sharjah museum of islamic civilization outside

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization – Complete Guide

Are you looking for a great museum in Sharjah? Then, why not visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization? This beautiful museum allows you to learn more about the history of Islamic Civilization while exploring beautiful artifacts and scrolls found and made in the region.
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is located in the emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah is the second largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates and the third-largest city. Sharjah is known for its excellent museums. Here you can read about the best Sharjah Museums, including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

Fun fact! The building that houses this beautiful Sharjah museum was first built in 1987 as a traditional Arabian market but later re-opened as Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization in 2008. It’s an excellent idea for a Sunday afternoon or, honestly, any other adventure day in this fantastic city.

The Sharjah Islamic Museum was also included in this post about the best museums in Sharjah.

What is the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization?

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a museum in Sharjah dedicated to the history of Islamic cultures, people, and civilizations. It is one of the largest Sharjah Museums and the Sharjah Museum with the most exciting and beautiful collection.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization offers a door into the history of Islamic civilization and how it helped build humanity as we know it. Being the first museum of its kind in the Arab World, this Sharjah Museum offers valuable and exciting information on Islam’s impact on different fields, ranging from science and technology to arts and culture, through interactive exhibitions, multimedia presentations, and audio-visual displays.

sharjah museum of islamic civilization outside

Why visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization?

Even though the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation might not be up there with the Burj Khalifa when it comes to popularity, it is still an important museum in the country.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization enables ex-pats, locals, and tourists alike to learn more about the Islamic Civilizations and the region’s history through Islamic artefacts and temporary exhibitions in a state-of-the-art museum.

The goal of the Sharjah Islamic Museum is to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between people of all cultures and religions through the exploration and exhibition of Islamic art, history, and culture.

The architecture of the Sharjah Islamic Museum

Architecture-wise, the Sharjah Islamic Museum is a work of art. With its textures and designs, the building reflects the rich heritage that inspired the creation of this Sharjah Museum. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization entrance is decorated with a giant metal dome with mosaics on the inside. It represents the horoscope, but it also makes it easily distinguishable from other buildings in the area. 

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization architecture style is a mix of Islamic and contemporary styles, using Arabian elements to decorate the large Sharjah Islamic Museum. So, if you love great architecture just like me, the spacious galleries of the Sharjah Islamic Museum won’t disappoint.

The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization offers lots of exciting information.

One of the reasons why the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization should be on your list of Sharjah Museums to visit is that this beautiful museum offers lots of interesting information.

This beautiful Sharjah Islamic Museum offers unique well-organized exhibits and takes you through the history of the Islamic civilizations on the Arabic peninsula. Some of the exhibits are also interactive, making it easier and more enjoyable to learn more when visiting the Sharjah Islamic Museum.

sharjah museum of islamic civilization textile

The Sharjah Islamic Museum puts a new light on Islamic Culture.

People from other countries usually have a misconception of Islamic culture, thanks to the media and lack of information. However, the truth is that there is so much more to Islamic cultures than the religion that binds them. The Sharjah Islamic Museum can show this by offering visitors a look into the past, offering insights into people’s daily lives on the Arabic peninsula from the 7th century and the 14th century through to the 19th century.

Make sure to visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization during your stay in Sharjah! You won’t regret it.

Museum Sections of the Sharjah Islamic Museum

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization displays more than 5,000 rare items. They were all gathered from different parts of the Islamic world. In addition, you can see them displayed in seven other areas in the ground-floor galleries and the thematic galleries.

The Abu Bakr Gallery of Islamic Faith

The Abu Bakr Gallery of Islamic Faith exhibits the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization introduces you to basic concepts you need to know about Islam. 

Here you will learn more about the Hajj rituals and other acts of Islamic worship. This part of the Sharjah Islamic Museum shows you artifacts and texts showing how people took part in Islamic rituals and worship throughout the world and ages. You can see rare manuscripts of the Holy Quran, collectible artifacts, as well as photos and examples of mosques from all around the Islamic world. You will be amazed at the wide range of Islamic Artifacts from the 13th century to the 20th century. 

The most interesting artifact of this extensive collection you’ll see in this hall of the Sharjah Museum is the Kiswah. This cloth was used to cover the Kaaba in Mecca, the historical heart of Islam.

The Ibn Al-Haytham Gallery of Science and Technology

In this gallery of the Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization, you can explore manuscripts and objects that offer insights into the achievements of science in Islam. There are many exhibits on mathematics, astronomy, optics, medicine, engineering, architecture, Islamic science. etc. You will learn more about the Islamic Scholars and how they helped shape modern medicine. You will learn about the scientific achievements through instructive models and informational videos. The coolest part is that you’ll get to see a big part of it on 3D models and videos as the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and partly interactive.

sharjah museum of islamic civilization shroud

Islamic Art Gallery 1

The Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization area shows your arts and crafts from different parts of the Muslim world, such as pottery, metalwork, woodcarving, manuscripts, and textiles from the 1st to the 7th century AH. You’ll see some unique pieces here, so make sure to take your time looking at them all closely when visiting the Sharjah Islamic Museum.

Islamic Art Gallery 2

The Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization shows Islamic art pieces and crafts from the 7th to 13th century AH. Similar to Gallery 1, you can see pottery, metalwork, woodcarving, manuscripts, and textiles here as well. The difference between these two galleries of the Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization is you’ll notice an essential change in the way things were done through time, as the Islamic civilization evolved and put its mark on the world with its art originality.

Islamic Art Galleries 3-4

These two galleries of the Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization focus on the art and weapons used between the 13th to 14th centuries AH, like swords, daggers, and the armor used by warriors in the Muslim world, everything with a distinctive touch of Islamic art.

Islamic Coins Display Gallery

This is the smallest display gallery of the Sharjah Islamic Museum when it comes to permanent collections, and it has a collection of coins from different periods in Islamic history. Here you can discover exceptional 13th-century coins and learn more about how money was used in the early Islamic civilizations. It is, in fact, one of the most prominent Islamic Coin Collections in the world. So it’s a great place to start if you want to learn about the monetary system in the Islamic civilization.

sharjah museum of islamic civilization dome painting

Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization tickets

Sharjah Islamic Museum entrance fees: 

Children (under 2 years): Free

Children (2-12years): 5 AED (1.36 USD)

Adults (13+ years): 10 AED (2.72 USD)

Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilization is open from Saturday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

How to get to the Sharjah Islamic Museum?

If you want to visit the museum, but you’re unsure how to get there, here are all the details you need. 

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization by Bus

The Sharjah Islamic Museum museum is well connected to the bus system in Sharjah. The nearest bus stop is Al Sharq Street Mubarak Center Bus Stop.

The buses that’ll take you there are:

-88R. This bus route goes From Al Sajaa Terminal to Rolla Terminal

-14G. This bus route goes From Al Sharq Terminal to University Terminal

And you’re ready; now you have to walk a couple of blocks to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization by Car or Taxi

The Sharjah Islamic Museum museum is well connected to the bus system in Sharjah. The nearest bus stop is Al Sharq Street Mubarak Center Bus Stop.

The buses that’ll take you there are:

-88R. This bus route goes From Al Sajaa Terminal to Rolla Terminal

-14G. This bus route goes From Al Sharq Terminal to University Terminal

And you’re ready; now you have to walk a couple of blocks to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

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