8 Significant Objects from the Islamic Museum of Australia

Abdul Abdullah's painting of Waleed Aly was shortlisted as a finalist for the 2011 Archibald Prize, making him the youngest ever finalist in one of Australia’s longest running and most prestigious art prizes. "I see Waleed as a deep-thinker and I wanted to depict him in a moment of self-reflection, composing his thoughts."

Abdul-Rahman Abdullah's bronze sculptural self-portrait presents two identical men facing each other for a fight. The work explores the meaning of ‘the greater jihad’, which in Islam is the internal struggle with one’s nafs - that is, the ego or commanding self. 

Phillip George's series of surfboards employ designs from famous mosques and have been exhibited all over the world. They were made in response to the 2005 Cronulla riots and fuse together two iconic traditions, namely Aussie beach culture and complex Islamic geometric art.

Built completely inside the museum, the IMA's minaret spans from the Art Gallery on the ground floor, to the Islamic Architecture gallery above - where visitors can step inside and listen to an adhan (call to prayer), including this one recited by AFL footy player, Bachar Houli.

This model of an Indonesian boat is reminiscent of those used by Makassan fishermen, who would visit the north and north west coast of Australia in 17th and 18th centuries, fishing for trepang (sea cucumber). The 'perahu' has been depicted in Aboriginal rock art.

Created with ink on paper, this mid 20th century Quran was brought over from Indonesia. The tradition of hand-scribing the Quran dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad who had several companions responsible for memorising and writing down the revelations as they were received.

This Dhiil, displayed in the Australian Muslim History gallery, is a traditional Somali hand-made woven milk jug, used to collect milk and keep it fresh without refrigeration.

Kiswa is the name of the cloth used to drape the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Made from 670kg of silk thread and 15kg of gold thread, it's draped annually on the 9th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the day pilgrims leave for the plains of Mount Arafat during the Hajj pilgrimage. This lamp shaped medallion embroidery is known as Qandeel and is inscribed with the Quranic verse, “YA HAYU YA QAYYUM", or, "the ever living, the ever watchful".