Qatar Museums announced its plan to renovate the building of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), in a project conducted in cooperation with the Social and Sport Contribution Fund “Daam”, and to be implemented by the Public Works Authority “Ashghal”. The three parties have signed an agreement for this purpose.

The renovation work, to be launched soon, includes the galleries and interior spaces of the MIA building, which consists of two stories for permanent exhibition halls, two temporary exhibition halls, a private exhibition hall, a lecture hall, and a gift shop. Through this project, Qatar Museums is seeking to provide museum visitors with an exceptional experience.

On this occasion, Mr. Abdulrahman bin AbdulLatif Al-Mannai, Executive Director of the Social and Sport Contribution Fund, said: “We are pleased to announce the support of the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) for the renovation of the Museum of Islamic Art, one of the most important leading Islamic museums in the world that hosts wonderful and unique collections of Islamic art.

This project is considered unique in that it will contribute to attracting larger numbers of audiences interested in the history of Islamic art, in order to get acquainted with a large group of important and precious holdings owned by the State of Qatar and which are housed in this distinctive architectural beacon.

Al-Mannai added: “We are proud of this partnership with both Qatar Museums and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) supervising the implementation of the project. This support comes from the fund’s role in promoting and enhancing the culture of Islamic art in the Qatari society and highlighting it to the world. We also hope that the museum will open its doors again in its new look, coinciding with hosting the World Cup in 2022 and that it will be a tourist destination that attracts visitors from different parts of the world’’.

Mr. Ahmad Musa Al-Namla, CEO of Qatar Museums, added: “We are pleased to cooperate with Daam and Ashghal to renovate the Museum of Islamic Art, one of the nation’s most prominent architectural and cultural landmarks. This project confirms Qatar Museums’ commitment to keeping at enriching the lives of all members of the Qatari community, by providing MIA visitors with a unique experience thanks to the museum's new interior look.”

Commenting on the project, Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al-Rashed, Director of Buildings Projects Department at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), expressed his satisfaction with the current renovation works at the Museum of Islamic Art. The renovation being carried out by Ashghal, in cooperation with Qatar Museums and the Social and Sport Contribution Fund Daam, aims to upgrade this landmark institution, which has been providing a comprehensive overview of civilization, heritage, and Islamic art for the past ten years in Qatar.

Al-Rashed added: “Work is underway to renovate the museum’s interior spaces and galleries and install the latest technologies being used in renowned museums across the world while also meeting ‘GSAS’ sustainability standards.”

MIA will maintain its exterior, designed by the world-famous Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. Largely influenced by ancient Islamic architecture, the building is made of limestone, which captures the changes in light and shade during the day.

Source: Qatar Museums press releases

Image credit: Museum of Islamic Art website

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