In the museum, visitors could learn about the development of bookbinding and manuscript arts in the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman eras.
Bookbinding became an integral part of Islam's early history, thanks in part to the commitment to bind the Holy Quran to protect it against destruction or distortion. There were many big changes in binding art during the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, when it became a lot more Islamic-themed.
Leather-wrapped paper was used instead of papyrus or wood to make books between the sixth and seventh centuries AH. The Holy Quran was covered in gold sheets with precious stones.
The art of Ottoman binding evolved in the 8th and 9th centuries AH. Since the early days of the Ottoman Empire, the sultans encouraged interest in science, the arts, and industries, particularly the art of illuminated manuscripts and bookbinding.
The Sharjah Museums Authority is working hard to shed light on the advancements in Islamic art that have helped turn Islamic cities into beacons of civilisation.
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