Islam As an Anti-Museum Religion: An Analysis

Abstract

The establishment of the International Association of Museums (ICOM) shows a global commitment to promoting and preserving cultural heritage, especially in the modern age. ICOM provides a unique professional network of museums and museum professionals from countries around the world as members. The museum serves as an exhibition place of national treasures and an educational institution. However, there are responses from the Salafi Jihadists, an orthodox Islamic group, who oppose the establishment of museum institutions. Some Muslims believe this narrative represents the true teachings of Islam. Anti-museum means strongly opposing the museum as an institution with its three (3) functions; preserving, studying and exhibiting tangible and intangible historical heritage. Thus, the objective of this study is to apply the wasatiyyah approach by analysing the arguments of the anti-museum based on the philosophy of iconoclasm and Salafi jihad ideologies. It also aims to reject the arguments of an anti-museum approach using the qualitative method and case study design. This study employs a qualitative approach through library research to collect primary and secondary data related to the museum institutions. The analysis of this study uses the content analysis method. This study found that Islam does not reject museums as an institution and does not practice anti-museum sentiments.