Information
Landmark: Sharjah Museum of Islamic CivilizationCity: Sharjah
Country: United Arab Emirates
Continent: Asia
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates , Asia
Overview
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization invites you to step into centuries of Islamic heritage, with halls filled from floor to ceiling with intricate calligraphy, ancient coins, and artifacts that tell the story of the faith’s history, culture, and enduring contributions to the world.Set on the Sharjah Corniche, the museum occupies a lovingly restored traditional souq, its wooden beams still carrying the scent of cedar, and showcases an extensive collection of artifacts, manuscripts, scientific discoveries, and Islamic art from across the Islamic world.Here’s what stands out first at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.The museum sits in a former souq, its golden dome catching the sunlight and its intricate Islamic designs giving the place a timeless beauty.Step inside and you’ll see elegantly arranged galleries, grand stone archways, and delicate Islamic patterns carved so finely they seem to catch the light, all deepening the experience of exploring Islamic heritage.Number two.On the ground floor, you’ll find the Galleries and Exhibits-Foundations of Islam and Islamic Contributions to Science 1, where golden calligraphy glints under the lights.The Abu Bakr Gallery of Islamic Faith showcases the heart of Islam-its core beliefs and practices-featuring treasures like rare Qur’ans, some with pages edged in gold, from across the faith’s long history.Elegant calligraphic inscriptions reveal the flowing beauty of Arabic script, each curve as precise as ink on fresh parchment.Islamic rituals and practices include prayer whispered before dawn, fasting from sunrise to sunset, and the long journey of pilgrimage to Mecca.Among the historical treasures are the doors of the Holy Kaaba, their gold gleam catching the light.Step two is simple-keep the meaning exactly the same, like making sure a copy matches the original right down to the last word.Named for the brilliant Muslim scientist Ibn Al-Haytham, the gallery showcases Islamic achievements in science, medicine, and astronomy, from intricate star charts to early surgical tools.Visitors can dive into early Islamic breakthroughs in mathematics, chemistry, and navigation-like star charts etched on worn parchment.Among the tools are astronomical instruments, from gleaming brass sextants to ancient astrolabes worn smooth by centuries of use.Muslim scholars like Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and Al-Razi made groundbreaking medical discoveries, from detailed anatomy notes to innovative treatments.Models of Islamic architecture display engineering marvels from across the Islamic world, from slender desert minarets to tiled domes that catch the sunlight.First floor-Islamic art and artefacts, like a delicate blue-tiled bowl.Islamic Art Gallery – Step inside to see the rich traditions of Islamic art, from delicate blue-and-white ceramics to intricate metalwork, shimmering glassware, and finely woven textiles spanning many eras.Intricate calligraphy winds across the page, framed by crisp geometric patterns that echo the spiritual depth and precise mathematics of Islamic art.Qur’anic manuscripts, richly adorned with gold and vivid inks, gathered from regions far and wide.Number four.At the Al Majarrah Gallery, this section explores centuries of Islamic culture, showcasing ancient coins from the Caliphates, including a gleaming gold dinar worn smooth at the edges.Islamic warriors carried traditional weapons and armor, from curved swords that caught the sun to shields worn smooth by years of battle.Jewelry, pottery, and soft woven textiles glinted and gleamed, each piece revealing the skill and patience of Islamic artisans.Three.The museum often hosts special exhibitions, bringing to life the rich colors, patterns, and ideas of Islamic heritage, art, and scientific achievements.Visitors can join hands-on workshops in Arabic calligraphy, trace the curves of Islamic art, and explore the rich layers of its history.Lectures exploring how Islam shaped civilizations around the world, from its golden-age cities to its far-reaching trade routes.It offers educational programs for students, from hands-on science labs to history walks, making it a great place to learn.Number four.The museum’s most striking feature is its golden dome, which gleams in the sunlight; step inside, and you’ll find a finely detailed celestial map illustrating the Islamic view of the universe.Interactive displays-many exhibits feature touchscreens and glowing digital panels, offering a lively, hands-on way to explore Islamic civilization.Museum Café and Gift Shop – Unwind over a cup of rich, fragrant Arabic coffee, then browse for souvenirs to take home.What makes the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization worth a visit?It’s one of the UAE’s most comprehensive museums of Islamic heritage, where you can stand inches from centuries-old manuscripts.It’s home to rare Qur’anic manuscripts, delicate scientific instruments, and intricate Islamic art that glints softly under the light.Delves into Islam’s impact on science, from charting the stars to advancing medicine.It sits inside a beautifully restored building in the old souq, where the scent of spices drifts through wooden latticed windows.It features hands-on exhibits you can explore and workshops where you might build something or try a new skill.Whether you’re drawn to Islamic history, intrigued by its science, or captivated by intricate works of art, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization delivers a rich, memorable experience, earning its place among the city’s top cultural treasures.
