THE ROLE OF MUSEUMS IN THE ARAB REGION MUSEUMS IN ARABIA 15 June 2014

« Museums » in Antiquity The term « Museum » comes from the greek term « Museîon » which was the place dedicated to the nine daughters of the God Zeus. It is considered that the first kind of « Museum » was the « institute for philosophy and research » established in Alexandria (Egypt) by the King Ptolemy I Soter in 280 B.C. Remains of a Museum were also found in Iraq in the ruins of Babylone Temple by Leonard Wooley.

« Museums » in the Middle Age What meaning for this term ? Before Islam, the Arabs used the Holy Kaaba at Makkah as an « exhibition space » for their idols. After Islam, Sultan and Princes were collectors. In their palaces they established a « Dakhira » or a « Palace Museum », but which were not open to the public. As example, the « Dakhira » of the Fatimid Palace in Cairo of Sitt Al Mulk, sister of the Caliph Al- Hakim, as described by Al Misbahi end of 10th century A.D.

Modern time : Museums in Europe Some of the oldest Museums as public Museums in the World opened in Italy during the Renaissance : Capitoline Museum in Rome in 1471 and the Vatican Museum in The Uffici Gallery in Florence ( 1743), the British Museum in London (1753), the Hermitage Museum ( 1764), the Museum del Prado (1785), the Louvre Museum (1793), to name only the most important. The Ashmolean Museum (1677) in Oxford was the first modern public Museum.

Oldest Museums in the Arab Countries The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or Museum of Cairo was opened in Tahrir square in 1902 and the Greco-Roman Museum of Alexandria in 1895, during the British Mandate. The Bardo Museum in Tunis opened in 1888 during the French Protectorate. The Museum of Antiquities in Algiers was created during French colonization of Algeria in 1838 and opened in 1845.

Museums in the Arab Region built during the first part of XXth Century - National Museum of Damascus Saray al Hamra Museum in Tripoli – Archaeological Museum Bagdad – National Museum of Rabat – Rockfeller Museum – Jerusalem – National Museum of Beirut – Archaeological Museum Amman – 1952

National Museums built during second part of the XXth century in the Arab Region National Museum of Al Ain (UAE) – 1971 National Museum of Oman National Museum of Kuwait National Museum of Bahrain National Museum of Qatar – 1975, in transformation into a new Museum to open at the end of 2014 National Museum of Ryadh (KSA)

Colonial Concept of Museums in the Arab World It is well known that most of the Museums built in the Arab Countries in 19th and first half of the 20th centuries are a legacy of European colonialism. They were mainly specialized Museums (Archaeology, Ethnography, Fine Arts) and they were mostly addressing the European public and researchers. The Arab society felt these Museums as foreign institutions, with no links with the locals.

New Concept for Museums developed after Decolonization More and more new Museums have been created in the Arab countries by the end of the 20th century with a vision taking into consideration the present priorities of the Arab societies, Recognizing the citizens’ aspirations to the recognition of their identities, Promoting the rich and diverse Cultural Heritage of the region within a global approach

Recognition of the importance of the role of Museums in Society The modern approach in building new global Museums, such as the National Museum of Bahrain, is to stress the value of protecting the national and human heritage and to enhance the valorization of the cultural identity, to promote the Museum as a Forum of intercultural exchange, to develop cooperation with similar institutions in the World.

Museums’ Impact on the Population Museums in the Arab Countries should not be considered anymore by the local population as cultural showcases reserved to foreigners. The inhabitants of a city should be involved in the life of Museum and the Museum should not be considered as a temple opened for the happy few. All categories of the society should have the experience of enjoying the visit of a Museum

Museums and the Youth Museums are the ideal place for education of children and youth in general. The Museum is an addition to the role of schools and universities. Like the schools or universities, the Museum is a place of learning, but it is not a substitute to school or university. The Museum has an added value in providing recreation and relaxation. Through Youth, inhibited adults can be sensitize to the frequentation of Museums.

Museums, Places of knowledge and exchange of experience Through travelling exhibitions and exchange between Museums, societies can better know and appreciate the Heritage of the « other ». With the use of new technologies of information and communication in the display of collections people from different regions of the World can learn about other cultures. Museums can have therefore a role in fighting against all forms of extremism and promoting tolerance.