UK museums to visit this summer for Islamic history and culture
Take in artefacts from around the world without leaving Britain, from the oldest dated carpet to the astrolabe, an ancient navigation device
With the summer holidays now in full swing, there’s no better opportunity to take a trip to one of the UK’s many museums to soak in some culture and history. Many feature extensive collections of items from the Islamic world, both as part of their free-to-visit general collections and in specially curated exhibitions. Here are our top picks.
British Museum, London
The Albukhary Foundation Gallery brings together items from the British Museum’s vast collection. It includes artefacts that date back to the 7th century and spans the Islamic World, from west Africa to eastern Asia. Among many other historical objects, you can see manuscripts, pottery, daggers, astrolabes and chess sets. Meanwhile, the museum is taking steps to address its relationship with colonialism and gearing up for a September exhibition of the Bayeux tapestry.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The V&A has a collection of more than 19,000 objects from the Islamic world, including the Ardabil carpet — the world’s oldest dated carpet, made between 1539 and 1540. The museum’s displays also feature leaves from Qur’ans dating back to the 10th century, textiles, swords and two kiswahs, made to cover the Kaaba in Mecca. Later this year, starting in November, the V&A will host an exhibition on the two empires of Constantinople and Istanbul.
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam collection includes ceramics, prayer rugs, glass and metalwork from the Islamic world. Located in the university city of Cambridge, you can enjoy a scenic walk along the nearby River Cam, which flows behind the backs of various historic colleges. From 4 August to the end of the month, the Fitzwilliam is also hosting a Play Pavillion for younger visitors.
Aga Khan Centre Gallery, London
Located in King’s Cross, the Aga Khan Centre hosts regular exhibitions. It is now showing Voices from the Roof of the World, a documentary series looking at how climate change is affecting the environment and livelihoods in mountainous areas of Asia. The exhibition runs until 16 August.
Leighton House, London
This summer Leighton House presents The Arab Hall: Past and Present, showcasing the ornate room built in 1881 by former resident Baron Frederic Leighton and inspired by his extensive travels in the Middle East and north Africa. Exhibits include a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Soudade Kaadan titled When the Tiles Spoke. The exhibition runs until 4 October.
The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
The Burrell Collection is named after the art collector and shipping magnate William Burrell. Of particular note is the collection of Islamic carpets, displayed and curated together, which depict hunts, heavenly gardens, women’s work and pilgrimage journeys. The Museum also organises regular themed tours around topics such as the Silk Road.
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
The Ashmolean boasts an extensive collection of Islamic ceramics and other objects from the 7th to the 19th century. The museum is known for its fine archaeological collections, but also Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Until 16 August, you can also enjoy an exhibition that examines how plants have changed the world.
Bristol Museums
Bristol Museums hold more than 6,000 works of Asian and Islamic art, including pottery, tiles and carpets. The museum service has also started to digitise its collection of Islamic objects. Bristol as a city has been working hard to understand and respond to its deeply embedded role in the transatlantic slave trade. Residents pulled down a statue of notorious slaver and local grandee Edward Colston in 2020. After its retrieval from the city’s harbour, the statue and objects from the protests are now on permanent display at the M Shed Museum.
