Calligraphy exhibition opens at Sharjah museum

Monday, Jun 27, 2011

Gulf News

Sharjah The Museums Department in Sharjah has started celebrating its status as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2014 with the inauguration of an Islamic calligraphy exhibition yesterday.

The exhibition titled, “Messenger of Mercy and Humanity and his Virtues in the Prophet’s City” features the works of renowned Saudi artist Abdullah Al Sanea, and runs until July 23 at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

“Hosting this exhibition is in line with [our] mission to highlight the contributions of Islamic civilisation, not only through its glorious history, but also through the artistic, scientific and cultural achievements that benefit the world’s communities,” said Manal Ataya, Director-General of Sharjah Museums Department.

The calligraphy exhibition is part of a world tour that was launched for the first time outside Saudi Arabia. It was first displayed in Qatar before arriving in Sharjah, and will then continue on to the US. The exhibition took five years to study, prepare and choose the selected verses from the Quran as well as from the Prophet’s (PBUH) traditions.

Successful series

“We hope that this exhibition will be the beginning of a successful series of activities aimed to celebrate and affirm the position of the emirate as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2014,” she said.

Al Sanea explained that his works aims to reflect the principles of Muslim humanity and tolerance, in addition to representing the beauty of Islamic art. He also pointed out that the exhibition displays a selection of phrases from the Quran, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and hadiths, which is presented through Islamic ornamentations and calligraphy. “All the Prophet’s [PBUH] traditions were designed in the shape of an open mouth as if it is speaking to an audience, and informing them about the virtues of the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH],” he said. “The verses and prophetic traditions have also been translated into English, and I hope that visitors can understand the message that Islam does not discriminate between prophets.”

ATIQ-UR-REHMAN/Gulf News

Visual appeal

Visitors view the exhibits during the inauguration of the Messenger of Mercy and Humanity and his Virtues in the Prophet’s City at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.

honour

heritage centre

In 2009, Sharjah was chosen as the 2014 Capital of Islamic Culture by the Ministers of Culture in Islamic countries.

The choice was made in evaluation of Sharjah’s contributions in preserving, promoting and disseminating culture at local, Arab and Islamic levels, under the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Among the most prominent cultural achievements in Sharjah is the “Knowledge Without Borders” project, as part of which a library of 50 books was donated to Emirati homes in the emirate. The aim of this project is to promote and to emphasise the importance of cultural development among the families, particularly focusing on children.

Event

WHAT: “Messenger of Mercy and Humanity and his Virtues in the Prophet’s City” Exhibition

WHEN: Runs until July 23

WHERE: Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation

— M.A.S

Box 2

What: “Messenger of Mercy and Humanity and his Virtues in the Prophet’s City” Exhibition

When: runs until July 23

Where: Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

We hope that this will... affirm the position of the emirate as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2014.”

Manal Ataya

Director-General of Sharjah Museums Department