Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art

Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art, an extension of King Faisal Center For Research and Islamic Studies, aims to promote knowledge and culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Inaugurated on June 1, 2017, the museum exhibits and houses a vast collection of rare manuscripts, Arab-Islamic art, and artifacts owned by King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Its key objective is to preserve humanity's cultural heritage and contribute to academic and cultural fields by providing resources to visitors and stimulating dialogue among those interested.

Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art has four primary functions: managing collections, providing research and studies, binding and restoration of manuscripts, and organizing exhibitions and events.

The permanent exhibition at al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art features several collections, including: the Arab-Islamic Art Collection, the Manuscripts Collection, the King Faisal Memorial Collection, the Coins and Currencies Collection, the Fine Arts Collections, and the Center's History Collection.

The Arab-Islamic Art Collection at al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art comprises over five hundred artifacts from across the world, representing the Islamic Civilization era from the seventh century until the modern era. The collection includes: writing utensils, weapons, ceramics, medical instruments, metalwork, wooden sculptures, coins, and textiles. The museum showcases pieces from this collection in the First Exhibition Hall (the permanent exhibition) under the title 'The Narrative of Arab-Islamic Civilization.'

King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies possesses a collection of about 28,500 original manuscripts within the exclusive collections of the King Faisal Center Library. The manuscripts are exhibited periodically at the exhibitions of al-Faisal Museum, such as the 'Masahef al-Amsar' exhibition in 2017, 'Wahj: Adornment of the Page' in 2019, 'Takween: Science and Innovation' in 2019, and 'Asfar: Treasures of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies' in 2022.

In addition, the King Faisal Center Library houses over 140,000 digital images of manuscripts and microfiche or microfilm copies. Among these are 15,000 microfiche copies acquired from the British Library in 1999 and approximately eight thousand manuscripts on microfilm from the National French Library, obtained through UNESCO in 1989.

The museum also undertakes the restoration of manuscripts, employing modern techniques for sterilization and traditional Islamic methods for binding. The number of manuscripts housed and restored in the museum reaches 1,145 manuscripts, including Kalila and Dimna comprising 156 pages, Akhbar al-Nisa' comprising 159 pages, al-Mushaf al-Mamlouki comprising 405 pages, Tafseer al-Tabari comprising 522 pages, and Fath al-Qadir comprising 595 pages.

The King Faisal Memorial Collection at al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art comprises about six hundred pieces from King Faisal's possessions. The pieces range from medals, clothing, and armors to documents, furniture, and weapons. Some of these artifacts were showcased in exhibitions, such as 'Faisal: A Life at the Heart of the Twentieth Century in London (December 2019-January 2020) and 'al-Faisal: Witness and Martyr' (2008-2018).

The Coins and Currencies Collection at al-Faisal Museum is divided into two parts, half of which are coins and currencies owned previously by Princess Effat al-Thanyan, King Faisal's wife, amounting to more than seven hundred pieces. These pieces were donated by Prince Turki al-Faisal to the center. The second part encompasses coins obtained by the center, representing various periods of Islamic history, amounting to about three thousand coins.

The Fine Arts Collection at al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art comprises approximately six hundred works of fine arts, such as paintings and photographs.

The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies' History Collection at al-Faisal Museum comprises a comprehensive overview of the center's establishment, development, and early stages.

The museum plays a significant role in education and training, organizing workshops and lectures on history, culture, and art. It also offers training courses such as 'Bookbinding and Manuscripts Decoration' and collaborates with cultural programs like 'Live Saudi.' Additionally, the museum provides cooperative training opportunities for university students.