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Sharjah Heritage Museum opened

Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, opened the Sharjah Heritage Museum on Tuesday, in the presence of several government dignitaries, a number of senior officials and directors of government departments and authorities, and international media representatives.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Shaikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; and Manal Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD). Curator Muna Mukhashab welcomed the guests at the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Heritage Museum, which has been set up under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

The Crown Prince cut the ribbon, marking the opening of the museum, after which he led the guests in touring the museum’s various galleries and viewed the new collections, which depict Sharjah’s rich heritage and history, starting with the “Landscape” gallery. the gallery features the natural environments found in the emirate ranging from coasts, islands, deserts and oases, to mountains and valleys.

Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi touring a gallery after the inauguration of the Sharjah Heritage Museum. — KT photo by M. Sajjad

He then inspected the ‘Lifestyle’ gallery, which portrays the variety of the UAE’s social aspects and religious values.

The tour continued with the “Celebration” gallery, which highlights the UAE’s rich heritage and traditions as practised on special occasions, such as the 15^th of Shaban, known as “Hag Al Laila”, the holy month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

The museum’s fourth gallery is “Livelihood” where Shaikh Sultan and guests viewed exhibits portraying textile sellers, ways of selling herbs, herbal medicines and currencies, international trade, import and export, goldsmithing, women in trade, domestic trade between local markets, exchange of goods, and means of travelling, amongst others.

Shaikh Sultan also toured the fifth gallery ‘Traditional Knowledge’ with collections depicting folk medicine and traditional methods of treatment such as cupping and wound treatment. Use of astrological knowledge to find way and the knowledge of “tracking” in the desert used for hunting.

lily@khaleejtimes.com