Doha Museum of Islamic Art – Summer Visit
The Doha Museum of Islamic Art is open during the hottest part of the day. It must be that everyone else is travelling, or at home having lunch, taking a snooze or that they don’t know the museum is open – we had almost the entire museum to ourselves, and we felt like honored guests!
The museum is just beautiful, as beautiful as before. This time, without the crowds of people, I really had time to appreciate the interior, the beauty of the materials that went into this building, and the sound of water throughout, making you feel cool and refreshed.
And then, there is that never-ending view of the Doha skyline, seen through the windows overlooking the Gulf:
It just boggles my mind that we are encouraged to take photos, that photos are not forbidden. I love this photo; I am sorry it is not so sharp but if I had used a flash, I would have spoiled the moment. These two men had no idea I was taking their photo; I figure it is OK because you don’t know who they are, you can’t see their faces. I just loved these grizzled warriors examining an even earlier warrior.
I tried so hard not to breathe, still, there was some shake. Sometimes the shot you get is the shot you get.
These tiles draw me back to the museum again and again; I love the intersection of cross and star:
I used it in placemats for my mother, and in a quilt for my youngest sister:
The pattern still draws me, and I have some other ideas of how to use it . . . 🙂
If you have ever thought of visiting this museum, oh WOW, the summer is the time to do it at your leisure. It is quiet, and cool and calm; you can stop and reflect on the beauty of the collected pieces, you are not rushed, there is no one around but you and the guards. Go now! It is the perfect time to visit.
It’s also free. It’s free, it’s open to the public for free, no charge, just come enjoy the beauty. What an amazing gift to the people of Qatar. And to the rest of us!
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Sounds like my kind of place! Cool and quiet and very interesting, a place to hide out from the heat and the busy-ness of life. Not like visiting the Louvre in Paris!
I love that picture of the two men checking out the warrior statue! Very cool.
“If you have ever thought of visiting this museum, oh WOW, the summer is the time to do it at your leisure.”
I’ve been thinking about visiting this museum since the previous one CLOSED :D. Can’t wait to see it!
You would appreciate Doha in the summer, Miss Footloose! 🙂
LLLOOOLLL! Remember how hard we tried to get into the old one? I think they are still working on putting together a new national museum on the same site. Considering how well this one turned out, I can hardly wait to see a national/historical museum. 🙂
Beautiful quilts what an artist you are
And the museum is certainly on my list of to dos
nice wallah
yabeela zyara
Thank you, Jewaira. jazeera has some great rates every day between 1 – 2 🙂
Thank you, Bader. 🙂
It’s certainly one of the most beautiful landmarks in Qatar and GCC as a whole. I’d never pass a chance to visit.
We need more museums all over the region.
Kuwait needs its national museum to open, doesn’t it, Mac? I also see a planetarium where the national museum is – is it ever open? Have you ever gone to the Dar al Athar al Islamiyya (pardon me if I haven’t spelled that right)? I have heard they have a magnificent collection, but I never saw it for myself. And the Tarej Rajab museums are wonderful – the Calligraphy museum has much the same spaciousness and serenity as the Doha Museum. 🙂
It’s a wonderful place… I have to write a piece on it for Bazaar. Haven’t had time – will aim to do it for the August issue.
Mashala… fann
Ive never been tho ! ;p
Yes! Yes! Any excuse for a trip to the Doha Museum, hmmmmm? Bring your family, Bu Yousef – and your camera! 🙂
Abi-Omi-Abi-Oboy – Now’s the time! 🙂
🙂 I’m afraid not… It will have to be based on my last (and only) visit to the museum. They saw the post back in March and asked me to write the piece.
http://buyousef.net/2009/03/05/mamma-mia/
I remember that post. It’s just such a great time to visit, no crowds.