National Museum of Korea to open new ‘Islamic Gallery’ next month

연합뉴스 / 2025-10-24 15:54:24

▲ This photo of the traditional Islamic market place is provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- The National Museum of Korea will open a new permanent exhibition space dedicated to Islamic history and culture next month, the museum said Friday.

In collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, the “Islamic Gallery” will open on Nov. 22 on the third floor of the World Culture Hall. It will be the museum’s first permanent space devoted to Islamic heritage.

The gallery will showcase about 80 artifacts from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection, including an early manuscript of the Quran, crafts, and paintings.

▲ This photo of the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar is provided by the National Museum of Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Museum of Islamic Art, one of Qatar’s major landmarks, houses collections spanning 1,400 years of Islamic art from the 7th to the 20th century. Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei — best known for the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris — the building opened in 2008.

Ahead of the gallery’s opening, the National Museum will host a special event titled “Cultural Journey to Qatar at the Museum” on Saturday in partnership with the Qatari Embassy in Seoul.

A traditional Bedouin tent called “Bayt Al Sha’ar” will be set up for visitors to experience nomadic culture, along with Arabic coffee known as qahwa. Attendees can also learn how to wear traditional attire such as the ghutra and black agal, and enjoy a dance performance by a children’s delegation from Qatar.

▲ This poster provided by the National Museum of Korea promotes its new permanent exhibition space dedicated to Islamic history and culture. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)