The Middle East boasts great museums that display art from many eras and function as a cultural bridge. Some are more focused on a specific aspect or period, while others are more concerned with modernization. Furthermore, we must not overlook the stunning architecture, both ancient and new, that communicates heritage and pride.
Therefore, we’ve produced a list of six museums that we believe are worth visiting because they house wonderful artifacts about which we should learn more!
Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art, which opened in 2008, holds the world’s biggest collection of Islamic art, hand-picked by the enigmatic, and respected Sheikha Mayassa, who is currently in charge of Qatar’s cultural and artistic pursuits. The museum is located on a custom-made island in Doha Bay. It holds a variety of temporary exhibitions, such as a recent exhibition of board games from around the Islamic world.
Tareq Rajab Museum
The Tareq Rajab Museum was established by Kuwait’s first minister of antiquities to display his personal collection of musical instruments, jewelry, and paintings. Unlike other Kuwaiti museums, it was spared looted during the Iraq invasion in 1990, when soldiers barricaded the entry and hid the exhibits in boxes.
National Museum of Saudi Arabia
The National Museum of Saudi Arabia, which opened in 1998, has eight galleries dedicated to Arabian culture, art, and history, including one dedicated to the prophet Mohammed’s life and others to the Hajj and the pre-Islamic era. Interactive displays with video footage and a full-scale reproduction of a Nabataean tomb from Madain Saleh are among the highlights.
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is located on the Majarrah Waterfront, directly on the Sharjah Creek’s edge, in the city’s historical core. It opened in 2008 in the former Souq al-Majarrah building, which has been turned into a cutting-edge museum.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art museum in Abu Dhabi, located on Saadiyat Island. It operates under a March 2007 agreement between the UAE and France that permits it to use the Louvre’s name until 2037 and has been dubbed “France’s largest cultural initiative abroad” by the Louvre.
National Museum of Beirut
This is Beirut’s most important cultural center. It houses an amazing collection of archaeological artifacts and provides an excellent insight into Lebanon’s history and the civilizations that influenced this cultural crossroads.
Each of these museums is distinct in that it houses objects and works of art that demonstrate identity and heritage. They are a true tribute to our Arab culture, and more people should be aware of them and their contents!
