Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization opened by Sultan

The museum is the first of its kind in the UAE. It contains more than 5,000 precious Islamic artefacts representing the art and science of the great Islamic scientists and artists.

Some of the objects are shown to the public for the very first time.

The museum's collection displays treasures from the advent of Islam until the present day.

In her speech to mark the occasion, Ms Manal Ataya, Director of the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), said that the museum adds a great deal to the profile of the Department.

The museum is significant as it contains interesting and rich displays from Islam's history from a vast area of the world extending from Portugal in the west to the borders of China in the east.

Islamic art and science have greatly influenced other civilizations and have a special beauty rooted in Islamic traditions.

Ms Ataya further advised that the museum will enhance communication with all the states of the region and will be a vital reference centre for researchers.

A visitor to the museum will find objects from many Islamic countries representing all periods of Islamic history from its beginnings in the Arabia and Umayyad eras until the Ottoman and Mamluk eras with distinctive features from each period.

She said that the special exhibition of priceless Islamic masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, much of which has never been displayed before, is a good example of High Highness Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi's determination to ensure that the Sharjah Museums Department works with the best museums in the world.

The exhibition will be open for four months. His Highness has emphasized that Sharjah's museums will be of such a high standard that they will compete with the best in the world.

Ms Ataya also mentioned that the museums have a diversity and richness in their varied collections that cover the full range of culture, science, arts and heritage.

She continued that opening the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is part of the Department's strategic plan to open many museums.

Over the past few months openings have included the the Sharjah Old Cars Museum, the Botanical Museum and a special exhibition at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum on Al-Buhais18: Life and Death in the Stone Age, which provides a rare glimpse into the way of life and burial rites of the ancient people of this region. In addition the Sharjah Aquarium is also opening.

Ms Aisha Rashed Deemas, Curator of Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, explained that the site of the museum is the well known Souq Al Majarrah, the first market of its kind in the Gulf area with architecture that has Islamic, Arabic and traditional design elements and also a central dome with an intricate mosaic depicting the night sky and the astrological star signs.

She said that the Souq, now converted into the museum, will be an advanced cultural centre containing over 5000 unique Islamic artefacts from all over the world and arranged into seven spacious galleries.

Ms Deemas added that the museum displays collections embodying the accomplishments of Islamic civilization and its teachings.

A gallery is dedicated to Islamic Faith and contains prominent collections including the Holy Books of Quran, Islamic Calligraphies, and various architectural patterns.

It also displays some interesting historic photographs of pilgrimages to Mekka, in addition to the most eminent piece, the covering of Kaaba known as "the curtain".

Ms Deemas explained that the museum will allocate a whole section for Islamic art in which pottery, metallic and glass works will be displayed.

Metal currencies and coins that show the development of Islamic art are also displayed.

Another gallery displays the different activities of Muslim craftsmen, weapon makers and potters and demonstrates the success of integrating styles from the east and the west.