emirates7 - Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture hosted a ceremony at the Louvre Abu Dhabi to honor the winners of the 18th edition of the Al Burda Award 2024.
The event, marking the 20th anniversary of the prestigious award, celebrates exceptional contributions to traditional Islamic art.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the UAE Parliamentary Division Group in the Inter-Parliamentary Union; and other cultural leaders, ambassadors, and government officials.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, opened the ceremony, emphasizing the Al Burda Award’s role in promoting the unifying values of Islam through the arts. He also highlighted the UAE’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and mutual understanding worldwide.
This year’s edition of the award recognized the Kingdom of Morocco as the Guest of Honour for its significant contributions to Islamic arts, reinforcing the award’s dedication to celebrating artistic excellence. During the event, the School of National Crafts and Arts in Tetouan was honored with an appreciation award for its efforts in preserving and promoting Morocco's cultural heritage through student development in fields like sculpture, ceramics, and design.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Uzbek Art and Culture Development Foundation to strengthen cultural exchanges, focusing on reviving shared heritage in textile crafts and promoting contemporary innovations.
The theme of this year’s award, "Light," drew inspiration from Surat Al-Ma’idah, verse 15: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” More than 1,080 artists from over 50 countries participated in the competition.
Award winners included poet Yassin Hizqar, who took first place in the Modern Standard Arabic Poetry category, and Awad Al-Awad, who won first place in the Nabati Poetry category. Maryam Norouzi Khalilani won first place in the Traditional Arabic Calligraphy category, while Daoudi Abdel Qader claimed the top spot in the Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy category.
New categories introduced this year included Freestyle Poetry, Contemporary Ornamentation, and Typographic Design, with winners Ahmed Al Hattab, Mahbooba Mahdavi, and Yasmine Naeem, respectively.
The ceremony featured a musical performance titled "Path of Light," a spiritual journey reflecting the teachings of the Prophet Mohamed. The performance included five chapters, each symbolizing different aspects of the Prophet’s life and legacy.
An exhibition accompanying the award, titled “When the Sun Rises on the Horizon,” was attended by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan. The exhibition featured 60 art pieces in calligraphy, ornamentation, poetry, and contemporary art, offering an immersive experience that blended classical Islamic art with modern creativity.
The event, marking the 20th anniversary of the prestigious award, celebrates exceptional contributions to traditional Islamic art.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the UAE Parliamentary Division Group in the Inter-Parliamentary Union; and other cultural leaders, ambassadors, and government officials.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, opened the ceremony, emphasizing the Al Burda Award’s role in promoting the unifying values of Islam through the arts. He also highlighted the UAE’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and mutual understanding worldwide.
This year’s edition of the award recognized the Kingdom of Morocco as the Guest of Honour for its significant contributions to Islamic arts, reinforcing the award’s dedication to celebrating artistic excellence. During the event, the School of National Crafts and Arts in Tetouan was honored with an appreciation award for its efforts in preserving and promoting Morocco's cultural heritage through student development in fields like sculpture, ceramics, and design.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the UAE Ministry of Culture and the Uzbek Art and Culture Development Foundation to strengthen cultural exchanges, focusing on reviving shared heritage in textile crafts and promoting contemporary innovations.
The theme of this year’s award, "Light," drew inspiration from Surat Al-Ma’idah, verse 15: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book.” More than 1,080 artists from over 50 countries participated in the competition.
Award winners included poet Yassin Hizqar, who took first place in the Modern Standard Arabic Poetry category, and Awad Al-Awad, who won first place in the Nabati Poetry category. Maryam Norouzi Khalilani won first place in the Traditional Arabic Calligraphy category, while Daoudi Abdel Qader claimed the top spot in the Contemporary Arabic Calligraphy category.
New categories introduced this year included Freestyle Poetry, Contemporary Ornamentation, and Typographic Design, with winners Ahmed Al Hattab, Mahbooba Mahdavi, and Yasmine Naeem, respectively.
The ceremony featured a musical performance titled "Path of Light," a spiritual journey reflecting the teachings of the Prophet Mohamed. The performance included five chapters, each symbolizing different aspects of the Prophet’s life and legacy.
An exhibition accompanying the award, titled “When the Sun Rises on the Horizon,” was attended by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan. The exhibition featured 60 art pieces in calligraphy, ornamentation, poetry, and contemporary art, offering an immersive experience that blended classical Islamic art with modern creativity.