A Walk Through Time on Sacred Stories and Timeless Art: Exploring the Wonders of Islamic Civilization in Sharjah

Hey, Worldmappin fam! So happy to say Hello to this exciting community of travelers and storytellers. Coming back again, sharing my ventures. Let's keep wandering, wondering and weaving stories together!

Entering Sharjah, alongside my husband, was like stepping on an enchanting trip through the centuries. This emirate is a treasure trove for those willing to understand the insight of Islamic history. With a group of heritage sites, museums, and architectural gems that tell a story of faith, knowledge, and artistic creation. We visited the famous Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. It was a awesome experience, as we strolled through its halls, the impressive artifacts, telling each one a story that transcends time. The lobby is a beautiful introduction to the treasure within. Spacious and open. It greets visitors with its grand high ceilings with intricate designs that reflect the ageless beauty of Islamic design. The lobby's serene ambiance invites visitors to dip themselves in the rich cultural heritage that the museum so beautifully unveils.

This was the first Gallery we entered. As we stepped inside the gallery walls were decorated with intricate Islamic art. This gallery gives an introduction to Islam, including the five pillars of faith.

This Kiswah belt of the Holy Kaaba and is made of black silk. It is decorated with Quranic verses embroidered using gold-plated silver thread. The picture on the right is called a Qandil(lamp) because its shape indeed resembles a real lamp.

This is a Kiswah, a cloth of black silk and embroidered with gold and silver threads that covers the Kaaba. The other image is called Sitara (curtain). The embroidery is made of gold and silver threads on black, red and green silk.

These images were the Model of the Black Stone, surrounded by a frame of silver. The Dome of the Rock Mosque, considered one of the most outstanding Islamic architecture. The lower image is Al Bidyah Mosque, the oldest existing mosque in the UAE. Built with stone and mud bricks.

These are Trebuchets for firing heavy arrows. It could fire large arrows with great accuracy. The Trebuchet was developed from the ballista and catapult and could destroy fortified walls.

These are hand grenades containing gunpowder. The other image is a handheld firearm and a cannon.

Model of an oven for making glass. Decorations were done by using different methods. The rosewater still is a simplified version of the Al Mizza village in Damascus.Hand-blown vials emanating from a pounded brass body.

This section was called the Pharmacy. These are the herbal medicines, which are used to treat ailments and for preventive purposes. The model of a traction bench for the treatment of dislocations of the spinal column. The surgical tools, these replicas are based on original instruments in the collection of the museum in Egypt. The Gynecological and delivery instruments.

These are the clocks, the Andalusian candle clock, the Water clock with alarm, a Balance clock indicating minutes and the Spanish Arabic water clock.

This is the Nautical Sciences, throughout the Muslim world there have always been great seafarers. This stuffs were used to measure the altitude and heights of celestial bodies for navigation at sea.

The Islamic quadrant is used to calculate the angle between the moon and the horizon. The Armillary Sphere in the upper right image, an instrument that demonstrates the movement of the heavenly bodies. The Astrolabe uses the stars to calculate the date and time.

These are the water wheels and windmills. The water wheels played a vital role in supporting agricultural and everyday life in an arid environment. The windmills a mills that grind by wind power.

The Eternal Letters exhibition is a stunning tribute to the sacred art of Qur'anic calligraphy and manuscript preservation. This area also invites reflection on the timeless power of the written word.

This second gallery presents architectural decorations and calligraphy on pottery that reflect the deep connection between structure, art and meaning. Intricate patterns, decorative and floral motifs form into delicate ceramic surfaces. The calligraphy adds a spiritual and intellectual dimension, with poetic verses gracefully flowing around the curves of the pottery.

This gallery showcases decorative metalware that highlights the exceptional skills and artistry. These metalwares not only served functional purposes but also conveyed status, belief and identity making them artifacts of their time.

This last gallery showcases woven textiles, jackets, and carpets that embody the rich traditions of craftsmanship, identity and symbolism. Each item features precise woven patterns enriched by symbolic use of color.

After we finished all the galleries, my husband and I went up to the upper level of the museum. As we entered, we were impressed by the heavenly mosaic that covered the central dome. The ceiling was covered with the zodiac constellations. As if time had stopped, allowing us to value the amazing artistry and timeless connection between the stars and human nature. We had such a great time at the dome. It's one of the highlights in the Sharjah Museum. We spent so much time finding the perfect spots to take photos, moving around and trying different angles just to capture its full beauty.

We really enjoyed our visit to the Sharjah museum. It tells us that history is not just to be remembered but something to be lived, experienced, and shared.

Photos taken using Samsung S21 5G
Edited by Canva