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Light & Peace Museum Opens in Abu Dhabi with Interactive Islamic Art Collection

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-22

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi welcomed the Light & Peace Museum in November 2024, with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as its patron. This museum delves into Islamic cultural heritage, organized into five distinct sections: Tolerance, Sanctity and Worship, Precision and Beauty, Tolerance and Openness, and Universal Coexistence. Its main collection comprises 65 artifacts, including significant items from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Among these are a 20th-century kiswa of the Kaaba and a 14th-century astrolabe. Incorporating technology and interactive displays, the museum offers content in seven languages, aiming to enhance intercultural dialogue, building on cultural efforts initiated in 1998.

Key facts

  • The Light & Peace Museum opened in November 2024 at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi.
  • It features a core collection of 65 pieces spanning centuries, sourced from multiple donors and institutions.
  • The museum offers content in seven languages: Arabic, English, Mandarin, Spanish, French, Russian, and Urdu.
  • Notable works include a 20th-century kiswa of the Kaaba Shareef and a 14th-century Andalusian astrolabe.
  • The Diya Experience uses 1.5 billion light units for an immersive sensory journey.
  • Contemporary artists featured include Abdul Qader Al Rais, Osman Khunji, and Idris Khan.
  • The museum is located in the Peace Dome of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which also houses the Al Jami’ Library.
  • It aims to foster intercultural dialogue and highlight the UAE’s pillars of tolerance, coexistence, and exchange.

Entities

Artists

  • Abdul Qader Al Rais
  • Osman Khunji
  • Idris Khan

Institutions

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre
  • National Archives and Library Abu Dhabi
  • Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi
  • Abrahamic Family House
  • Etihad Museum
  • Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Museum
  • Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah
  • Ras Al Khaimah National Museum
  • Al Jami’ Library
  • Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival
  • Jameel Art Prize
  • Islamic Arts Biennale
  • Canvas

Locations

  • Abu Dhabi
  • UAE
  • Sharjah
  • United Kingdom
  • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Ras Al Khaimah

Sources