Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Offering a glimpse into Andalusia's 781-year Muslim reign and the region's scientific and cultural prosperity, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre is currently hosting an exhibition titled Andalusia: History and Civilisation - Brilliance in Science, Thought and Art.
The exhibition is part of the centre's efforts to promote the values and principles of tolerance and peace as the UAE has embarked on a journey to display the history of Arab civilisation to the world, according to the organisers.
The exhibition consists of seven sections.
The Founding of a Great Kingdom section focuses on the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a masterpiece combining Islamic, Roman and Byzantine architectural designs.
The section, "A Golden Age of Tolerance ", delves into the city of Medina Azahara, where tolerance and cross-cultural reach reached its zenith.
Titled "Knowledge and Enlightenment", this section explores the life of Abu Al Qasim Al Zahrawi, a pioneer of modern surgery and innovator of surgical tools.
In "Eloquence and Expression", the poetry majlis of Ibn Zaydun, a well-known poet who influenced Andalusia's cultural landscape, is the key highlight.
As for "Across Continents", this segment narrates the world of Al-Idrisi, a renowned cartographer and one of the greatest Arab geographers, who contributed to shaping the current world map.
The works of Andalusian philosopher Ibn Rushd take centre stage in "Connecting Cultures" with a particular emphasis on cross-cultural communication.
Finally, the serene gardens of Alhambra are displayed in the section "The Last Kingdom of Al Andalus", as a tribute to the grandeur of Al Andalus.
Also, several workshops are featured as part of the exhibition. The one titled "Design your own Astrolabe" allows visitors to make their own astrolabe design while also learning about the historical and scientific relevance of these sophisticated devices used for astronomy and navigation.
The workshops will be held every Sunday between 11am and 12 noon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:30am and 1:30pm, the organizers said.
The exhibition, held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre will run until May 31, 2024.
