“It is a great promotion for Egypt and its great civilisation,” said Mostafa Wazir, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who helped prepare the collection for display by ensuring its safety and security.

Moamen Osman, head of the Museums Sector at the tourism ministry, who participated in the exhibition’s inauguration, told Ahram Online that the collection showcased distinguished elements of Islamic art.

The collection includes pieces drawn from the Museum of Islamic Art, Prince Mohamed Ali Palace and the Suez National Museum.

Among the artefacts are the copper key of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and a chandelier of Prophet Muhammad room from the Mameluke era, paintings of the Kaaba and Al-Masjid An-Nabawi (Prophet Mohamed Mosque) in Medina, a part of the inner cladder of Al-Kaaba from the Mameluke era and a decorated curtain of the Al-Tawba door of the Holy Kaaba (door of repentance) from the reign of King Fouad of Egypt.

The biennale features a collection of 600 objects selected from a number of museums all over the world meant to shed light on the Kaaba in Mecca Al-Mukarama and Prophet Muhammad Mosque in Medina as well as daily religious rituals and pilgrimages in Islam.