It was a lovely afternoon, I spent taking my family to Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization…
Known locally as Souq al Majarrah, and situated on the picturesque Sharjah Creek, the complex first opened its doors to visitors in the spring of 1987. It immediately holds your attention with its architecture and collection. The Souq al Majarrah was the first of its kind in the Gulf region to use traditional, Arab-Islamic design elements and is regarded a popular landmark, both for the locals and visiting tourists.
On the ground floor, situated to the right of the Reception Area – the Islamic Faith Gallery explores the five pillars of Islam and the main principles of Faith. The gallery includes the holy Qur’an and other religious manuscripts, as well as architectural models and an interesting series of historical photographs of the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah al Mukarramah.
The first floor of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is devoted to Islamic Art. Four spacious galleries take the visitor on a journey of artistic discovery which starts in the early Islamic period and leads all the way to modern times. There is an impressive collection of weaponry, bowls, and decanters in metal and glass, along with the state-of-the-art slide show, giving information on calligraphy and artisans’ style of working.
The second floor of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization becomes a leisurely stop-over for any visitor. The attraction is the majestic dome of the museum, the intricate mosaic of the deep night sky and its zodiac signs make up the ‘inner’ portion of the dome. The visitor can also enjoy the facility of a coffee shop, located on the ground floor and the second floor.
The aim of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is to celebrate the achievements of Islam, its civilization, its scientists and its artists.
Geeta Chhabra
