Top 5 art museums in the Middle East

Museum buff? Here’s your fix of some of the best museums in the region:

1. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha: Occupying an area of 45,000 sqm, this iconic museum is
built on a standalone island off the picturesque corniche in Doha. The museum boasts of
a huge collection of Islamic art from three continents over 1400 years and includes
manuscripts, textiles and ceramics. It is one of the world’s most complete collections of
Islamic artifacts, with items originating in Spain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, India, and
Central Asia.

http://www.mia.org.qa/en

2. Mathaf, Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha

Established in 2010, the Mathaf is thought to house one of the largest collections of Arab-
produced paintings and sculptures in the world. The 5,500-square-meter museum has a
collection of more than 9,000 artworks that offers a rare comprehensive overview of
modern Arab art, representing the major trends spanning from the 1840s to the present.
The collection was donated by Sheikh Hassan Bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani to Qatar
Foundation and was later acquired by Qatar Museums Authority.

http://www.mathaf.org.qa/en/
3. Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait

The Tareq Rajab Museum houses a collection of over thirty thousand items collected
over fifty years, of which approximately ten thousand are on permanent display. The
museum boasts of an inspiring collection of calligraphy, miniatures, manuscripts,
ceramics, metalwork, and glass, jade, wood and stone carvings.

http://www.trmkt.com/
 4. National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The National Museum of Riyadh is situated in the heart of King Abdul-Aziz Historical
Center. Spanning over seventeen thousand square meters, the museum plays a major role
in promoting tourism and is renown for its distinguished exhibits starting from the
creation of the universe until the Modern Age.
http://www.nationalmuseum.org.sa/

5. Manarat Al Saadiyat, UAE

Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Manarat Al Saadiyat literally means a place of
enlightenment. True to its moniker, this purpose-built art and culture centre with multiple gallery
spaces offers visitors the opportunity to discover famous collections from international and local
artists alike. Manarat Al Saadiyat contains three major galleries for hosting permanent and
temporary art and cultural exhibitions whilst the fourth gallery houses Saadiyat Experience, an
interactive narrative about Saadiyat's history and culture.

http://www.saadiyat.ae/en/inspiration-details/5/Manarat-Al-Saadiyat