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Founded in 1904 by the head of Berlin's museums
at the time, Wilhelm Bode, the Islamic Art Museum has
collected the art works of Islamist people dating back to the
8th century.
A major focus is Islamic art treasures from the
Near and Middle East, especially Iran, Egypt and Iraq, however
there are also Islamic art collections from as far as Mongolia
and the Italian island of Sicily.
"Berlin is fortunate to possess one of the
world's largest collections of Islamic Art," said museum
director Claus-Peter Haase.
"From pieces originating in once-Muslim
Andalusia, in Spain, to objects from the Islamic India of the
Mogul period, we have a collection which truly covers all
important regions and periods. Here you can learn about Egypt,
Palestine, Syria, Anatolia, Central Asia and Iran -
especially, of course, about the great artistic achievements
of different periods," he added.
Some 330,000 people are touring the Islam Art
Museum every year, according to Haase.
What makes the museum unique are some of its
most valuable collections of Islamic art like illuminated
Qur'an manuscripts going back to the Safavid dynasty in 16th
century Persia, the oldest know Islamic Spanish carpet from
the early 14th century and major architectural components of
the early Islamic Jordanian palace facade.
Located in the heart of Berlin, the museum
became initially incorporated as the Islamic department of the
Kaiser Friedrich Museum.
The first art pieces of the museum included the
facade of an Omayyid desert castle which was a gift from the
Turkish Sultan Abdulhamid II to German Emperor Wilhelm II as
well as 21 carpets.
The Islamic art exhibition was severely damaged
during World War II as a result of relentless allied bombings
and it took until 1954 for the Islam museum to re-open its
door to the public.
As founder of the Islam Art Museum, Bode's main
intention was to show not only the beauty of Islamic arts but
also its cultural and historical importance which has gained
added significance in the wake of current anti-Islam feelings
in Germany.
Reports of daily discriminations and harassments
against Germany's 3.5 million Muslims have largely been
ignored by the center-rightist government of Chancellor Angela
Merkel.
While the German media continues to hype
negative news about Muslims, it rarely mentions the positive
aspects of Islam as a religion of peace, brotherhood and
justice.
The anti-Muslim mood reached its peak in Germany
in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
in the United States.
Trying to take advantage of the anti-Islam
sentiments in Germany, a so-called `terrorism expert', Udo
Ulfkotte, has announced plans for the creation of an
anti-Islam party.
German Muslim leaders have repeatedly warned of
a growing alienation of Muslims in society.
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