DHAHRAN — A large number of people are visiting the exhibition titled "Hijrah: In the footsteps of the Prophet" at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). The exhibits at the event included a copy and a drawing of the footwear of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is a replica of the original sandal in the 13th century, in accordance with the narration of the Moroccan Hadith scholar Ibn Asaker in 1287. The showcased copy of the sandal was made by craftsmen from Andalusia. These copies were usually distributed to Hadith scholars in Islamic capitals, where scholars are entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and transmitting the teachings and Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH). The exhibits also include fabrics from the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, manuscripts, and the Prophet's valuables. Emir of the Eastern Province Prince Saud bin Naif inaugurated the exhibition recently, and it was in the presence of high-profile officials and researchers in Islamic art and history, intellectuals, and guests from different countries of the world. The traveling exhibition lasts for nine months, and then it will move to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah, and then to a number of cities around the world, with the aim of shedding light on the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah. Ithra Director Abdullah Al-Rashed said that "Hijrah in the footsteps of the Prophet," is not only an exhibition. "Rather, it is an integrated qualitative project, presented in a contemporary style, and in an exceptional and unprecedented way, through a traveling world exhibition. The event showcases a huge collection of antiquities and collectibles, including 14 interactive stations, meticulously designed by local and international experts, as well as a documentary film and a book that tells the story of migration," he pointed out. "The center has been making the preparations and designing the meticulous details of the exhibition for three years, and that was with the help of more than 70 researchers and artists, in cooperation with our partners, to produce an exhibition that competes with international exhibitions, and moves away from the framework of traditional presentation methods," he said. According to Al-Rashed, the exhibition showcases a collection of artifacts, including textiles, manuscripts, and collectibles, that reflect the richness of Islamic civilization. The idea is to revisit the birth of Islam from a modern perspective and demonstrate an artistic retelling of Prophet Muhammad's journey from Makkah to Madinah. To mark the beginning of the Islamic Hijri year, Ithra presents the first exhibition of its kind. The exhibition, which will run through until April 29, 2023, in Ithra's Great Hall, provides an immersive and multidisciplinary experience. It also brings together contemporary and Islamic art, tracing the physical route of the Prophet's journey to explore its historical significance and bring the human story of the Hijrah to the fore. Dr. Abdullah Hussein Alkadi, one of the world's leading authorities on the Hijrah, curated the exhibition with Ithra. It is Ithra's first traveling exhibition that will be taken to various parts of the world during its five-year run. The Hijrah exhibition is being held in collaboration with the National Museum in Riyadh, the House of Islamic Art, the King Abdulaziz Complex for Waqf Libraries, and Turquoise Mountain. Numerous artifacts provided by all partners are also on display. The exhibition also features collective works created by specialists and artists who ignited this journey through artworks, documentaries, and books that tell the story of Hijrah.
