This exhibition highlights the Ka’ba and the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, which form a fundamental pillar of Islam for millions of Muslims around the world.
At the heart of the display is a model of the Ka’ba, which is the second Qibla after Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims.
Learn about the key features of the Ka’ba:
- The Door: A gate made of pure gold, adorned with intricate engravings featuring Islamic decorations and Qur'anic verses.
- The Kiswa: A black silk cover embroidered with the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith), which is replaced annually during the Hajj season.
- The Water Drain: Known as the Mizab al-Rahmah/Mizab of Mercy, it channels rainwater off the Ka’ba's roof.
The exhibition also features a replica of the original Qur'an, which is currently on display at the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul. This printed copy of the Qur'an is unique, with five sections on each page. The three larger sections are written in the Thuluth script, while the remaining two sections are written in the Naskh script (both are traditional Arabic calligraphy styles). This model was created by Turkish calligrapher Ahmad Qora al-Husari.
