16 Museums Decked Up Across The Emirate

Sharjah lines up special events to mark International Museums

HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has underscored the crucial role played by museums in preserving the civilization and cultural heritage as well as in promoting tourism sector in the emirate that gets more than half a million museum visitors every year.

This came on the occasion of the International Museums Day yesterday (May 18) which is celebrated in Sharjah every year with a number of events and exhibitions in the world renowned museums across the emirate. The theme of this year’s World Museums Day was "Museums in a Changing World—New Challenges, New Inspirations.”

Sharjah , which was named the capital of Arab and Islamic culture by the United Nations in 1998, is home to 16 museums, in addition to some that are being renovated, the largest number in the region. A number of special events and exhibitions are being held in 16 museums across the emirate, from May 18 to 20, to mark the occasion.

The Sharjah Maritime Museum, for instance, is hosting a special exhibition of ancient and modern ships, besides conducting an interview with Saif Qaizi, the architect of ship Samaa. The Calligraphy Museum has organised an exhibition on making calligraphic tools while Museum of Islamic Civilization, Science Museum and Discovery Centre have their own special workshops and exhibitions.

Hailing the special exhibitions and events, Al Noman said Sharjah has a long and rich history of promoting arts, culture and heritage and its museums have played a powerful role in deepening the understanding and identity of the emirate and its history.

“Sharjah’s museums help in the appreciation of our precious cultural heritage in a modern and scientific manner and environment. Each one of Sharjah’s museums is a tribute to a particular aspect of science, history, culture and entertainment and attracts visitors from different ages and nationalities from all around the world,” he pointed out.

Al Noman said that the role of museums in contributing to the tourist flow into the emirate is immense. “International visitors to these museums do not just experience the rich cultural heritage of Sharjah and the UAE, they also discover a new world and civilization that left an imprint on the world civilization and now belongs to all of us,” he added.

“Sharjah’s Museum of Islamic Civilization for instance boasts the richest collection of Islamic artifacts and rare manuscripts in the region. It is gems like these that attract international visitors and have earned the emirate the title of the Capital of Arab and Islamic culture. And we are sparing no effort to preserve this invaluable shared heritage for the benefit of all humanity,” the SCTDA Chairman emphasised.

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