Bodour Al Qasimi Inaugurates Second Edition Of Chapters Of Islamic Art Exhibition In Sharjah

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), recently opened the second "Chapters of Islamic Art" exhibition at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah. This year's theme, "Travelogues," highlights the achievements of notable travellers, geographers, and cartographers from the Golden Age of Islamic Science. The exhibition will run for four months, showcasing their contributions to geographical knowledge and cultural enrichment.

The exhibition is hosted at HoW’s Khawarizmi Exhibition Hall until 5th July. It invites visitors to explore a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and maps that illustrate the journeys of Muslim explorers worldwide. Among these are curated pieces from Professor Richard Ettinghausen’s renowned collection and valuable artifacts from various institutions like the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre and the Sharjah Museums Authority.

Prev

Next

The exhibition is divided into four sections focusing on travel literature, geography, and cartography. The first section, "Journeys in Ink," explores Al-Masālik wal-Mamālik, a significant branch of Islamic geography from the Abbasid era. It includes rare manuscripts such as Ibn Khordadbeh’s ‘The Routes and Kingdoms,’ which documents global divisions and trade routes while offering early insights into Earth's shape and gravity.

This section also features works like Surat al-Ard by Muhammad bin Hawqal and The Journey of Ibn Jubayr by Ibn Jubayr. Additionally, it presents a key work by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi that exonerates Ahmad Ibn Majid from assisting the Portuguese in their voyage to India.

The second section, "Al-Idrisi: Mapping the World," highlights Al-Idrisi's famous inverted map, one of history's most accurate cartographic works. It traces its influence over time with a timeline showing map developments from Al-Idrisi’s 12th-century maps to modern digital mapping technologies like Google Earth.

Navigational tools are showcased in the third section, featuring instruments such as astrolabes and sextants—examples of precision engineering. The fourth section examines how travelogues and maps link past with present through technologies like GIS and digital storytelling that have transformed travel into a digital experience without borders.

Legacy of Exploration

Mawra Al-Aqroubi, Executive Director at HoW, emphasised travelogues as historical treasures where Muslim travellers excelled. She stated: "This exhibition honours the legendary travellers of Arab and Islamic history, presenting a priceless legacy that immortalises their role in documenting geography and broadening our perspective of the world."

Al-Aqroubi added that these manuscripts are more than measurement tools; they bridge ideas and cultures. They continue to inspire researchers today at HoW by introducing younger generations to this enduring legacy shaping our understanding of humanity.

This event follows an earlier launch by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi at HoW showcasing rare books from Professor Richard Ettinghausen’s extensive collection gifted by His Highness himself. This collection includes 12,000 works across fields such as architecture, art history, literature among others.

With inputs from WAM