Islam Museum, Melaka

The Malacca Islamic Museum offers a comprehensive insight into the rich Islamic heritage and history of the region. Housed in a historic colonial building on Jalan Kota, which dates back to the 1850s, the museum occupies what was once the office of the Islamic Council of Malacca before it moved to its current location beside the Melaka State Mosque.

The building itself, a piece of British colonial architecture possibly remodeled from an earlier Dutch structure, features an airy design with full-length windows on the upper floor that once caught cooling sea breezes when the building stood on the shoreline before extensive land reclamations.

Opened in 2001, the Malacca Islamic Museum features eight main exhibition areas, each with a distinct theme. The exhibits are arranged in chronological order, providing visitors with a historical perspective on the introduction and spread of Islam in Melaka and Malaysia. The museum's collection includes over 100 exhibits, ranging from religious texts and documents to displays on the five tenets of Islam. Notable artifacts include a replica of the oldest Quran in the world, a replica of the Prophet Muhammad's sword, krises (traditional Malay daggers) inscribed with Quranic verses, paintings of mosques, wood carvings, and various books.

Visitors to the museum can explore the history of mosques in the state, the lives of various religious figures from Melaka and Malaysia, and the intricate blend of traditional Islamic arts with local and international craftsmanship. This combination of historical artifacts and thematic exhibits makes the Malacca Islamic Museum a vital center for understanding the region's Islamic culture and heritage.