Sharjah shows scientific genius of Islamic Golden Age

From Arabia to Southern Europe, through the Levant, Egypt and North Africa, eastward to Transoxiana, Sindh and India, Muslim travellers and scholars of the Islamic Golden Age embarked on journeys that transcended mere exploration.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Their meticulous records, spanning trade routes, cultural practices, and geographical wonders, laid the foundation for the 'Ilmal-Masalik waal-Mamalik (Science of Roads and Kingdoms), a pioneering branch of Islamic geography that blended administrative precision with intellectual curiosity.

Now, Sharjah's House of Wisdom celebrates this legacy through its exhibition ‘Chapters of Islamic Art: Travelogues’, running until 5 July 2025.

13 CENTURIES OF EXPLORATION:

The exhibition showcases 13 centuries of exploration through the manuscripts and books of renowned Muslim explorers who travelled across vast distances, circumnavigating the seas, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a passion for discovery and knowledge.

On a journey that traces back the evolution of geography and cartography, visitors will be able to view rare manuscripts, hand-drawn maps and detailed scenes, offering the opportunity to learn about Ibn Battuta's three-decade travels, Ibn Jubayr's diaries that recorded his observations across Jerusalem, Egypt, Hijaz, Najd, and Iraq; among others.

The exhibition also explores Al-Yaqoubi's geographical perceptions, and highlights the incredible contributions to navigation by Ibn Majid, who relied on the stars to determine directions on the open seas.