The northern part of East Java is not only famous for its soto and wingko, but when you delve deeper into Lamongan Regency, you’ll find a museum that serves as a global center of Islamic information.
This is the Indonesian Islamic Art Museum or the Islamic Museum, which presents information about the grandeur of Islamic history around the world. Visitors entering the museum will pass through three zones.
The first is the Audio-Visual Zone, featuring a 15-minute short film about the history of Islamic civilization. The film includes stories about the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), depictions of the Arabian Peninsula in the past, and the spread of Islam across the globe.
Next is the Gallery zone, which showcases relics from Islamic empires worldwide. Here, visitors will find seven main galleries displaying historical artifacts from around the world, such as relics from the Ottoman Empire in Turkey, the Mughal Empire in India, Chinese Dynasties, the Samudera Pasai Kingdom in Sumatra, and the legacy of the Wali Songo in Java.
“In the second zone, titled ‘The Glory of Islam,’ we tell the story of how the Muslim journey grew immensely, reaching Eastern Europe. One of the empires we highlight is the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. The Ottoman Empire is one of the greatest Islamic empires, ruling various regions for over 600 years. It serves as a remarkable example of Islamic development,” said Reno Halsamer, Developer of the Indonesian Islamic Art Museum, as quoted from the Ministry of Tourism’s Facebook page.
Finally, there is the Diorama Zone, which contains various three-dimensional miniatures. “In the last zone, the Diorama Zone, also known as the photo spot area, visitors can see various 3D miniatures. These include the Cheng Ho Mosque and Ship, the Banten Grand Mosque, Persian shops, and depictions of trade during the spread of Islam in Indonesia,” Reno added.
Opened on December 28, 2016, the museum also features various artifacts from international Islamic empires, such as the Ottoman Empire and Mughal India (Taj Mahal). Additionally, there are the Zulfikar Shamsur sword, Turkish armor, Qur’an manuscripts, and much more.
The museum also houses hundreds of ceramics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Qing Dynasties, as well as the Champa Kingdom. It also exhibits several fabrics from Gujarat, India, and historical artifacts from Indonesia.
Visitors will undoubtedly be captivated. Besides offering hundreds of collections, the Indonesian Islamic Art Museum is also the only museum in Indonesia that incorporates modern Augmented Reality (AR) technology. This technology enhances the visitor experience, allowing them to download the AR Indonesian Islamic Art app from the Playstore, scan images in the museum, and enjoy 3D displays of the artifacts.