Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic Art opened in 2008 in a building designed by the Chinese American architect I. M. Pei, set on its own promontory off the Doha Corniche. Part of Qatar Museums, it describes itself as "a centre of knowledge and inspiration that makes the history of Islamic art and civilizations relevant for today and the future."

Its collection spans the 7th to the 20th centuries and three continents, from Spain to China, and takes in manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles, coins, precious stones and glass. Alongside its permanent galleries and library, MIA runs a programme of major loan exhibitions and Ektashif, a travel and research programme that sends Qatari artists to study Islamic artistic traditions abroad and then shows the work they make.