The reopening of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in October will feature a new family trail where "families can go and interact and do things together through this whole journey of new galleries."
MIA Director Dr. According to Julia Gonella, this is a critical element of the museum's new message that families can sit, talk and interact with exhibits.
Astrolabe Gallery is one of her chosen galleries. It has a new look and more interactive features. "With the sky showing the different stars in Qatar, we will have an astrolabe and a big screen where people can look to see how the astronauts are working and what they are working towards." She said this in a video posted on YouTube by the Qatar Museum.
MIA Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs Sheikha Nasser Al Nasser explained how the astrolabe will be interactive. "Kids would have the astrolabe and then they would manipulate it and point it at a star, and if they pointed it right, a constellation would appear, so it was learning by doing." The astrolabe is a scientific instrument used in the Islamic world for many centuries.
One of its main uses in Islam is to determine the time of prayer and the direction of prayer to Mecca. The museum's screens have been upgraded and include gallery-themed films.
During the unveiling, a new room in Southeast Asia will also be unveiled. Dr. According to Gonella, it developed as a result of the significant population from Indonesia and the Philippines in the country. "We really thought it was absolutely central to focus on Islamic art in this region."
All new sections will be on display in October: trade with China, a religious section highlighting the Muslim community and how it is held together, and items related to the Ummah, Mecca and the Hajj.
