Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is Qatar’s Cultural Jewel
The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha is a must see during your travel through the Middle East. When exhausted from business negotiations or need a break from the intense heat in Qatar, this stellar collection of Islamic Art, on an artificial island off the Corniche, is perfect for a visit to decompress and learn more about this corner of the world. Designed by I.M. Pei, the almost half-million square-foot masterpiece showcases art from the Arabian Gulf, Central Asia and northern Africa. The modern and airy design pays homage to traditional Arabian architecture and design; in fact, the space almost outshines the incredible collection.
Textiles, ceramics, manuscripts and armor are among the incredible artifacts that make it impossible to just drop into the MIA. And despite the initials, there is nothing missing in action about this museum, which ranks among the world’s great cultural institutions. Even if you only have a few minutes, to just sit in the museum’s cafe and enjoy the view of Doha’s harbor is a definite highlight. When I return to Doha, the Museum of Art cafe will be my mobile office of choice. I could not get enough of this spectacular temple of Middle Eastern culture. And the walk off the Doha Corniche is sublime.
Natural light floods the MIA
The Museum of Islamic Art boasts an amazing armor collection
Simplicity gives the MIA's interior an understated beauty
Clean lines and a modern vibe contrast with the MIA's timeless art
The cafe should not be missed
The MIA's exterior is supposed to resemble a woman in an abaya
About The Author
Leon Kaye
Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event.
His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about corporate responsibility, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine.
Leon works out of Fresno and Silicon Valley, California, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 60 countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.
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