LONDON.-  The Victoria and Albert Museum has just received 5.4 million pounds (almost 10 million dollars) from one of the wealthiest families in the world to renovate its Middle East art collection and transform its gallery of Islamic treasures. The donation of the Jameel family, from Saudi Arabia, who possess the Oxford-based Hartwell automobile company, is one of the most generous gifts ever received in the 152-year history of the museum. The Abdul Latif Jameel Group, founded in Saudi Arabia 60 years ago, has a reputation for philanthropy. The donation is to finance a traveling exhibition of the collection of the museum to the United States and Japan and a new gallery that will house 10 thousand objects including glass, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, carpets and elaborate metal artifacts from the Middle East created in the VII century. The gallery, which will be completed by 2006, will be named The Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art after the late Abdul Latif Jameel, who made his fortune after obtaining the exclusive distribution of Toyota cars in Saudi Arabia in 1955. Several business magazines have described him as one of the richest men in the world. 

The gallery will include such famous pieces as the Ardabil Carpet from 16th Century Iran, said to be one of the largest and finest carpets in existence. Displays will include carved ivories from Islamic Spain, inlaid metalwork from medieval Egypt, Iznik ceramics from Ottoman Turkey, tile work from 14th Century Uzbekistan and oil paintings from 19th Century Iran. The aim of the new gallery will be to tell the story of how Islamic art developed in the Middle East and beyond. Museum director Mark Jones said: "When it was created half a century ago, our present gallery was the most advanced display of Islamic art in the world, and ever since it has been instrumental in fostering appreciation of Islamic art as one of the world’s great cultures. This gift will allow us to re-present the gallery and use our collections to inspire future generations and spread a deeper understanding of Islamic culture."

Mohammed Jameel, president of the Abdul Latif Jameel group and the son of its founder, said: "Our family has a keen interest in world cultures and promoting understanding between them, and a commitment to increasing understanding of the Islamic world. "It gives us great pleasure to be able to help the V&A display its superb collection of Islamic treasures in a way that will delight and educate more people than ever."