Views of the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem in 700 CE and the Al-Quaraouiyine (al-Qarawiyyin) mosque Morocco feature in an incredible new virtual reality experience, Mecca to Marree, at the Islamic Museum of Australia.

The experience takes viewers from Mecca in 650 CE to Marree, outback South Australia in 1885 – the site of Australia’s first mosque.

Islamic Museum of Australia General Manager Ali Fahour said Mecca to Marree is the Museum’s first foray into virtual reality.

“We’re excited to share this new experience with our visitors, this is our first virtual reality project, and it’s the only virtual reality experience in Australia that highlights the history of Islam including its arrival on Australian shores,” said Mr Fahour.

“The detail in the graphics is tremendous and really gives the viewer a sense for what each site might have looked like hundreds of years ago.”

Visitors to the Museum will have the opportunity to experience Mecca to Marree over summer as part of the Museum’s school holiday program (11-22 December 2018, 8-31 January 2019).

Teachers can include the VR as part of a school group visit during the school year. The Museum has identified specific curriculum links for both primary and secondary school curriculum areas.

The Mecca to Marree virtual reality experience was made possible with the support of the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA).

The Islamic Museum of Australia is located in Thornbury, in Melbourne’s north. It is the only Islamic museum in the country and provides educational and cross-cultural experiences for all ages. The Museum is open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.