Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) - Doha, Qatar

The Museum of Islamic Art is a tribute to Arab culture that transcends Qatar's borders. To clarify the architectural vision for this building, architect I.M. Pei embarked on a six-month journey through the Arab countries. During this time, he delved into Islamic history and texts available to all the nations he visited. It is said that the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo, which dates back to the 9th century, was the final biggest influence on the shape of MIA.

One other important fact should be mentioned at this point. I.M. Pei was hired for this project when he was already retired. In a matter of fact, he was 91 years old at the time. Through his experience, he was able to look beyond the times of modern Qatar. But he was also able to capture the spirit of a modern Doha looking towards rapid future development…