Haj expo in Sharjah honors arts from Makkah, Madinah

Intricately designed fabrics from Makkah and Madinah have gone on display here at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
The event is entitled “Draping the holy places, religious textiles from Makkah and Madinah” and will run until Dec. 1.
“The exhibition is timed to coincide with the start of the Haj season, to honor this deeply important time,” said Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah museum.
“This collection is part of our continuing mission to showcase artifacts and provide educational opportunities that throw light on Islamic culture, and promote Islamic viewpoints on art, science, culture and history to an international audience,” said Ataya.
“We want to create a visual journey of masterpieces related to Islamic faith, culture and art that is accessible to the public,” said Noura Al-Moughani, assistant curator of the museum.
“During the exhibition period, the spiritual journey to Makkah will be brought into focus and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the magnificent rituals of the Haj. Highlights include the chance to taste the holy Zamzam water and the opportunity to sew a Haj-inspired cloth,” said Al-Moughani.
The custom of draping the Kaaba in Makkah goes back to pre-Islamic times. After the Prophet’s death, Islamic rulers honored both the Makkah sanctuary and his burial place in Madinah with precious textiles.
“Truly, for a look into our history and evolution, there is no better place to visit,” said Al-Moughani.
“Through this exhibition we also hope to highlight the importance and potential of our museum collections in educating visitors about our Islamic faith, history and culture and provide them with an inspiring and unforgettable experience,” said Aisha Deemas, the museum’s director of executive affairs.