Dar Al-Madinah Museum: Fascinating Dioramas Of Islamic History

By Elmi Rizal Elias MADINAH, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Stories on the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, and the life of Prophet Muhammad have been told and retold through time, orally and through writings and documentaries. But when narrated through splendid three-dimensional dioramas, learning about Islamic history could be a unique and fascinating experience for visitors to Dar Al-Madinah Mosque where scaled-down models of several Islamic historical sites and monuments are featured. The museum, within walking distance from Nabawi Mosque, is open Saturdays to Thursdays from 9 am to 7 pm. Among others, it tells the story of the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah, the evolving Nabawi Mosque since is was established by the Prophet until what it is today, and the evolving Kaabah with the replicas of their early and present forms also featured. This museum also showcases the over 230-year-old original carrier for the cover or kisbah of the Kaabah, brought from Egypt to Makkah using a camel, and a replica of the receptacle used by the Prophet for ablution and bathing. There’s a replica of the Uthmani Quran, stained by the blood of the Third Caliph, Uthman bin Affan, who was killed by a Jew, and the original copy is now placed at Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Stepping into Dar Al-Madinah Museum, the media delegation brought by Tabung Haji (Malaysia's Haj Pilgrims Fund Board) to cover this year’s Haj season was briefed on the original site of the Kaabah right to the development of Makkah and Madinah until today. To enter the museum, open to the public since 2011, visitors are each charged US$9 (SR35) and there are guides or staff who can explain in Arabic, English and Urdu the exhibits at the museum. Also featured is a replica of the Prophet’s marital home located near Nabawi Mosque until it was joined to the mosque which now also houses the Prophet’s Tomb located under the green dome of this mosque, which is Islam’s second holiest site. There are also dioramas of the Quba Mosque (world’s oldest mosque), Qiblatayn Mosque, Al-Aqsa Mosque, Uhud Battle, Battle of Khandaq or Battle of the Trench, and the Martyrs of Uhud cemetery. The museum’s collections include coins from the Prophet’s time, a replica of the oldest Quran, earthenware from the period of the Umayyad Caliphate and artefacts from the time of the Mamluk Sultanate and Ottoman Empire. Dar Al-Madinah Museum manager, Soleiman Muhammed Soleiman said at the museum, visitors could feel or imagine the lifetime and struggles of Prophet Muhammad in spreading Islam. “Many considerations were given when building this museum. Why we chose to establish this museum in Madinah was because Allah had ordained it as among Islam’s holiest cities and this is the resting place of the Prophet. Soleiman, who completed his studies in engineering from the Multimedia University in Bukit Beruang, Melaka, said each year, about 60,000 people visited Dar Al-Madinah Museum, which took eight years to complete. Due to its uniqueness, the museum which was officially opened by the Emir of Madinah, Prince Abdulaziz bin Majed, has received various recognitions including the King Faisal Award for preserving numerous artefacts which would otherwise have to be relocated or disposed of for the expansion of Nabawi Mosque. Visitors can also obtain books and collection of articles on the Prophet and city of Madinah from this museum. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA