Abdelrehim Hanafi Abdelrehim Moussa

Biography

Abdelrehim Hanafi Moussa is a Senior Curator at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, where he oversees the documentation and registration of newly accessioned objects and manages specialist departments responsible for metalwork, ceramics, glass, wood, ivory, jewellery, carpets, stone, and manuscripts. In addition to curatorial responsibilities, he engages directly with visitors, offering expert interpretation of objects, and supports students undertaking research in art, archaeology, and history.

Abdelrehim plays a key role in exhibition planning and delivery. He is currently preparing an international exhibition on the Holy Qur’an and previously contributed to The Direction of Mosque exhibition at the Ithra Museum in Saudi Arabia. His work centres on creating inclusive and participatory museum experiences that reflect the diverse voices and identities of the communities they serve. By prioritising co-creation and shared authority in exhibition development and programming, he aims to challenge traditional power dynamics within museum spaces.

Abdelrehim formerly served as Chief of the Department of Manuscripts at the Museum of Islamic Art. His research interests include sundials and astronomy in Islamic civilisations, and he recently completed a PhD focused on Islamic religious architecture in Mauritania. He was actively involved in the reopening of the Museum of Islamic Art following bomb damage in 2014 and was selected to attend the American Alliance of Museums Conference in Seattle in 2015. His professional development includes training on safeguarding Egyptian cultural heritage with the Levantine Foundation and participation in the DAAD Cairo Akademie workshop Making Museums Matter: How Museums and Exhibitions Can Become More Attractive for Visitors. 

Looking to the future, Abdelrehim envisions museums as interactive, dynamic spaces that educate and inspire through immersive experiences. he advocates for integrating digital technologies across the visitor journey – beginning before a museum visit even starts – to transform audiences from passive observers into active participants.

At the British Museum
During his time on the International Training Programme in 2012, Abdelrehim was based in the Department of Egypt and Sudan. His UK Partner Placement was spent at National Museum Wales.

In 2012 an element of the programme was a series of presentations, in which participants presented a 10-minute illustrated talk, prompted by the task to consider a new display at the British Museum. Abdelrehim’s exhibition project proposal was entitled Measure the Time.

ITP Newsletter Publications
ITP Newsletter Issue 3 (2016), Bulletin Board