Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Illuminates the Intellectual Splendour of Islamic Civilisation

A new phase of the 'Contributions of Muslim Scholars' initiative unfolds within the Dome of Peace, honouring the geographic, literary and sociological achievements that shaped human knowledge.

Within the serene Dome of Peace at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s Visitor Complex, a carefully curated exhibition now draws visitors into the intellectual world of Islamic civilisation. The second phase of the ‘Contributions of Muslim Scholars’ initiative, launched in October 2026 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, celebrates the profound ways Muslim scholars advanced human understanding across geography, literature and sociology.

The initiative represents a deliberate commitment to preserving and presenting the civilisational achievements of Islam, demonstrating how Muslim thinkers laid the intellectual foundations upon which modern sciences would be built. This second phase extends work undertaken by the Centre’s Light & Peace Museum, which presents Islamic civilisation’s intellectual and artistic heritage through rare artefacts and interactive displays, while honouring the vision that guides Abu Dhabi’s cultural mission.

The exhibition unfolds through three distinct thematic strands, each revealing the depth of Muslim scholarly contribution. The geography section illuminates the pioneering work of Muhammad al-Idrisi, Ibn Battuta and Zakariya al-Qazwini, whose cartographic innovations and travel writings documented the known world with unprecedented precision and curiosity. Their achievements in describing countries, mapping territories and chronicling the lives of peoples established geography as a disciplined science. The literature section features al-Hariri’s celebrated Maqamat and al-Mutanabbi’s poetry, works that combined linguistic virtuosity with profound social observation, securing their place in the enduring memory of Arab culture. A volume of al-Mutanabbi’s diwan, drawn from the private collection of Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, stands among the exhibition’s treasures.

The sociology section traces how Ibn Rushd’s philosophical commentaries influenced the transmission of knowledge to Europe, while Ibn Khaldun’s groundbreaking analysis of societies, states and human civilisation in works such as Al-Muqaddimah established the conceptual frameworks through which history and social change might be understood. These contributions echo through contemporary scholarship, their relevance extending far beyond their own era.

Cultural dialogue sessions held during the launch brought together international academic voices to examine these legacies. Professor Abdelhamid Larguèche, Emeritus Professor of History and Heritage at Manouba University in Tunisia, and Professor Houssem Eddine Chachia, Associate Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Tunis, explored Ibn Khaldun’s theories on state transformation and social cohesion. A second session, led by Prof. Ridwan al-Sayyid, Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Mohamed bin Zayed University for Humanities, and Prof. Fatima Al Sayegh, examined how Islamic intellectual heritage illuminates contemporary understanding of social change.

The Centre has also released the second episode of its ‘Contributions of Muslim Scholars’ visual series, produced by Centre staff and employing artificial intelligence in content design. The programme features a narrator embodying Emirati identity, presenting the cultural and historical dimensions of Islamic civilisation through carefully crafted visual narratives.

Enriching the exhibition experience, workshops invite visitors to engage directly with these scholarly traditions. A participatory activity titled ‘Make Your Own Book: In the Footsteps of Muslim Scholars’ encourages participants to explore these achievements before creating their own illustrated works through drawing and writing.

The exhibition occupies a significant place within the Mosque’s broader cultural programming, alongside permanent and temporary exhibitions including ‘Hajj: Memories of a Journey’, ‘Andalusia: History and Civilisation’ and ‘Islamic Coins: History Revealed’. The immersive presentation ‘Diya’, combining 360-degree technology with carefully orchestrated sound and light, deepens the visitor’s engagement with these themes. The exhibition remains accessible during the Mosque’s official visiting hours: Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on Fridays from 9:00 am to noon and from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a custodian of Islamic intellectual heritage and a centre for cross-cultural dialogue. By presenting the achievements of Muslim scholars in geography, literature and sociology, the Centre demonstrates the enduring relevance of Islamic thought to contemporary understanding. The exhibition’s emphasis on how these scholars influenced European intellectual transmission underscores the UAE’s commitment to presenting Islam’s contributions to global civilisation with scholarly rigour and philosophical depth. As Abu Dhabi continues to develop its cultural identity, such programmes strengthen the foundations upon which shared heritage preservation rests.

The inclusion of international academic voices and the production of visual content using artificial intelligence reflects Abu Dhabi’s approach to cultural stewardship: honouring historical achievement whilst engaging modern audiences through contemporary methods. The workshop offerings and immersive technologies ensure that the exhibition reaches not only scholars but families, students and visitors seeking deeper understanding of the intellectual traditions that continue to shape human knowledge and society.

Source: WAM