MELAKA, Aug 2 — A collection of over 300 pieces of khat (Arabic calligraphy) and Chinese Muslim historical artefacts and other related items are being featured at the three-month Khat Art and Chinese Muslim History Exhibition @ Melaka since July 28 at Balai Syed Sheikh Al-Hadi, Bastion House, here.
Melaka Museum Corporation (Perzim) chairman, Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz said the exhibition was being held in conjunction with the 73rd birthday celebration of Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
He said among the exhibits were those from the era of Admiral Cheng Ho which were over 600 years old and owned by Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (ADMDI) Chinese chairman, Yusuf Liu Baojun.
“Among the exhibits are ceramics, Chinese numismatics and wood carvings with Arabic inscriptions, as well as books on Chinese culture, and Chinese and Islamic civilisation.
“We are targeting 20,000 to 25,000 visitors including local and foreign tourists, and school and tertiary institution students to this exhibition,” he said at a press conference, here, today with Perzim general manager, Mohd Nasruddin Rahman also present.
Akramuddin said that among the objectives of the exhibition were to promote and boost the state’s tourism industry and as a platform for cultural exchange, apart from promoting the beauty of khat in the lives of Chinese Muslims through centuries.
The entry ticket to this exhibition is RM10 per adult and RM4 per child and it is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm per day.
The exhibition will be officiated by the Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri on Aug 18.
Meanwhile, Yusuf said Melaka was chosen as the first location for this exhibition due to its history and close connection with the Chinese government since the days of yore while the state had also been influenced by the world’s major civilisations.
“We can look at the close relationship between the Melaka rulers and China in the old days with many Chinese historical artefacts still existing in Melaka until today,” he added.
Among Yusuf’s collection at this exhibition is his khat pieces with five types of calligraphy including Chinese, Arab and Jawi.
