On Saturday June 10
th IMA was excited to offer free entry to the museum to coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan, where Muslims fast from sunrise, until sunset. Many of our visitors relished the opportunity to browse through our permanent galleries and meet with members of staff and volunteers that were happy to answer any questions they had.
In the early afternoon, visitors were invited to participate in a guided tour of the museum galleries, in particular our contemporary art exhibition, showcasing the work of emerging and established Australian Muslim Artists, AMA 2017. This contemporary exhibition features works by artists including Leslie Eastman, Jake Carter, Elif Sezen, Avni Dauti, Lara Chamas and Reem Faiq.
What stood out during the tour, was the wonderful conversations and interactions shared between individuals pertaining to all faiths, backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities and life experiences. The museum was alive with the bustle of many people making new friends, commenting on the diverse range of artwork in our galleries and enjoying a Middle Eastern themed lunch. The purpose of offering free entry to IMA was to invite people into our hearts and into this museum, to share stories and bring the diverse facets of the Islamic faith to life in an Australian context.
With over 100 people attending on the day – IMA free entry was a resounding success. Those that participated in the IMA guided tour commented on how much they enjoyed their time here and didn’t realise that a museum with the breadth and depth of information that we have, existed.
We look forward to hosting more special events in the future to welcome our local community to join us in celebrating the diversity that shapes Australian society.