Sharjah, UAE – 27 September 2023 - On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee, Bank of Sharjah, one of the leading commercial banks in the UAE has generously gifted a Historic Curtain to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. This significant artefact originates from the chamber of the Holy Prophet's tomb in Medina Al Munawara, exemplifying the finesse of Islamic art from the year 1205 Hijri.

This heartfelt gesture coincides with the celebrations of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid al-Nabi), adding a layer of reverence and significance to the announcement, emphasizing the Bank’s deep respect and acknowledgment for Islamic heritage and traditions.

This gift underscores Bank of Sharjah's unwavering commitment to fostering community development and preserving Islamic heritage and culture. The curtain is an epitome of intricate craftsmanship, composed of black, red, and green silk and densely embroidered with gilded and silver threads, embellished with Quran verses in Thuluth script and the names of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and all the Companions.

Commitment to Community and Culture

“Bank of Sharjah has consistently been at the forefront of contributing to the community and reinforcing Sharjah as a hub of cultural enrichment. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our gift, from the Private Collection of the Bank acquired over the years, to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization symbolizes our ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that preserve and promote our rich Islamic heritage and culture,” Chairman of Bank of Sharjah, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi said.

The Bank pledges to continue its endeavors in supporting cultural institutions and initiatives, enhancing the understanding and appreciation of Islamic art and history among the public, and contributing to the societal and cultural flourishing of Sharjah and the wider community.

Bank of Sharjah extends its sincere thanks to all stakeholders for their relentless support and interest and looks forward to more years of successful collaboration and cultural enrichment.

Information about the Curtain:

A metal-Thread embroidered silk curtain made for tomb of the Prophet, Medina (Hujrat al-kabr al nabawi al-sharif).

A metal-thread embroidered, black, red and green silk Curtain of rectangular form, the silk ground embroidered with gilt thread panels, two architectural twist columns with a hanging mosque lamp, lower field with the name of the Sultan Selim III (reigned 1789-1807 AD). The central arch is surrounded by floral sprays in gilt metal and the inner borders decorated with an intertwining vegetal motif.

Measurements: 331x191 cm.

Notes:
The inscriptions in “Thuluth” script, from top to bottom
• In the top 2 roundels: “Allah” “Muhammad” on each side of the “Basmala”
• In the following band: Qur'an, Sura الأحزاب (Al-Ahzaab), الآيات Aya 45-46
• يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا (45) وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِير
• In the center of the hanging lamp in Mirror: يا فتّاح
• In 2 roundels, the names of the two Caliphs, Abu baker and Omar
• In a central piriform cartouche: The name of Sultan Selim and the date, 1205 AH-1790/91 AD
• At the bottom, three roundels bearing the names of the Caliphs Othman, Ali and the mention “all the Sahabas” والصحابة أجمعين
• This curtain is bordered by cusped rectangular calligraphic cartouches comprising Qur’an verses of:

سورة Sura الجمعة Al-Jumu '- اللآيات 9-10-11

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (9) فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (10) وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا ۚ قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ (11)