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MADINAH: Madinah has lengthy been a beacon of sunshine and information. Pilgrims and guests can attest to the peace they discover in a holy metropolis immersed in a halo of sunshine.  

Madinah has made nice strides lately to ascertain itself as a perfect venue for museums and a spot of studying. Students flock right here to navigate the trail that the Prophet Muhammed walked and to check the landscapes and manuscripts housed inside the metropolis.

The King Abdulaziz Complicated for Endowment Libraries, positioned inside the Islamic College of Madinah, is a light-colored opulent constructing whose partitions bear intricate Arabic inscriptions.

The advanced homes a formidable and priceless assortment of manuscripts and delightful uncommon copies of the holy Qur’an, carpets and rows of artifacts in enclosed glass circumstances.

Dr. Fahd Al-Wahbi, the secretary common of the advanced, instructed Arab Information: “The King Abdulaziz Complicated for Endowment Libraries is a authorities entity established by the choice of the Council of Ministers in 1437. It’s supervised by a board of trustees headed by the Governor of Madinah area and is organizationally linked to the Saudi Council of Ministers.

“The advanced goals to protect manuscripts and valuables and make them obtainable to guests. These reveals are a part of the holdings held by the advanced.”

In 2021, Al-Wahbi, below the management of Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, governor of Madinah area, chaired the primary assembly of the advanced’s board of trustees.

The Digitization and Cataloging Middle was established, prompting the digitization and indexing of manuscripts, uncommon books and helpful collectibles it contained.

The assembly additionally established the Journal of the King Abdulaziz Complicated for Endowment Libraries, a scientific journal, to publish analysis on specialised research.

With cabinets and rows of books, the constructing and the bigger space is a treasure trove of knowledge and a testomony of how Madinah has prioritized preserving historic paperwork for individuals to make use of.

The Prophet’s Mosque Constructing Exhibition is simply steps away from Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque.

This museum supplies worshippers context and background of the Prophet Muhammed’s journey to Madinah in 622, referred to as Hijrah, along with artifacts and manuscripts.

Hassan Taher, who was the chief director of Dar Al-Madinah Museum, instructed Arab Information in 2018 that it was “the primary and largest specialised museum of the historical past and cultural heritage of Madinah and the landmarks of the Prophet’s life.”

The museum, which has 4 predominant halls, publishes specialised periodicals on Madinah’s historical past and landmarks and holds seminars and boards on the subject.

One of many halls comprises a group of uncommon work and pictures of Madinah and distinctive collections from Islamic historical past. It’s positioned not too removed from the realm within the Information Financial Metropolis.

Taher stated: “The museum carries out specialised analysis in Madinah’s architectural heritage. It comprises a library of related books, analysis and magazines, all of that are accessible to researchers.”

He stated that the museum has issued greater than 44 books and publications on Madinah’s structure.

Taher added: “There are round 2,000 artifacts within the museum’s exhibition halls. These embody antiquities, extraordinarily correct fashions, handicrafts, manuscripts, paperwork, correspondence, previous publications, postage stamps, pictures and artworks.”

In 2022, Al Arabiya.internet spoke to Taher, now president and founding father of the Museum Tradition Membership, who stated: “The land of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was distinguished by its well-established tradition, historic depth and historical heritage. Its location was a gathering place for historical human civilizations and its land was one of many oldest areas of human settlement all over the world.

“Subsequently, it was distinguished by a wealthy abundance of cultures and civilizations, whose results are at present being reviewed by greater than 260 official and personal museums all through the areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

A few of the artifacts and manuscripts from the talked about museums will likely be displayed on the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale 2023 in Jeddah subsequent month.

With the theme “Awwal Bait” or “First Home,” the biennale will likely be housed on the award-winning Western Hajj Terminal within the port metropolis of Jeddah from Jan. 23-April 23, 2023.

Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Basis, the “biennale” will run each two years.

One other kingdom-based institute can also be thriving off of the Madinah story and contributing to providing entry and context to the town’s story.

The King Abdulaziz Middle for World Tradition (Ithra) is publishing a guide this month on the Hijrah. The exhibition on the nice migration remains to be on show at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran.

Dr. Idries Trevathan, a scholar of Islamic research and curator of the Ithra show, performed a key function in curating and modifying the guide and the exhibition. He traveled to Madinah a number of instances to doc the journey to deliver it to life within the exhibition, guide and a documentary that’s at present in manufacturing.

Trevathan instructed Arab Information: “Once we regarded on the Hijrah story, we realized that there’s by no means been an exhibition or a movie made about it … this very, essential occasion. And so, slightly below 4 years in the past, we determined to treatment the state of affairs and we created an exhibition. And the exhibition at this time is the fruits of our labor.

“Additionally, we needed to take a look at methods by which individuals creatively expressed the Hijrah story throughout the generations. So, we regarded on the creative heritage and the literature from the Islamic world and we included loads of these items on this guide, and within the exhibition.

“What’s distinctive about this guide, and totally different from different books revealed on the Hijrah, is its deal with the panorama of the Hijrah, of the sacred panorama.”

The Hijrah exhibit will likely be touring to Madinah in 2023.