Islamic artwork display reveals ancient treasures

Abu Dhabi: General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inaugurated the Islamic Arts exhibition on Tuesday.

Dubbed as 'The Treasure' from Nasir Al Khalili's collection, the exhibition is widely regarded as one of the biggest on Islamic arts in the world.

Shaikh Mohammad toured the exhibition, which is being held at the Emirates Palace Hotel under the theme 'Allah is beautiful and loves beauty' and will continue until April 22.

Some of the 500 exhibits, dating back to over 1,000 years, are on display for the first time to the general public. They include rare scriptures and photo of Makkah from 1843. It is the oldest photograph of the holy city.

Shaikh Mohammad was briefed about the rare exhibits, which originate from the East, Middle East, North Africa and Spain.

"The exhibition stands as an authoritative record of valuable and ever-lasting Islamic art and treasures ... it is an eternal running source that narrates the history of a nation that has great influence on human civilisation," Shaikh Mohammad said.

He also praised Professor Khalili, Iranian scholar, collector and benefactor, for assembling the collection under the auspices of the Khalili Family Trust.