UAE | Heritage and Culture

Largest Islamic Art show open

One of the largest and rarest Islamic Art exhibitions in the world was inaugurated on Tuesday at Emirates Palace.

  • By Shireena Al Nowais, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 19:25 January 22, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Gulf News
  • With over 500 pieces of Islamic art work, dating back to over 1,000 years, the ‘Arts of Islam: Treasures of the Khalili Collection’ exhibition is one the largest and rarest exhibitions in the world.

Abu Dhabi: One of the largest and rarest Islamic Art exhibitions in the world was inaugurated on Tuesday at Emirates Palace.

"The staging of this magnificent exhibition sets the tone for Abu Dhabi's cultural ambitions as defined by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces," said Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

Cultural centre

"This is a physical demonstration of our determination to transform the UAE capital into a global cultural centre and a major step forward in what will be a sustained educational programme aimed at nurturing a national awareness of arts appreciation," he added.

With over 500 pieces of Islamic artwork, dating back to over 1,000 years, the 'Arts of Islam: Treasures of the Khalili Collection' exhibition is one the largest and rarest exhibitions in the world.

"The exhibition illustrates the breadth of artistic achievement in the Islamic world and also reflects its geographic diversity," said Professor Nasser D. Khalili, Iranian scholar, collector and benefactor who assembled the collection under the auspices of the Khalili Family Trust.

"It showcases exquisite treasures from a broad spectrum of media from as far east as China, India and Iran, across the Middle East to North Africa and Spain.

"The works on display have been specifically chosen to illustrate the development of Islam's rich artistic heritage over a period of some 1,400 years. The subjects covered include religion, science, poetry, literature, calligraphy, painting and architecture, in addition to the decorative arts.

"The religious section explores art made to honour the majesty of God and his word, the Holy Quran, and to meet the requirements of the religion. The secular section presents the arts made to serve the needs of the sovereign and ruling classes."

According to Khalili, who says he has spent over 40 years collecting Islamic art work, the items on display are from around 50 Muslim countries.

Museums: Time frame

The long awaited Saadiyat Island Louvre and Guggenheim museums are expected to be completed sometime between 2012 and 2013.

Lee Tabler, CEO of the Tourism Development and Investment Company said during a press conference yesterday announcing the Art of Islam exhibition: "This is the first time in over 350 years that the Louvre has stepped out of France. The Louvre and Guggenheim museums have the same time frame and are expected to be completed in 2012-2013," he said.

Abu Dhabi is on its way to becoming a global cultural centre with the creation of the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.

More from UAE Heritage & Culture

  1. Artists focus on craftsmanship

  2. Designer of a creative haven

  3. Enjoy a unique experience in Sharjah

  4. Sharjah museums highlight heritage

All articles in Heritage & Culture

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE

More from UAE

Crackdown

Passports seized in Dish TV crackdown

Dubai airport

Swords, knives, fake guns seized in Dubai

India-Pakistan

New visa rules thrill cross-border couples

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather

Gallery

A pick of the best pictures taken by readers

Video

In the lanes of Deira Spice Souq