Virtual Time Travel at Sharjah Book Fair

The Past Comes Alive: Virtual Time Travel to Mecca and Medina at the Sharjah Book Fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair not only attracts visitors with books and literary programs but also with innovative technological solutions that offer unparalleled cultural experiences. One of the attractions generating the greatest interest this year is a special virtual reality (VR) experience that allows visitors to time travel to Mecca and Medina, more precisely, to their state 1400 years ago. This initiative is not only a technological feat but also serves deeply spiritual and educational purposes.

Time Travel to the Cradle of Faith

The 'VR Kaaba Experience' is part of the Ana Al Madina project, which uses advanced VR technology to recreate Islam's two holiest cities: Mecca and Medina. Visitors, with the help of a headset, literally 'descend' into Arabia 1400 years ago, witnessing what society, architecture, and religious customs looked like at the dawn of Islam and how daily life unfolded.

The virtual tour begins in Mecca, where the visitor finds themselves in front of the Kaaba, back at a time when the sanctuary was surrounded by idols. The city's alleys and bustling streets come to life: traders offer their goods, children play, and in the background, a narrator describes how people lived and what the status of women and girls was before the advent of Islam.

Following the Prophet's Life

The story not only showcases the physical reality of the city but also provides insight into the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Visitors can experience his moments of birth, see the Cave of Hira where the first revelation was made, and partake in his spiritual quest. The cave scene is particularly powerful, as thanks to VR technology, participants instinctively extend their hands as if they could really touch the cave walls.

The sequences further guide the visitor through the major milestones of the Prophet's life: the formation of the first Muslim community, the period of persecution, the exile to Medina, and the laying of foundations of Islamic society. The VR technology affects participants not only visually but emotionally - many struggle to hold back tears as they remove the headset.

The Birth of Medina: Foundations of a Just Society

The second major chapter shows the development of the city of Medina. After the Prophet's (peace be upon him) arrival in Medina, he established new social structures based on coexistence, justice, and equality. Visitors can see the construction of the Masjid Al Nabawi, period houses, and gain insight into community life.

One of the main goals of the VR experience is to demonstrate how a society can be built on compassion, justice, and religious tolerance. The scenes not only provide historical knowledge but also convey moral and spiritual values that remain relevant today.

End of the Experience: Returning to the Present

At the end of the journey, visitors find themselves again in front of the Kaaba – this time in its modern form. Using the VR headset, they can enter the interior of the sacred place, which few have seen in real life. The spectacle is stunning: golden lamps, white marble, and an atmosphere of silence and peace. This part of the experience is particularly striking, as visitors feel as if they are truly present in a place that represents the pinnacle of faith for many.

Balancing Learning, Faith, and Technology

According to the project leader, the goal was not only to provide a spectacular experience but also to educate and inspire. The VR experience was created with an educational purpose, not for entertainment industry purposes. It provides access to the origins and spiritual message of Islam for those who have never visited Mecca or Medina but are interested in culture and religion.

In addition, the initiative could serve as a bridge between generations: for the younger ones, socialized in the digital world, the past becomes more accessible and enjoyable, while for the older ones, it offers nostalgia and a deeper experience of faith.

Summary: When the Past Steps into the Present

The VR attraction at the Sharjah Book Fair is more than a technological spectacle. This experience shows how modern technology can serve spiritual and historical understanding, and how digital tools can evoke real emotions. The VR journey to Mecca and Medina does not just showcase something – it deepens, makes participatory, and ultimately brings closer a faith, an era, a culture.

Projects like this play an increasingly important role in helping the world to understand and appreciate the origins of Islamic civilization, offering experiences that provide not only information but also spiritual enrichment to visitors. Virtual reality here is not just a technological innovation; it bridges past and present, faith and knowledge.

(Source: Based on the new virtual reality (VR) experience at the Sharjah International Book Fair.)