First Islamic museum opens in Sharjah on Tuesday

Sharjah: The first Islamic museum in the UAE will open its doors to the public on Tuesday and will showcase more than 5,000 Islamic artefacts.

"In collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, we will display artefacts that have never left Germany until now. These special artefacts will be displayed in Sharjah for the first time for four months," said Manal Attaya, Director General of Sharjah Museum Department.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation is situated at the Majarrah Waterfront, which was previously known as the Souq Al Majarrah that is located on the Sharjah Creek.

Seven galleries

The new Islamic museum will become the 20th museum in Sharjah and aims to cater to the interests of people of different ages and interests, and is arranged according to themes spread over seven galleries and display areas.

The museum consists of six galleries in a two-storey building and includes the Islamic Faith Gallery, which explores the Five Pillars of Islam and the main principles of the faith. The outstanding objects in this gallery include the Quran and other religious manuscripts as well as architectural models and an interesting series of historical photographs of the Haj pilgrimage to Makkah Al Mukarramah.

The Science and Innovation Gallery celebrates the remarkable achievements of scientists from across the Muslim world and their ground-breaking contributions to disciplines as diverse as astronomy, medicine, geography, the natural sciences and architecture.

The Islamic Museum is devoted to Islamic Art, that also displays ceramics, metalwork, glass and minor arts made in the Muslim world between 7AD and 13AD.

Timings: Visit hours

- Open from Saturday to Thursday: 8am to 8pm

Friday: 4pm to 8pm

Toll free number: 800 MUSEUM