Sultan Bin Ahmed opens Rumi exhibition in Sharjah

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, inaugurated the “Rumi: 750 Years of Absence... Eight Centuries of Presence” exhibition, which will run until Feb.14, 2025, at the House of Wisdom (HoW) in Sharjah.

Upon arrival, Sultan Bin Ahmed was received by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah; Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office; Abdulrahman Bin Mohamed Al Owais Minister of Health and Prevention; Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE; Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, in addition to officials, diplomats and media representatives.

Commenting on the exhibition, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Visionary of the Tanweer Festival, said: “Sharjah has long been a place where cultures and diverse nations connect, and through the lens of Rumi’s timeless wisdom, and the narrative of his life and influence that is on display through this exhibition, we are reminded that every encounter with art and heritage is a profound step towards understanding our shared humanity.

“Rumi teaches us that love and understanding transcend boundaries, inviting us to explore the depths of our souls and the richness of our experiences, reinforcing the fact that together, we can create a world filled with compassion, inspiration, and hope.”

Sultan Bin Ahmed toured the exhibition and reviewed the artefacts celebrating the legacy of poet, philosopher, and author Jalal Al Din Al Rumi. The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to explore his journey and impact on literature, philosophy, and Sufism.

The exhibition serves as a prelude to the inaugural Tanweer Festival on Nov.22-24 at Mleiha Desert, envisioned by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to foster reflection and community connection through the theme “Timeless Echoes of Love and Light.”

Inspired by Rumi’s poetic wisdom, the festival, a first of its kind in the region, will feature music, poetry, and art from some of the world’s biggest artists, seeking to nurture universal values and spiritual enlightenment in today’s ever-evolving world.

The exhibition itself is thoughtfully divided into three thematic sections, each of which offers visitors an immersive and thought provoking experience. “The Beginnings” explores Rumi’s early years, from his birth in Balkh to his family’s migration to Konya. This section focuses on the cultural and historical contexts that shaped his youth and laid the foundations for his later work.

In “The Transformation” section the exhibition reveals Rumi’s spiritual awakening, particularly his transformative encounter with Shams Al Din Al Tabrizi, which profoundly influenced his philosophy and inspired his most famous works.

Finally, “The Legacy” section illustrates Rumi’s enduring impact on the world, highlighting his poetry, his teachings on divine love, and the Mevlevi whirling practice that has become synonymous with his spiritual path.

In collaboration with Shurooq and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums in Turkey, the exhibition reinforces House of Wisdom’s standing as a communal hub for experiences that inspire learning, cultural appreciation, and community engagement.

Through this international partnership, priceless artefacts and manuscripts have been provided by esteemed institutions and individuals, including the Mevlâna Museum, Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Islamic Manuscripts House in Sharjah, Sharjah Museums Authority, and Barjeel Art Foundation. The exhibition, which provides audiences in the UAE a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Rumi’s incredible spiritual journey, is sponsored by Sharjah Islamic Bank and DGR.

Visitors to the exhibition will encounter a collection of priceless items, including rare manuscripts, a beautifully bound 13th-century Qur’an, the Divan-i Kebir by Hasan Bin Osman, the Mathnawi Al Munaari, a luxurious Sultani copy from Persia, and Seljuk-era artefacts like candlesticks and robes attributed to Rumi that reflect the profound impact of his teachings over centuries.

WAM