Capital hosts Haj history exhibition
abu dhabi — A six-month exhibition in the Capital will showcase the legacy of the arduous and challenging routes that pilgrims travelled across continents, along with other historical elements related to the Haj.
The Haj: Memories of a Journey exhibition, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, is organised by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-Abu Dhabi). It will open to the public on September 20.
Held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the exhibition coincides with the 10th anniversary of its opening in 2007.
The ‘Journeys section’ is the largest of the exhibition, reflecting on the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s personal Haj journey in 1979.
“The mosque is a unique example of Islamic architecture, and it plays a key role in representing the universal values that characterise Islam. The centre has succeeded in attracting five million visitors every year from across the globe to the mosque and it was named the world’s second favourite landmark by Trip Advisor in 2016,” said Yousif Al Obaidli, director-general of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.
“By shedding light on the fifth pillar of Islam and the importance of Haj, visitors will be able to witness the values of cultural communication that are intrinsic to this practice,” he continued.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, directorgeneral of the TCA-Abu Dhabi, said: “The exhibition draws attention to the relationship of our Emirati community with this spiritual journey, something which reflects the key values of our beliefs. The most important of these values are equality, tolerance, humility, good character, forgiveness, charity and loyalty to principles. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late founder of the UAE, praised the noble ideals of tolerance, and represented a role model as an Arab Muslim leader who is committed to his religion, homeland and nation. He was an ambassador of Islam to the world.
“The exhibition will highlight the historical narrative of Haj from the arrival of Islam to this region. It will also showcase the innovations Muslims have made towards facilitating the journey and making it more accessible for everyone, along with the traditions that have surfaced and the growing cultural significance that the holy season has developed over time.”
The Journeys section will also display a very precise historical account of the evolution of the Haj routes from the era of ships, and then on to before the invention of aircraft, when the journey to Makkah used to be undertaken by foot, to the present day, where the most common
By shedding light on the fifth pillar of Islam and the importance of Haj, visitors will be able to witness the values of cultural communication that are intrinsic to this practice.” Yousif Al Obaidli, director-general of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre
mode of transport is by air. Among the rare photographs in the exhibition are some from the archives of the renowned late photographer Noor Ali Rashid that go back to the age of steamboats, first used to reach the holy land in the mid20th century, with an image of a ship sinking off the coast of Dubai in 1968 on its way to Pakistan.
Tracing the ancient art of determining routes to Makkah by use of astronomical instruments that located guiding stars and the direction of the Qibla, the exhibition will
The exhibition draws attention to the relationship of our Emirati community with this spiritual journey, something which reflects the key values of our beliefs.” Saif Saeed Ghobash, director-general of TCA-Abu Dhabi
display original tools from the Zayed National Museum permanent collection, such as the copper astrolabe, invented by Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim, in Morocco, around the year 1711-1712. Also featured are devices that indicate the direction of the Qibla from the Nasser Daoud Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, dating back to different periods of Islam.
Following the old roads that lead to the holy destination, the exhibition will display maps of routes that pilgrims took across the Arabian Peninsula, and highlight some of the most famous resting points along the way, such as under the “Shabhana” tree, near the small Emirati city of Al Sila, which shares its border with Saudi Arabia. Other maps illustrate the old routes of pilgrims across Africa, Asia, while some show the Hejaz railway network established by the Ottomans in the beginning of the 20th century to connect the major cities of Makkah. A collection of rare pictures and postcards document this monumental railway project, from its beginnings up until the time it was demolished by the events of World War II.
Other notable pieces include Islamic manuscripts, archival photographs and archaeological finds, loaned from a range of local and international institutions, as well as a selection of private collections, personal possessions and Haj memorabilia shared by members of the community.
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