A file photo shows a painting of a ship displayed during the 8th Biennial Hamad bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic Art “The Seas and the Mobility of Islamic Art.”
Every year on November 18, the International Day of Islamic Art is observed as proclaimed during the 40th session of the Unesco General Conference in 2019. The observation aims to raise awareness of Islam’s past and contemporary artistic expressions and the contribution of different cultures to civilization through Islamic art.
“Celebrating Islamic art annually is an invitation for people to know more about the heritage of this art and to encourage the celebration of this occasion,” said Dr. Omar Al Ejli, a lecturer at Community College of Qatar (CCQ).
Because it transcends several generations and geographic areas with varied national and religious identities, Islamic Art can be challenging to define. Dr. Omar explained that Islamic Art “is an intellectual subject that deserves attention,” adding that there are widespread debates about some branches of Islamic Art among Muslim thinkers themselves as well as with orientalists and the interested elites of Western writers.
In modern times, Islamic Art encompasses all art forms produced in the lands where Islam was the dominant religion or the religion of those who ruled. It applies to all art forms produced in the Islamic world, including religious arts and architecture.
According to Dr. Omar, Islamic art can be described as “the vision of Islam (from the aspect of beauty) to the existence of life and man with characteristics inspired and derived from Islam. In general, art means the practical philosophical vision of an individual or nation towards major comprehensive concepts or circumstantial detail in the realities of daily life.”
With the rise and fall of empires throughout history, Islamic Art’s influence is evident across the world’s major cities.
“In this context, artistic heritage is the authentic narration of history. Now, we have to go to museums that preserved the manifestations of this beautiful art and its treasures and structures that have influenced modern urban construction.
“It will not be an exaggeration to say that the Two Holy Mosques summarize the distinctive Islamic architectural style. They also depict Islamic sculpture, drawing, and calligraphy,,” Dr. Omar explains.
Islamic Art’s influence is also evident in Andalusia’s mosques and palaces, such as the Mosque of Cordoba and the Al Hamra Palace. Islamic architecture is also visible in Africa and Asia, in Ibn Tulun Mosque in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, and Istanbul’s mosques. Some of these structures are heritage sites by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
In Qatar, Islamic Art is highlighted at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). Considered one of the most important museums worldwide, it houses the complete Islamic artifacts, with items originating in Spain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, India, and Central Asia. Its collection of Islamic Art represents three continents and over one thousand four hundred years, including manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, and glass from the 7th to the 19th century.
An artwork on display at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Since its inauguration in 2008, MIA has hosted more than twenty special art exhibitions and holds regular seminars and lectures to educate people about Islamic Art.
Other notable Islamic Art museums worldwide include Muzium Kesenian Islam Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and the Burgos Museum in Spain. The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Istanbul contains collections and evidence that document Islamic art’s achievements.
“The Islamic arts has performed its duties by communicating the heritage of the nations that precedes modern times,” said Dr. Omar.
An artwork on display at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Studying Islamic Art can provide deeper insight into the history and the shaping of civilizations. However, several challenges impede learning more about this art. Many scholars are unfamiliar with the Arabic language, despite it being one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is a tricky situation because most Islamic scripts are written in Arabic calligraphy. Another challenge is that art lovers, particularly Western enthusiasts, generally gravitate towards paintings and sculptures akin to renaissance art.
“The Unesco adopting a World Day for Islamic Art is important. More awareness through exhibitions specialising in the heritage of Islamic art should be held. Also, Islamic art can benefit from relevant international cultural events, while seminars and lectures by specialists should be held to let people know about this art,” Dr. Omar notes.
He also added that Islamic arts should be listed within tourism programmes and events. Social media can also be leveraged to enlighten people, especially non-Muslims, about Islamic Art and its history. Universities should be encouraged to include “heritage of Islamic Art” as the subject of theses and research of postgraduate students.
