Visit the Treasure Trove of Islamic Art

Asked to design the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, the capital of Qatar, architect IM Pei requested for a special space that will prevent other buildings from crowding out the museum in the future. While many may consider it as a whimsy of the Chinese architect, as a Kolkatan, I realised the importance of such a request. The Indian Museum in Kolkata, established in 1814, is not only jostled by other buildings but an ugly flyover nearly hides its faade. Pei was given a man-made island off the Corniche where he built the iconic museum, which was opened to the public in December 2008.