Sacred Islamic artefacts go on display at school

Visitors were able to view rare and original pieces from some of the holiest sites in Islam

Sacred Islamic artefacts dating back 700 years, including the 29ft-long (9m) cloth used to cover the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, were on display at a school in North Lincolnshire.

The Kiswat al-Kaaba Exhibition was held on Thursday at St Lawrence Academy in Scunthorpe and offered visitors an opportunity to witness rare and original pieces from some of the holiest sites in Islam.

Organised by the Kiswa Arts and Culture Gallery, the collection featured rare and original pieces including from the chambers of the Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh).

Visitor Farzana Khanum, 50, said: "I don't want to get emotional, but I feel that energy today and it took me back to pilgrimage [to Mecca] last year."

Farzana Khanum said the exhibition made her feel emotional

Described as a historical and spiritual journey through centuries of devotion, craftsmanship and reverence, the free event included the rare Kiswa, a cloth that covers the Kaaba, the sacred stone structure at the heart of the Great Mosque in Mecca, which is considered the spiritual centre of Islam.

Ms Khanum said: "It's good to see people from our community as well as other communities."

She described feeling "tingly" with emotion hearing about the history of the pieces in the exhibition.

Ms Khanum said, while Muslims learn a lot about Islam locally, bringing the sacred artefacts to her home town was "on a different level".

Francesca Washer said she had learned so much about the Prophet and Islam

Francesca Washer, 64, said she felt "honoured" to be invited.

She said: 'It has surpassed my expectations. I've learned so much about the Prophet and Islam and the different sacred buildings that are special to people who follow the Islamic faith."

She said it was a privilege to be around the "beautiful woven artefacts" knowing the time, effort and dedication that people must have put in to create them.

Alison Barker, chief executive at North Lincolnshire Council said the event was about "recognising and sharing our cultural heritage"

Alison Barker, chief executive at North Lincolnshire Council, said the items on display were "beautiful" and "really impressive".

She said: "It's about recognising and sharing our cultural heritage about who we are and our experiences in the world, and how we grow and learn and contribute to our communities."

Abid Khan and Sheikh Ilyas Malik hold an ancient Quran scroll [the holy book for Muslims]

Sheikh Ilyas Malik, 57, said he was guardian of all of the artefacts after they were gifted to him through family.

He said he decided to create the exhibition to create an awareness about Islam.

"We've got items here with the oldest 746 years old and the locks and keys from the final resting place of the Great Muhammad Prophet (Pbuh) and a shroud."

He described the items as "the crown jewels" for Muslims.

Abid Khan said he always dreamt about bringing the artefacts to his former school

Abid Khan, 49, chair of the Multi-Faith Partnership in Scunthorpe, arranged for the exhibition to come to his former school in the town and said it was for everyone in "our communities" to give them experience about Islam.

He said: "I'm overwhelmed, you know. This is very close to every believer and especially if you're Muslim.

"We always dream about it. It is emotional bringing all this unique history, culture and art [to Scunthorpe]".

Mr Khan said he wanted to thank everyone who supported the event including the "wonderful" school for hosting.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices