Using priceless artefacts, video footage, personal audio recordings and photographs, the show explores the history, journeys and experiences of pilgrims who travel from around the world to reach the holy city of Mecca.
Among the artefacts on display is a "Mahmal", one of the ceremonial curtained transports in which the Sultans were carried from Cairo to Mecca in what is now Saudi Arabia, and a Koran from the eighth century.
Also on show is "Milestone", one of the stone slabs once used by pilgrims in Iraq to mark their route to Mecca, so they could find their way home.
"Magnetism", a minimalist piece of art by Saudi artist Ahmed Mater of the Kaaba, the sacred site around which the pilgrims pray, adds a modern touch.
The Hajj exhibition is the third by the British Museum in a series of sacred spritual journeys that included "Treasures of Heaven" and "Book of the Dead", and is intended to improve understanding of the pilgrimage and Islam itself.
"We had to contact museums from all over the world to request if we could borrow some of their artefacts, and if there were items that related to the routes of Hajj," said curator Venetia Porter.
An 8th century Quran is displayed to mark the opening of the Hajj exhibition at the British Museum
Many of the artefacts were donated by Nasser Khalili, one of the biggest collectors of Islamic art in the world. "This exhibition is a journey that sends out a religious, spiritual, ritual and cultural message that proves how harmonious Islam is," Khalili told AFP.
Muslims are obligated to try to make the Hajj to Mecca at least once in their lives, during the last month of the Islamic year known as Dhu'l Hijja.
"Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam" opens at the British Museum on January 26, and runs until April 15.
Related Post:
word top news
- Ofcom probes John Darwin email hacking by Sky News
- David Cameron has welcomed EU backing for UK
- Bhoja Airline tragic incident killing all 127 people
- indonesia earthquake april 11 2012, Potential tsunami
- philippine armed forces modernization 2012
- 7 killed in US shootout; Indian-American girl among injured
- forecast flooding from Queensland moves downstream into NSW next week
- where get best girls in bali
- best place wine beer in bali indonesia
- Obama raises pressure for Syria regime change
- foreign tourists victims in Ethiopia attacks
- How to use Polar Ft1 Heart Rate Monitor As A Stopwatch
- chase auto finance grace period
- Powered by Article Dashboard buy foreign currency
- published news upcoming news submit a new story groups graphics card
- will tsunami potential japan earthquake january 1 2012
- mayan calendar world on December 21 2012
- japan earthquake Dec 31 2011
- japan earthquake 6.8-magnitude january 1 2012
- Mayan calendar, what will happen on december 22 2012
- why cesaria evora death
- BISE Multan Board 10th Class Date Sheet 2012
- when shahbaz sharif give laptop which date
- bise lahore matric supplementary result december 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment