Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat had a habit of turning ordinary objects into symbols.

Six years after his death, the keepers of Arafat's memory are gathering thousands of objects for display in a museum under construction at his former West Bank headquarters.

In his four decades as Palestinian leader, Arafat was a complex and often divisive figure. His nomadic lifestyle, penchant for late-night meetings and flair for dramatic gestures have fanned a fascination that has outlived him.

Now, construction has begun on museum to continue his legacy. Its pieces include the last head dress, or kaffiyeh, Arafat wore before being airlifted from his Ramallah compound, two weeks before his death.

The kaffiyeh is still streaked with yellow stains and has not been washed.

Tami Rafidi, Curator, Yasser Arafat Foundation, said, "This is the last kaffiyeh that Yasser Arafat wore before going to therapy and actually it is not washed yet. So, we decided to keep it this way because it represents everything that Yasser Arafat does, it has his smell, it has everything in it and it represents also the last days before he left and, we as Palestinians, we feel that when Yasser Arafat left he took everyone with him."

A Koran and transistor radio were supposedly left at a house where Arafat stayed during a secret foray into the West Bank during the 1967 Middle East war.

They were donated by 86-year-old Fayez Mohammed, who sheltered Arafat at his sister's home.

The foundation officials say the museum isn't just about remembering Arafat, but telling the story of the Palestinians.

The museum is set to open within a year.