Abu Dhabi

Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) is calling upon the public to participate in an upcoming exhibition that will tell the story of Makkah and rituals of Haj.

’Haj: Memories of a Journey’ will be held on the grounds of Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque and will open to the public on September 20, coinciding with SZGMC’s 10th anniversary.

Organisers are looking for people to take part in the exhibition by submitting some of the souvenirs they have collected during their own personal Haj journeys, or that they were gifted by family and friends upon their arrival from Makkah. Submissions of the items are welcome until July 13.

Organised by the Centre in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) Haj: Memories of a Journey will bring to life the history of the sacred city and will depict the profound significance of the practices performed within it, whilst underlining the evident attributes of tolerance, equality and the vast diversity to be found in Islam.

Many pilgrims bring home a souvenir from Haj to commemorate their journey, and buy gifts for friends and family from Makkah and Madinah’s many markets and shops, where these objects often take pride of place in the recipients’ homes and are among the most precious objects that a Muslim owns. The exhibition seeks to capture this sentiment through displaying live souvenirs from pilgrims, and accentuate a gallery dedicated to the vital keepsakes and sentiments tied to the myriad of stories and trails of memories created by millions throughout the Muslim world.

The exhibition will also reflect on the first prayer congregation held at the Mosque in 2007, the Eid Al Adha prayer.

Haj: Memories of a Journey exhibition will offer the public a glance into the historical data and documents, recounting the story of the early spread of Islam at various historical sites in the Arabian Peninsula. The exhibition will also refer to various verses and texts from the Quran as well as the five pillars of Islam, which are concluded by Haj and its sacred rituals.

To participate in the exhibition contact opencall@tcaabudhabi.ae. Submissions welcome until July 13.