Qatar Museums has reopened the iconic Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), following a year-long facilities enhancement project and the reimagination and reinstallation of its permanent collection galleries.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani – accompanied by numerous VIPs and dignitaries – also inaugurated Flag Plaza, a new community space initiated by the Years of Culture programme, an international cultural exchange that deepens understanding between nations and their people, first unveiled when Qatar won the bid to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Flag Plaza, located near the MIA Park, will serve as a community gathering space and a location for festivals, celebrations and other events for the people of Qatar.

“It is with immense pride that we reintroduce the Museum of Islamic Art, inviting the community to discover the reimagined museum and newcomers, including the many visitors who are coming to attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, to experience it for the first time. We look forward to the institution’s next chapter, which comes on the heels of Qatar Creates, a wide-ranging initiative which showcases and promotes the very best cultural experiences Qatar has to offer to help enhance the lives of all who reside in or visit the country. So many people came together to make today a reality, I thank them for their support and commitment to bringing our culture and history to the heart of our society,” said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums.

The reimagining of MIA’s collection galleries introduces a comprehensive visitor trail, creates expanded interpretive materials to help contextualise the masterworks, and provides new mobile and child-friendly resources to make the museum more accessible for families and younger guests. The galleries are organised according to broad historical and cultural themes, periods and geography, and explore the great traditions of Islamic craftsmanship. MIA also introduces a new section on Islam in Southeast Asia with a focus on the connection between different cultures through exhibits on the trade of commodities and the exchange of ideas across the Islamic world and beyond.

The enhanced and expanded experience eases visitor flow to serve a larger audience with a reframed entrance and upgraded cafés and retail locations. All improvements to the building are in keeping with the vision of the late I.M. Pei, the original architect. MIA once again collaborated with the French interior design and architecture firm first retained by I.M. Pei, Wilmotte & Associés, throughout the reinstallation process.

MIA Director, Dr Julia Gonnella said: “I am honoured to lead this extraordinary institution into its next chapter. The extensive enhancement introduces an entirely new storyline that takes visitors on a comprehensive journey that provides a meaningful and enriching experience for children and families to explore the vast, rich history of the Islamic world through our unparalleled collection.” ✤

GO: VISIT MIA.ORG.QA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.