Situated in Doha, the capital of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art is one of the region’s leading tourist attractions. Drawing influence from the age-old Islamic architectural elements, the museum is home to an extensive collection of Islamic art in addition to a large library and study. Travellers based at serviced apartments in Doha at a residence such as Ascott Doha can easily visit this attraction which is replete with facilities including an upscale restaurant where you can savour French Mediterranean cuisine with an Arabic twist among various other mouthwatering culinary options.
The museum’s collection of exhibits includes a wide range of items that have been collected since the late 1980’s such as ceramics, textiles and manuscripts. Noted for being among the world’s most comprehensive collections of Islamic artifacts, it consists of items discovered in regions such as Central Asia, India, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Spain.
The museum’s textile collection features some of the best examples of costumes, carpets, and a range of fabrics made for the Islamic world’s elite. These items include some of the Middle East’s most significant luxury products. The ceramics collection includes items ranging from simple kitchen wars to intricate tile panels, which were highly useful back in the day in the Islamic world. These pieces embody the internal creativity and the external influences that inspired the progress of ceramic design over the years.
The museum’s library features specialist books on Islamic art in addition to scholarly periodicals on art, monographs, exhibition catalogues and much more. There are books in Arabic, English and several other languages. Furthermore, MIA’s park is a place where visitors can take a leisurely stroll gazing at the Doha skyline and participate in various activities. This is an ideal vantage point to take in the city’s splendor to your heart’s content.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.