Muslim Exhibit Unites Cultures At Children's Museum Of Manhattan

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A children's exhibit is uniting cultures at an Upper West Side museum.

The Children's Museum of Manhattan's America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far exhibit aims to introduce kids to foreign cultures through objects, images and information from more than 50 Muslim countries.

"Children are very perceptive," said Lizzi Martin, director of exhibition development and museum planning.

"We want to make sure that we open their eyes to many different perspectives and peoples and ways of cultural expression and art and objects."

The exhibit allows children to immerse themselves in foreign cultures by taking the 3D tour of mosque architecture from China to the Maldives, playing musical instruments from various Muslim traditions and learning to say "My name is" in 21 different languages.

Other pieces on display include intricately designed tiles, ornate ceramics, complex patterned rugs, stories from American Muslim families and an imitation of a marketplace where children can pretend to buy and sell goods.

"It's a nice place but it's also educational too," said visitor Gary Lawson.

"I think when you see these things, it only brings people closer together as a community and I want my son to be a part of that community."

The exhibit will be on display until December 31.

More information about the exhibit can be found here.

Image screenshot from AP clip