Museum of Islamic Civilization - Sharjah

I usually get the looks when I tell anyone that I am visiting the museum there. It is like 'why would you do that'. Usually I do not answer that look but what I read today answers that very well - 'Culture and Education are the lethal weapons against fundamentalism' (Marjane Satrapi in 'Persepolis').

So, if one were to understand a people to any extent, it is important that one try to understand their culture to whatever extent possible. The culture of the land at any moment reflect the people who inhabit it at that time. Hence, our pride in all those big temple builders and poets of the eon. However, it is also imperative to look at what we are leaving behind for a future world to wonder at. That anyway is for another day.

So it was that when I came into Sharjah, the first instinct was to look for the museums of the city.

I stayed near the Al-Qasba area and it was actually quite a surprise to find a vibrant art scene in the city. From what I gathered from the locals, the Emir of Sharjah is a man of taste for art and culture and so the active art scene in the city.

Al Qasba Canal

Al-Qasba, in itself is such a place of beauty and houses its own contemporary museum with displays of some modern art installation which were interesting to look at but mostly ended up scratching the head wondering what it might be. The garden and pathway along the Al-Qasba run till it meets the Al-Majaz waterfront facing the Gulf.

Al-Majaz

However, what I was interested mostly in was the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization in the heritage area of Sharjah. I happened to have visited the other wonderful museum on Islamic civilization in Doha and wanted to check this one out as well.

The Museum itself looks very traditional in its outlook from the outside with the traditional Islamic architectural parts of it looking distinct in the contrasting sandstone tiles on the wall. The museum is huge with six distinct galleries on both sides of the structure and took me close to 3 hours to go through the entire building (one of the galleries - the Islamic science and technology wing was closed and that was a disappointment).

The Islamic faith displays form the first part of the museum covering one full wing of the ground floor. The displays cover the history of Islam, how it spread, the written history and calligraphy of Quran and all aspects of the faith and tenets of Islam. What was fascinating is the way the entire thing was spread out across the displays - the different Qurans, the history of Ka'aba, the Kiswahs that were there. This covers the interest to learn the basics of this fascinating religion. It was interesting to read through to understand the basics of this religion.

Qandil from the Kiswah

Kiswah from Ka'aba

As  the other wing in the ground floor - the Islamic science and engineering block was under maintenance, it was time for the four galleries in the first floor.

The first floor galleries cover the periods of the Islamic civilization in two parts - the first 10 centuries and the more recent history. The history of the spread of Islam to the growth of the art and culture of the Islamic world is detailed in the four large galleries.It was also a good thing that there was not much crowd in the galleries giving one the time and space to enjoy the displays.

The Cut glass set - the most exquisite piece in the gallery

While the amount of artifacts in the museum is not overwhelming, it is also to be noted that the conceptual arrangement and detailing of the artifacts in the museum were very good. Some of the curating could've been better - the indexing and numbering of the collective exhibits was confusing - but that is a small thing compared to the overwhelming amount of information to be digested.

The Samarra Mosque

The most interesting part - to me, at least - was the architectural section of the galleries. Probably, it is where the entire Islamic world excels beyond comparison. The section on the Mosques from the initial days of Islam to the modern, contemporary ones is not just interesting but very enlightening as well. The modern structures make use of the basic structure of mosques in very unique and artistic manner.

The battle standard

It takes about 3 hours to cover all five galleries and the sixth one would've added another 30-45 minutes. But probably, the best place in Sharjah to understand the local culture and customs of the people of this part of the world.

The modern Souq

Dhows lined up in the gulf

After that overwhelming experience, took a walk , in that burning sun , around the heritage part of Sharjah - called the 'Heart of Sharjah' - and the dhows on the gulf and the souqs lining the streets reminding one of the many parts of those galleries that I just noticed. A very enriching experience!