All about the Miraj Islamic Art Centre
The influences of Islamic history can be seen in some awe-inspiring art that spans across architecture, carpet weaving, metalware, paintings and more. These art forms showcase regional and cultural influences from various epochs of Islamic history. The Miraj Islamic Art Centre houses a splendid collection of some of these marvels for those who appreciate Islamic art.
WHAT IS MIRAJ ISLAMIC ART CENTRE?
Miraj Islamic Art Centre, Jumeirah is the brainchild of Mujeeb Mir, a young visionary who saw the need for a dedicated centre to display the different forms of Islamic art. This unique organisation brings together the history, heritage and the sublime opulence of Islamic art.
From the rich intricately woven textiles of Persia and the painted ceramics to silk carpets from Kashmir and exceptionally crafted weapons from Damascus – Miraj Islamic Art Centre in Dubai has a wonderful collection of statement pieces once used and owned by emperors and sultans.
There are thirteen centuries of Muslim art and craft at the centre that provides a unique glimpse into the evolution of Islamic art and architecture. Their displays are divided into eight different collections – each held in great esteem.
MIRAJ ISLAMIC ART CENTRE COLLECTIONS
Miraj Islamic Art Centre is not your traditional art gallery in Dubai, UAE. This unique place has eight different collections of Islamic art in Dubai, compiled from art belonging to different Muslim countries, eras and modes of life.
PASSION AND STRENGTH
The Passion and Strength collection displays the unique juxtaposition of powerful objects of historic warfare and the intrinsic pieces of beauty together as an evidence of fine craftsmanship.
Here, you can find daggers, swords, armours and helmets embellished with decorative motifs using the ‘koftgari’ technique.’
Also included in the exhibit are intricate pieces of royal crowns and jewellery adorned with studded jewels and inlaid gold and silver from the Mughal Era.
BEAUTY AND DIVINE
The second exhibit of Islamic art at Miraj museum focuses on the art of calligraphy.
One can witness the illustrated beauty of harmoniously fluid Arabic scripts that grace Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock or Agra’s Taj Mahal.
The collection also includes literary works that illustrate the prominent chronicles of heroics and dynasties from the thirteen centuries of Islamic history – all narrated in different calligraphy styles.
ENCHANTING VISIONS
What’s an art gallery in Dubai, UAE without paintings extraordinaire?
You can take a visual journey of human emotions, glory, pain and more through the beautiful paintings that tell stories of Muslim kingdoms, and Islamic culture over the years.
FLORAL DELIGHTS
The wispy floral designs and motifs that you often see in mosques and other Islamic centres has been around for centuries – particularly from the Mughal era.
These designs when sculpted in marble are called munabbat kari and the same when inlaid and embellished with semiprecious stones are known as parchin kari. Visitors to the Miraj Islamic Art Centre in Dubai can witness the best of both.
WEAVERS OF DREAMS
From the golden ages of carpet weaving, the Weavers of Dreams collection contains a selection of beautifully hand-weaved rugs and carpets as an homage to artisans who made them.
An art form native to several Muslim civilisations – Turkish, Persian and Kashmiri carpets have adorned the walls and floors of palaces, embassies, museums and even the homes of the rich and powerful.
MYSTIC SPLENDOUR
Islamic art has never shied away from the use of precious and semi-precious metals.
The Mystic Splendour collection at Miraj Islamic Art Centre Dubai displays how metallic embellishments embroidered using silk threads and zari (a gold-coated thread), inlaid with precious stones, made the most magnificent ensembles fit for the kings and queens.
VIBRANT TAPESTRIES
You can find a some beautiful tapestries at the Miraj museum.
This place also holds an intriguing collection of woven textiles worn as skull caps, turbans and veils or used as home furnishings and tents.
The most prominent samples of these textiles include the cotton from Yemen and Mesopotamia and the broadcloth from Turkey.
TOUCHED WITH GOLD
One of the most unique displays at the Miraj Art Centre is the papier-mâché decorative art that originated from Kashmir. These pieces of art are handcrafted and often decorated with birds of paradise and floral designs. These papier-mâché items are then gilded, lacquered and adorned with gold highlights and precious stones to create masterpieces that will leave you in awe.
MIRAJ ISLAMIC ART CENTRE LOCATION AND TIMINGS
This Islamic art gallery in Dubai is located in the Umm Suqeim area and is also easily accessible for the residents of homes in Jumeirah. For exact directions, use the Miraj Islamic Art Centre location plus code: 56F9+23 Dubai – United Arab Emirates.
- Miraj Islamic Art Centre address: 582 Jumeirah St – Umm Suqeim
- Miraj Islamic Art Centre contact: +971-4-394-1084
- Miraj Islamic Art Centre timings: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm
That wraps up our guide on the Miraj Islamic Art Centre, Jumeirah. Culture buffs have plenty to explore when it comes to museums in Dubai. Some of the most popular museums in the emirate include the Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum, the Dubai Museum and the Shindagha Museum.
Besides the culturally rich centres, Dubai is also home to some unique museums such as The Selfie Kingdom where you can explore 15 different rooms with unique props and lighting to take some awesome Instagram-worthy selfies.
Also worth mentioning is the Museum of Illusions with its spinning tunnels, infinity rooms and mysterious holograms that will trick your eyes and deceive your senses!
