Sharjah 24: Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is marking the International Museum Day with a number of events held for three days between July 1st and July 3rd at Al Zahia City Centre Mall.

During this year’s celebration under the theme “The Power of Museums”, SMA’s lineup of activities will reflect the importance of museums as significant cultural and educational destinations. 
 
Members of the public will enjoy replicas of museum’s collections such as one-of-five astrolabes preserved by international museums, peal sieves that were used to categorize pearl sizes, the “Burqa” which is a traditional face wear that adorned Emirati women’s faces and a statue of a camel that was uncovered in Muweilah area of Sharjah. 
 
Activities between 10am and 12midnight at the mall’s main hall and theatre will also include guide tours, live performances, and calligraphy workshops. 
 
More events will focus on old Emirati professions and their tools with an aim to better connect community members with the rich history and heritage of the UAE.
 
“From promoting an understanding of differences, to addressing key social issues, museums are more important today than they have ever been,” said Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority. 
 
Being educational centers and social spaces, Ataya said museums have the power to influence both change and development because they broaden knowledge, stimulate new ideas, encourage creative thinking and help build social cohesion in their respective communities.
 
“Museums provide visitors with new perspectives and nurtures their curiosity to learn about others cultures thereby building cultural bridges and supporting diversity in multicultural societies, in particular, as seen in the UAE,” she added.
 
The list of events also include a number of interactive programs and workshops about Islamic architecture, marine turtles and pottery making that aim to engage children and adults alike.
 
Sixteen doors that represent SMA’s themed museums will introduce participants to the diverse offerings of the authority's distinguished cultural and educational centers. 
 
International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18 to raise awareness about the importance of museums as means of cultural exchange and as centers of learning that educate people about the history of humankind.