We have an embroidered child's dress from Jordan in our Middle East Collection.
The elaborate embroidered patterns demonstrate careful artistry. This item of clothing would be worn by a small girl. It is called a "thobe abaya". An abaya is a loose garment worn over a thobe, which is an ankle-length robe, usually with long sleeves.
This picture frame contains the Al-Fatiha. which means "the Opener/Opening".
It is the first chapter ("surah") of the Quran. It consists of 7 verses ("ayah") which are a prayer for guidance and mercy. Many homes will have a printed Quran but also frame and hang the Al-Fatiha as a reminder.
"Al-Fatiha" could refer to this surah being the first in the Quran, the first chapter recited in full in prayer, or the way in which it serves as an opening for many functions in everyday Islamic life. Some Muslims see it as referring to the ability of the verse to open one up to faith in God.
We have a set of 33 prayer beads in our collection.
Prayer beads are referred to as "Misbaha", "Tasbih" or "Sibha". They commonly have 99 normal-sized beads, (corresponding to the Names of God in Islam), with two smaller or mini beads separating every 33 beads.
Sometimes only 33 beads are used, and the person praying would cycle through them three times. The beads are traditionally used to keep count while saying the prayer.
They are widely used today in Sunni and Shia Islam, but not in all sects of Islam.
This small serving dish is made in Palestine. It has been carefully hand painted to recreate the Byzantine mosaics of the loaves and fish.
The loaves and fish images refer to the story of Jesus performing a miracle where he feeds 5000 people with a few loaves and fishes. It is one of the few stories which appears in all four gospels: (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:33–44; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:1–14).
Christians have been a significant portion of the population in this region, but nowadays Palestinian Christians make up about 2% or less of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories. Most are members of Orthodox churches, with the next biggest grouping being Roman Catholic, followed by Anglican, Lutheran, and others denominations.