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The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia ( ms, Muzium Kesenian Islam Malaysia) is a museum in
Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...
, Malaysia. It was officially opened on 12 December 1998. The museum is the largest museum of
Islamic art Islamic art is a part of Islamic culture and encompasses the visual arts produced since the 7th century CE by people who lived within territories inhabited or ruled by Muslim populations. Referring to characteristic traditions across a wide ra ...
s in
South East Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainland ...
with more than seven thousands artifacts from the Islamic world.


Significance

The largest
Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
community in the world are inhabitants of the Nusantara region, which is the Indonesian/ Malay name for the southern half of
Maritime Southeast Asia Maritime Southeast Asia comprises the countries of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and East Timor. Maritime Southeast Asia is sometimes also referred to as Island Southeast Asia, Insular Southeast Asia or Oceanic Sout ...
. The capital of Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...
, houses the largest museum for
Islamic Art Islamic art is a part of Islamic culture and encompasses the visual arts produced since the 7th century CE by people who lived within territories inhabited or ruled by Muslim populations. Referring to characteristic traditions across a wide ra ...
in
South East Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical south-eastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of mainland ...
. Although a clear date for the establishment of Islamic communities on the Malay peninsula is difficult to place; the introduction of the faith was likely influenced by busy trade routes between the China Sea and Indian Ocean. Commonly seen to be on the periphery of the Islamic Art cannon, perhaps due to strong traditions of local visual cultures, scholars have argued that it is time that Indonesia and the rest of the Nusantara region be fully "brought into the main discourse of Islamic Art." Perhaps due to Islam's later arrival in this region, art historians have grappled with defining purely Islamic art within such a dominant visual culture, where overlapping and intersection of aesthetics with other faiths in the region make strict definitions difficult.


Exhibits

The museum consists of twelve gallery spaces, spread over two levels. Level one contains galleries devoted to Architecture,
Qur’an The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sin ...
and other Manuscripts, and one each for the art of India, China and the Malay Peninsula. Level two houses galleries devoted to Arms & Armor, Textiles, Jewelry and Coins, with the remaining three galleries consisting of art works categorized by their materials Metal, Wood and Ceramics. The museum is also known for their collection of ancient
Islamic glass The influence of the Islamic world to the history of glass is reflected by its distribution around the world, from Europe to China, and from Russia to East Africa. Islamic glass developed a unique expression that was characterized by the introdu ...
ware. The museum also houses educational, research, and extensive conservation facilities. One of the most famous permanent exhibitions is a faithfully restored and complete early-nineteenth century "Ottoman Room" dating back to the 19th century. Conservators used data born out of the restoration of this room to collaborate frequently with international colleagues, add to the wider conversation about conserving Islamic vernacular architecture, and to draw attention to the effects on “painted woods in tropical climates such as Southeast Asia.”


Architecture

The exterior of the 30,000 sq. meter building is defined by clean lines and 21st century construction techniques, yet includes some traditional Islamic architectural details that activate the surface. Such details include the ornate, turquoise-colored tiled domes that recall a textile aesthetic and have established the building as an iconic landmark on the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Likewise, an entrance reminiscent of an
Iwan An iwan ( fa, ایوان , ar, إيوان , also spelled ivan) is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called , a Persian term for a portal projectin ...
, embellished by Iranian tile workers, continues the tapestry aesthetic, engaging with the surroundings and speaking to the viewer with the incorporation of a welcoming Qur’anic verse.


Awards and recognition


Transportation

The museum is accessible within walking distance west of
Kuala Lumpur railway station ( Jawi) zh, 吉隆坡 ta, கோலாலம்பூர் , address = Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50621 Kuala Lumpur , borough = , country = Malaysia , coordinates = , grid_name ...
.


See also

* List of museums in Malaysia


References


Literature

* *


External links


Official Site

Tourism Malaysia - Islamic Arts Museum

Islamic Arts Museum (Muzium Kesenian Islam)
{{Authority control 1998 establishments in Malaysia Art museums and galleries in Kuala Lumpur Islamic museums in Malaysia Museums in Kuala Lumpur Museums established in 1998