Al Hayat Museum (Beit Al Quran)
Road No.1901, Building No. 17, Manama, Capital Governorate
Al Hayat Museum (Beit Al Quran)—its name translates as House of the Quran—is dedicated entirely to the Islamic holy book. Housed in a building based on the 12th-century Al Khamis Mosque, the museum is home to a 50,000-strong library of Islam-focused books, including Qurans written on parchment, rice, peas, and grains.
The basics
A must-visit for those interested in the Muslim faith, the museum exhibits seventh-century manuscripts, Islamic artifacts, jewelry, and intricately decorated glass utensils—in addition to its many books. Due to its cultural significance, it’s often featured on sightseeing tours of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city. Such tours also visit the Bab el-Bahrain Souk to buy colorful goods ranging from textiles to spices and the Bahrain National Museum, which covers 6,000-plus years of Bahrain’s history.
Things to know before you go
Exhibit information panels are in English and Arabic.
As applies to most of Bahrain, dress conservatively to visit the museum, covering your shoulders and knees.
The building also houses a mosque and a madrasa (religious school), so keep your voice to a minimum when inside.
How to get there
You can drive to the Beit Al Qur’an by taking the Sheikh Hamad Causeway to Road No. 1901. The main entrance and parking lot are on the southern side of the building at the back.
When to get there
Al Hayat Museum is open from Saturday through Thursday, and it’s closed on Friday. Between Saturday and Wednesday, it opens from morning to lunchtime and then for two hours from late afternoon to early evening. On Thursdays, it’s only open from morning until lunch.
More Muslim monuments in Bahrain
Arguably Bahrian’s most famous mosque, the Al-Fatih Grand Mosque boasts one of the largest fiberglass domes in the world. The Muslim monument is a photographer’s dream, as it is set against a backdrop of palm trees and the ocean. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome, but you’ll need to dress modestly and cover your head to enter.
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