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Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art (Arabic: متحف الفيصل للفن العربي الإسلامي) is an art museum in the al-Olaya district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located next to the Al Faisaliah Tower in the building of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Opened in 2017, it features rare collection of Islamic art from early, medieval and contemporary periods and historic Qur'an manuscripts. It also contains artifacts belonging to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz and his wife Iffat Al Thunayan.

The museum is tasked with managing collections, providing research and studies, binding and restoration of manuscripts, and organizing exhibitions and events.

History

The museum was opened in June 2017 and was inaugurated by Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the governor of Riyadh. On the day of its opening, the museum held the "Masahif Al-Amsar" Exhibition, showcasing collection of rare Qur'an manuscripts.

In February 2019, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah inaugurated the "Wahj: Adornment of the Page" exhibition, which lasted till January 2021. The exhibition showcased 60 items of the different types of decorated manuscripts preserved by the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.

In February 2022, the First Exhibition Hall was reopened after renovation and the museum held an exhibition titled "Asfār: Treasures of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies" where 36 out of 28500 historical manuscripts of Qur'an where selected to be displayed. In November 2022, it displayed two rare printed works from its collection, replacing two displayed printed works on Asfar Exhibition “The Bible” (King James Version of the Bible) and “The Holy Bible” (The first edition in Arabic with the four Gospels).

Permanent collection

The permanent exhibition at al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art features several collections, including: the Arab-Islamic Art Collection, the Manuscripts Collection, the King Faisal Memorial Collection, the Coins and Currencies Collection, the Fine Arts Collections, and the center's History Collection.

Arab-Islamic Art Collection comprises over five hundred artifacts from across the world, representing the Islamic civilization era from the seventh century until the modern era. The collection includes: writing utensils, weapons, ceramics, medical instruments, metalwork, wooden sculptures, coins, and textiles. The museum showcases pieces from this collection in the First Exhibition Hall (the permanent exhibition) under the title 'The Narrative of Arab-Islamic Civilization'.

The King Faisal Center Library possesses an exclusive collection of about 28,500 original manuscripts and over 140,000 digital images of manuscripts and microfiche or microfilm copies. Among these are 15,000 microfiche copies acquired from the British Library in 1999 and approximately eight thousand manuscripts on microfilm from the National French Library, obtained through UNESCO in 1989.

King Faisal Memorial Collection comprises about six hundred pieces from the personal possessions of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz. The pieces range from medals, clothing, and armors to documents, furniture, and weapons. Coins and Currencies Collection showcases coins and banknotes that belonged to Iffat Al Thunayan, the wife of King Faisal. The Fine Arts Collection comprises approximately six hundred works of fine arts, such as paintings and photographs.

References

1. "متحف الفيصل للفن العربي الإسلامي يفتح أبوابه أمام الزائرين من جديد" [Al Faisal Museum of Arab and Islamic Art reopens its doors to visitors]. Al-Eqtisadiah Newspaper (in Arabic). 2017-07-11. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
2. "متحف الفيصل للفن العربي الإسلامي يؤصل للحضارة العربية بـ 36 مخطوطا" [Al Faisal Museum of Arab and Islamic Art establishes Arab civilization with 36 manuscripts]. Oman Daily (in Arabic). 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
3. Sheikh Moussa, Lynn. "Beautiful Islamic Art & Where to Find It". listmag. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
4. "New Arab Islamic art Museum inaugurated in Saudi Arabia". EgyptToday. 2017-06-03. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
5. "متحف الفيصل يفتح ذراعيه لمحبي الفن العربي الإسلامي في الرياض" [Al Faisal Museum opens its arms to lovers of Arab and Islamic art in Riyadh]. almowaten (in Arabic). 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
6. "view/97". King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
7. "view/48". King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
8. "وزير الثقافة يفتتح معرض "وهج" في متحف الفيصل للفن العربي الإسلامي" [Minister of Culture inaugurates “Glow” exhibition at Al-Faisal Museum of Arab and Islamic Art]. Al-Eqtisadiah Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2022-07-28. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
9. "view/103". King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
10. "متحف الفيصل .. عرض مقتنيات نادرة وفريدة في "أسفار"" [Al Faisal Museum .. Displaying rare and unique collectibles in "Asfar"]. Al-Eqtisadiah Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2022-07-28. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
11. Khashogji, Zaid (2022-03-01). "Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art reopens in Riyadh with exhibition of rare manuscripts". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
12. "news/read/398". King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
13. ^ "Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art". Saudipedia. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-12-25.

• 2017 establishments in Saudi Arabia
• Art museums and galleries in Saudi Arabia
• Museums established in 2017
• Museums in Riyadh