MIA to launch 'Haj and Umrah' programme for children

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has announced that it will launch the "Haj and Umrah” programme for children and youth.It aims to teach young participants the differences between Haj and Umrah (minor pilgrimage). Participants will visit the halls of the MIA and explore the most important pieces related to Haj and Umrah to understand the differences between them. They will also participate in a workshop to create a map illustrating the Haj rituals. The museum’s collection also includes some pieces that represent Makkah and the great rituals of Haj.To highlight the most important possessions of the museum, a book was previously published titled "Haj, Art within the Journey,” after an exhibition under the same name was held at MIA. It contained works of art from the MIA collections and from some private Qatari collections that have never been exhibited before. The book "Hajj: Art within the Journey” provides the readers with a local view of the Haj journey, by focusing on the routes taken by Qatari pilgrims to reach Mecca, and the gifts they used to bring back. Part of the book is also devoted to narrating oral history by Qatari pilgrims.This commemorative album includes a collection of historical objects, manuscripts, archived photographs, and artwork presented by the hugely successful Haj exhibition held in 2023.The event will be held on June 5 from 4-5.30 pm at the MIA library, for ages 8-11 years.