Qatar's Museum of Islamic Art finally opens its doors

December 2008 saw the opening of a new Museum of Islamic Arts in Doha, Qatar.

Architect I.M. Pei designed the new development as, what is believed to be, his last ‘statement’ building.

Commissioned by the rulers of Qatar—the al-Thani family—the 45,000m² building is located on a purpose-built island at the southern end of Doha bay.

While the building’s limestone exterior was finished in 2006, the museum has only recently opened its doors to the public.

The project is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf and will house an extensive collection of Islamic art, plus a study, library and several restaurants.

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