In more ways than one, travel has opened my eyes and taught me that there’s so much more to the world than the tiny box I used to cage myself in. While reading books (which I enjoy doing) allows you to go places without really leaving your spot, you don’t fully get what a place or culture is like until you’re there to experience it.
My short stay in Kuala Lumpur has given me a glimpse of different cultures. Like the Philippines, Malaysia is a muticultural society. Majority of the population adhere to Islam, but there are some who practice Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and other religions. On our first morning in KL, we visited Batu Caves which was like a crash course to Hinduism, while the afternoon was spent acquainting ourselves with Islam, Malaysia’s official religion.
Masjid Negara (National Mosque)
From Batu Caves, we took the KTM Komuter train to Kuala Lumpur station. This old colonial station is an attraction in itself because of its Moorish look. From the station, take a short walk to Masjid Negara in Jalan (Malaysian for ‘street’) Perdana.
It is said that Masjid Negara is different from other mosques because it incorporates Malay-Islamic architecture instead of the usual Arabic-Islamic architecture. My untrained eyes couldn’t see the difference though.
Masjid Negara is known for its conspicuous turquoise umbrella-like dome. This was how we spotted it — by looking for that turquoise roof.
We didn’t attempt to get inside the mosque itself so as not to disturb the Muslims who were praying.
Muzium Kenesian Islam Malaysia (Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia – IAMM)
The Muzium Kenesian Islam Malaysia or Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is also in Jalan Perdana, just a few meters away from Masjid Negara. It opened in 1998 and has since become one of the leading institutions dedicated to preserving Islamic arts and culture. With its glass walls and blue patterns, the building is a modern spectacle – we couldn’t help but marvel at how grand and regal it looks, even from the outside. But the interior is even more impressive.
Unlike usual Islamic museums, IAMM doesn’t concentrate solely on collections from Iran and the Middle East. It also includes a wide range of artifacts from China, India and Southeast Asia. Some works are exhibited in galleries according to their geographical origin, while the rest is displayed according to the following themes: Architecture, Qur’ans and Manuscripts, Jewellery, Arms and Armour, Textiles, Living with Wood, Coins and Seals, Metalwork, and Ceramics and Glasswares. There are also two special galleries, a restaurant, souvenir shops, fountain garden, children’s library and other special facilities. The place is sooo big (it has 4 floors), it would take a whole day to see everything.
At the time of our visit, one of the special galleries was housing a special Ramadan collection, the “Capture the Spirit of Ramadan” International Photography Competition (IRPC) exhibition.
Admission fee is RM 12 (around 150 pesos) for adults, which isn’t bad when you consider just how much you’ll learn from this museum. While I can’t say that I’ve become an Islam expert by the end of the day, this visit was a chance for me to learn more about Islam. Islamic art is truly fascinating and innately beautiful. Everything seems so detailed and well thought of, but also purposeful.
Make sure to drop by Masjid Negara and Islamic Arts Museum when you visit Kuala Lumpur, especially if like me, you love museums. It’s a learning experience, a wonderful glimpse into a rich culture.
Have you visited any Islamic museum? Or any museum in Kuala Lumpur? Share your experience by leaving a comment!
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