By Staff Reporter
Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization exhibition on Monday at the National Museum of Oman. Running until May, the exhibition serves as a cultural platform that underscores the deep historical ties and strong collaboration between the UAE and Oman in preserving heritage and promoting Islamic culture.
Cultural diplomacy through Islamic artistic heritage
The opening ceremony commenced with a speech by Jamal Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman, who welcomed His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and the attendees. He emphasised that the exhibition highlights the evolution and beauty of Islamic art and results from cooperation between the National Museum and the Sharjah Museums Authority.
Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, expressed her delight at hosting the exhibition in one of Oman’s leading cultural institutions, highlighting the strong fraternal ties and shared history between the UAE and Oman, strengthened by the leadership of both nations.
Image for the Title: Sharjah’s Deputy Ruler opens Islamic art exhibition in Oman_mm4Deemas noted that the visit of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to Oman was a key inspiration for organising this exhibition. It reflects his vision of using culture and the arts as a bridge to strengthen relationships and promote cultural exchange between the two nations. The exhibition further highlights the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and social connections that have flourished across generations.
Rare Islamic treasures displayed for the first time outside the UAE
She explained that the exhibition is not just a platform to display rare Islamic artefacts but also an opportunity to reflect on the shared historical legacy of the region. It highlights the exceptional craftsmanship and creativity that defined Islamic civilisation throughout the ages.
An immersive experience of Islamic artistic evolution
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi toured the exhibition, receiving detailed explanations about the 82 rare artefacts on display. These include Islamic manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, and historical coins, each illustrating the artistic evolution and cultural richness of successive Islamic civilisations.
Promoting knowledge exchange and international cultural collaboration The exhibition aims to highlight the artistic achievements of Islamic civilisation, strengthen collaboration with regional and international cultural institutions, and raise awareness of the rich heritage of the Islamic world. By fostering cultural appreciation and knowledge exchange, the event contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring artistic traditions of the Islamic world.
The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Oman; His Excellency Mohammed bin Nakhira Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Oman; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority; Jamal Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman; along with several senior officials and diplomats.
