Tareq Rajab Museum
About This Museum
Tucked away in a quiet Jabriya suburb, the Tareq Rajab Museum is one of the world's most significant private collections of Islamic art, yet it feels more like a secret you've stumbled upon than a formal institution. You enter not through a grand, imposing lobby but what seems like a converted family villa, which immediately sets a tone of intimate discovery. The galleries unfold room by room, each one a treasure trove of manuscripts, textiles, and jewelry that feels curated by passionate collectors rather than a committee. It’s the kind of place where you can spend an hour marveling at the intricate calligraphy on a single page or the delicate filigree of an Ottoman-era necklace.
Collection Highlights
The collection dazzles with its specificity: entire rooms dedicated to historic Islamic costumes you can almost hear rustle, an astonishing array of delicate enameled glassware, and centuries-old Qur'ans whose gold-leaf illuminations still gleam. Don't miss the pre-Islamic pottery or the stunning display of jade and silver from Mughal India.
Visitor Information
Finding it is part of the adventure—look for Building 22 in Jabriya. It's small, personal, and doesn't have the crowds of a national museum, so you can truly linger. Just double-check their opening hours online before you go.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a spacious, unassuming villa that feels more like a gracious home than a museum, with exhibits spilling into what were once living rooms and private spaces.
