‘Cultural Landscapes of Al- Andalus’ exhibition opened

Dr Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office, inaugurated on Wednesday morning the exhibition “Cultural Landscapes of Al Andalus,” jointly organised by the Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) and the Islamic Culture Foundation in Spain.

The exhibition hosted at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization runs from October 15, 2025, until April 12, 2026.

Sheikh Salem toured the exhibition, which is divided into two main sections.

The first, titled “Gardens of Delight,” explores the role of Andalusi gardens as spaces of coexistence and creativity through four themes: the productive botanical garden, the scientific garden as a living laboratory for botanical knowledge and agricultural experimentation, the spiritual garden as a space of reflection and contemplation, and the poetic garden as a source of literary and artistic inspiration.

The second section, “The Good Land,” focuses on the intricate productive systems of Al-Andalus, shedding light on irrigation techniques, dry farming, handicrafts, traditional industries, markets, and trade networks that illustrate the deep interaction between people and their environment.

The Chairman of the Ruler’s Office viewed more than sixty artistic and historical artefacts featured in the exhibition, including a selection being displayed for the first time in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The exhibition highlights the agricultural and cultural legacy of Al-Andalus through a vivid scene that blends the beauty of nature with the depth of human creativity, offering visitors a rich cultural and intellectual experience that opens new horizons for discovering the lasting influence of Al-Andalus on human civilisation.

Sheikh Salem listened to a detailed explanation of the exhibition’s highlights, which take visitors on an evocative journey to the heart of Al-Andalus tracing its legacy back to the eighth century onwards.

The exhibition portrays how during this era, the Islamic civilisation became a defining hallmark that reshaped the natural and urban landscapes of the Iberian Peninsula through a remarkable fusion of Eastern knowledge and local traditions.

This creative synthesis fostered scientific innovation and gave rise to an integrated system of agriculture, irrigation, crafts, and architecture, making Al-Andalus a unique cultural model where environment and culture harmoniously intertwined.

In his remarks, Emilio Pin Godos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the UAE, expressed his appreciation to the Emirate of Sharjah for its profound support for culture, knowledge, and heritage preservation as well as its dedication to showcasing history and civilisations.

He praised the long-standing cooperation between Sharjah and Spain across multiple fields, emphasising his delight at hosting this first-of-its-kind exhibition and his hopes for continued collaboration enriching cultural dialogue.

At the end of the tour, Sheikh Salem received a collection of publications from the Islamic Culture Foundation in Spain in appreciation of his presence and inauguration of the exhibition which is being held for the first time in the Emirate of Sharjah and marks the first collaboration between the Sharjah Museums Authority and the Islamic Culture Foundation in Spain.

As the first of its kind, the exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Andalusian cultural landscapes, blending traditional historical narratives with contemporary research perspectives to better understand the nature of urban and rural environments of the time.

It reveals the timeless human values and wisdom of that civilisation which continue to inspire our present and illuminate pathways to a sustainable future.

The exhibition also reaffirms that Andalusia was not merely a geographical space of coexistence, but a living realm of creativity and a crossroads of civilisations that left an indelible mark on human history.

“Cultural Landscapes of Al-Andalus” also presents a holistic vision of the sustainable relationship between culture and nature, highlighting valuable insights for addressing current environmental and climatic challenges by drawing inspiration from historical wisdom.

The exhibition further underscores the legacy of Al-Andalus as a cultural bridge that connected the Islamic East with the Mediterranean and European worlds, shaping the development of science, art, and culture across centuries.