Assalamu alaikum - Al Ain Museum to reopen on 24 October after big redevelopment
Assalamu alaikum - Alhamdulillah, some good news for anyone who loves our heritage. The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has said that Al Ain Museum will reopen on 24 October after a major redevelopment project.
The museum was first set up in 1969 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and it was the country's very first museum. For more than 50 years it has been a place to keep and share the history and traditions of the Garden City.
The new museum, by Dabbagh Architects, covers over 8,000 square metres and has kept the original museum building as part of the whole design, so the old and new sit together.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT - Abu Dhabi, called the reopening an important step in our cultural journey. He said the museum honours Sheikh Zayed’s vision of protecting our past so it can inspire the next generations. The renewed space is meant to give both local families and visitors from abroad a stronger link to Al Ain’s deep history and its role in the UAE’s identity.
The collection shows about 8,000 years of people living in the area - archaeological finds, everyday objects, and displays that explain the customs, crafts and inventions of the people of Al Ain.
Omar Salem Al Kaabi, director of the museum, said it gives visitors the background they need to understand the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site. He hopes the museum will be the first stop for people who then want to go out and see Al Ain’s oases, ancient tombs and historic buildings with more appreciation.
One of the exciting parts of the redevelopment was finding new archaeological sites during the work. Those finds were carefully excavated and are now part of what visitors can see. A central theme is the ancient aflaj irrigation system - that clever network of waterways that allowed farming and long-term life in the desert.
The museum complex also includes Sultan Fort (the Eastern Fort) beside Al Ain Oasis. Built in 1910 by Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, it used to be the centre of the old village Harat Al Hosn.
Besides showing thousands of years of settlement, the museum will be a place for research and education, with facilities for archaeological study and conservation. Students, researchers and anyone interested will have access to materials that help us understand Al Ain and the region’s past.
In sha' Allah, it will be a nice, meaningful visit for families, students and anyone wanting to learn more about our land and history.
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