cafés, art workshops and pop-up markets. Near the park is Flag Plaza, a community space dedicated to unity and cultural exchange. The museum offers audio guides in several languages and an online collection to explore its holdings virtually.

Reopening and gallery renovation

At the end of 2021 the museum undertook a ten-month enhancement project that included the redesign and reinstallation of the permanent collection galleries. MIA reopened to the public on 5 October 2022.

Location and contact

Museum of Islamic Art, Off Al Corniche St, Doha, Qatar · Phone: +974 4422 4444 · Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Saturday: 9am–7pm; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 9am–9pm; Friday: 1:30pm–7pm