The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, which is nestled in the city's core, houses about 7,000 relics that puts a spotlight on the Islamic world. The museum has been well received since its opening in 1998, and it has drawn visitors of all faiths from all across the world. It indeed is the largest and most celebrated Islamic Art Museum in South East Asia.
An art is the best way to express a thought, idea or a solution. The Islamic Arts Museum was opened to the public on 12th December, 1998. The art museum is located in Perdana Botanical Garden which is at the heart of the city. You would be surprised to know that it is the largest Islamic Art Museum in South East Asia.
There are around seven thousand artefacts which throws a light on the Islamic world. Altogether there are 12 galleries in this museum and they are divided into groups based on their levels. The Quran and Manuscripts gallery is at Level 3 along with Chinese gallery, Indian gallery and Islamic architecture. There are jewellery, textile, ceramic work and armour at Level 4. The Islamic glassware is also displayed at Level 4. The museum is open from morning to evening and is a must visit tourist place.
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Highlights
• Witness the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia do its part in eliminating the negative stigma around the faith and celebrate its rich history.
• Explore all 7000 artefacts and relics that have been stored here which focuses on the Islamic faith and tells you more about it.
• Visit all the 12 galleries of the Islamic Arts Museum which is further categorised on the basis of their levels and showcases different themes
• View the Quran and Manuscripts gallery, the Chinese gallery, Indian gallery and the magnificent Islamic architecture on level 3.
• On Level 4, there is the Islamic glassware as well as jewellery, textile, ceramic work and armour to delight any history buff.
• Visit the special temporary exhibits held in regular intervals of time.
• Eat delicious Middle Eastern delicacies in the in house Moza restaurant.
• Do not miss out on the exquisite entrance drape of the Kaaba, popularly known as the 'House of God,' as well as the manuscripts originating from the 17th century.
How To Reach
By Bus - Several buses go to and from the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, considering that the place holds a lot of significance. It would take you approximately 20 minutes to reach and is the most affordable means of transport.
By Taxi/Cab - You could directly hire a taxi or a cab from the Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station to Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. It would make you reach your destination in less than 5 minutes. But it would cost you around INR 200.
On Foot - It is a 23 minute walk from the KL Sentral to Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
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Other Essential Information
Mount and Display Design of Islamic Arts Museum
The Mount and Display design of the Islamic Arts Museum is a very complicated process, hence requires the specialists giving a lot of thought and effort into it.
The specialists, along with the conservators and curators, weave a story here in the exhibitions, in the most eye catching way possible.
Without jeopardising the priceless Islamic Arts and Master Crafts artefacts, these specialists put up a display which will give you insights about the item on display, as well as make sure you truly appreciate the value of these irreplaceable pieces of history.
They simply make the entire exhibit ‘come to life’.
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Restaurants in Islamic Arts Museum
- Moza Restaurant
The Moza Restaurant housed in the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, offers you the most delectable items of Middle Eastern Cuisine without compromising the nutritional value and traditional favour of the dishes.
With comfortable seating and exquisite interiors, the visitors will find themselves in the Middle East, with the sweet aroma of the various dishes spread all around, increasing your appetite.
The Shorbat Adas is a must try dish and can perfectly be paired with the freshly grilled Adana Kebab or the Dejaj Mousakhan, both of which will be a treat to your senses.
The calming Arabic music played in the background will transport you to a heavenly realm.
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Auditorium in Islamic Arts Museum
The auditorium in Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia has the capacity to hold about 250 spectators and has the ability to fill many roles.
Apart from being used as a seminar hall on numerous occasions, it is also booked for official conferences for many corporations and organisations.
Award ceremonies and various other official or corporate events are also held inside this auditorium, owing to the latest technologies installed in the hall.
In parallel to conferences or gatherings hosted at the Auditorium, the Rehal Terrace can be used as a showcase space or a large dining space.
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Exhibition Space in Islamic Arts Museum
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia houses 3 galleries dedicated to special displays and exhibits on space.
These galleries can be rented while not being used.
The Special Gallery 1 is placed on the ground floor, near the lobby.
The Special Gallery 2 is situated on the floor above the Special Gallery 2, just beside the Inverted Dome room,
And the last one is the Open Space Gallery, nestled inside the Inverted Dome, and it serves as the gallery for Photography exhibits.
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Tips to Visit Islamic Arts Museum
When you visit the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, cover yourself up in decent clothes in order to show respect to the Islamic culture. Don’t leave the knees or shoulders exposed as this is usually frowned upon. Cover up your head as well.
It is recommended that you spend at least 2 hours here if you want to cover up all the major exhibitions in the museum.
There are a lot of temporary exhibitions set up at different intervals of times which display special artefacts that have never been seen before, hence make sure to catch one if you can.
It is advised that you visit in the afternoon as the crowd is considerably less and you will be able to actually enjoy your time there.
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Architecture Gallery
Architecture has always been a way of expressing Islamic art, hence it is only reasonable that they will have an entire gallery celebrating this.
The architecture gallery houses a massive collection of replicas and miniature models of Islamic mosques. The gigantic majesty of Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram, Islam’s oldest and most celebrated mosque, and then the more barren elegance of Central Asian mausoleums entirely devoted to Timur and Amir Albukhari are also included in this collection.
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The Quran and Manuscripts Gallery
The Quran and Manuscripts Gallery focuses on Islamic faith’s contribution to the sacred texts and the written word. This Gallery houses the earliest Quran fragments dating back to the eighth century. Figural artwork illustrating Persian classic masterpieces is also on display in the gallery. Ancient books on astronomy, mathematics and medicine are also a part of this exhibit, representing the Islamic contribution in these fields.
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India Gallery
The India Gallery showcases the effect of Islamic faith in India, during the reign of the Muslim dynasties that brought Persian influence to the country. The exhibits of Mughal art is the main attraction in this gallery which has people coming from all across the world to this museum. Jewelleries from the era, intrinsic vases, ewers and other delicate artefacts dating back in time are also a part of this exhibit.
China Gallery
The Islamic faith also has spread its roots all the way to China and this gallery showcases how. The Qurans from China, which use the ‘Sini’ script are a part of this gallery and show the emphasis of both the Chinese and the Islamic on calligraphy. Other important artefacts of pottery and vessels which were uncommon to the Chinese, including pen boxes, can be found displayed in this exhibit.
Malay World Gallery
Malay World Gallery displays the exhibits which show the Islamic influence on the Malay World, which includes southern Thailand, through the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, on to Java, Sulawesi and southern Philippines. Examples of textiles with a heavy usage of stylized plants, fruits and clouds are put on display here and shows the influence of Islamic faith in the regular lives of people. Clothes of silk with ‘supplementary weft gold thread’, manuscripts and even silver and metal artefacts have found their place in this gallery.
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Jewellery Gallery
The Level 2 of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia starts with the Jewellery Gallery. It displays a fine collection of jewelleries and ornaments, adorned by women throughout time and the influence of Islamic culture on them. You will find displays of the two broad groups of jewelleries, namely exclusive and ethnic. Turkoman jewellery of Central Asia, Indian jewellery, jewellery from the Fatimed era found in Egypt and Syria - these are some examples of what the Jewellery Gallery offers.
Textile Gallery
The textile gallery showcases a fine variety of textiles, collected from all across the world in the 15th - 19th century, with heavy Islamic influence. Early Islamic textiles are included in the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia collection in a more complete state than they are seen elsewhere. Substantial India's textile legacy, especially Kashmir shawls, is influenced by Iran, and Emperor Akbar's adoption of woven silk as well as velvet robe may be traced back to Persian influence. Extensive clothing ensembles from around the Islamic world, and even some decorative wall decorations and carpets, are on display.
Arms & Armour Gallery
The Arms & Armour Gallery proudly presents a greater than fine collection of the beautiful weaponry of the war.
When weapons were introduced, beauty remained a significant focus, and the Islamic gunsmith's inventiveness blossomed. Guns and handguns were lavishly decorated, and now these are being displayed in this section of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
There are stunning exhibits of guns, swords, blades, axes, maces, spears, shields, and armor on show.
Coin & Seal Gallery
Coins and Seals holds the most significant information to historians, hence it is only reasonable that these would find their way into the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia.
The collection holds coins and seals from the 7th century to the 19th and the 20th centuries, displaying the gradual change in the appearance, size and the artworks on it.
The most prized possessions of this gallery are the Gold dinar Ottoman, the Gold dinar Umayyad and the Silver ring with seal Timurid or Safavid.
Metalwork Gallery
This Metalwork Gallery features stunning gold, silver, and copper embellishments.
On exhibit are a significant number of ewers, basins, pen boxes, and, most importantly, candle stands that have been collected from all over the world and have a strong Islamic flavor.
Trays, bowls, jugs, vases, and other brass and bronze objects are also on display.
Veneto-Saracenic gilded metal ewer and dish from Italy, Brass Pilgrim Flask from India, Incense Burner from Seljuk Iran, and a Double spouted ewer from the Post-Sasanian era are among the most cherished items of this museum.
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Lifestyle Gallery
Carving has long been a popular style of ornamentation throughout the ages in the Islamic culture, thus it deserves its own gallery.
The Lifestyle Gallery showcases elaborately carved woodwork, elaborate geometric design panels and window frames, embedded craftsmanship, and lacquerware.
The Gallery’s highlights include Carved Wood And Ivory Inlaid Door Panels from Mamluk Egypt, an Ottoman Cabinet With Cintamani Design from Turkey, a rosewood throne chair from India, a cabinet inlaid with ivory from the 17th century AD and a pair of qajar stained glass and khatam kari door from Iran.
Ceramics Gallery
The Ceramics section of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia showcases the works of great inventiveness produced by Muslim artisan.
Relics on show include blue and white patterned collections, Ottoman Iznik earthenware, Kashan lustreware, and Nishapur arabic calligraphy bowls.
The gallery highlights the Lustre Painted Ewer from Kashan, Iran, a fine Mamluk glass rosewater sprinkler from Egypt or Syria, and an Underglaze painted ewer from Iznik, Turkey.
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