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 has launched an art exhibition titled “As the Sun Appears from Beyond” at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This event, part of the 18th Al Burda Award 2024 celebrations, runs until January 19, 2025, showcasing two decades of Islamic art evolution and highlighting the UAE's role in fostering artistic innovation.
The exhibition centers around the theme of "light," inspired by a verse from Surat Al-Ma’idah: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book”(Qur'an 5:15). Featuring over 60 works spanning Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, and poetry, it offers visitors an immersive experience that bridges classical Islamic art with contemporary creativity.
Organized through the Al Burda Grant Programme and the "Capacity Building Programme," the exhibition is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto under a Memorandum of Understanding. It celebrates Islamic art's evolution through traditional and modern interpretations, underscoring its timeless relevance.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, described the exhibition as a celebration of Islamic art's enduring legacy and a testament to the UAE’s commitment to cultural dialogue. “Art transcends beauty; it embodies spiritual values that unite humanity,” he said.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chairman of the Environment and Climate Committee of the Aga Khan Development Network, highlighted the exhibition’s role in promoting pluralism and collaboration, emphasizing its potential to foster peace and understanding.
Curated by Emirati artists Fatima Al Mahmoud, Sarah Bin Safwan, Sheikha Al Zaabi, and Dr. Ulrike Al Khamis, CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, the exhibition guides visitors through Islamic art’s historical development via the emotive power of poetry and the artistry of calligraphy and ornamentation.
The exhibition begins with an Archive Section, documenting Al Burda Award’s milestones since its inception in 2004, celebrating its legacy with photographs and videos of key achievements. The Poetry Section highlights award-winning classical Arabic and Nabati poems, reflecting the theme of “light” and honoring the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as a beacon of guidance.
On the lower floor, the Hilya Section explores the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy used to describe the Prophet’s characteristics, showcasing its evolution and importance in contemporary Islamic art. The Holy Qur’an: Noor Ala Noor section features Qur'anic calligraphy paired with decorative art, focusing on chapters like Surat Al Najm, Surat Al Rahman, and Surat Al Tawba.
Other sections include reflections on unity and mercy from the Prophet’s Farewell Sermon and the Qasidat Al Burda and Nahj Al Burda section, which integrates traditional and modern art forms to celebrate devotion and spiritual illumination.
The Al Burda Award, established in 2004 to commemorate the Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) birth, is a global platform honoring excellence in Islamic art, poetry, and culture. This year's exhibition celebrates its 20th anniversary, focusing on the concept of “light” and advancing a deeper understanding of art as a medium for spiritual connection.
The exhibition centers around the theme of "light," inspired by a verse from Surat Al-Ma’idah: “There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book”(Qur'an 5:15). Featuring over 60 works spanning Arabic calligraphy, ornamentation, and poetry, it offers visitors an immersive experience that bridges classical Islamic art with contemporary creativity.
Organized through the Al Burda Grant Programme and the "Capacity Building Programme," the exhibition is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto under a Memorandum of Understanding. It celebrates Islamic art's evolution through traditional and modern interpretations, underscoring its timeless relevance.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, described the exhibition as a celebration of Islamic art's enduring legacy and a testament to the UAE’s commitment to cultural dialogue. “Art transcends beauty; it embodies spiritual values that unite humanity,” he said.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Chairman of the Environment and Climate Committee of the Aga Khan Development Network, highlighted the exhibition’s role in promoting pluralism and collaboration, emphasizing its potential to foster peace and understanding.
Curated by Emirati artists Fatima Al Mahmoud, Sarah Bin Safwan, Sheikha Al Zaabi, and Dr. Ulrike Al Khamis, CEO of the Aga Khan Museum, the exhibition guides visitors through Islamic art’s historical development via the emotive power of poetry and the artistry of calligraphy and ornamentation.
The exhibition begins with an Archive Section, documenting Al Burda Award’s milestones since its inception in 2004, celebrating its legacy with photographs and videos of key achievements. The Poetry Section highlights award-winning classical Arabic and Nabati poems, reflecting the theme of “light” and honoring the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) as a beacon of guidance.
On the lower floor, the Hilya Section explores the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy used to describe the Prophet’s characteristics, showcasing its evolution and importance in contemporary Islamic art. The Holy Qur’an: Noor Ala Noor section features Qur'anic calligraphy paired with decorative art, focusing on chapters like Surat Al Najm, Surat Al Rahman, and Surat Al Tawba.
Other sections include reflections on unity and mercy from the Prophet’s Farewell Sermon and the Qasidat Al Burda and Nahj Al Burda section, which integrates traditional and modern art forms to celebrate devotion and spiritual illumination.
The Al Burda Award, established in 2004 to commemorate the Prophet Mohamed’s (PBUH) birth, is a global platform honoring excellence in Islamic art, poetry, and culture. This year's exhibition celebrates its 20th anniversary, focusing on the concept of “light” and advancing a deeper understanding of art as a medium for spiritual connection.