The Museum of Islamic Art (Arabic: متØ٠الÙÙ† الإسلامي‎, matḥaf al-fann al-islÄmÄ«) is a museum located in the Qatari capital Doha and designed by architect I. M. Pei. The museum's interior gallery spaces were designed by a team lead by JM Wilmotte of Wilmotte Associes. The museum draws much influence from ancient Islamic architecture, yet has a unique design. It was the first of its kind in Arab States of the Persian Gulf and has a very large collection of Islamic art, plus a study and a library. Facilities also include a high class restaurant offering a dining experience of French Mediterranean cuisine with an Arabic twist. Sabiha Al Khemir served as the founding director of the museum from 2006-2008. The museum has a total area of 45,000 m2 and lies on the edge of Doha harbour at the south end of Doha Bay. Construction by Baytur Constr.Co. (Turkey) reached completion in 2006, but the museum's interior was subjected to a variety of changes thereafter.
