H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, inaugurated today the ‘Andalusia: History and Civilisation’ exhibition, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Theyab toured the sections of the exhibition, which is part of the “Andalusia: History and Civilisation”, an initiative spotlight the great Andalusian civilisation.
The exhibition offers an in-depth look into the Andalusian heritage, showcasing key figures, cities, literary works, and artistic masterpieces that shaped the Iberian Peninsula, paving the way for scientific advancements and leaving a positive impact on human history.
Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the “Andalusia: History and Civilisation” Initiative Committee, stated that organising this exhibition aims to cel
ebrate the Andalusian civilisation and its intellectual, cultural, and artistic rich heritage, spanning 8 centuries. He emphasised that the initiative is another result of the UAE leadership’s efforts to promote tolerance, openness and moderation.
Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director-General of SZGMC in Abu Dhabi and Vice Chairman of the committee, affirmed the role of the initiative and its accompanying events in highlighting the Arab civilisation in Andalusia, and the values of tolerance and coexistence upon which it thrived. These are the same values reflected in the mission of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which seeks to promote communication and convergence between different civilisations and cultures, he explained.
The exhibition showcases rare artworks, scientific publications, and precious artefacts that spotlight the development of science, literature, thought, and culture in the Arab civilisation in Andalusia. It sheds light on the diverse societies that coexisted in Andalusia and their significant co
ntributions across various fields.
The selection of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi to host this exceptional exhibition is based on its role as a religious and architectural landmark that brings people worldwide together, regardless of their religious and cultural backgrounds, mirroring Andalusia’s past community which thrived on peace and coexistence.
The exhibition features 7 key highlights; the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a masterpiece combining Islamic, Roman and Byzantine architectural designs; Medina Azahara, a city where tolerance and cultural exchange reached their peak;
Abu Al Qasim Al Zahrawi, a pioneer of modern surgery and innovator of surgical tools; Poetry Majlis of Ibn Zaydun, a celebrated poet who helped shape the cultural landscape of Andalusia; Al-Idrisi, a renowned cartographer who contributed to shaping the current world map and one of the greatest Arab geographers; the works of philosopher Ibn Rushd, which highlight intercultural communication; and the Alhambra Palace gardens, one
of Andalusia’s most celebrated landmarks.
The ‘Andalusia: History and Civilisation’ exhibition will open to the public on 1st December, in conjunction with the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations.
Source: Emirates News Agency