By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter

A total of 144 objects, including photographs, videos, books, manuscripts, historic artefacts, textiles, coins, maps and contemporary works of art, are part of the exhibition ‘Haj – The Journey Through Art’ that  opens today at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
The exhibition, which runs until January 5, 2014, is curated by Dr Mounia Chekhab-Abudaya, MIA’s curator of manuscripts with Shaika Nasser al-Nassr as project manager of the exhibition. It demonstrates the depth and breadth of the museum’s masterpiece collection. It is the first exhibition held in the Muslim world to explore the art revolving around the Haj pilgrimage.
“Exhibitions such as this have traditionally been the purview of European and North American museums. MIA is dedicated to shedding light on our past to inspire future generations, and we believe the power of art is essential to bringing the story of our cultures to life. We have every confidence that this exhibition will do just that,” commented Aisha al-Khater, director, MIA.
Speaking at a press conference at MIA yesterday, Shaika said that the exhibition was a collaboration between MIA and British Museum. “We have collected artefacts from MIA and other museum in Qatar as well as from private collections. Except two pieces brought from British Museum, all the collections are from Qatar.” She added that one of the artworks is dated back to the 7th century.
Mounia said: “We are very proud of the work we have done to provide a truly unique vision of Haj and offer a local lens through which to view it. We bring to light the breathtaking artistry that has revolved around Haj since the beginnings of Islam and continues to this day. This is a perfect example of the continuation of Islamic artistic traditions”.
She added that the exhibition involves academic aspects such as calligraphy workshops, special tours and classroom materials for schools.
Presenting artworks from MIA and objects from Qatari collections,  the exhibition offers audiences a local interpretation of the pilgrimage.  It achieves this by focusing on the routes taken from Qatar to Makkah, gifts brought back by local pilgrims and a section dedicated to the oral histories of Qatar.
Mounia said that the exhibition had four sections. “The first section is Makkah and the next one is The Journey, then the Rituals and the last part is After Haj. Moreover, most of these collections at the exhibition have never been on display for any of the exhibitions.”
The exhibition also includes an art installation in MIA’s atrium by contemporary artist Idris Khan and an outdoor photography exhibition. The international photographers participating in the exhibition are Peter Sanders,Britain, Reem al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia, Kayuzoshi Nomachi, Japan, Juliette Sawyers, Australia and Khalifa al-Obaidly, Qatar.