Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Museums (QM) and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) on the occasion of the first-ever Hong Kong International Cultural Summit 2024 on 24-26 March 2024, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is set to showcase an exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, featuring splendid carpets and other decorative arts from Turkey, Iran and India based in an exhibition that opened in MIA, unveiling intricate cultural fabric of Islamic dynasties that will open in 2025.
In addition, in 2026, M+’s exhibition “I. M. Pei: Life is Architecture”, which properly appraises the work of one of the greatest architects of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, will travel to the Museum of Islamic Art, a museum designed by the architect.
The MoU was signed between MIA Director Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, and Dr. Louis Ng Museum Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum, and Suhanya Raffel, M+ Museum Director.
As part of the Summit, MIA Director Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr is set to take part in a session on Cultural Districts’ Contributions to Social and Economic Transformations of Cities on 25 March 2024 at 11am.
The Summit seeks to bring together global leaders from arts and cultural institutions to promote international cultural exchange and cultivate long-term partnerships.
One of the world’s premier institutions of Islamic art and the first world-class museum in the region, the reimagined MIA provides a more accessible, engaging, and educational experience for guests. Around 1,000 objects – many newly conserved or acquired – are displayed in the museum’s permanent galleries for the first time, alongside the masterpieces for which MIA has long been recognised.
For more information on Qatar Museums, please visit https://qm.org.qa/en/
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About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and Design Doha. Future projects include Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, M7, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs —that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention. For more information visit https://qm.org.qa
About Museum of Islamic Art
Founded in 2008, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) was one of the first projects initiated by QM. Designed by the renowned Chinese American architect I. M. Pei, the MIA is a globally acclaimed museum that stands majestically on Doha’s Corniche, with panoramic views of the city’s waterfront. The museum showcases Qatar’s world-class collections of Islamic art spanning some 1,400 years. Representing the full scope of Islamic art from the 7th to the 20th centuries, the MIA collection includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood, and precious stones. The works have been collected from three continents, including countries across the Middle East, and reaching as far as Spain and China. MIA presents a changing programme of exhibitions illustrating the heritage of the Islamic world, as well as extensive educational activities for school children and families, making the museum a vital part of the community. The MIA has become a popular museum in the region and internationally, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr serves as director.
Press Contact
Lamis Nasser
lnasser@qm.org.qa
+974 4452 5418