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- Ithra joins the Islamic Arts Biennale for its second edition, presenting a curated selection of works in the AlMadar section.
- Aligned with Ithra’s mission to inspire and enrich, the exhibition fosters a deeper appreciation of Islamic heritage and its enduring contributions to humanity.
- The Islamic Arts Biennale will be held in Jeddah from January 25 to May 25, 2025.
DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, 27 January 2025 – The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announces its showcase of 6 Islamic artefacts to exhibit in the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale, taking place from January 25 to May 25 2025, at the Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Titled And All That Is In Between, this year’s Biennale will explore how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and creation. As a leading voice in the global Islamic arts conversation and with an extensive Islamic art collection, Ithra will participate in the Biennale for the second time, presenting in the AlMadar section. This collective exhibition highlights the richness and diversity of Islamic culture through contributions from renowned local and international Islamic art institutions.
Farah Abushullaih, Head of Museum said: “It is a privilege for Ithra’s Islamic collection to be featured once again at this prestigious Biennale, which celebrates the diversity and depth of Islamic arts. Our participation underscores our ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Islamic art with a global audience while expanding knowledge of key concepts of Islamic traditions that have shaped and continue to shape Islamic identities today.”
Ithra’s Curator of Islamic Art and Culture, Idries Trevathan, worked closely with curators Dr Heather Ecker and Dr Marika Sardar, members of the curatorial team of AlMadar, to select works that center around the theme of waqf, a foundational concept in Islamic culture that involves dedicating assets—such as land, buildings, or other properties—for the benefit of the community. Often supporting religious, educational, or charitable initiatives, waqf embodies a spiritual commitment and promotes social and economic welfare.
Ithra’s pieces include a firman (decree) of Mustafa III concerning the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (PHUB), a prayer carpet fragment, the manuscript of tafsir, rahal (folding manuscript stand), a mosque lamp and a large wooden minbar (pulpit).
Ithra is committed to showcasing the artistry and enduring legacy of Islamic heritage through its extensive and growing collection, programming across the Museum’s galleries and Ithra’s triennial Islamic Art Conference. Across these spaces and initiatives, Ithra hosts a range of engaging lectures, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and travelling displays, film screenings, and live demonstrations by skilled artisans that showcase both the significance of Islamic art and elucidate its contemporary relevance. Emblematic of this is In Praise of the Artisan, a major 3-year exhibition of over 130 historical and contemporary works, many of which have never been publicly displayed, currently on view in Ithra Museum’s Islamic Art Gallery. Ithra works to pay homage to craftspeople both past and present, positioning Islamic craft practices as living traditions that continue to add value and meaning today, cementing Ithra’s role as a global champion of cultural exchange and creativity.
Ithra’s participation in the Biennale aligns perfectly with the event’s mission to promote creative expression, celebrate diverse artistic and cultural perspectives, and highlight the transformative power of art. As a leading voice in the celebration and preservation of Islamic artistic traditions, Ithra is dedicated to promoting Islamic arts and culture globally, reinforcing its commitment to fostering cultural understanding and innovation.