Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) An exhibition showcasing cultural and religious objects from the Islamic world will kick off Tuesday in Taipei with the aim of advancing the Taiwanese public's understanding of Islamic life and culture.

The Exhibition of Islamic Life and Culture at the National Taiwan Museum will display over 200 items, including precious manuscripts of the Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam, the museum said.

It will also feature Muslim clothes, caps, prayer beads, mats, incense burners, tapestries and other everyday objects used by Muslims.

"This is the first comprehensive Islamic exhibition in Taiwan," National Taiwan Museum Director Chen Chi-ming said.

Although Muslims make up approximately 25 percent of the world's population, Chen said the general public in Taiwan is very unfamiliar with Islamic culture and he expressed hope that the exhibition will help change that.

"If we cannot have a clear understanding of the origins of Islamic culture ... we will not be able to know its true face and give it proper respect," Chen said.

The exhibition is being jointly organized by the museum, the Taiwan Association of Islamic Studies and National Chengchi University. It will take place until June 22.

(By Christie Chen)
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