HOA_Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia_CKLY_1101025

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Trip

This was the first time I visit Islamic Art Museum, and when I reached there, the first good impression of this museum was the interior design of the museum. Most museums that I have visited before were in old style or dark brownish color interior design, but this Islamic Art Museum has nice clean mostly white color interior design, so it's more pleasurable and it's not creepy like others. 

There were few things that I found interesting to me in the museum. The thing that I found interesting the most was the China Muslim Mosque. It's quite interesting because the building of the mosque was just like a Chinese temple instead of a mosque. It does not have the big round thing above the building just like what we have seen in Malaysia. It's quite special, as if someone is not been told that this was a mosque, and they will never ever know that was actually a mosque. 

What that I have learnt inside the museum after the visiting was, religion does not restrict to anyone. Even though China is 98% Chinese, but they still have people that are practising Islam. I only heard before that China have some people who are Muslim, but I never expect that China have such a beautiful mosque for the Muslims. Their mosque design is similar to their temple design, I think it's most probably they have already use to and adapted to their culture, so they merge the culture and their religion together, so it forms a Chinese temple design mosque. 

Me, infront of the reception counter of the museum

China Mosque 

Quran from China

Very nice dome design of the museum

HOA_Lee Xue Mei_Islamic Art Museum

Lee Xue Mei (1104306)

Visit to the Museum

I never really thought the experience of visiting to the museum would be so impressive until the trip to the Islamic Art Museum. When I stepped onto the first floor of the museum, I was greeted by a lot of mosque architectural models. I always love admiring at those building miniatures, not only to admire the neat skills of the architects, but also observe the details of both interior and exterior sides. The models display different mosque design from all over the world. Without any doubts, the design of every single mosque amazed me and I spent quite much time just admiring and studying the mosque structure.

I found the mosque structure and design are different depending on its location. For example, the mosque in Xi'an, China is built like the ordinary Chinese temple. I was kinda surprised when I first saw it because I never thought it'd be a mosque without the label. Another example would be Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Turkey. It has a mix of the western building structure, probably because of the Turkish culture. Since Turkey is located at the border of Asia and Europe, the building structure has somehow been influenced by both Eastern and Western styles. Personally, I like Sultan Ahmed Mosque, not only because it has a mix of different style, the unique dome design also amazed me.

 Architectural model of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Turkey

Sketch of Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Architectural model of Xi'an Mosque, China

Looking up can be rewarding! Another interesting thing I found was the dome design of the museum. It was awesome and so much details can be seen craving on it.

Greeted by this huge white dorm with Arabian letters written on it

Blue dome

Orange dome

I was then greeted by the embroidered velvet robe that is very well-decorated with floral design on it. It is golden flora in black dress. I like the dress outline that makes it look elegant and eye-catchy from the first look of it.

Sketch of Embroidered Velvet Robe (19th Century)

Another thing is the illuminated manuscript technique I found in the Al-Quran. It has nice vivid colors with clear figures on a golden background. 

Illuminated Manuscripts

In overall, it was a nice experience for me and I got to know more about the Islamic history from all over the world. I'd pay a visit to it again when the right time comes.

HOA_LXF_Islamic Museum

 Above is the Inverted Dome Pavilion adorned with mirrored pieces and gold scripts.

And this is the overcoats and accessories.

 This is the gold coin in transparent vertical cases.

My first time went to the Islamic Museum, and i was quite impressed by their well-kept artifacts, documents and their interior design. The gallery not only concentrates on Iran and Middle East collections, but includes artifacts from China, India and Southeast Asia as well. At first I was quite doubt to go to the Islamic Museum due to no interest in Islamic culture, but this visit has really changed my perspective of view of history.

Lim Xiao Fern
1002432

HOA_LXF_Borobudur

Borobudur temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Is was built by Sailendra dynasty between 778 to 842 AD; 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. Through research, Borobudur temple was built with an overwhelming mass of images and galleries on its walls depicting the activities of Gods. There are more than 1,400 narrative panels illustrating the life of Buddha and Buddhist texts, the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist relief in the world. 

Borobudur temple has three level in its temple. The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, it symbolize human being are still bound by their own desire. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu which symbolizing human beings have set themselves free from their desire but are still bound to temptation. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, which is symbolizing human beings that have been free from own desire and temptations. And the top part of it which is called Arupa, and it symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

I find it related to the 'hero's journey' as for the 1st part, when one is facing the call of mission, it will still bound to some of their own desire and refuse to accept the call. Then it will continue by solving the problem, a guidance will appear and show ways to solve the problems. And the last step, after going through all the mission and understand the real world, one can choose to leave or stay.

Lim Xiao Fern
1002432

HoA_Lau Jun Hwa_Islamic Arts Museum

 

This is a the uptop view inside the museum.

I found quite interesting for this design. It form a great and beauty pattern.

An AL-Qur'an book that i feel so special in this museum.

It get different size and shape of book. The smaller book still get a glass look like a magnifier.

Beside that, different types of scissors and knifes in BC are different look combine nowadays.

HoA_Museum_Aw Yong Ting Fong

Photo infront the museum

Dagger

The Museum of Islamic Art houses a magnificent collection of artworks dating from the 7th to the 19th century, representing the full scope of Islamic Art. It includes works done in ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood, precious stones etc from about 3 continents.

I was not able to see everything that was on display, but most certainly my first trip to the museum has left me with a impression of awe. I will most certainly make my second visit and take more pictures.

CPL_Borubudur

     Borobudur Temple which was built around 800AD,was built by the teaching of Mahayana buddhism during the reign of king Samaratungga in Jawa.The meaning of Borobudur means "monastery in the hills" which comes from the word "coal" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high places) in the language of Sanskrit. The building was used for buddhism religious practices and was digged out by Sir Stamford Raffles during an expedition after british manage to colonize indonesia.

    Borobudur has 10 levels consisting of 6 levels of a square, level 3 circular and a main stupa as a peak.In every level there are several stupas.Altogether there are 72 stupas addition to the main stupa as a peak.The connection of the hero's journey is related to the 10 levels of buddhist philosophy which describes the ten levels of bodhisattva who must pass the stupas to reach the perfection of the buddha in nirvana.This perfection symbolized by the main stupa at the top level.Borobudur structure when viewed from above form a structure call mandala depicting buddhist cosmology and the human way of thinking.It was suggest that the temple was facing east like the other temples build for buddhism religion  as the east symbolize the final journey of one's to reach perfection in nirvana.

  Every year on the full moon in May (or June in leap years),Buddhist in indonesia commemorate Wesak Day at the Borobudur Temple.Wesak Day is celebrated as the day of birth,death and the time when siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightment to become the Buddha Shakyamuni.

As of today,Borobudur has indeed become a hot tourist spot which attracts many tourist both locally and foreign tourists.and it has also become a holy place for Buddhist in Indonesia and became the center of an annual celebration of the most important Wesak Day.

I personally would like to visit the place once in my lifetime as time passed buildings will fade away either by the change of climate or by the structure of the land changes.

    

Choong Peng Leh

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