# Museum of Islamic Art — Doha, Qatar

> The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is a museum on one end of the seven-kilometer-long Corniche in Doha, Qatar. As per the architect I. M. Pei's specifications, the museum is built on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula near the traditional dhow harbor.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fridays: 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Admission: ✓ 50 QAR for non-residents, free for residents
- Free entry: Under 16 free always · Tuesday afternoons free for Qatar residents
- Address: Museum Park St, Doha, Qatar
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://mia.org.qa/en/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Baptistère de Saint Louis — Muhammad ibn al-Zayn · c. 1320–1340
- Pyxis of al-Mughira — Unknown Andalusian craftsman · 968 CE
- Ardabil Carpet — Unknown Persian weavers · 1539–1540

## FAQ
**Who designed the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha?**
The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, who came out of retirement at the age of 91 to take on the commission. Pei spent time studying Islamic architecture across North Africa, the Middle East, and Spain before settling on a design inspired by the 9th-century Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo. The building's stark geometric forms — a series of interlocking squares and pentagons in limestone — rise from an artificial peninsula and are considered one of his finest works.

**Is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha free to enter?**
Entry to the Museum of Islamic Art costs 50 QAR for non-residents of Qatar. Residents of Qatar enter free. The MIA Park surrounding the building is open 24 hours and free for everyone. The park offers spectacular views of the Doha skyline and the traditional dhow harbour, and is a popular destination independently of the museum.

**What is the most famous object in the Museum of Islamic Art collection?**
The museum's collection spans 1,400 years of Islamic art across three continents, but among the most celebrated objects are a rare Fatimid rock crystal ewer (10th–11th century), a gold and enamel Mamluk glass mosque lamp, illustrated pages from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), and a 10th-century brass astrolabe — a navigational and astronomical instrument that represents the scientific achievements of the Islamic Golden Age. The ceramics collection, particularly the Iznik pottery, is also exceptional.

**How long does a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art take?**
The museum has five floors of galleries. A focused visit to the main collection highlights takes 1.5–2 hours. A thorough visit through all floors, including the special exhibitions, takes 2.5–3 hours. The MIA Park and waterfront promenade add another 30–60 minutes if you walk the full length of the Corniche. The on-site IDAM restaurant, designed by Alain Ducasse with Pei, is worth a visit for coffee or a meal.

**What type of art is in the Museum of Islamic Art?**
The museum houses art representing the full breadth of the Islamic world — manuscripts and calligraphy, textiles and carpets, metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, and glass — created from Spain to Central Asia between the 7th and 19th centuries. The focus is specifically on moveable objects and decorative arts rather than architectural elements. The collection was gathered since the late 1980s by the Qatar Museums Authority and is now one of the finest Islamic art collections in the world.

**How long should I spend at Museum of Islamic Art?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/museum-of-islamic-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.