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The following list of "must-see" museums in every country in the Gulf; hoping you will use it wisely and help promote the pastime of "museum-hoping" regionally. Qatar Faisal Bin Qassim Museum (FBQM): Located in Al-Shahaniya (20 km outside Doha), art collector Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani displays his private collection of antiques in a castle-like building, filled with history and houses a treasure of artifacts, which was inherited from his father. The private collection consists of classic cars, aircrafts, books, and even dinosaur fossils! For fashion enthusiasts the museum is home to a large collection of traditional costumes from different cultures. It has a large courtyard where pearl fishing dhows are displayed, along with other local artifacts. In 2002, the museum became a member of the UNESCO's International Council of Museums. The museum is open by prior appointment only. Tel: +974 486 9966 - Email: reservations@fbqmuseum.com Website: www.fbqmuseum.com Qatar National Museum (QNM): Located on the corniche of Doha, and was designed by the Qatari architect Abdullah Al Mal. Established in 1975 and consists of different departments; the Old Palace, the archaeological and natural history building, lagoon and maritime museum and aquarium. In 1980, the museum won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA), for its Islamic design. It is currently closed due to renovations, and will re-open in 2012. Website: www.qma.com.qa Tel: +974 452 5555 The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA): Qatar's gift to the world and unrivaled landmark was designed by the Pritzker prize laureate I. M. Pei, and located on a man-made island. A five-storey building, home to priceless Islamic treasures, and displays a legacy of 1400 years and three continents. Read the article we published and learn more about the museum here. Recently the museum inaugurated its Education Centre, which contains a library with 10,000 titles, classrooms, workshops, and computer labs. The aim is to promote research and to engage the community with the museum. Opening hours: 10:30 - 17:30 daily Fri: 14:00 - 20:00 Tue: Closed. Tel: +974 422 4444 Website: www.mia.org.qa United Arab Emirates Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum’s House: Located in Bur Dubai, it is the house of Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum ruler of Dubai (1912 - 1958). This museum/house won an award in 1988 for Architectural Heritage Preservation. The house which was built in 1896 has a rare collection of photographs, coins, stamps,etc that record Dubai's history. It's a really good example of the fine architectural buildings of that time. Al Ahmadiya School: If you were originally from Dubai you'd be really familiar with this school because most of our fathers attended it. Located in Al Ras in Deira, this school turned museum was founded in 1912. It was the first school established in Dubai and has now been turned into an educational museum. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization: Established in 1987, the museum became really popular for its Islamic architecture and is now it is considered as a landmark for the Emirate of Sharjah. There are a lot of Islamic paintings as well as photographs showcased in the museum. It also houses old Arabic machinery, scientific tools, pottery, weapons, etc. Bahrain Bahrain National Museum: Okay, so you might think its a uncreative to include the Bahrain National Museum on this list, but anyone who has been here will know that its a must to visit this museum. For those of us who grew up and went to school in Bahrain, a trip to the museum will bring back memories of field trips. While its not big compared to museums in Europe and elsewhere, it provides a comprehensive background of the history of Bahrain. Different halls take you through different civilizations of Bahrain, including Delmon. After your done, make sure you take a few picture next to the sea, with Muharaq in the background. Make sure you also check out the hall on your left as you first walk in, as there is always an interesting temporary exhibition. P.S. We're still secretly scared of the Graves Hall (Guess the cat is out of the bag now!). Opening hours: 8:00am-8:00pm, Sunday-Saturday Tel: +973 17 298777 Muharaq/Cultural Homes: We are cheating a little bit, because these are actually a bunch of museums right next to each other in the area of old homes that have recently been restored and renovated. In our defense, picking out one would not be fair to the others, as they are all unique. Here, you will find the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre, The Kurar House, The Abdulla Al Zayed House for Press Heritage, The Mohammed Bin Fares House of Music, and the Bin Matter House of Pearls as well as many others. It is ideal to pay these a visit now that the weather is cooler, and while you walk down the winding streets of Muharaq you will find yourself transported to a far simpler time. Opening hours: 9-1 and 4-7pm, Saturday-Thursday. Kuwait Kuwait National Museum: A tour of the Kuwait National Museum helps you discover the wonderful art collection of the Al-Sabah dynasty. The rich trading history of Kuwait is unfolded in the treasure trove displaying archaeological findings of the Failaka Island, various artifacts and the remnants of the ancient pear diving dhows. In one of the blocks of the museum you will find the administrative offices and the auditorium. The other three blocks are however, full of all the historical exhibits. For reaching these blocks there are ramps connecting the exhibition floors so that any tourist can have very good view of the displayed objects. The roofs of the building are of concrete with an aluminum frame covering the garden and the buildings. During the Iraqi invasion the Kuwait National Museum at Kuwait was completely destroyed, but after liberation now the museum is again being restored and you can find lots of exhibits in the display again. Tareq Rajab Museum: The museum houses a collection of over thirty thousand items, of which about ten thousand are permanently on for public display. It is divided into two areas. In Area A, you will find calligraphy, manuscripts, miniatures, ceramics, metalwork, glass, jade, wood and stone-carvings. In Area B you will find costumes, textiles, jewelry and musical instruments that were used in the Islamic world during the last 250 years. There is a reference library also in the Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait. This library can be regarded as a 'goldmine of information' for the benefit of those who want to learn about the culture and heritage of the Islamic and the Arab world. Science and Natural History Museum: The museum keeps a record of the country's technological and scientific progress. The most important sections of the museum include artifacts and demonstration of the petroleum industry of Kuwait, which is believably the 2nd largest in the world. The petroleum industry of Kuwait is the most important asset of the country. The history of the nation is incomplete without a thorough study of the oil industry and the international disputes and policies that surround it. The other major departments of the Science and Natural History Museum: · The Natural History Department · The Space Science Department · The Planetarium · The Electronics Department · The Machinery Department · The Zoology Department · The Aviation Department · The Health hall Oman Museum of Omani Heritage: Opened on 17th November 1974, this museum contains detailed archaeological and artifacts information. The other section contains information about agriculture and minerals, trade routes, architecture, dhows, firearms, art & crafts of Oman. Operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Location: Al Alam Street, on the hill behind the Ministry of Information, Way 1566. Opening hours: Sat to Wed 08:00-13:30 hrs, Thurs 04:00-06:00pm hrs. Entry fees: 500 bzs (adults) 200 bzs (children) and 100 bzs (under 6 years) Tel: +968 246 00946 Children's Museum: Children of all ages can enjoy scientific experiments through hands-on experience. It contains innovative ideas to explore science. The museum has recently opened a new computer workshop for its visitors to learn technology in an interactive way. It is operated by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. Location: Housed in dome shaped building at Shatti al Qurum near the Qurum Natural Park, Way no 2601 Opening hours: Sat to Thurs from 9:30am–1:30pm Entry fees: 500 bzs (adults) 100 bzs (children under 12 years) Tel: +968 246 05368 Bait Al-Baranda: Opened on December 16th, 2006, the name of this building literally translates as "Villa with a Verandah". It is interactive and contains the history of Muscat. The Museum presents the story of Muscat. This includes geology, ancient life, earliest human settlements from 10,000 BC, Islamic era, and Muscat in the words of geographers and travelers. It also highlights Muscat today: The challenge and the achievemen and folk art in Muscat. State-of-the art technology provides an interactive briefing to visitors. Bait Al-Baranda became a part of Oman’s landmarks that would embody and preserve the memories of Muscat city and introduce the history of the city and contribute to cultural activities. To ensure the perfection of renovation work, a specialized Omani institution was hired to conduct historical and verify historical facts. Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 9:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00pm to 6:00pm Entry fee: R.O 1.000(adults), 500 bzs (children) NB: Children under 4 years are not allowed Tel: +968 247 14262 |
