A screenshot from the video of Adil Mohamed from MIA Library reading the story titled “Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns” which was uploaded on MIA’s social media sites yesterday.
Through engaging storytelling and instructional videos uploaded on social media, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) promotes learning while it brings its collection closer to the public as it temporarily closed its doors amid COVID-19 outbreak.
“Although MIA is closed, you can still enjoy lots of activities with us. Stay tuned for new classes, storytelling and inspiration every day,” reads a recent post on MIA’s official Facebook page.
Yesterday, a video of Adil Mohamed from MIA Library reading the story titled “Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns” was uploaded on MIA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The big book read by Mohamed is part of MIA library’s children’s collection and teaches young children colours through an illustrated story.
An instructional video on how to make an astrolabe is also among the latest videos uploaded on MIA’s social media sites. MIA has a fascinating collection of astrolabes. which were once the most used, sophisticated medieval astronomical instrument.
Another video on how to create mosaic artwork based on one of the objects which will be on show at MIA’s upcoming exhibition has also been posted on MIA’s social media sites. The activity is aimed at developing children’s creativity, imagination and fine motor skills while promoting collaborative work between parents and their children. The mosaic grid, which is available in two sizes, can be downloaded from the MIA website.
The Museum of Islamic Art’s website has a dedicated learning resources page where visitors can access for free a rich collection of fun and educational activities for children, families and adults. Through these activities people can learn more about MIA and its collections in a fun and engaging way.
The activities, which are inspired by MIA’s collection and exhibitions, range from printable colouring, puzzle, and spot the differences worksheets to art activities such as creating a ka’aba and a prayer rug. There are also activities targeting specific literacy skills such as reading comprehension and writing a book review as well as mathematical and science skills.
Links to online learning resources in other museums can also be found at MIA’s learning resources webpage.
The Museum of Islamic Art has a strong online following reaching out to more than 2.2 million followers on Facebook, in addition to over 117,000 Twitter followers and tens of thousands of Instagram followers.
More than 400 objects from MIA’s collection have been digitised and can be viewed in its website and via Google Arts and Culture online platform.
